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Bachelor of Pedorthics

Bachelors Degree

Course snapshot

Domestic snapshot

  • Course abbreviation

    BPed

  • Course code

    3007307

  • Credit points

    288

  • Equivalent units

    24

  • Indicative Fee

    Commonwealth supported

Overview

Put your best foot forward in a degree that is the basis of an exciting professional future.

With a focus on biomechanics, foot function and improved mobility, our Bachelor of Pedorthics is the most advanced pedorthic education and training program in the country, and the only one of its kind offered by an Australian university. 

Pedorthics is a person-centred field of allied health focused on creative design solutions for commercial and orthopaedic footwear and orthotic appliances; to improve body function, prevent injury and reduce the impact of disease and disability.

You'll learn about health conditions that impact the feet, the mechanics of gait, footwear design and production and even entrepreneurship. You'll develop your practical skills in our advanced on-campus laboratories and gain invaluable work experience through substantial placements. Our teaching team includes world leading certified pedorthists and multidisciplinary experts.

As a graduate, you will have the opportunity to work in a range of sectors, including health practices, disability services and the sporting and fashion footwear industries. You'll draw on your knowledge to perform comprehensive evidence-based assessments to diagnose conditions of the lower limb and be able to prescribe, design, and fabricate creative solutions by making orthotic appliances modifying footwear or custom-making orthopaedic footwear.

Course Learning Outcome

Apply critical analysis, prudent judgement and the use of research/evidence to inform clinical/professional practice.

Develop an entrepreneurial and sustainable approach to clinical/professional practice utilising appropriate leadership and management skills.

Demonstrate knowledge, skill and empathy as ethical, innovative and creative professional eligible to enter clinical/professional practice.

Establish clinical/professional practice based on ethical decision-making and evidence-based practice.

Demonstrate accountability and responsibility within clinical/professional practice.

Function in accordance with all relevant legislation, registration requirements, guidelines and standards affecting clinical/professional practice.

Assess, plan, provide and evaluate safe and effective clinical practice with a range of client groups across the lifespan.

Identify and reflect on the generalist and specialist skills of practice required for continuing professional development and professional practice.

Work collaboratively in a range of health care teams with an understanding of best practice and the evidence base that supports it.

Communicate and collaborate effectively with clients, families, significant others and professional colleagues in ways that are appropriate to the scholarly, professional and/or social setting.

Demonstrate cultural safety in clinical/professional practice and leadership

Demonstrate an understanding of health inequalities and indigenous health (worldwide)

During the course, students gain workplace experience to apply their skills and knowledge. They will complete approximately 1,000 hours of professional placement in various settings throughout the three years of study.

Professional experience placements require students to fulfil certain prerequisites prior to attending placement.  Before applying for this course, please consider the important information regarding these requirements.

The course prepares graduates to work as members of the allied healthcare team, and includes a wide range of interprofessional experiences. 

Studies include:

  • evidence-based practice
  • the Australian health care system
  • psychology and sociology for health science practitioners
  • biological, physical and medical sciences, including anatomy, physiology and systemic and lower limb medicine
  • lower limb biomechanical assessments and the use of orthotic appliances and bracings, applied through a range of simulated and practical experiences
  • hands-on manufacturing of custom-made orthopaedic footwear and the modification of pre-fabricated medical grade footwear 
  • knowledge in textiles including pattern making, materials and design
  • skills on an array of machinery including grinding machines, vacuum presses and sewing machines located on-campus in our manufacturing lab that houses world class, top range technology and machinery.

Location Teaching period UAC code QTAC code
Gold Coast Session 1, Session 2, Session 3 N/A N/A

Career Outcomes

This course is accredited by the Pedorthic Association of Australia. Suitably qualified members of the Association are registered with the Australian Pedorthists Registration Board and appear on the Board's website.

Requirements

We encourage you to apply for the courses you most want to study. If you are not eligible to enter your chosen course right now, our team will work with you to find the best pathway option.

Before applying, make sure you double check all entry requirements, gather required documentation and review the University’s Rules Relating to Awards, noting any specifics listed below.

Entry requirements

Applicants who do not meet Rule 2 English Language Proficiency Requirements must demonstrate English language proficiency by achieving an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) score of 7.0 with a score of no less than 6.5 across each of the bands of reading, writing, speaking and listening.

An applicant who has completed a Certificate III qualification will not be admitted solely on the basis of this qualification.

Credit for prior learning

Candidates who have completed the Bachelor of Podiatry and Podiatrists registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency may be granted advanced standing for up to seventeen (17) units towards the Bachelor of Pedorthics.

Course requirements

To be eligible to receive the Bachelor of Pedorthics, students must complete 288 credit points, comprising all core units.

Exit Awards

Students may be eligible to exit with an Associate Degree of Health and Human Sciences after completing 192 credit points, comprising any 16 core units.

Students may be eligible to exit with a Diploma of Health and Human Sciences after completing 96 credit points, comprising any 8 core units.

Professional Experience Learning

This course includes professional experience learning. Pre-requisites to meet national and state-based regulatory requirements, as detailed on School of Health and Human Sciences Professional Experience page must be met prior to attending professional experience placement. All professional experience learning hours must be completed and professional behaviour and conduct must be demonstrated.

Progression

Students are not permitted to have an extended period of more than 18 months between study of any two (2) units with professional experience learning.

Students are not permitted to have an extended period of more than 18 months between study of a theory unit that relates specifically to a particular unit with professional experience learning.

Students who have an interrupted study sequence of more than 18 months will be assessed on a case-by-case basis and may be required to undertake a specified supported professional experience placement to ensure professional experience currency prior to continuation of the course.

Inherent Requirements

Inherent Requirements apply to this course as defined on the Student Access & Inclusion website. Students who have a disability or health condition which may impact on their ability to meet these requirements are encouraged to visit the Student Access & Inclusion website for further information and contact details.

Course structure

Your course progression is in the recommended order you should complete your course in. It is important that you follow this to ensure you meet the course requirements. For further assistance see How to Enrol in Units using My Enrolment.

Students should use course progression information to select units specific to their course and enrol in these units using My Enrolment.

Unit Code Unit Title Available Credit points Level of learning Notes
Year 1, Session 1
BIO71002 -  Human Physiology I Introductory
PDT10001 -  Introduction to Podiatry and Pedorthics Introductory
Year 1, Session 2
CMM10580 -  The Australian Health Care System Introductory
BIO71003 -  Human Physiology II Introductory
Year 2, Session 1
BHS10581 -  Psychology and Sociology for Health Sciences Introductory
BIO01302 -  Human Anatomy Introductory
Year 2, Session 2
MAT71004 -  Introduction to Evidence for Health Science Practitioners Introductory
BIO10001 -  Functional Anatomy of the Lower Limbs and Foot and Ankle Intermediate
Year 3, Session 1
PDT30002 -  Lower Limb Medicine I Advanced
PDT72001 -  Lower Limb Assessment I Intermediate
Year 3, Session 2
PDT30003 -  Lower Limb Medicine II Advanced
PDT72002 -  Lower Limb Assessment II Intermediate
Year 4, Session 1
PDT20005 -  Principles and Practice of Pedorthics I Intermediate
BIO20002 -  Biomechanics of Gait Intermediate
Year 4, Session 2
PDT20006 -  Principles and Practice of Pedorthics II Intermediate
PDT20002 -  Orthoses and Bracing Intermediate
Year 4, Session 3
PDT73005 -  Pedorthics Clinical Placement I Advanced Note 1
Year 5, Session 2
MNG00306 -  Small Business and Entrepreneurship for Allied Health, Fitness and Sport Introductory
PDT30001 -  Management and Treatment of the High Risk Foot Intermediate
Year 5, Session 3
PDT73006 -  Pedorthics Clinical Placement II Advanced Note 1
PDT73007 -  Pedorthics Clinical Placement III Advanced Note 1

Unit Code Unit Title Available Credit points Level of learning Notes
Students commencing the BPed mid-year will take 3.5 years, not 3 years, full-time study to complete the course.
Year 1, Session 2
BIO71002 -  Human Physiology I Introductory
CMM10580 -  The Australian Health Care System Introductory
Year 1, Session 3
BIO71003 -  Human Physiology II Introductory
BIO01302 -  Human Anatomy Introductory
From Year 2, following the Session 1 Admission structure (excluding the above units)

Unit Code Unit Title Available Credit points Level of learning Notes
Complete one or both of the units under Session 3 below and then follow the Course Progression for Session 1 Commencement excluding the completed unit/s.
Session 3
BIO01302 -  Human Anatomy Introductory
CMM10580 -  The Australian Health Care System Introductory

Note 1:

Double-weighted unit

Unit Code Unit Title Level of learning Notes
Core Units
BIO01302 Human Anatomy Introductory
CMM10580 The Australian Health Care System Introductory
BHS10581 Psychology and Sociology for Health Sciences Introductory
PDT10001 Introduction to Podiatry and Pedorthics Introductory
BIO71002 Human Physiology I Introductory
MAT71004 Introduction to Evidence for Health Science Practitioners Introductory
BIO71003 Human Physiology II Introductory
BIO10001 Functional Anatomy of the Lower Limbs and Foot and Ankle Intermediate
PDT20005 Principles and Practice of Pedorthics I Intermediate
PDT20002 Orthoses and Bracing Intermediate
BIO20002 Biomechanics of Gait Intermediate
PDT72001 Lower Limb Assessment I Intermediate
PDT30002 Lower Limb Medicine I Advanced
PDT20006 Principles and Practice of Pedorthics II Intermediate
PDT30003 Lower Limb Medicine II Advanced
PDT72002 Lower Limb Assessment II Intermediate
PDT73005 Pedorthics Clinical Placement I Advanced Note 1
PDT73006 Pedorthics Clinical Placement II Advanced Note 1
MNG00306 Small Business and Entrepreneurship for Allied Health, Fitness and Sport Introductory
PDT30001 Management and Treatment of the High Risk Foot Intermediate
PDT73007 Pedorthics Clinical Placement III Advanced Note 1