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.
Start date: 2019
- Download Health Sciences programme brochure [PDF, 5.1 MB]
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 two or more years of secondary and/or tertiary education outside New Zealand must meet IELTS requirements and will be interviewed
Selection criteria
- Preference will be given to applicants with the highest level of academic achievement and/or evidence of accomplishments in the relevant field
English language requirements
- IELTS (Academic) 7.0 overall with all bands 6.5 or higher
Year 1
Semester 1 papers
- HEAL504 Lifespan Development and Communication
- HEAL505 Human Anatomy and Physiology I
- HEAL506 Knowledge, Enquiry and Communication
- HEAL507 Health and Environment OR MAOH501 Māori Health, Development and Environment
You develop an in-depth understanding of general healthcare, learning alongside other health science students.
Semester 2 papers
- 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 some clinical practice, focusing on clinical podiatry techniques and under supervision begin to treat patients at the AUT podiatry clinic. You explore contemporary concepts in pathology, diabetes and rheumatology, and build on your knowledge from Year 1.
Complete the following papers
- 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, long-term conditions management and podiatric imaging. You develop clinical decisionmaking 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
- 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 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
- MAOH501 Māori Health, Development 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.
25 Feb 2019
- The tuition fee for a year of full-time study varies depending on your course of study and the combination of papers you study within your qualification. Estimates given are based on paper selection of previous student enrolments within each qualification. Your exact fees will be calculated at the time of invoicing.
- The tuition fee for a year of full-time study varies depending on your course of study and the combination of papers you study within your qualification. Estimates given are based on paper selection of previous student enrolments within each qualification. Your exact fees will be calculated at the time of invoicing.
The information on this page was correct at time of publication. For a comprehensive overview of AUT qualifications, please refer to the Academic Calendar.