1. The programme leading to the degree of Bachelor of Science in Podiatry shall be of three years' duration. The maximum period of registration shall normally be five years for those following the full-time route, and six years for those following the flexible studies route . This period of registration will incorporate periods of suspension of studies.
   
   
2. Candidates for admission must satisfy the Regulations for Admission to Degree Courses as specified in Section IV of the General Regulations. They must normally offer at least three A level passes and, additionally, at least five GCSE passes at Grade C or above. English Language, Mathematics and a science subject must be offered either at A level or GCSE. Mature candidates or candidates with other academically equivalent qualifications are considered on their merit.
   
   
3. Admission to, and continuation on, the programme is subject to specific health requirements (consistent with the provisions of the Disability Discrimination Act, 1995). This is to comply with statutory requirements laid down by the Health Act (1999) and the Health Professions Council. Prospective students are required to inform the Head of Programme of any health problems relevant to their future employment as a health professional. All students will be subject to an occupational health check.
   
   
4. Admission to, and continuation on, the programme is subject to consideration of any criminal convictions. The programme is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (1986). This is to comply with statutory requirements laid down by the Health Act (1999) and the Health Professions Council. Prospective students are required to inform the Head of Programme of all criminal convictions. All students will be subject to an enhanced Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) check.
   
   
5. Students holding a professional qualification in Occupational Therapy or Physiotherapy may register for individual modules and, on satisfactory completion of that module, may be awarded the appropriate credit.
   
   
6. All candidates registered for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Podiatry shall be candidates for an Honours degree since this is the minimum level of attainment laid down by the professional body as a pre-requisite for registration as an podiatrist.
   
   
7. In order to qualify for the award of the degree of Bachelor of Science in Podiatry, candidates must:
   
   
   1. have satisfied the entry requirement;
      
   2. have followed the three-year curriculum and passed all the required assessments and examinations;
      
   3. have completed to pass-level all practical work, clinical placements and other coursework as required;
      
   4. be judged as of good character and worthy of admission to the Health Professions Council's register.
      
      
8. Progress from one level of the programme to the next will depend upon the successful completion of the appropriate examination and coursework requirements, and the satisfactory completion of clinical work and placements.
   
   
9. Exceptionally, students who have not been successful at all assessment but are unable to resit/recoup those assessments before the beginning of the next academic level shall be allowed to proceed without progressing. Earlier level assessment should be completed, however, before the next level of assessment is undertaken.
   
   
10. Exceptionally, students who have been unable to successfully complete assessment because of illness or other force majeure shall be allowed to proceed without progressing. Earlier level assessment should be completed, however, before the next level of assessment is undertaken.
    
    
11. The first level of the curriculum shall extend over one academic year and comprise of the following units of study:
    
    
    • Foundation Science 1
      
    • Foundation Science 2
      
    • Professional Practice - Foundations
      
    • Professional Practice - Communication
      
    • Professional Practice - Collaborative Learning
      
    • Clinical Management 1
      
    • Clinical Practice 1
      
      
12. Students who are successful at all level one assessment but are unable to complete their full degree studies shall be eligible for the exit award of a Certificate of Allied Health Studies.
    
    
13. The second level of the curriculum shall extend over one academic year and comprise the following units of study:
    
    
    • Applied Science - Psychosocial Sciences
      
    • Professional Practice - Practising Ethics
      
    • Professional Practice - Methods of Enquiry
      
    • Professional Practice - Interprofessional Team Working
      
    • Pharmacology, Microbiology and Patho-physiology
      
    • Clinical Management - Health Promotion
      
    • Clinical Management 2
      
    • Clinical Practice 2
      
      
14. Students who are successful at all level two assessments but are unable to complete their full degree studies shall be eligible for the exit award of a Diploma of Allied Health Studies.
    
    
15. The third level of the curriculum shall extend over one academic year and comprise:
    
    
    • Professional Practice - Professional Development
      
    • Professional Practice - Methods of Enquiry
      
    • Professional Practice - Interprofessional Development in Practice
      
    • Clinical Management 3
      
    • Clinical Practice 3
      
      
16. Any student who experiences grave or terminal illness/injury which prevents them from continuing on their programme of study and achieving qualification may be eligible for a posthumous or aegrotat degree named BSc with Honours in Allied Health Studies. The award cannot be names as BSc (Hons) in Podiatry since the term 'podiatry' is a title protected under the Health Act (1999) for whose who are fully qualified and registered as podiatrists.
    
    
17. The outline of the content of each unit shall be specified in the Unit Profiles and made available to students in the programme handbooks or in the 'Blackboard' environment.
    
    
18. In each year, students shall be examined by means of in-programme assessments, clinical assessments and formal examinations. A candidate who fails to satisfy the examiners will normally be re-examined during the second semester or the following summer vacation. Failure at re-examination will normally result in a recommendation for termination of the programme. Under normal circumstances, only one opportunity to re-take assessment will be permitted.
    
    
19. Any student who fails more than 50% of the programme unit assessments in an academic level will require the permission of the Examinations Board to resit/recoup those assessments.
    
    
20. Failure of more than one practice placement in any one academic year will normally result in a recommendation for termination of the programme.
    
    
21. In order to progress from one level of the programme to the next, students must successfully complete the appropriate examination and course passes and, additionally, at least five work requirements, practice placement and other practical work in the particular level of study.
    
    
22. In exceptional circumstances, the Board of Examiners may allow the retake of an entire academic level, although this opportunity will be permitted on only one occasion and is subject to the payment of fees through the normal contract arrangements.
    
    
23. Where a fail mark has been recorded by the Board of Examiners, and where medical or other exceptional and substantial circumstances have affected a candidate's performance, the candidate may be granted a concessionary attempt at the examination or part thereof without recording the previous attempt.
    
    
24. To graduate from the programme, students must have satisfactorily completed all components including the required practice placement hours.
    
    

Submitted by the Secretariat
Last reviewed: 04-Feb-2008
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