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Podiatric Medicine (MSc – Pre Registration)

MSc Pre-Registration (Podiatric Medicine)

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Course Overview

This new programme is designed to appeal to healthcare and other professionals who hold degrees in cognate areas, leveraging their existing expertise and providing a versatile pathway into the field of Podiatric Medicine. The pre-registration course in Podiatric Medicine aims to train high calibre, competent HSCP graduates, to level 9, who can, from the point of graduation demonstrate high level skills that will enable them to become ACPs and managers/ leaders. 

 

We have re-packaged our CORU approved B.Sc. Podiatric Medicine Programme to a level nine 2-year programme which, remains fully aligned with CORU standards of proficiency and professional body requirements.  The programme is offered at level 9 (pre-registration) and graduates will attain threshold level entry into the profession with the programme mapped against the CORU Standards of Proficiencies (SOPs).

 

 The MSc. Podiatric Medicine (Pre-registration) programme aims to:  

  • Prepare students for the demands of a career in podiatric medicine and the rapidly changing nature of podiatric practice.  
  • Allow students to develop a high level of clinical competence, enabling them to meet the requirements of CORU and be eligible for registration and membership of the professional body in Ireland.  
  • To equip students with the necessary knowledge and clinical skills to meet international standards for overseas recognition of the B.Sc. Podiatric Medicine degree in those countries where the B.Sc. is the national standard.  
  • Provide a comprehensive, excellent, academic and clinical teaching programme with integration of theory into the clinical practice setting.  
  • Provide clinical placements that span the spectrum of podiatric medicine: The clinical teaching programme involves experience with patients from various medical/ surgical disciplines; this ensures a high level of quality practice education for students.  
  • Provide a range of clinical placement opportunities within the public and private sectors; offering over 1000 hours of high quality clinical placements.  
  • Provide a student-centred supportive environment in which the students’ knowledge, understanding, skills and attitudes are developed and enhanced leading to a high level of clinical competence.  
  • Allow opportunity to explore, analyse and critically assess the practice and the role of Podiatric medicine within local, national and international inter- professional healthcare settings. This will ensure that the experiences and opportunities in the learning environment are relevant to their future careers and personal development.  
  • Prepare students to anticipate, adapt, influence and respond to future changes in service delivery and encourage them to become future educators and leaders of the profession. This preparation is achieved through research strategies, financial, political, professional and knowledge of management.  
  • Produce graduates who are reflective practitioners and have a strong ethos for continuous professional development and a firm commitment to lifelong learning.  

Applications and Selections

This new programme is designed to appeal to healthcare and other professionals who hold degrees or experience in cognate areas, leveraging their existing expertise and providing a versatile pathway into the field of Podiatric Medicine. Therefore, recruitment onto the programme will be determined by:

  1. Level 1 Screening- Selection and recruitment criteria. This will be used as a selection criteria to progress suitable candidates to interview stage. 
  2. Interview stage - candidates will be interviewed.
  3. Level 2 Screening- Post interview, candidates’ performance at interview will be entered onto the Interview matrix document and successful candidates will then be identified for recruitment onto the programme. 

 Documentation that is required to be uploaded as part of the application process

  • Official qualifications and exam results (transcripts) to date: required for all non-University of Galway applicants and for University of Galway graduates who did not receive their undergraduate degrees from University of Galway. Applicants who have still to graduate must upload final transcripts on receipt.
  • English language competency: if necessary, evidence of English language competency.
  • Personal statement: all applicants must enclose a typed personal statement of approximately 600 words explaining why you wish to undertake the programme, outlining experience and transferrable skills, and overall how it fits into your career objectives.
  • Passport or Birth certificate:—a copy of your passport or birth certificate must also be submitted.
  • Current CV
  • Two written references (One professional and ideally one academic)

Applications are made online via the University of Galway Postgraduate Applications System.  

 

Who Teaches this Course

Programme Director:  

Ms. Amanda Walsh

Discipline of Podiatric Medicine, School of Health Sciences, CMNHS 

Email: amanda.walsh@universityofgalway.ie  

Tel: +353 91 494183

 

Year 1: The teaching will be primarily delivered by members of the Podiatry teaching team, with input from external disciplines within the university (e.g., Anatomy, Physiology, Microbiology) for some modules/ units. 

 

Year 2: The teaching will be primarily delivered by members of the Podiatry teaching team, with input from external disciplines within the university (e.g., Pharmacology). 

Requirements and Assessment

 Documentation that is required to be uploaded as part of the application process

  • Official qualifications and exam results (transcripts) to date: required for all non-University of Galway applicants and for University of Galway graduates who did not receive their undergraduate degrees from University of Galway. Applicants who have still to graduate must upload final transcripts on receipt.
  • English language competency: if necessary, evidence of English language competency.
  • Personal statement: all applicants must enclose a typed personal statement of approximately 600 words explaining why you wish to undertake the programme, outlining experience and transferrable skills, and overall how it fits into your career objectives.
  • Passport or Birth certificate:—a copy of your passport or birth certificate must also be submitted.
  • Current CV

Two written references (One professional and ideally one academic)

Key Facts

Entry Requirements

Pre-requisites and co-requisites 

  • Mature learners who may already be in healthcare and want to specialise in Podiatric Medicine. 
  • Graduates with an equivalent to a University of Galway minimum 2.1 Degree in cognate* disciplines in Ireland, UK and Europe.  
  • International students with an equivalent to a University of Galway minimum 2.1 Degree who would prefer the option of 2 years full-time study option other than the traditional route of 4 years BSc Podiatric Medicine. And achieve the required level of English language as per admission onto the BSc undergraduate program that currently exists on entry. 
  • Before entering the Degree programme every student must furnish Garda Clearance. This is organised through the Undergraduate Admissions Office on entering the University. Failure to obtain clearance will result in the student being unable to access practice education placements which are a core requirement of the programme. 
  • Students also require mandatory vaccinations as part of a health care programme, which are part of pre-placement medical requirements for practice. 

 

*Cognate degree (To include but not restricted to):  Level 8 Cognate Degrees: BSc Nursing, Biomedical engineering, Human biological/ clinical sciences (e.g. biology, physiology, pharmacology, Anatomy). Other health and social care professions, clinical services background and relevant BSc qualification e.g. HSCP Physiotherapy, Engineering, Science, Sports Science. 

 

Documentation that is required to be uploaded as part of the application process

  • Official qualifications and exam results (transcripts) to date: required for all non-University of Galway applicants and for University of Galway graduates who did not receive their undergraduate degrees from University of Galway. Applicants who have still to graduate must upload final transcripts on receipt.
  • English language competency: if necessary, evidence of English language competency.
  • Personal statement: all applicants must enclose a typed personal statement of approximately 600 words explaining why you wish to undertake the programme, outlining experience and transferrable skills, and overall how it fits into your career objectives.
  • Passport or Birth certificate:—a copy of your passport or birth certificate must also be submitted.
  • Current CV

Two written references (One professional and ideally one academic)

Additional Requirements

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

In the event that a student requests an element of RPL, upon registration onto the programme, the programme director will consult with the Head of School and RPL champions in the School of Health Sciences to consider their request on a "case-by-case basis". 


 


Their request will be considered and allocated where appropriate based on School of Health Sciences, University and National policies, being cognisant of professional registration requirements. 

Duration

2 years

Next start date

September 2024

A Level Grades ()

Average intake

15

QQI/FET FETAC Entry Routes

Closing Date
NFQ level

Mode of study

ECTS weighting

180 ECTS (90 ECTS per year)

Award

CAO

Course code

1GPM1 (Year 1), 1GPM2 (Year 2)

Course Outline

The pre-registration course in Podiatric Medicine aims to train high calibre, competent HSCP graduates, to level 9, who can, from the point of graduation demonstrate high level skills that will enable them to become ACPs and managers/ leaders. 

 

The program’s mission statement is:  

"To develop caring, patient-centric, highly skilled graduates who are knowledgeable, innovative, autonomous and competent practitioners who apply a scientific and evidence-based approach to podiatric medicine."  

 

This programme will focus on practical, hands-on learning experiences, combined with academic teaching. Students will be quickly integrated into clinical settings, providing quick value to healthcare facilities. 

 

Programme Structure and Delivery Approach   

 

Year 1 (90 ECTS)

All Core Modules

 

PO1101 – Podiatric Medicine Practice 1 (30 ECTS) Semester 1,2 &3 

PO1102 – Professional Practice Healthcare & Leadership Practice 1 (10 ECTS) Sem 1,2 

AN230 - Human Body Structure (5 ECTS) Sem 1

AN112 – Gross Anatomy of the Lower Limb (5 ECTS) Sem 2

SI317 – Human Body Function (10 ECTS) Sem 1

PO1103 – Applied Physiology (5 ECTS) Sem 1 & 2

PO1104 – Human Motion & Biomechanics (10 ECTS) Semester 1,2 

PO1105 – Integumentary System (15 ECTS) Semester 1,2 

Year 2 (90 ECTS) 

All core modules

 

PO2100 – Podiatric Medicine Practice 2 (30 ECTS) Semester 1,2 &3 

PO2105 – Research Dissertation (15 ECTS) Semester 1,2 

PO2106 – Lifestyle & Clinical Medicine (15 ECTs) Semester 1, 2 

PO3103 – Pharmacology for Podiatrists (10 ECTS) Semester 1,2 

PO2107 – Musculoskeletal Medicine across the Lifespan  (10 ECTS) Sem 1 

PO2108 – Professional Practice Healthcare & Leadership Practice 2  (10 ECTS) Sem 1,2 

 

Clinical Practice:

Clinical practice is an integral component of the Podiatric Medicine programme. Students are required to undertake a minimum of 1000 clinical hours over the period of the program and is a regulatory requirement for graduation. Students are gradually introduced to clinical practice by use of simulated techniques and interactive case studies. Onsite clinical placement and learning at Merlin Park Podiatry Clinic unite the theory with the ‘hands on’ practice education, facilitated by the academic and clinical teams.

 

Progression requirements: Candidates must pass all 12 core modules and successfully complete final project to achieve the MSc award. All year 1 modules must be passed to progress to the second year of the programme. Compensation is NOT allowed in academic or clinical modules. 

 

Pass Standard & Assessment Strategies:

A wide variety of assessment strategies are employed at stages throughout the programme in order to cater for a diversity of learning needs. The range and diversity of assessments allows the varying strengths of individual students to be demonstrated. All assessments throughout the programme are designed to assess students’ theoretical knowledge and clinical practical skills to ensure students meet the necessary competencies for professional practice. Assessment strategies that are employed include clinical practical examinations, continuous assessment and end of year examinations. The pass mark is 50%.

Why Choose This Course?

Career Opportunities

Graduates will benefit in several ways for their career and will provide an excellent foundation for a long-term career as a podiatrist. There is an established and successful career pathway for Podiatry practitioners, and a high demand for recruitment nationally and internationally. Typically, qualified Podiatrists registered professionally can establish private clinics, or work within public healthcare services.

Who’s Suited to This Course

Learning Outcomes

Transferable Skills Employers Value

Graduates will benefit in several ways for their career and will provide an excellent foundation for a long-term career as a podiatrist. Graduates will be able to:​ 

  • Deal with complexity and reason at an advanced level.
  • Demonstrate high levels of clinical judgment, critical analysis and advanced decision-making skills.​ 
  • Promote and demonstrate best practice by integrating evidence into practice.​ 
  • Graduate entry offers accelerated programmes of study to supply the workforce and address workforce shortfalls.​ 

Work Placement

Study Abroad

Related Student Organisations

Course Fees

Fees: EU

€

Fees: Tuition

€

Fees: Student levy

€

Fees: Non EU

€

Find out More

Programme Director:  

Ms. Amanda Walsh

Discipline of Podiatric Medicine, School of Health Sciences, CMNHS 

Tel: +353 91 494183

 

Programme Administrator:  

Ms. Fiona Lowry

School of Health Sciences, CMNHS 

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