About this apprenticeship
What it involves
This Level 6 degree apprenticeship qualifies you as a registered Podiatrist (HCPC-registered), assessing and treating conditions of the feet, ankles, and lower limbs in NHS or private clinical settings. You will diagnose and manage problems ranging from nail disorders and skin conditions to biomechanical and vascular issues in patients of all ages. Registration opens careers in specialist clinics, diabetes care, sports podiatry, or surgical podiatry pathways.
On the job
What you’ll learn
Podiatric anatomy, physiology, and biomechanics of the lower limb
Clinical assessment and diagnosis of foot and lower limb conditions
Nail surgery, minor surgical procedures, and wound management
Orthotic prescription and fabrication for biomechanical correction
Management of high-risk feet in diabetic and vascular patients
Pharmacology and prescribing relevant to podiatric practice
HCPC professional standards, ethics, and clinical governance
On the job
What you’ll do day to day
Assess patients' feet, gait, and lower limb function in clinic
Treat nail and skin conditions including verrucae, corns, and callus
Carry out nail surgery procedures under local anaesthetic
Prescribe and fit custom orthotic insoles for patients
Monitor and manage diabetic foot patients in high-risk clinics
Refer to vascular, orthopaedic, and diabetes teams when required
Maintain accurate HCPC-compliant clinical records for all patients
The deal
How this apprenticeship works
You earn a wage from day one. You are a paid employee, not a student. There are no tuition fees - the training is funded by your employer and the government.
About 20% is “off-the-job” training. Roughly a day a week is spent learning away from your normal duties - at a college, training provider, or online - working towards a recognised qualification.
It ends with an end-point assessment (EPA). Near the end, an independent assessor checks you can do the job to the national standard - through tests, a project, a portfolio or an interview. Pass it and you are fully qualified.
How to get there
What you need to start
Level 6 (Degree) - roughly Bachelor’s-degree level. Usually needs A-levels or a Level 3 qualification (employers set UCAS-point targets). You earn a full degree while you work - with no tuition fees to pay.
What’s next: Leads into professional roles, sometimes with a Level 7 (Master’s) apprenticeship after.
Entry requirements are set by each employer and can vary - always check the specific vacancy.
Hear from employers
What it’s really like
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