Pre-Registration (MSc Podiatric Medicine)

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.

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.

Pre-requisites and co-requisites

• Mature learners who have a minimum of a 2.1 Degree in cognate* disciplines in Ireland, UK and Europe.
• Graduates with an equivalent to a University of Galway minimum 2.1 Degree in cognate* disciplines in Ireland, UK and Europe.
• Mature learners who may already be in healthcare and want to specialise in Podiatric Medicine and FastTrack their qualification in 2 years.
• International students with a minimum of an equivalent University of Galway 2.1 degree who would prefer the option of 2 years study over the traditional 4-year model.
• IELTS of 6.5 overall with no component less than 6.0
• 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.

Application Process:

Follow link to Postgraduate Taught Courses - University of Galway

Follow link to How to Apply - University of Galway

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. (IELTS of 6.5 overall with no component less than 6.0)
• 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)

Selection Criteria

The Programme Director will screen and invite shortlisted students to interview. Students will be contacted following interview with feedback and offers will be made through the University Postgraduate Application system CRM Recruit.

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.