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 programme’s mission statement is:  "To develop caring, patient-centric, highly skilled graduates who are knowledgeable, innovative, autonomous and competent practitioners who apply a scientific and evidence-based approach to podiatric medicine".

 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.   

Programme Structure and Delivery Approach 

Year 1: The teaching will be primarily delivered by members of the Podiatry teaching team, with input from external disciplines within the university (e.g., Anatomy, Physiology, Microbiology) for some modules/ units.  

Year 2: The teaching will be primarily delivered by members of the Podiatry teaching team, with input from external disciplines within the university (e.g., Pharmacology). 

Progression requirements: Candidates must pass all 12 core modules and successfully complete final project to achieve the MSc award. All year 1 modules must be passed to progress to the second year of the programme. Compensation is NOT allowed in academic or clinical modules. 

Curriculum Information

Curriculum information relates to the current academic year (in most cases).
Course and module offerings and details may be subject to change.

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. 

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. 

Qualified podiatrists can work in a wide range of healthcare settings both in Ireland and internationally (in countries where the qualification is recognised). In Ireland, podiatrists are employed within the HSE across acute hospitals and primary care services and working in private practice.

Podiatry offers excellent flexibility, with opportunities to tailor working hours and roles to suit individual lifestyles and interests. Because the profession is highly versatile, many podiatrists combine public and private practice or develop specialised skill sets throughout their careers.

There is a strong and growing demand for podiatrists in Ireland and around the world, and most graduates secure employment soon after completing their studies.

Clinical Practice is an integral component of the Podiatric Medicine programme. Students are required to undertake a minimum of 1000 clinical hours over the period of the programme and is a regulatory requirement for graduation. Students are gradually introduced to clinical practice by use of simulated techniques and interactive case studies. Onsite clinical placement and learning at Merlin Park Podiatry Clinic unite the theory with the ‘hands on’ practice education, facilitated by the academic and clinical teams.

• Prof. Caroline McIntosh
• Dr. Joanne Hurst 
• Ms. Geraldine Lavelle 
• Dr. Claire MacGilchrist
• Mr. Adam McIlwaine
• Ms. Emma O Callaghan
• Ms. Sarah O'Connell
• Mrs. Amanda Walsh 

This programme will focus on practical, hands-on learning experiences, combined with academic teaching. Students will be quickly integrated into clinical settings, providing quick value to healthcare facilities. 

Pass Standard & Assessment Strategies: A wide variety of assessment strategies are employed at stages throughout the programme to cater for a diversity of learning needs. The range and diversity of assessments allows the varying strengths of individual students to be demonstrated. All assessments throughout the programme are designed to assess students’ theoretical knowledge and clinical practical skills to ensure students meet the necessary competencies for professional practice. Assessment strategies that are employed include clinical practical examinations, continuous assessment and end of year examinations. The pass mark is 50%. 

Course queries:

E: Preregpodmed@universityofgalway.ie

In the event that a student requests an element of RPL, upon registration onto the programme, the Programme Director will consult with the Head of School and RPL champions in the School of Health Sciences to consider their request on a "case-by-case basis".  

Their request will be considered and allocated where appropriate based on School of Health Sciences, University and National policies, being cognisant of professional registration requirements. 

This programme offers a strong foundation for a long-term career in podiatry. Graduates will gain transferable skills highly valued by employers, including: 

• Advanced reasoning and the ability to manage complex cases
• Strong clinical judgment, critical analysis, and decision-making
• Integration of evidence-based practice
• Accelerated graduate entry to help meet workforce demand

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. 

Academic entry requirements standardised per country are available here.  

English Language Entry Requirements

For applicants whose first language is not English, an English language proficiency of IELTS score of 6.5 is required (with no less than 6.5 in Writing and no less than 6.0 in any other band) or equivalent.  

More information on English language test equivalency are available here.  

Supporting Documents

You will be required to provide supporting documentation as part of your application. You can check here what supporting documents are required for this course.   

You can apply online to the University of Galway application portal here.  

Please review the entry requirements set out in the section above.  

You will be required to upload supporting documentation to your application electronically. See the section above on entry requirements for further information on the supporting documentation required for this course.  

Additional Information 

This new programme is designed to appeal to healthcare and other professionals who hold degrees or experience in cognate areas, leveraging their existing expertise and providing a versatile pathway into the field of Podiatric Medicine. Therefore, recruitment onto the programme will be determined by: 

1. Level 1 Screening- Selection and recruitment criteria. This will be used as a selection criteria to progress suitable candidates to interview stage. 
2. Interview stage - candidates will be interviewed.
3. Level 2 Screening- Post interview, candidates’ performance at interview will be entered onto the Interview matrix document and successful candidates will then be identified for recruitment onto the programme. 

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. 

Closing Dates 

For this programme, the closing date for 2025/26 for receipt of applications is 19th August 2025.  

Notes 

• You will need an active email account to use the website and you'll be guided through the system, step by step, until you complete the online form.
• Browse the FAQ's section for further guidance.  

Fees for Academic Year 2026/27

Course Type	Year	EU Tuition	Student Contribution	Non-EU Tuition	Levy	Total Fee	Total EU Fee	Total Non-EU Fee
Masters Full Time	1	€12,700		€24,750	€140		€12,840	€24,890

For 26/27 entrants, where the course duration is greater than 1 year, there is an inflationary increase approved of 1.8% per annum for continuing years fees.

Postgraduate students in receipt of a SUSI grant – please note an F4 grant is where SUSI will pay €4,500 towards your tuition (2026/27).  You will be liable for the remainder of the total fee.  A P1 grant is where SUSI will pay tuition up to a maximum of €6,270. SUSI will not cover the student levy of €140.

Note to non-EU students: learn about the 24-month Stayback Visa here. 

Application Process 

Students applying for full time postgraduate programmes from outside of the European Union (EU), You can apply online to the University of Galway application portal here.  

Our application portal opens on the 1st October each year for entry the following September.   

Further Information 

Please visit the postgraduate admissions webpage for further information on closing dates, documentation requirements, application fees and the application process.

If you have queries or questions or just want to learn more about the programmes contact us by phone or email. 

Discipline of Podiatric Medicine 
School of Health Sciences 
College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences  

Programme Administrator:  
E: preregpodmed@universityofgalway.ie