Bachelor of Health Science (Podiatry)

Studying podiatry develops your skills and clinical reasoning to work as a podiatrist in both the private and public sectors. AUT is the only university in New Zealand where you can study a podiatry degree.

Podiatry focuses on the prevention, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of common conditions affecting the lower limb and foot. After successfully completing AUT's podiatry degree, you can apply to register as a podiatrist in New Zealand and overseas.

Clinical placements in hospitals, primary health organisations, private practices and AUT’s on-campus podiatry clinic are a key part of this programme. These placements are your chance to experience all aspects of a podiatrist’s caseload, and a great networking opportunity. You can practise and perform minor surgical procedures in AUT’s purpose-built surgical theatre.

Applying to study health sciences from 2022

From 2022 all offers of place for undergraduate health science degrees will be made into the Bachelor of Health Science without a major.

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Start date: 2022

Minimum entry requirements

  • University Entrance or equivalent
  • Must be capable of meeting Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act (HPCA Act) requirements and Children's Act 2014, including police clearance

Applicants with English as a second or other language who have not completed at least three years of secondary schooling in NZ will be required to meet IELTS requirements.

International student entry requirements

English language requirements

  • IELTS (Academic) 7.0 overall with all bands 6.5 or higher

English language requirements

Year 1

Semester 1 courses

You develop an in-depth understanding of general healthcare, learning alongside other health science students.

Semester 2 courses

In Semester 2, you're introduced to clinical practice in the AUT podiatry clinic, involving a mix of practical and academic work, in preparation for working with patients in your second year.

Year 2

You undertake clinical practice, focusing on clinical podiatry techniques, and under supervision begin to treat patients at AUT Integrated Health’s podiatry clinic. You explore contemporary concepts in pathology, and the management of paediatric and sports conditions, expanding on the theory introduced in Year 1 including anatomy, physiology and clinical musculoskeletal assessment.

Complete the following courses

Year 3

In the final year you study rheumatology, diabetes management and podiatric imaging. You develop clinical decision-making skills to become an independent practitioner. Clinical placements provide you with the opportunity to explore chronic podiatric medical conditions, lower limb musculoskeletal conditions and podiatric surgery.

Complete the following courses

Workplace experience

Clinical placements in hospitals, primary health organisations, private practices and AUT’s on-campus podiatry clinic are a key part of this programme.

Your final year ends with an extended placement in private practice, the public sector and AUT’s clinical facility, exposing you to a wide range of interprofessional clinical environments.

Te Ara Hauora Māori courses

If you're interested in a career with a Māori development perspective select the following courses as electives or as an alternative course of study

We will help you form relationships with Māori health providers, industry stakeholders and communities, and AUT Māori staff and students.

To work as a podiatrist you need to hold a degree in podiatry and be registered by the Podiatrists Board of New Zealand. Qualified New Zealand podiatrists are able to practise in Australia, Singapore, and the United Kingdom.

Podiatrists practise privately or in public health, and in specialised areas. Podiatrists work with a range of people and issues:

  • Sports podiatry – involves working with the novice to the professional athlete to prevent, manage and rehabilitate sports-related injuries
  • High-risk foot – involves managing populations with diabetes and rheumatological conditions
  • Older adult podiatry – involves the promotion of health and management of long-term conditions that affect the lower limb and foot
podiatry-thumb.jpg

Find out more about industry trends, job descriptions and what employers may be looking for.

Podiatry Careers

Quick facts
Programme code:
AK3713
Level:
7
Points:
360
Duration:
3 years full-time
Campus:
North Campus
Starts:
28 Feb 2022
Fees:
Domestic
$6,901 - $7,486
  • This represents the approximate tuition fee range based on a full-time workload of 120 points in 2022. The exact fees will depend on courses selected and may exceed this range.
  • Fees are subject to change year to year. If you are planning for beyond 2022, fees may vary from those stated.
  • There may also be other fees and charges you need to pay. Learn more about fees to study at AUT
  • Check if you're eligible for fees-free study
International
$39,000
  • This represents the approximate tuition fee range based on a full-time workload of 120 points in 2022. The exact fees will depend on courses selected and may exceed this range.
  • Fees are subject to change year to year. If you are planning for beyond 2022, fees may vary from those stated.
  • There may also be other fees and charges you need to pay. Learn more about fees to study at AUT
  • International students' tuition fees reflect the full cost of tuition. Domestic students' tuition fees are less due to a proportion of the tuition fees being funded by the New Zealand Government.

Scholarships at AUT

Lynn Chen
Prue Molyneux
Jordan O’Connell
Anjila Reddy
Mary-Ellen Redmayne
Lynn Chen
Great graduatesLynn ChenPodiatrist, Perform PodiatryBachelor of Health Science (Podiatry)Watching the impact a podiatrist can have on patients’ lives inspired Lynn Chen to start her own journey towards a career in podiatry and study at AUT.Watching the impact a podiatrist can have on patients’ lives inspired Lynn Chen to start her own journey towards a career in podiatry. She was impressed by the process the podiatrist went through to take her friend from walking with pain to walking with confidence. After graduating with a Bachelor of Health Science (Podiatry) from AUT at the end of 2018, Lynn now gets to make a positive impact on the lives of her own patients.
Prue Molyneux
Great graduatesPrue MolyneuxDoctor of Philosophy
Bachelor of Health Science (Honours)
Bachelor of Health Science (Podiatry)
Postgraduate Certificate in Health ScienceOsteoarthritis is a global health burden and leading cause of chronic pain, joint stiffness, functional limitation and disability, says Prue Molyneux.Osteoarthritis is a global health burden and leading cause of chronic pain, joint stiffness, functional limitation and disability among older adults, says Prue Molyneux who is currently completing a PhD on foot osteoarthritis. Her studies at AUT have provided her with invaluable opportunities, says Prue who started her AUT journey with a Bachelor of Health Science (Podiatry).
Jordan O’Connell
Great graduatesJordan O’ConnellPodiatrist, Speights PodiatryBachelor of Health Science (Podiatry)He loves applying his skills to make a difference to people’s wellbeing, says health sciences alumnus Jordan O’Connell who works at Speights Podiatry.He loves applying his skills to make a difference to people’s wellbeing, says health sciences alumnus Jordan O’Connell who is now a podiatrist at Speights Podiatry. The people he met and the lecturers who taught him were the highlights of his time at university, Jordan says. He considers studying at AUT was some of the best years of his life.
Anjila Reddy
Great graduatesAnjila ReddyPodiatrist, The Foot Stop Podiatry Services, Gold Coast, AustraliaBachelor of Health Science (Podiatry)She loves her job, says AUT health sciences alumna Anjila Reddy who is now working as a podiatrist at The Foot Stop Podiatry Services on the Gold Coast.She loves her job, says Anjila Reddy who is now working as a podiatrist at The Foot Stop Podiatry Services on the Gold Coast. While she now lives and works on the Gold Coast, Anjila spends her workday surrounded by fellow Kiwis: The Foot Stop Podiatry Services was founded by AUT podiatry alumna Mary-Ellen Redmayne and nine of the clinic’s 11 podiatrists are AUT graduates.
Mary-Ellen Redmayne
Great graduatesMary-Ellen RedmayneFounder/Director, The Foot Stop Podiatry Services, Gold Coast, AustraliaBachelor of Health Science (Podiatry)She loves the positive impact her work has on her community, says AUT podiatry alumna Mary-Ellen Redmayne who now runs The Foot Stop Podiatry Services.She loves the positive impact her work has on her community, says AUT podiatry alumna Mary-Ellen Redmayne who now runs The Foot Stop Podiatry Services; a highly successful podiatry clinic on Australia’s Gold Coast. Mary-Ellen moved to Australia in 2010 and started her podiatry business in 2014. In 2019, she received a Queensland Young Businesswoman of the Year Award, recognising her commitment to the community and her new approach to traditional business.
View all student profiles

The information on this page was correct at time of publication. For a comprehensive overview of AUT qualifications, please refer to the Academic Calendar.

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