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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Start date: 2021

Minimum entry requirements

  • University Entrance or equivalent
  • Must be capable of meeting Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act (HPCA Act) requirements and Vulnerable Children’s Act (VCA Act) 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 papers

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

Semester 2 papers

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 papers

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 papers

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 papers

If you're interested in a career with a Māori development perspective select the following papers 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
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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:

22 Feb 2021

Fees:
Domestic
$6,712 - $7,281
  • This represents the approximate tuition fee range based on a full-time workload of 120 points in 2020. The exact fees will depend on papers selected and may exceed this range.
  • Fees are subject to change year to year. If you are planning for beyond 2020, 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
$37,461
  • This represents the approximate tuition fee range based on a full-time workload of 120 points in 2020. The exact fees will depend on papers selected and may exceed this figure.
  • Fees are subject to change year to year. If you are planning for beyond 2020, 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

Georgina Barr
Lynn Chen
Georgina Barr
Great graduatesGeorgina BarrPodiatrist/Dance Podiatrist, SportsMed, Christchurch and Director, Barrina Ltd – Custom Pointe Shoe Fitting and EducationBachelor of Health Science (Podiatry)Having danced as a child, Georgina Barr knows all too well what impact foot pain can have and she loves using her podiatry skills to support other dancers.It’s hard to name her favourite part of the job, says AUT podiatry alumna Georgina Barr. Georgina’s job involves general, sports, diabetic and arthritic podiatry care, as well as stock control, autoclave management and looking after the practice’s social media activities. She values the opportunity to be part of an industry that makes a significant difference in people’s lives. She loved the amount of practical experience and industry contact her AUT degree included.
Lynn Chen
Great graduatesLynn ChenPodiatrist, Vital Feet Podiatry, TaurangaBachelor 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.
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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