The Masters programme provides the opportunity to advance clinical practice by developing critical evaluation skills and enhancing an evidence-based approach to practice. This can be undertaken whilst focusing on the aspects of podiatry most relevant to the individual practitioner so that they can gain a deeper understanding of issues underpinning their field of practice. The programme will be of interest to those who have a wide, general base of practice as well as appealing to those practitioners who have specialised into areas such as biomechanics, diabetes and rheumatology. The programme includes core modules and a variety of optional modules that the students may chose from in order to tailor the programme to their individual learning needs.

For successful completion of the Masters programme in podiatric medicine, students will complete three core taught modules and either a 60 credit or 30 credit research project equating to a total of 150 or 120 credits. A further 30 or 60 credits are required. These credits can be achieved through completion of optional modules selected from the MSc programmes at the School of Health and Bioscience.

• Is accessible to London and Eastern England
• Is flexible with a wide range of optional modules taken alongside four core modules
• Is podiatry specific concentrating on evidence in clinical practice
• Provides Continuing Professional Development supporting the career progression of podiatrists
• Is research based emphasizing critical evaluation of clinical practice
• Gives access to state-of-the-art clinical focussed research facilities supported by staff with a wide range of specialist knowledge and expertise
• Is self-directed allowing freedom to focus on specific areas of clinical practice relevant to the individual
• Will encourage life-long learning

Admission to programme is the responsibility of the admissions team. Requirements for entering the programme are listed below:

a)         An undergraduate degree of 2:2 in podiatric medicine or above, or an equivalent overseas qualification.  Students must have a minimum of 12 months postgraduate experience.
Students may, at the programme leader’s discretion, be admitted with lower classifications if they have suitable professional qualifications or suitable experience related to the proposed pathway of study. Applications are welcome from both those employed in the NHS and those in private practice.

b)         In the case of applicants whose first language is not English, then IELTS 6.5 (or equivalent) is required. International qualifications will be checked for appropriate matriculation to UK Higher Education postgraduate programmes. Applicants whose qualifications do not conform to these criteria may be admitted to the programme at the admission tutors discretion, only if they are likely to be successful in gaining an award. This will normally involve an interview.

c)         Students that apply to enter stages of the programme may be admitted through normal Accreditation of Experiential Learning (AEL) or Accreditation of Certificated Learning (ACL) processes, or through an approved articulation agreement. Therefore such applicants must be able to demonstrate and evidence that they have the required learning outcomes as listed in the modules for which they are seeking exemption

The MSc programme is structured on a semester basis and can be taken over a period of one to six years. The first semester of the academic year runs from September to January; the second semester from February to June.  The dissertation is completed in the summer period – semester C.

All modules are at M Level and are awarded 30 M Level Credits. The taught component of each module lasts for 12 weeks. Each of the modules will entail the same amount of study (300 hours). This is divided between contact time at the University, directed study (pursuing learning objectives specifically associated with the module) and private study which includes reading and preparation of assignments. The allocation of the hours will vary between modules. The dissertation can be taken as a 30 credit (short) dissertation consisting of a piece of work relating to work based practice such as an audit, patient survey or service development or the dissertation can be taken as a 60 credit (long) dissertation involving an in-depth research project. 

Tutorial support is available to you from personal development tutors, module leaders and project supervisors and there are additional resources available within the University to assist you with your study skills.

The Masters programme aims to educate students to have a reflective approach to practice, an ability to transfer skills and knowledge across different specialities and a commitment to life-long learning.

The teaching facilities at the Stratford Campus of UEL comprise of lecture theatres, seminar rooms, clinical areas, laboratories and will be utilised, as appropriate, to provide suitable learning environments in line with module requirements. The Stratford Campus library is adjacent to the teaching facilities and provides computer and paper-based resources for students. Additional Web-based support is available for off-campus support of students via internet access.

Assessments are by coursework, for most modules. Each taught module of the programme will be assessed and the various forms of formative assessment are outlined for each module in the module specification. A variety of assessment procedures are used in the core and optional modules including presentations, peer and self assessment as part of the development of a life long independent learner who has the ability to assess their own work.  The assignments are also designed so that students can pursue interests related to the specific pathway of study and their area of practice.  With exclusion of the dissertation module, each module will be assessed by differing means but the overall assessment of each module should reach the equivalent of 5,000 words, for example a 3,000 word essay (70%) plus class presentation (30%).  No more than three pieces of work will contribute to the summative assessment of a module.

The Masters programme will provide students with underlying principles so that they can critically evaluate currently held practices and theories within their professional and academic disciplines and justify and reason their treatment choices. The modules offer strong underlying knowledge and skills and students are encouraged to relate theory to practice both in class room setting and assessment. The programme enables the student to deal with complex issues within their work place and implement sound judgment, personal responsibility and initiative.   The core modules will be directed towards the understanding and development of underpinning principles so that they can be applied to a wide variety of podiatric specialties.  The additional modules can be self-selected so that they can apply directly to the clinical specialty of the student.

The dissertation is a compulsory component of Masters study and provides students with the opportunity of independent advanced research. The Foundations for Research module is a core module for all students prior to undertaking a dissertation.  Students will be allocated a project tutor who will support their dissertation work for the module.

Admission with advanced standing for Accredited Learning (AEL) is permissible subject to the discretion of the Assessment Board. Accredited study at M level from another institution will be considered providing the subject is appropriate to the named pathway. A maximum of two modules will be considered (60 M level credits).

Students will have access to state-of-the-art research facilities in the gait laboratories and on-site clinical areas.

A new state of the art sports complex is being developed at the docklands campus

The MSc programme offers full-time students the opportunity to develop and enhance specialist knowledge and skills in relation to their chosen pathway. It offers students an opportunity to pursue employment and career advancement within their chosen field.

Part-time students on the Masters programme are normally in current employment. The programme therefore offers the opportunity of career consolidation, advancement or change.

All students are allocated a personal tutor who will help them through their study by offering pastoral and academic support.  The programme tutor and module leaders will also advise you about additional learning and support services available in the University. Web-based resources are available to students off campus via the internet.

The programme allows the student opportunity to both pursue their interest in a specialist field of podiatric study and to undertake study of an interdisciplinary nature with the opportunity to work and learn with peers from different cultural and professional backgrounds.