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Hi everyone....

I am looking at studying podiatry in 2011, after having my 2nd child, I have decided to havea career change and take some time out and do something completely different!

However, I never studied my A' Levels at school however, obtained 9 GCSE's grades B-D (D grades being both Maths & Science!). I have also GNVQ II & NVQ II.

I am looking at studying Acess to Higher Education course next September, full-time basis.

However, my question is which route/course would be best suited for studying podiatry, as I noticed there are various Access courses?

Any help appreciated!

I understand that the Access course only gives you 60 credits towards the UCAS points, the course is 220-240 UCAS points, so I am a bit baffled as to how I gain the other points, is this through the other subjects such as Biology & Chemistry etc...sorry I am new to all this and haven't yet had a proper chance to get my head around it all.

Thanks very much in advance!

Lisalou

Hiya Lisalou,

You are clearly from the UK but I cannot decipher which bit of the UK you are from.

What I would suggest is talk to a lecturer (preferably the admissions tutor) in the Podiatry Department of the University you wish to attend.
I am a Salford graduate (2005) went straight through GCSE's and A'Levels into Uni so I have no experience of NVQ's or the new points system for UCAS (I think it was introduced 2005 or something).

That said I can assure you that the lecturers from most Universities don't bite, they are a slippery lot to get hold of though mainly because they do other things as well as lecturing. I would suggest either a) arrange to go on a generic University open day. Or b) arrange a private tour of said Podiatry department.

Whatever you decide to do though make sure you talk to them. Communication is essential.

/Duncan

PS: Good luck.

Hi Lisalou
Podiatry was my career change as well. Prior to going to uni I did an Access course which was science based (my subjects were Biology/Psychology/Health Studies/IT) which stood me in good stead to study again. Try and get along to an open day at the uni you wish to attend (appreciate they have finished for this year but something to do next year) also see if you can arrange a visit to a podiatry clinic in your area (both private and NHS) to check it is the right profession for you. Please be aware that podiatry is not an easy option though and you will need a good support network especially with children (my two got used to 'go and ask someone else I'm studying at the moment!!!!).
That said though it was great fun studying and I love this profession.
Good luck with it all.
Wendy

Thanks for posting your responses.

Yes, I am based in the UK - Essex.

I have contacted Uni of East London where they do the Podiatry course, as I haven't been successful in speaking directly to the appropriate person, I have sent an email in hope that it will get directed and maybe get some response back that way instead?

I believe that there are 13 Uni's that do the Podiatry courses, which I think is a good thing. I do not think that studying this subject will be a walk in the park, especially with two fairly young children, however, I do have help and support of my husband & family/friends etc, so sure I will be fine.

I am going to do the Access course, which I think will also be a good thing, as this will help me get back into the swing of studying again, as it has been some time!

Wendy - did you do the Access to HE Diploma in 'Psychology & Health' or 'Health & Nursing' diploma - there seems to be a couple similar but differnet health sections?

I know the Health & Nursing one covers the following areas:

Health Studies
Advanced Human Biology
Medical Physics
Medical Chemistry
Mathematics
English
Information Technology

Will this be equivilent & ok? How is the UCAS points worked out with the Access course Wendy, do you get additional points for the subjects covered? I cannot find too much information on the points tariff.

Thanks for your help everyone!

Lisalou,

Just as an aside - I practice in Essex one day a week running a 100% musculoskeletal list and you would be more than welcome to spend some time with me in clinic at any point if you felt it would be helpful to you and/or your application etc.

It may be not top of your priority list yet, and I am not sure exactly where you are in Essex but the offer is an open one.

Ian

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One of the pre-requisites at Plymouth was that prospective students spend time with a podiatrist.

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simon I agree with you totally......I believe that spending time with a podiatrist should be a pre-requisite for all undegarduate applicants into Podiatry irrespective of where you are based. The worst case-scenario and I have experience of this is students who after a year decide that this is not for them after all

Hi Lisalou
The Access course covering Health and Nursing sounds ok as it covers physics which mine did not however I wish it had (that's beside the point). I would not worry too much about points and UCAS as the college should be able to advise you on this and help you fill out your form when the time comes. If you are concerned before you start I would try and see the course leader for advice. As you can see the consensus of opinion is that you try and visit a podiatrist prior to you starting your journey (apologies if you already have this experience).
Hope it all goes well.
Wendy

I agree with the above posters. Doing a day (or more if possible) in practice would be of great benefit (Salford didn't used to have that as compulsory).

I would suggest trying to get into a clinic that does biomechanics, scalpel work and nail surgery (if possible). It will give you a reasonable idea what you are letting yourself in for.

Don't quote me on this but my year (2002 intake) was about 70 students. By Xmas 2002 we had lost (at a guess) 20 students because Podiatry wasn't what they thought it would be.

Duncan

Hi Lisa,
I went down the same study route in 2004. Redbridge College run an 'Access to Science' course. This course was a requirement from most of the universities I applied for and would be the most suitable one for the Bachelor of Science podiatry degree.

Your best bet would be to look at all the podiatry courses at university and see what their entry requirements are and also attend their open days - that way you can speak with the lecturers.

Shadowing a podiatrist for the day would be great as it will give you an insight into what the profession is all about and whether you think you could handle looking at feet 24/7.

Good Luck.

Hello Lisalou

I work at the University of Plymouth and our admissions team welcome enquiries such as yours because we can help make sure you are on the right track and well prepared for the course. I would suggest that you need to be looking at which University you would want to be studying with and contact their admissions team to discuss what their requirements and suggestions are.

Once you have an overall picture you may want to visit Open Days so you can see the facilities (we have just had one but run another in the summer) and Preview Days where you can see how the content in the course is arranged and how the course runs.

I would also suggest looking at the University websites for the podiatry courses - I know we have a virtual tour of our facilities etc on there!

Hope this helps and I wish you well!

Cathi

Hi Lisalou,

I was a mature student and did a science access course at Plymouth. Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Maths and IT and I threw in Psychology as well as I had never done it and I didn't have to use a calculator!

It was a 10 month 3 days a week course. This gave me more than sufficient points to get onto the Plymouth Podiatry course and without doubt the Access content helped a great deal in that it got me back into writing essays and homework and some research.

Good luck

Nick

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Hi Cathi,

Nice to see you on here !!

Nick Farmer

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