Frequently Asked Questions

When is the first intake?
2007

How long is the course?
3 years full time only.

I have already passed first year of a human movement (or biomedical science or exercise physiology or other health science etc) degree. I passed anatomy and physiology. Will I get exemptions?
Yes, and if you have successfully passed comparable first year musculoskeletal anatomy and physiology it may get even better. You may be eligible to start in second year podiatry. For this you must have passed all first year courses, and those in anatomy and physiology must have covered the same breadth and depth of material as the ones studied by podiatry students.

How do I apply to start year 2 in 2007?
Apply through UAC and then apply for advanced standing on the basis of previously passed courses. You will need to supply full details of the course contents and handbook entries if they are courses from a university other than the University of Newcastle. The UAC code is 480767 for the CSP program and 490767 for the fee paying program.

Aren't most Australian podiatry programs 4 years?
We are planning to graduate competent podiatrists, ready to practise, after 3 years. The course is intensive and you will need to do some clinical placements out of scheduled semester time to gain the experience you need to be registerable.

Who is eligible?
You will need to have completed HSC or equivalent; or approved tertiary studies. Both chemistry and maths are assumed knowledge for courses in the program. Entry will be competitive. The Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) will not be accepted. Unfortunately, there will be no international admissions into the Bachelor of Podiatry until 2008.

What UAI will I need?
The Universities Admission Index is the entry score you need to gain an undergraduate place at the University of Newcastle.
We cannot predict at this stage but expect it to be 85+.

I have heard you have to do clinics in a number of different locations.
Planning for clinical placements is not completed but all students must expect to do at least 1 rural placement and others that are not in the area where they live. Students are responsible for all their travel, meal and accommodation costs during any placements.

Which campus?
Podiatry will be conducted at the Ourimbah campus. Years 2 and 3 will also use clinical facilities in the region and throughout NSW. Interstate clinics are a possibility but clinical arrangements are not finalised yet.

I have a job. How many hours per week will the course require?
Podiatry will be very intensive in years 2 and 3. You will need to do full days at clinics and some weeks of fulltime clinical experience during the vacation periods. This is necessary to meet the registration requirements of the profession and to ensure you have a high level of clinical skills when you graduate. It will make it difficult to work at the same time.

What are the costs of studying podiatry?
You will need to pay HECS. Domestic Fee Paying students will need to pay the applicable full tuition fees. In addition you will need to plan to buy your own sets of instruments at the start of year 2. The clinical component is a heavy commitment during years 2 and 3 that will limit your chances of working as well. Remember, you will have to do clinics away from the area you live. This is necessary to ensure all graduates have a satisfactory breadth of experience in podiatry.

Will I be able to practise podiatry in other states?
Accreditation is being sought from the NSW Podiatry Registration Board and the Australasian Podiatry Council. This entitles graduates of an accredited program to practise in all states of Australia.

I want to do more than basic podiatry, possible some research or maybe be a clinical expert.
Honours will be available as a fourth year for those who meet the academic requirements. For those wishing to gain recognition of clinical expertise, say in paediatric podiatry, this will require additional postgraduate training. We are planning to extend our postgraduate courses.

Disclaimer: This document is correct as at 4th September 2006 though may be subject to amendment. Please note Program is subject to final University Approval.

Applying for the Bachelor of Podiatry
You will need to apply through UAC - Universities Admissions Centre (NSW & ACT) either by buying the UAC book from any Newsagency/bookstore or by applying online at the UAC website.

Please note: The UAC 2007 Guide will be available in August 2006. On-time UAC Applications close on 29 September 2006.

Want more information?

Phone: 02 4921 5000 or 02 4348 4030
Email: EnquiryCentre@newcastle.edu.au or podiatry-enquiries@newcastle.edu.au
Online: Please contact me with more information on the Bachelor of Podiatry
Please call or email if you would like to discuss your options or for any further questions you may have.

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Frequently Asked Questions

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