Bachelor of Podiatric Medicine (4708)
- Approved Abbreviation: BPodMed
- Western Sydney University Program Code: 4708
- AQF Level: 7
CRICOS Code: 086123M
This program applies to students who commenced in 2022 or later.
Students should follow the program structure for the session start date relevant to the year they commenced.
Commencement Year 2015 - 2021 - 4708.1 Bachelor of Podiatric Medicine
Commencement Year 2013 - 2014 - 4661.4 Bachelor of Health Science/Master of Podiatric Medicine
Handbook Summary 2022-2023
Podiatrists are best known for treating problems that people experience with their feet and lower limbs, but they are increasingly playing an important role in addressing chronic conditions such as diabetes and rheumatology. Podiatrists treat a range of patients including children, adults, workers, sportspeople and the older population. There is a focus on podiatric applications including management of common problems such as ingrown toenails or bunions, chronic disease management, musculoskeletal rehabilitation, footwear assessment and orthoses fabrication. Over the program of the program students will complete 1000 hours clinical hours inclusive of Uniclinic sessions and 19 weeks of clinical placement in a range of facilities including hospitals, community centres, private practices, and sports medicine centres, in rural and metropolitan locations. Continuing education on completion of the program can lead to opportunities for advanced practice such as restricted therapeutic prescription rights and application for training as a podiatric surgeon. The program in podiatry is offered as a 4-year Bachelor of Podiatric Medicine. The first three years of the program combine studies in podiatry with a broad understanding of biomedicine and various health science fields to develop the professional competencies important for ethical and safe practice and high quality care and the skills to work in multidisciplinary teams. The final year focuses predominately on podiatry practice skills, practical experience and specialised areas. Evidence-based practice is one of the most important trends in healthcare today and a strong feature of the program.
Handbook Summary 2024
The Joint Podiatry Program is delivered jointly by Western Sydney University (WSU) and the University of Newcastle (UON). Students can enrol with either university.
Podiatrists have a varied and interesting job caring for feet. Podiatrists correct sports injuries, address developmental issues in children, support elderly mobility and treat chronic illnesses. Over the program students will complete clinical placements in the university teaching clinic and in a range of external facilities.
The Bachelor of Podiatric Medicine includes an option to seek endorsement in relation to scheduled medicines.
An Honours program is available for high achieving students in the Bachelor of Podiatric Medicine. Please refer to the entry for the Bachelor of Podiatric Medicine (Honours).
Early Exit
Students may exit this program on completion of 240 credit points with a 4789 Bachelor of Health Science (Clinical Sciences)
Study Mode
Four years full-time.
Program Advice
healthsciences@westernsydney.edu.au
Prospective students should visit the following websites for general enquiries about this program.
Enquire about this program| Local Admission | International Admission |
Location
| Campus | Attendance | Mode | Advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| Campbelltown Campus | Full Time | Internal | See above |
Accreditation
The Western Sydney University Bachelor of Podiatric Medicine is an accredited program of study by the Podiatry Board of Australia. After graduating, students will be eligible to apply for general registration as a Podiatrist via the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). An additional pathway enabling students to graduate with eligibility to apply for registration as a Podiatrist endorsed for scheduled medicines is being prepared for accreditation assessment
Inherent Requirements
There are inherent requirements for this program that you must meet in order to complete your program and graduate. Make sure you read and understand the requirements for this program online.
Work Integrated Learning
Western Sydney University seeks to enhance student learning experiences by enabling students to engage in the culture, expectations and practices of their profession or discipline. This program includes a placement or other community-based unpaid practical experience.
There is a mandatory work component required for completion of this program. Please contact the Program Advisor listed above for information.
International students should also refer to the link below for more information and a link to the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS).
Admission 2022 - 2023
- Assumed knowledge: Any 2 units of English
- Recommended Studies: Mathematics, Physics and Biology
Applications from Australian and New Zealand citizens and holders of permanent resident visas may be made via the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC) or directly through the Western Portal. Use the links below to apply via UAC or Western Sydney University. Applications made directly to Western Sydney do not have an application fee.
http://www.uac.edu.au/
https://westernsydney.uac.edu.au/ws/
Applicants who have undertaken studies overseas may have to provide proof of proficiency in English. Local applicants who are applying through the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC) will find details of minimum English proficiency requirements and acceptable proof on the UAC website. Local applicants applying directly to the University should also use the information provided on the UAC website.
International students currently completing an Australian Year 12 in or outside Australia, an International Baccalaureate in Australia or a New Zealand National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA) level 3 must apply via UAC International.
All other International applicants must apply directly to the University via the International Office.
International students applying to the University through the International Office can find details of minimum English proficiency requirements and acceptable proof on their website.
Overseas qualifications must be deemed by the Australian Education International - National Office of Overseas Skills Recognition (AEI-NOOSR) to be equivalent to Australian qualifications in order to be considered by UAC and Western Sydney University.
For courses that will lead to AHPRA registered careers and students studying Sport and Exercise Science and Speech Pathology, students are required to have a minimum IELTS score of 7.0 overall with a minimum score of 7.0 in Speaking and Listening, and 6.5 in Writing and Reading or equivalents, in an acceptable language test.
Special Requirements - NSW Health Legislative Pre-requisites
Student Compliance Information for all Health-Related Placements
To enrol in this program, students must meet Western Sydney University program requirements. To attend a health-related placement in this program, Special Legislative Requirements will be assessed from the first year of study.
Western Program Requirements
Visit the Special Requirements webpage for details about your program.
Mandatory NSW Health student placement policy requirements
To be able to undertake placement in any NSW Health facility you must be assessed as compliant with NSW Health student placement policy in the first year of your program, regardless of when you expect to go on your first placement. Access and read the NSW Student Compliance Information Booklet
NSW Student Compliance Information Booklet
Please ensure that you
- Find your existing National Police Check or apply for one
- Gather documentary evidence of your vaccination history
- Print and compete all relevant NSW Health forms relevant to the campus you are enrolled at or online enrolment requirements
- Follow booklet instructions on how to have your compliance documents assessed by NSW health staff.
International students have additional requirements: the link to the booklet will inform you of these requirements.
School Requirements
Contact your School for further details regarding your School’s requirements, if any, such as
- If you live outside of NSW or Australia and need to meet your state, territory or country’s compliance requirements
- If you need to meet different state, territory or country compliance requirements.
- NSW Working with Children Check (WWCC) or other state equivalent, valid for your entire program.
- Current approved first aid certificate valid for your entire program - approved program providers can be found at the Government Training website
- http://training.gov.au
- Other non-health related requirements
Student Compliance Resources are also available on the Placements Hub web page (NSW students only)
Special Requirements
In order to enrol in Second Year Spring subjects, all students must have completed the NSW Health requirements above. In clinical placement subjects, students must wear the Western Sydney University podiatric medicine uniform, which complies with NSW uniform requirements. Special note: Students in this program are required to participate fully in practical classes. This involves practical hands-on podiatry / lower extremity examination and treatment techniques on both genders and students will personally experience these techniques which will be performed on them by other students and/or relevant academic staff. Students are also required to undertake 19 weeks of clinical placement activity which can include rural and metropolitan locations. Student must meet their own travel, accommodation and living expenses during these activities.
Admission 2024
Assumed knowledge: Any 2 Subjects of English
Recommended Studies: Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology
Applications from Australian and New Zealand citizens and holders of permanent resident visas may be made via the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC) or directly through the Western Portal. Use the links below to apply via UAC or Western Sydney University. Applications made directly to Western Sydney do not have an application fee.
https://westernsydney.uac.edu.au/ws/
International applicants must apply directly to Western Sydney University via the International Office.
International students applying to The University through the International Office can find details of minimum English proficiency requirements (For the Bachelor of Podiatric Medicine, students are required to have a minimum IELTS result of 7.0 overall with a minimum result of 7.0 in each band, or equivalent, in an acceptable language test) and acceptable proof on their website.
Overseas qualifications must be deemed by the Australian Department of Education, Skills and Employment to be equivalent to Australian qualifications in order to be considered by UAC and Western Sydney University.
For courses that will lead to AHPRA registered careers and students studying Sport and Exercise Science and Speech Pathology, students are required to have a minimum IELTS score of 7.0 overall with a minimum score of 7.0 in Speaking and Listening, and 6.5 in Writing and Reading or equivalents, in an acceptable language test.
Special Requirements - NSW Health Legislative Pre-requisites
Student Compliance Information for all Health-Related Placements
To enrol in this program, students must meet Western Sydney University program requirements. To attend a health-related placement in this program, Special Legislative Requirements will be assessed from the first year of study.
Western Program Requirements
Visit the Special Requirements webpage for details about your program.
Special Requirements
Mandatory NSW Health student placement policy requirements
To be able to undertake placement in any NSW Health facility you must be assessed as compliant with NSW Health student placement policy in the first year of your program, regardless of when you expect to go on your first placement. Access and read the NSW Student Compliance Information Booklet
NSW Student Compliance Information Booklet
Please ensure that you
Find your existing National Police Check or apply for one
Gather documentary evidence of your vaccination history
Print and compete all relevant NSW Health forms relevant to the campus you are enrolled at or online enrolment requirements
Follow booklet instructions on how to have your compliance documents assessed by NSW health staff.
International students have additional requirements: the link to the booklet will inform you of these requirements.
School Requirements
Contact your School for further details regarding your School’s requirements, if any, such as
If you live outside of NSW or Australia and need to meet your state, territory or country’s compliance requirements
If you need to meet different state, territory or country compliance requirements.
NSW Working with Children Check (WWCC) or other state equivalent, valid for your entire program.
Current approved first aid certificate valid for your entire program - approved program providers can be found at the Government Training website
http://training.gov.au
Other non-health related requirements
Student Compliance Resources are also available on the Placements Hub web page (NSW students only)
https://www.westernsydney.edu.au/learning_futures/home/placements_hub/placements_hub/student_compliance
Special Requirements
In order to enrol in Second Year Clinical Subjects with clinical placement requirements, all students must have: National Police Certificate, Working with Children Check, Student Declaration and First Aid Certificate (including cardiopulmonary resuscitation). To be eligible for clinical placements, students must comply with vaccination requirements and be prepared to submit a completed Adult Immunisation Card to placement institutions. NSW Health can provide details of necessary vaccinations. To be eligible to undertake field/work/practice placements, students must also comply with the NSW Health Records and Information Privacy Act (2004) and complete a relevant declaration. In clinical placement Subjects, students must wear the Western Sydney University Podiatric Medicine uniform, which complies with NSW uniform requirements.
Qualification for this award requires the successful completion of 320 credit points which include the subjects listed in the recommended sequence below.
Recommended Sequence 2022 - 2023
| Year 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Autumn session | Credit Points | |
| PUBH 1006 | Population Health and Society | 10 |
| NATS 1009 | Human Anatomy and Physiology 1 | 10 |
| REHA 1003 | Introduction to Podiatry | 10 |
| HLTH 1013 | Professional Competencies in Health | 10 |
| Credit Points | 40 | |
| Spring session | ||
| NATS 1010 | Human Anatomy and Physiology 2 | 10 |
| HLTH 1012 | Evidence in Health | 10 |
| COMM 1007 | Communication in Health | 10 |
| NATS 1022 | Functional Anatomy | 10 |
| Credit Points | 40 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| 1H session | ||
| REHA 2005 | Pathomechanics and Podiatric Medicine | 10 |
| Credit Points | 10 | |
| Autumn session | ||
| HLTH 2003 | Biomechanics | 10 |
| HLTH 2024 | Research Methods in Health | 10 |
| NATS 2038 | Pathophysiology 1 | 10 |
| From 2022 HLTH 2021 Research Methods (Quantitative and Qualitative) is replaced by HLTH 2024 Research Methods in Health | ||
| Credit Points | 30 | |
| 2H session | ||
| REHA 2007 | Podiatry Pre-Clinical | 10 |
| REHA 2003 | Musculoskeletal Disorders and Imaging | 10 |
| Credit Points | 20 | |
| Spring session | ||
| NATS 3037 | Neuroanatomy | 10 |
| NATS 2008 | Clinical Pharmacology | 10 |
| Credit Points | 20 | |
| Year 3 | ||
| 1H session | ||
| REHA 3028 | Podiatric Practice 1 | 10 |
| REHA 4021 | The High Risk Foot | 10 |
| REHA 3027 | Pharmacology for Podiatrists | 10 |
| Credit Points | 30 | |
| Autumn session | ||
| PUBH 2005 | Culture, Diversity and Health | 10 |
| Credit Points | 10 | |
| 2H session | ||
| REHA 3029 | Podiatric Practice 2 | 10 |
| REHA 3030 | Podiatric Surgery | 10 |
| Credit Points | 20 | |
| Spring session | ||
| BEHV 1014 | Psychology and Health | 10 |
| HLTH 3005 | Evidence-Based Practice | 10 |
| From 2023 HLTH 3005 is replaced by PUBH 3023 Evidence in Professional Reasoning | ||
| At this point, students may exit with the Bachelor of Health Science (Clinical Science) | ||
| Credit Points | 20 | |
| Year 4 | ||
| 1H session | ||
| REHA 4017 | Podiatric Paediatrics and Sports Medicine | 10 |
| REHA 4007 | Dermatology and Gerontology | 10 |
| REHA 4018 | Podiatric Practice 3 | 10 |
| Select one elective | 10 | |
| Credit Points | 40 | |
| 2H session | ||
| REHA 4020 | Podiatric Professional Practice Studies | 10 |
| REHA 4016 | Podiatric Clinical Block | 20 |
| REHA 4019 | Podiatric Practice 4 | 10 |
| Students will exit with Bachelor of Podiatric Medicine | ||
| Credit Points | 40 | |
| Total Credit Points | 320 | |
Replaced Subjects
The subjects listed below count towards completion of this program for students who passed these subjects in Autumn 2021 or earlier.
HLTH 1010 - Professional Health Competencies, replaced by HLTH 1013 Professional Competencies in Health
HLTH 1001 - Foundations of Research and Evidence-based Practice, replaced by HLTH 1012 Evidence in Health
BIOS 1015 - Functional Anatomy, replaced by NATS 1022 Functional Anatomy
BIOS 2029 - Pathophysiology, replaced by NATS 2038 Pathophysiology 1
Qualification for this award requires the successful completion of 320 credit points which include the subjects listed in the recommended sequence below.
Recommended Sequence 2024
| Year 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Autumn session | Credit Points | |
| PUBH 1006 | Population Health and Society | 10 |
| NATS 1009 | Human Anatomy and Physiology 1 | 10 |
| REHA 1003 | Introduction to Podiatry | 10 |
| HLTH 1013 | Professional Competencies in Health | 10 |
| Credit Points | 40 | |
| Spring session | ||
| NATS 1022 | Functional Anatomy | 10 |
| NATS 1010 | Human Anatomy and Physiology 2 | 10 |
| HLTH 1012 | Evidence in Health | 10 |
| COMM 1007 | Communication in Health | 10 |
| Credit Points | 40 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| 1H session | ||
| REHA 2005 | Pathomechanics and Podiatric Medicine | 10 |
| Credit Points | 10 | |
| Autumn session | ||
| PUBH 2005 | Culture, Diversity and Health | 10 |
| NATS 2038 | Pathophysiology 1 | 10 |
| HLTH 2024 | Research Methods in Health | 10 |
| Credit Points | 30 | |
| 2H session | ||
| REHA 2007 | Podiatry Pre-Clinical | 10 |
| REHA 2003 | Musculoskeletal Disorders and Imaging | 10 |
| Credit Points | 20 | |
| Spring session | ||
| BEHV 1014 | Psychology and Health | 10 |
| NATS 2008 | Clinical Pharmacology | 10 |
| Credit Points | 20 | |
| Year 3 | ||
| 1H session | ||
| REHA 3028 | Podiatric Practice 1 | 10 |
| REHA 4021 | The High Risk Foot | 10 |
| REHA 3027 | Pharmacology for Podiatrists | 10 |
| Credit Points | 30 | |
| Autumn session | ||
| HLTH 2003 | Biomechanics | 10 |
| Credit Points | 10 | |
| 2H session | ||
| REHA 3029 | Podiatric Practice 2 | 10 |
| REHA 3030 | Podiatric Surgery | 10 |
| Credit Points | 20 | |
| Spring session | ||
| PUBH 3023 | Evidence in Professional Reasoning | 10 |
| PUBH 3052 | 10 | |
| At this point, students may exit with the Bachelor of Health Science (Clinical Science) | ||
| Credit Points | 20 | |
| Year 4 | ||
| 1H session | ||
| REHA 4017 | Podiatric Paediatrics and Sports Medicine | 10 |
| REHA 4007 | Dermatology and Gerontology | 10 |
| REHA 4018 | Podiatric Practice 3 | 10 |
| Select one elective | 10 | |
| Credit Points | 40 | |
| 2H session | ||
| REHA 4020 | Podiatric Professional Practice Studies | 10 |
| REHA 4019 | Podiatric Practice 4 | 10 |
| Choose one of | 20 | |
| Podiatric Clinical Block | ||
REHA 4036 |
||
| Students will exit with Bachelor of Podiatric Medicine | ||
| Credit Points | 40 | |
| Total Credit Points | 320 | |