Study

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.

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Quick facts

Programme code:

AK3713

Level:

Points:

360

Duration:

3 years full-time

Campus:

North Campus

Starts:

27 Feb 2023

Fees

Domestic

$8,165 - $8,766 (for 120 points)
($7,091- $7,692 tuition fees + $1074 student services levy)

International

$40,874 (for 120 points)
($39,800 tuition fees + $1074 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

Scholarships at AUT

Entry requirements
What you study
Career opportunities
Related programmes

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

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

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

Podiatry Careers

Other undergraduate study options

Postgraduate study options

Bachelor of Health Science (Honours)

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.

Read full story

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).

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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.

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Great graduatesJonathan ChapmanMusculoskeletal Extended Scope Podiatrist, Homerton University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, LondonBachelor of Health Science (Podiatry)He is proud of the difference he’s making to his patients, says Jonathan Chapman who now works for Homerton University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust in London.He is proud of the difference he’s making to his patients’ quality of life, says podiatry alumnus Jonathan Chapman who now works for Homerton University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust in London. After more than a decade working as a professional podiatrist, Jonathan still frequently draws on the skills he developed throughout his studies at AUT.

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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.

Read full story

View all student profiles

Quick facts

Programme code:

AK3713

Level:

Points:

360

Duration:

3 years full-time

Campus:

North Campus

Starts:

27 Feb 2023

Fees

Domestic

$8,165 - $8,766 (for 120 points)
($7,091- $7,692 tuition fees + $1074 student services levy)

International

$40,874 (for 120 points)
($39,800 tuition fees + $1074 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

Scholarships at AUT

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