The Level 6 Podiatrist, and the 5 providers delivering it.
Diagnose and treat foot, ankle and leg problems.
About this apprenticeship
What this apprenticeship covers
Apprentices train to become registered podiatrists, developing the clinical knowledge and skills needed to assess, diagnose and treat conditions affecting the feet, ankles and lower limbs across all age groups. The programme covers wound care, nail surgery, scalpel work, and management of long-term conditions such as diabetes. Apprentices also learn musculoskeletal assessment, the prescription of functional insoles, and gait re-education. Professional responsibilities including safeguarding, consent, HCPC registration requirements, and equality legislation are woven throughout the training.
Day-to-day responsibilities
Working under supervision in clinical settings, apprentices see patients presenting with a range of lower limb conditions, from routine skin and nail care through to complex wound management and post-surgical follow-up. They conduct musculoskeletal assessments, develop treatment plans, and fit or prescribe orthotic insoles. Patient documentation, obtaining informed consent, and liaising with other healthcare professionals such as GPs, nurses and physiotherapists are regular parts of the working week. As competence grows, apprentices take on increasing clinical autonomy.
Career outlook
Completing this apprenticeship leads to registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and the protected title of Podiatrist. Most graduates enter clinical practice at band 5 or 6 level within NHS community or hospital settings, though roles exist in private clinics, sports medicine, and community health organisations. With experience, progression can lead to specialist or advanced practitioner roles, team leadership, or clinical education. Podiatry skills are in demand across NHS trusts, independent healthcare providers and sports clubs.
5 approved providers
Sorted by achievement rate.
The University of Huddersfield is a UK higher education institution offering a wide range of courses...
The University of Plymouth is a UK higher education institution that delivers a wide range of higher...
The University of Sunderland delivers advanced, higher and degree apprenticeships from levels 3 to 7...
The University of East London (UEL) is a public university and approved apprenticeship training prov...
Health Sciences University (HSU) is a specialist health sciences institution offering a range of und...
Career outcomes
Roles after completion
Graduates of this apprenticeship are eligible to register with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and practise as a qualified Podiatrist or Chiropodist. Typical entry-level roles include Band 5 Podiatrist posts within NHS community and acute services, or equivalent positions in independent practice. Day-to-day responsibilities cover wound care, nail surgery, routine skin and nail treatment, musculoskeletal assessment, orthotic prescription, and managing patients with long-term conditions such as diabetes.
Progression paths
Within three to five years, many podiatrists progress to Band 6 or Band 7 Podiatrist roles, taking on greater clinical complexity and caseload responsibility. From there, two broad tracks emerge. A clinical specialist route leads to roles such as High Risk Foot Specialist, Musculoskeletal Podiatrist, or Podiatric Surgeon, often alongside postgraduate study. A leadership and management route leads to Advanced Podiatry Practitioner, Podiatry Team Lead, or Head of Podiatry Service, with responsibility for service delivery and staff development.
Where these roles sit
The NHS is the largest employer, with podiatrists working across community health services, hospital trusts, and integrated care boards throughout the UK. Beyond the NHS, opportunities exist in private clinics, sports medicine settings, care homes, and defence medical services. Some podiatrists establish independent practices or work on a self-employed basis, either alongside NHS employment or exclusively in the private sector.
How it's assessed
How the apprenticeship is assessed
Throughout the programme, the apprentice develops and demonstrates the clinical knowledge, practical skills and professional behaviours required to practise as a registered podiatrist. Learning takes place in real clinical settings alongside formal study, building competence in areas such as patient assessment, diagnosis, wound care, nail surgery, biomechanical intervention and long-term condition management. Before final assessment, the apprentice must pass a readiness check (the gateway), confirming they have met the requirements set by their employer and training provider. Final assessment then confirms whether the apprentice can perform the full role to the standard required. Assessment models for many standards are currently being updated; check the standard's gov.uk page for the current specification.
What learners need to prepare
Because evidence of clinical competence is built up over time, keeping thorough records from early in the programme matters far more than trying to reconstruct activity later. Apprentices should document patient interactions, reflective accounts, and evidence of professional development as they go, and engage regularly with supervisors, mentors and their training provider to track progress against the knowledge, skills and behaviour requirements. Close collaboration between the apprentice and employer on readiness for the gateway is essential, particularly given the clinical and regulatory demands of working toward HCPC registration.
Choosing a provider
What good looks like
Look for providers with an achievement rate above 65% for this standard, though given the clinical complexity and 48-month duration, anything approaching 75% or higher warrants attention. Strong providers will have genuine clinical placement partnerships, typically with NHS trusts, community podiatry services or private clinics, where apprentices carry supervised caseloads rather than observe. Check that tutors hold current HCPC registration and active clinical practice, not just academic backgrounds. Employer and apprentice satisfaction scores on the provider's FATP profile should both sit above sector averages, and learner reviews should mention quality of clinical supervision specifically.
Red flags to watch for
Be cautious of providers who cannot clearly explain how clinical placements are structured or how HCPC Standards of Proficiency are mapped to on-the-job experience. A high volume of enrolments combined with a declining achievement rate may indicate stretched supervision ratios. Vague answers about how nail surgery, scalpel work or wound care competencies are assessed in practice, rather than in simulation alone, are a concern. If a provider cannot point to apprentices who have gone on to achieve HCPC registration and secure employment, treat that as a significant gap.
Questions to ask before you commit
- How are clinical placements organised, and what is the average supervised patient contact time per week?
- How do you ensure apprentices meet HCPC Standards of Proficiency in procedural skills such as nail surgery and scalpel work before the end-point assessment?
- What is your current achievement rate for this standard, and how has it changed over the past two cohorts?
- How is the off-the-job training split between academic learning and hands-on clinical practice?
- What happens if an apprentice's employer cannot provide exposure to a particular patient group or clinical intervention, such as diabetic foot care or musculoskeletal assessment?
- How are personal tutors or clinical supervisors qualified, and are they currently practising podiatrists?
- Can we speak to a previous apprentice or employer who has been through this programme with you?
Common questions
What qualifications do I need to start a Podiatrist apprenticeship?
Applicants typically need strong A-levels or equivalent qualifications, as this is a Level 6 degree-level programme. Employers and training providers set their own specific entry criteria, so requirements can vary. Prior healthcare experience may strengthen an application but is not always mandatory. Apprentices must be employed in a role where they can practise podiatry-related duties throughout the programme. Check directly with your chosen provider for the exact academic and practical entry conditions they apply.
How long does this apprenticeship take, and how does learning fit around the job?
The typical duration is 48 months. Apprentices remain employed throughout and spend time both on the job and in off-the-job learning, which covers the academic knowledge and clinical skills required for HCPC registration. The exact split of on-the-job and off-the-job time is subject to ongoing change under current Skills England reforms, so check the latest specification on the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (IfATE) page on gov.uk for the current requirements.
How is the apprenticeship assessed at the end?
Before completing, apprentices must pass through a gateway, at which point the employer, training provider and apprentice confirm that all knowledge, skills and behaviours have been met. The end-point assessment then tests clinical competence in a format set by the assessment organisation. Assessment models for many standards are being reviewed, so check the current specification on gov.uk for the up-to-date assessment approach. Successful completion leads to eligibility to apply for HCPC registration as a podiatrist.
How does an employer pay for this apprenticeship?
The funding band for this standard is £24,000, which is the maximum government contribution toward training costs. Levy-paying employers draw this cost from their Digital Apprenticeship Service account. Non-levy-paying employers (typically SMEs) pay a 5% co-investment contribution and the government covers the remaining 95%. Employers taking on apprentices aged 16 to 18 may pay nothing, depending on their size and circumstances. Funding covers training and assessment costs only, not the apprentice's salary.
What does a Podiatrist apprentice actually do day to day?
Apprentices work under supervision in clinical settings, carrying out assessments of patients' feet, ankles and lower limbs, treating conditions such as nail disorders, wounds, skin problems and musculoskeletal issues. They learn to use scalpel techniques, perform nail surgery, prescribe functional insoles and develop treatment plans. They also take patient histories, obtain informed consent, manage caseloads, write clinical notes, and engage in safeguarding processes where needed. The role spans NHS, private practice and community care settings.
What can a newly qualified podiatrist do after completing this apprenticeship?
Completion and successful HCPC registration opens the door to working as a qualified podiatrist across NHS community and hospital services, private clinics, sports medicine settings and care organisations. With experience, podiatrists can move into specialist areas such as diabetic foot care, high-risk wound management or musculoskeletal podiatry. Further postgraduate qualifications, including prescribing courses or master's-level study, are available for those wishing to extend their scope of practice or move into leadership or education roles.
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Curated by Alex Lockey, FATP founder and editor. Last reviewed: .
Sources include the apprenticeship's official specification on apprenticeships.gov.uk, Skills England guidance, IfATE archive records, DWP funding bands, and provider data sourced directly from the public Apprenticeship Provider and Assessment Register (APAR). Standard reference: 281.
Some sections on this page were drafted with AI assistance from published source data and reviewed by a human editor before publication. See our editorial methodology for how we maintain this content. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.