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.
Talk to us about your study options
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Start date: 2023
- Download our Health Sciences programme guide [PDF, 3.8 MB]
Minimum entry requirements
- University Entrance or equivalent
- Must be capable of meeting Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act (HPCA Act) and Children’s Act 2014 requirements, 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
Year 1
Semester 1 courses
- HEAL504 Lifespan Development and Communication
- HEAL505 Human Anatomy and Physiology I
- HEAL506 Knowledge, Enquiry and Communication
- HEAL507 Health and Environment OR MAOH501 Hauora Māori and Environment
You develop an in-depth understanding of general healthcare, learning alongside other health science students.
Semester 2 courses
- PODY602 Podiatry Clinical Practice I
- HEAL609 Human Anatomy and Physiology II
- PODY601 Musculoskeletal Podiatry
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
- HEAL610 Methods of Research and Enquiry
- PODY603 Podiatric Pathology
- PODY604 Muskuloskeletal Podiatry II
- PODY605 Te Mate Huka: Podiatric Management of Diabetes in Aotearoa
- PODY702 Podiatry Clinical Practice II
- PODY703 Musculoskeletal Podiatry III
- PHMY701 Pharmacology for Professional Practice
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
- PODY606 Podiatric Rheumatology
- PODY701 Clinical Podiatric Medicine and Surgery
- PODY704 Long Term Conditions and Podiatry
- HLAW701 Health Law and Policy
- PODY705 Podiatric Medical Imaging
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
- MAOH501 Hauora Māori and Environment (instead of HEAL507 Health and Environment)
- MAOH701 Māori Health Promotion
- MAOH702 Applied Primary Māori Mental Health
- HEAL710 Utilising Supervision in Practice
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
Find out more about industry trends, job descriptions and what employers may be looking for.
Other undergraduate study options
- Bachelor of Health Science
- Bachelor of Health Science (Midwifery)
- Bachelor of Health Science (Nursing)
- Bachelor of Health Science (Occupational therapy)
- Bachelor of Health Science (Oral Health)
- Bachelor of Health Science (Physiotherapy)
- Bachelor of Business and Bachelor of Health Science in Psychology conjoint programmes
Postgraduate study options
($6,901 - $7,486 tuition fees + $934 student services levy)
($39,000 tuition fees + $934 student services levy)
- Fees shown are based on a full-time workload for the points indicated next to the fee. The exact fee charged will depend on which courses you select at the time of enrolment.
- Fees are subject to change year to year. If you are planning for study beyond the current year, fees may vary from those stated.
- There may also be other fees and charges you need to pay.
- 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.
- Fees-free study may be available for domestic students
The information on this page was correct at time of publication. For a comprehensive overview of AUT qualifications, please refer to the Academic Calendar.