Podiatrists do much more than treat foot pain. We help people stay mobile, manage long-term conditions and avoid serious complications that can affect their independence and quality of life.
If you want a healthcare career where you can work directly with patients, solve practical clinical problems and build specialist expertise, podiatry could be a good option for you. NHS workforce planning has identified podiatry as one of the allied health professions where workforce shortfalls are expected to increase.
If you are exploring a podiatry career in the UK, this guide explains what podiatrists do, why the NHS needs more of them and how to train.
What does a podiatrist do?
A podiatrist diagnoses and treats foot, ankle and lower limb problems. We work with people to help reduce pain, improve mobility, and manage conditions that affect their feet and legs.
In practice, the role can be varied. You might assess a patient’s gait, treat a sports injury, support someone with diabetes, manage wounds, provide nail surgery, prescribe insoles, or work with other health professionals to plan care.
Podiatrists also play a prevention role. By spotting problems early, we can help people avoid more serious complications, stay active and keep doing the everyday things that matter to them.
Why does podiatry matter to patients and the NHS?
Podiatry is important because foot and lower limb problems can affect mobility, independence and long-term health. Timely podiatry care can help people stay well and reduce pressure on other NHS services.
Foot health is linked to major NHS priorities: prevention, care closer to home and better support for people with long-term conditions. The NHS 10 Year Health Plan sets out a shift from hospital to community and from sickness to prevention, while the 2026 Neighbourhood Health Framework highlights diabetes and other long-term conditions as priority areas for improving outcomes. Podiatrists may practise in community, hospital, or domiciliary environments, providing autonomous care or contributing to multidisciplinary team-based services.
Why are podiatrists in demand in the NHS?
NHS England’s Long Term Workforce Plan supports the need for more NHS podiatrists because workforce shortfalls for podiatrists are projected to exceed supply.
This reflects wider changes in healthcare. People are living longer, more people are managing long-term conditions, and the Long Term Workforce Plan sets a clear goal to expand care in community settings. Podiatrists support all these priorities.
Podiatry can also help prevent avoidable harm through early diagnosis and intervention. Foot ulcers and infections are leading causes of diabetes-related amputations, and podiatrists are central to managing and preventing these as part of multidisciplinary foot care teams.
For students and career changers, this means podiatry can provide a route into a profession with public value, patient impact and long-term workforce need.
What career paths can podiatry lead to?
Podiatry can lead to roles in the NHS, private practice, community services, specialist clinics, education, research and leadership. You can also develop clinical expertise in areas such as diabetes, musculoskeletal care, sports injuries, paediatric podiatry, dermatology, or podiatric surgery.
Many podiatrists start in NHS roles and then build specialist experience over time. As stated by the Royal College of Podiatry, NHS podiatrists usually start at NHS Band 5, with opportunities to move into enhanced and advanced practice roles, management positions, teaching or surgical careers.
Your day-to-day work could take place in hospitals, community clinics, GP surgeries, patients’ homes or private clinics. You may work independently, but you will often work with other allied health professionals, GPs, nurses and consultants.
This variety is one of the strengths of podiatry. You can build a career around hands-on clinical care, service improvement, leadership, research or a mix of distinct roles and settings.
What skills do you need to become a podiatrist?
You need clinical curiosity, practical skills, clear communication and the ability to put patients at ease. The National Careers Service also highlights skills such as attention to detail, active listening, reasoning and understanding how the body works.
Podiatry suits people who like problem-solving and patient contact. You will need to recognise and understand how disease and dysfunction impact your patients. You need to listen carefully, explain treatment clearly and make sound decisions based on assessment and evidence.
You also need confidence working with feet, managing wounds and undertaking clinical procedures such as local anaesthetic injections and nail surgery. That practical side is important. As a podiatrist, you don’t just advise patients; you assess, diagnose and provide treatment to them directly.
How can a pre-registration MSc help you change your career?
A pre-registration MSc helps people who already hold an undergraduate degree train or retrain as podiatrists. It provides a direct route into podiatry without requiring a return to undergraduate study, making it a strong option for career-changers, adult learners and graduates from health, science, or related disciplines.
If you have an honours degree at 2:2 or above, ideally in a health or science-related subject, a pre-registration MSc helps you build the academic knowledge, clinical skills, and practice-based experience you need for podiatry practice.
This matters because 'podiatrist' is a protected title in the UK, and you must register with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) to use it. A pre-registration MSc gives you the training needed to meet HCPC standards and begin your career as a podiatrist.
For career changers, our MSc degree provides a route from postgraduate study towards professional registration. Eligible students on pre-registration podiatry courses may also be able to apply for NHS Learning Support Fund support, including a non-repayable training grant. This funding can help with some of the costs of retraining while you complete your clinical placements. Eligibility criteria and funding arrangements are subject to change.
Why study podiatry and leadership at Coventry University?
Our Podiatry and Leadership (pre-registration) MSc is designed for graduates who want to work towards podiatry registration. The course combines podiatric practice with leadership and healthcare delivery. On successful completion, you will be eligible to apply for HCPC registration.
You will study through online learning, campus-based teaching and practice placements, with access to industry-standard clinical skills spaces, simulation facilities and placement-based learning opportunities.
Is podiatry a good career for you?
Podiatry could be a good career if you want practical clinical work, direct patient contact and a profession with growing need. It may suit you if you want to help people stay mobile, active and independent.
It is also a career with room to grow. With experience and further training, podiatrists can move into specialist practice, advanced roles, team leadership, teaching, research, private practice or podiatric surgery.
You should consider podiatry if you enjoy science, care about helping people and want a healthcare role where you can see the impact of your work. You will need commitment, resilience, practical dexterity and effective communication skills, and in return the profession can offer you variety, autonomy and career progression.
How can you take the next step?
Visit Coventry University’s Podiatry and Leadership (pre-registration) MSc course page to find out more about the programme, entry requirements and how to apply. Course information can change, so always check the official course page before applying.
You can also book onto an Open Day to speak with academics and see the facilities our Podiatry and Leadership (pre-registration) MSc course students use.
If you are thinking about changing careers, look closely at the work podiatrists do and the settings they work in. You may also want to explore NHS careers information or Royal College of Podiatry resources before making your decision.
Podiatry FAQs
How long does it take to qualify as a podiatrist?
Most students qualify in two years through a pre registration MSc or three years through an undergraduate degree. After completing an HCPC approved programme, you can apply for registration and begin practising.
Do I need a science degree to apply for a pre registration MSc?
A science or health related degree is helpful, but we will consider graduates from a range of disciplines. Entry requirements vary, so always check the course page before applying.
Can mature students or career changers become podiatrists?
Yes. Many podiatry students are adult learners or career changers. A pre registration MSc is specifically designed for graduates who want to train without returning to undergraduate study.
What does podiatry training involve day to day?
Training includes anatomy, physiology, podiatric medicine, musculoskeletal podiatry, pharmacology, complex case management and surgery. Students should develop evidence-based clinical reasoning, reflective practice, and research and leadership skills. Learning opportunities include clinical skills development, seminars, simulation, and supervised practice placements.
Where do podiatry students complete placements?
Placements typically take place in NHS trusts and private practice, community clinics, specialist services and multidisciplinary teams. Settings vary depending on local partners and service needs.
Is funding available for podiatry training?
Eligible pre registration students may be able to apply for NHS Learning Support Fund support, including a non repayable training grant. Funding rules can change, so check the latest guidance before applying.
What jobs can podiatrists progress into?
With experience, podiatrists can move into specialist practice, advanced roles, leadership, research, clinical education, academia, private practice or podiatric surgery. Career progression varies depending on professional interests and further training.
