The Bachelor of Podiatry prepares students for entry into professional podiatry practice. Podiatry is a branch of health care devoted to the study, diagnosis and treatment of disorders of the foot, ankle and lower leg. Within the field of podiatry, practitioners can focus on many different specialty areas, including surgery, sports medicine, biomechanics, geriatrics, paediatrics and primary care. This course aims to produce knowledgeable, skilled, empathetic, ethical and innovative professionals who are able to provide effective assessment and intervention for people of different ages. Major areas of study The Bachelor of Podiatry enables students to develop an understanding of the theoretical and practical components of podiatry, with a focus on both general and specialist knowledge and skills. This includes broad subject areas including anatomy, patho-physiology, pharmacology, psychology and communication. As students move through the course, they study more specialised content including biomechanics, rehabilitation, dermatology, rheumatology and paediatrics. Clinical skills are gained through a gradual process of preclinical stimulation, internal University clinics and external clinical practice placements. Career opportunities As a podiatrist, working individually or as part of a team, in varied settings and with clients of all ages. The majority of podiatry employment is in private practice, but podiatrists also have the opportunity to work in community health settings; in hospitals and with specialised health teams such as in diabetic care; in health promotion and education; with children, athletes and older people; or to undertake research.