Course

Bachelor of Podiatric Medicine (Honours)

Approved Abbreviation: BPodMed(Hons)

Western Sydney University Course Code: 4709.1

AQF Level: 8

CRICOS Code: 0101793

The Honours program is available to high achieving students in the Bachelor of Podiatric Medicine. Honours is a key early step in the path to leadership in the profession and opens up the world of research, without taking any longer to complete the degree. The honours program encourages independent learning, develops research skills and provides an opportunity for deeper investigation in the major field of study. An honours program is a recognised preparation and entry point for postgraduate research studies and the research training is valuable preparation for careers in research and development and analysis in the public and private sectors. Students apply for entry into the Honours program in Year 3 of their degree. They begin advanced research training in the latter half of Year 3. Clinical placements and an honours thesis are completed during the fourth year of the program. The thesis presents research that addresses real podiatric problems and education across the lifespan. This research will be conducted under the supervision of experienced academic researchers.

Study Mode
Four years full-time.

Accreditation
The Western Sydney University Bachelor of Podiatric Medicine (Honours) is an accredited program of study and students are eligible to register with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency.This course has been accredited by Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).

Inherent requirements

There are inherent requirements for this course that you must meet in order to complete your course and graduate. Make sure you read and understand the requirements for this course online.

Inherent requirements

Admission

Admission is through direct application to the university - applications are directed to the School of Health Sciences.

Students must have completed 200 credit points in the first 2.5 years of the Western Sydney University Bachelor of Podiatric Medicine course and achieved a GPA of 5.0 or greater. Students with a GPA in the range of 4.5-5.0 and a credit average in units completed in Bachelor of Podiatric Medicine Levels 2 and 3 will also be considered (in accordance with the Honours Policy clause 13 and the Graduations Policy clause 53).

Student Compliance Information for all Health-Related Placements

Students must meet Western Sydney University course requirements as well as any special, legislated, or policy-mandated requirements.

Western Course Requirements

Visit the Special Requirements webpage for details about your course

Special Requirements

Mandatory NSW Health student placement policy requirements

To be able to undertake placement in any NSW Health facility you must be assessed as compliant with NSW Health student placement policy in the first year of your course, regardless of when you expect to go on your first placement. Access and read the NSW Student Compliance Information Booklet

NSW Student Compliance Information Booklet

Please ensure that you

1. Find your existing National Police Check or apply for one

2. Gather documentary evidence of your vaccination history

3. Print and compete all relevant NSW Health forms relevant to the campus you are enrolled at or online enrolment requirements

4. Follow booklet instructions on how to have your compliance documents assessed by NSW health staff.

International students have additional requirements: the link to the booklet will inform you of these requirements.

School Requirements

Contact your School for further details regarding your School’s requirements, if any, such as

If you live outside of NSW or Australia and need to meet your state, territory or country’s compliance requirements

If you need to meet different state, territory or country compliance requirements.

NSW Working with Children Check (WWCC) or other state equivalent, valid for your entire course.

Current approved first aid certificate valid for your entire course - approved course providers can be found at the Government Training website

http://training.gov.au

Other non-health related requirements

Student Compliance Resources are also available on the Placements Hub web page

https://www.westernsydney.edu.au/learning_futures/home/placements_hub/placements_hub/student_compliance

Special Requirements Prerequisites
In order to enrol in Second Year Spring units, all students must have completed the NSW Health requirements above. In clinical placement units, students must wear the Western Sydney University podiatric medicine uniform, which complies with NSW uniform requirements. Special note: Students in this program are required to participate fully in practical classes. This involves practical hands-on podiatry / lower extremity examination and treatment techniques on both genders and students will personally experience these techniques which will be performed on them by other students and/or relevant academic staff. Students are also required to undertake 19 weeks of clinical placement activity which can include rural and metropolitan locations. Student must meet their own travel, accommodation and living expenses during these activities.

Work Integrated Learning

Western Sydney University seeks to enhance student learning experiences by enabling students to engage in the culture, expectations and practices of their profession or discipline. This course includes a placement or other community-based unpaid practical experience.

There is a mandatory work component required for completion of this course. Please contact the Course Advisor listed above for information.

Course Structure

Qualification for this award requires the successful completion of 340 credit points which include the units listed in the recommended sequence below.

Recommended Sequence

Year 1

Autumn session

400870

Population Health and Society

400868

Human Anatomy and Physiology 1

400905

Introduction to Podiatry

401396

Professional Competencies in Health

Note: Unit 401396 Professional Competencies in Health replaces 400871 Professional Health Competencies from Autumn 2021