Podiatrists are best known for treating problems that people commonly experience with their feet, but they are increasingly playing an important role in addressing chronic conditions, such as diabetes. As a podiatrist, your patients can range from children to active sportspeople to the elderly. Graduates from this program will be equipped with extensive clinical practice experience and accredited by Australia and New Zealand Podiatry Accreditation Council Western Sydney University offers podiatry as a Bachelor of Podiatric Medicine degree, which delivers career-ready graduates and is delivered jointly by Western Sydney University (WSU) and the University of Newcastle (UON).
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Duration
Full Time: 4 Years
Next Start Date
04 March 2024
Closing Date
Campuses
LSR
Campbelltown
UAC 723565
75
Domestic Student Fees
Indicative annual fee from $11,885
Additional Information
Program Code: 4708
CRICOS Code: 086123M
Advance human health
With around 1,000 hours of clinical education provided at our clinical training facility and at external placement sites, this course includes week-long placements from your second year of study, and up to 16 weeks in your fourth year. This experience focuses on providing extensive clinical practice prior to graduation.
As a fourth year student, you will complete a professional practice program that explores aspects of clinical practice for a professional career, focusing on professional, technical, industrial and topical legal issues of complex cases. All clinical placements will occur during normal work hours of the various clinical facilities.
If you enrol in the four-year Bachelor of Podiatric Medicine but decide to leave at the end of the third year, assuming you have successfully completed all of the first three years, you may be eligible to be awarded a Bachelor of Health Science if you have met all the requirements
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Accreditation
Our students are eligible to register with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency. This program has been accredited by Australia and New Zealand Podiatry Accreditation Council (ANZPAC).
What you can expect to study
The program structure is outlined in our handbook. Here you can view all of the subjects you will be studying.
Career Opportunities
As a graduate of this degree, you can look forward to a broad range of exciting career opportunities in different sectors and industries. Below are some examples of the possible careers you can pursue with this degree:
- Sports podiatry
- Paediatrics
- Teaching
- Academia and Research
- Management
Alumni
"I initially thought that podiatrists only work in private practices, but this course has shown me that podiatrists work in hospitals, sports clinics, and even as surgeons with the proper qualifications and further training.
Having the practical experience of UniClinic has definitely benefited me through providing a real-world hands-on experience with the clinical atmosphere and patient interaction.
I certainly could not apply my theory into practice without first trying it out. UniClinic is the bridge that helps us transition from university students into podiatry practitioners.
I hope that my degree can give me the knowledge to sufficiently help patients with their lower limb issues."
- Elena Alagha, Bachelor of Podiatric Medicine
Entry requirements for domestic students
Applicants who have undertaken studies overseas may have to provide proof of proficiency in English. Local applicants who are applying through the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC) will find details of minimum English proficiency requirements and acceptable proof on the UAC website. Local applicants applying directly to the University should also use the information provided on the UAC website. Find out more here.
Admission
- Assumed knowledge: Any 2 units of English
- Recommended Studies: Mathematics, Physics and Biology
Special Requirements - NSW Health Legislative Pre-requisites
To enrol in this program, students must meet Western Sydney University program requirements. To attend a health-related placement in this program, Special Legislative Requirements will be assessed from the first year of study.
Visit the Special Requirements webpage for more details.
To be able to undertake placement in any NSW Health facility you must be assessed as compliant with NSW Health student placement policy in the first year of your program, regardless of when you expect to go on your first placement. Access and read the NSW Student Compliance Information Booklet.
Please ensure that you
- Find your existing National Police Check or apply for one
- Gather documentary evidence of your vaccination history
- Print and compete all relevant NSW Health forms relevant to the campus you are enrolled at or online enrolment requirements
- Follow booklet instructions on how to have your compliance documents assessed by NSW health staff.
Contact your School for further details regarding your School’s requirements, if any, such as
- If you live outside of NSW or Australia and need to meet your state, territory or country’s compliance requirements
- If you need to meet different state, territory or country compliance requirements.
- NSW Working with Children Check (WWCC) or other state equivalent, valid for your entire program.
- Current approved first aid certificate valid for your entire program - approved program providers can be found at the Government Training website
- Other non-health related requirements
Student Compliance Resources are also available on the Placements Hub web page (NSW students only).
Special Requirements
In order to enrol in Second Year Spring subjects, all students must have completed the NSW Health requirements above. In clinical placement subjects, students must wear the Western Sydney University podiatric medicine uniform, which complies with NSW uniform requirements. Special note: Students in this program are required to participate fully in practical classes. This involves practical hands-on podiatry / lower extremity examination and treatment techniques on both genders and students will personally experience these techniques which will be performed on them by other students and/or relevant academic staff. Students are also required to undertake 19 weeks of clinical placement activity which can include rural and metropolitan locations. Student must meet their own travel, accommodation and living expenses during these activities.
Please consult the handbook for more information.
Entry requirements for international students
Applicants who have undertaken studies overseas may have to provide proof of proficiency in English. Local applicants who are applying through the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC) will find details of minimum English proficiency requirements and acceptable proof on the UAC website. Local applicants applying directly to the University should also use the information provided on the UAC website.
International students currently completing an Australian Year 12 in or outside Australia, an International Baccalaureate in Australia or a New Zealand National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA) level 3 must apply via UAC International.
All other International applicants must apply directly to the University via the International Office.
International students applying to the University through the International Office can find details of minimum English proficiency requirements and acceptable proof on their website.
Overseas qualifications must be deemed by the Australian Education International - National Office of Overseas Skills Recognition (AEI-NOOSR) to be equivalent to Australian qualifications in order to be considered by UAC and Western Sydney University.
Admission
- Assumed knowledge: Any 2 units of English
- Recommended Studies: Mathematics, Physics and Biology
Special Requirements - NSW Health Legislative Pre-requisites
To enrol in this program, students must meet Western Sydney University program requirements. To attend a health-related placement in this program, Special Legislative Requirements will be assessed from the first year of study.
Visit the Special Requirements webpage for more details.
To be able to undertake placement in any NSW Health facility you must be assessed as compliant with NSW Health student placement policy in the first year of your program, regardless of when you expect to go on your first placement. Access and read the NSW Student Compliance Information Booklet.
Please ensure that you
- Find your existing National Police Check or apply for one
- Gather documentary evidence of your vaccination history
- Print and compete all relevant NSW Health forms relevant to the campus you are enrolled at or online enrolment requirements
- Follow booklet instructions on how to have your compliance documents assessed by NSW health staff.
Contact your School for further details regarding your School’s requirements, if any, such as
- If you live outside of NSW or Australia and need to meet your state, territory or country’s compliance requirements
- If you need to meet different state, territory or country compliance requirements.
- NSW Working with Children Check (WWCC) or other state equivalent, valid for your entire program.
- Current approved first aid certificate valid for your entire program - approved program providers can be found at the Government Training website
- Other non-health related requirements
Student Compliance Resources are also available on the Placements Hub web page (NSW students only).
Special Requirements
In order to enrol in Second Year Spring subjects, all students must have completed the NSW Health requirements above. In clinical placement subjects, students must wear the Western Sydney University podiatric medicine uniform, which complies with NSW uniform requirements. Special note: Students in this program are required to participate fully in practical classes. This involves practical hands-on podiatry / lower extremity examination and treatment techniques on both genders and students will personally experience these techniques which will be performed on them by other students and/or relevant academic staff. Students are also required to undertake 19 weeks of clinical placement activity which can include rural and metropolitan locations. Student must meet their own travel, accommodation and living expenses during these activities.
Please consult the handbook for more information.
Indicative annual fee
A Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) is one that is subsidised by the Commonwealth and applicable only to Domestic students. This means that the Australian Government pays part of your fees towards your program, therefore reducing your program fees, and the remaining amount is paid by you, this is considered your Student Contribution.
To work out how much your Student Contribution will be before you study, you will first need to find out the Student Contribution band your subjects fit into based on their general discipline area.
You can then calculate your student contributions to work out the total amount of your contribution.
The Higher Education Loan Program (HELP) is a range of loans introduced by the Australian Government from 2005 to provide fee payment assistance to eligible students. Loans are for Australian citizens studying in Australia or overseas. Permanent residents who hold a humanitarian visa are also eligible if studying in Australia.
If eligible you may be able to defer all or part of your Student Contribution through the HECS-HELP loan program. You may also be eligible for OS-HELP if undertaking studies overseas.
New Zealand citizens and holders of an Australian permanent resident visa (other than an Australian permanent humanitarian visa) are generally not entitled to HECS-HELP assistance. If you are a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident your Student Contribution amount must be paid in full by the census date.
However, the Australian Government has passed new legislation that changes the way some New Zealand citizens, who hold a Special Category Visa (SCV), studying in Australia will pay their fees. More information is available on the Changes to fees for New Zealand Citizens webpage.
Apply as a Domestic Student
If you are a domestic student, you can apply through our Western Application system which is free of charge.
Domestic students are:
- Australian Citizens
- New Zealand Citizens
- Australian permanent residents
- Australian permanent humanitarian visa holders
Scholarships
Western Sydney University recognises and rewards students who demonstrate community engagement, outstanding academic ability and superior leadership skills. Donor-funded scholarships are also available, providing support for students based on both academic achievements and equity considerations. There are also scholarships available for specific degrees.
Apply as an International Student
If you are an international student, you can apply for free through our international student application system or through an agent representative.
International students are:
- Not an Australian citizen;
- Not a New Zealand citizen; and
- Not a permanent resident of Australia.
If you are an international student completing the Australian HSC, IB or NCEA, apply direct via UAC International.
Admission to Western Sydney University is on the basis of meeting minimum academic and English language requirements. For more information about tuition fees and other costs, visit the Fees and Costs page.
Scholarships
When you apply to Western, you’re automatically assessed for a Scholarship, no additional application required! We’re offering multi-year scholarships (for up to 3 years) valued at $6,000 or $3,000 and even 50% off tuition fees. Scholarships are awarded on academic merit.
FAQs
We've gathered common questions to provide you with quick, clear answers about this program. Whether you're exploring admission requirements, details about the degree or career prospects, you'll find valuable insights here. If you need more information, our support team is ready to assist you on your journey to Western. You can find their details below.
Approximately 1,000 hours of clinical education is provided at Western's clinical training facility and at external placement sites, including one week of placement in the second year, two weeks in the third year, and 16 weeks in the fourth year. This experience focuses on providing extensive clinical practice prior to graduation.
Our graduates are eligible to register with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency. This program has also been accredited by the Australia and New Zealand Podiatry Accreditation Council (ANZPAC).
You will be expected to be on campus for your podiatry-specific subjects, as they will be held at the clinical training facility on campus. However, some of your health science-based subjects will be available online, which will reduce your on campus attendance for the program. You will likely need to be on campus a couple of days a week, however it is unlikely it'll be 5 days a week.
Want to know more?
We're here to provide clarity.
If you're uncertain about your study journey, enquire about our program today and gain the confidence to move forward.
Australian students
1300 668 370
International students
+61 2 9852 5499
The tuition fees quoted above are the fees for the normal full-time study load of the program (80 credit points) per annum. International students will be subject to a variable fee regime; i.e. enrolled students will be required to pay fees during their program based on the approved fee for each calendar year. Fee changes (if any) will occur at 1 January each calendar year. Students who extend their program past the normal finish date of the program will be required to pay additional fees based on the prevailing fee level. Western Sydney University is a multi-campus institution. The University reserves the right to alter the location of its programs between campuses and other locations as necessary. Students should be aware of the possibility of change of location for the whole or part of programs for which they enrol and should plan for the need to travel between Western Sydney campuses.