Overview

Advance your career in health and social care with a master’s qualification that strengthens your clinical practice, leadership and research skills.

Around the world, health and social care services are increasingly working together to better support individuals, families and communities. As expectations of professional practice continue to evolve, the need for master’s-level qualifications for registered health and social care practitioners is becoming more evident.

Designed for registered practitioners, our MSc Advanced Practice helps you build on your existing expertise. You will learn to apply your knowledge critically in areas such as:

clinical assessment
analysis and insight
research.

The course places service users and carers at the centre of clinical practice. You will critically examine how their perspectives can inform policy and enhance practice, while strengthening your professional skills in leadership and communication.

You will graduate prepared to step into advanced roles across the NHS, public and independent sectors with confidence.

This course offers full-time study, with a part-time option for UK-based professionals.

You can complete the MSc Advanced Practice as a general degree, or choose to specialise in one of six specialist pathways.

Podiatry Pathway

This page provides information about the Podiatry pathway, one of six pathways available within our MSc Advanced Practice.

The MSc Advanced Practice (Podiatry) course is suitable for podiatrists or registered healthcare professionals with an interest in the foot and lower limb.

This pathway equips you with the advanced clinical knowledge and practical skills to assess, diagnose and manage complex foot and lower limb conditions. You’ll explore key areas including diagnostic investigations, medical imaging and clinical biomechanics, developing the ability to interpret vascular assessments, laboratory results and imaging modalities to inform clinical decision-making. Through a blend of expert-led online teaching and on-campus learning, you’ll apply theory to real-world scenarios, using case-based discussions and hands-on analysis of human movement across a range of settings, from sport and workplace health to long-term and age-related conditions.

You’ll benefit from access to our internationally recognised Human Performance Lab, alongside flexible online study for key modules, allowing you to balance learning with professional practice. This pathway is designed for clinicians working, or aspiring to work, in advanced practice roles across primary and secondary care, including specialisms such as musculoskeletal (MSK), vascular disease, rheumatology and orthopaedics. As part of the course, you’ll achieve IR(ME)R certification, enabling you to legally and safely refer for X-ray imaging in the UK—enhancing your scope of practice and supporting progression into more autonomous, specialist roles.

Further details and information on additional pathways can be found on the MSc Advanced Practice course page.

Why study Advanced Practice (Podiatry) at GCU?

Challenge and refine your practice through a rigorous, up-to-date evidence base, while addressing real-world pressures facing podiatrists, from rising MSK complexity to service delivery demands.
Combine critical appraisal, advanced clinical reasoning and innovation in care models to develop forward-thinking approaches and drive improvement within your services.
The course offers three exit awards (MSc, PgD and PgC), allowing flexible progression that aligns with your professional goals.
We are the leading university in the UK for Subjects Allied to Medicine (Times & Sunday Times Good University Guide 2026).
Our teaching is enriched through collaboration with more than 43 centres worldwide in the Global Network of WHO Collaborating Centres for Nursing and Midwifery, bringing international expertise and real‑world insight directly into your learning experience.

What you will study

Please note that full module information is in the process of being finalised for publication and will be made available here shortly.

In the meantime, you can view and download the Programme Specification at the bottom of this page. This document provides an overview of the course structure, including indicative modules, learning content and further key information. The modules listed on the Programme Specification are for the current academic year and are intended to give you an idea of what you may be able to study on this course.

Careers

The MSc Advanced Practice offers three exit awards (MSc, PgD and PgC) allowing flexible progression that aligns with your professional goals. Completion of the course supports progression into advanced and specialist roles, with increased responsibility and influence.

This pathway would suit clinicians working or aspiring to work in advanced practice roles within primary or secondary care and within specialisms such as vascular disease, rheumatology, orthopaedics and musculoskeletal health.

As a graduate of the MSc Advanced Practice (Podiatry), you will be equipped for a range of clinical and leadership roles across healthcare services in the NHS, private practice, and independent healthcare sectors.

Typical career destinations include Advanced Podiatrist including further specialisms such as Advanced MSK Practitioner, Advanced High Risk/Foot Protection Practitioner, Specialist or Highly Specialised Practitioner, across primary and secondary care.

Graduates also move into clinical leadership, service development, education, and research roles, contributing to the transformation of foot care services, pathways and workforce development.

The MSc supports routes toward professional recognition and enhances opportunities for those seeking to lead, innovate, and deliver high‑quality service delivery.

Course information

Award	Mode of study	Duration	Start date	Location
MSc	Part time	3 -5 years	Jan 27	Glasgow	Enquire Apply
Award	Mode of study	Duration	Start date	Location
MSc	Part time	3 -5 years	Sep 26	Glasgow	Enquire Apply
Award	Mode of study	Duration	Start date	Location
MSc	Full time	1 year	Sep 26	Glasgow	Enquire Apply

Teaching methods

You will have the opportunity to learn from a range of lecturing staff, clinical academics and researchers. Learning is delivered in a range of different formats, including online as well as on campus lectures, seminars and tutorials. You will also have the opportunity to work interprofessionally, with others from a range of different clinical backgrounds.

We emphasise a student centred, practice‑led approach, moving away from traditional teaching. You will be encouraged to take an active role in your learning, developing the critical thinking, clinical reasoning and decision‑making skills essential for safe and effective advanced practice.

Our teaching methods ensure the course is both professionally and academically relevant by facilitating student development across all four Pillars of Practice:

Clinical practice
Education
Leadership
Research.

Assessment methods

Assessment at GCU is designed to help you develop key academic skills within a practical context, strengthening your ability to operate effectively within contemporary health and social care environments.

You will develop and demonstrate:

leadership skills
ability to apply evidence-based practice to your work
critically reflect on potential improvements informed by global evidence.

Assessments are delivered in a variety of different ways, such as coursework, online case based exam and dissertation.

Guest lectures and networking events

You will have the opportunity to attend guest lectures hosted by industry experts. These sessions offer valuable insight and build your professional confidence.

Full time or part time study options

Applicants with at least two years of post-qualification experience, choosing full-time study can graduate with a master’s degree in just one year.

Alternatively, part-time study provides flexibility for UK-based professionals balancing work and study over three to five years.

Collaborative learning

Our teaching is enriched through collaboration with more than 43 centres worldwide in the Global Network of WHO Collaborating Centres for Nursing and Midwifery, bringing international expertise and real‑world insight directly into your learning experience.

Computer access

You’ll need access to a computer with reliable internet to study this pathway, as the Clinical Investigations module is delivered online.

Download the programme specification

In addition to the core modules that all students must undertake, some courses offer students a choice from a selection of optional modules to shape the focus their degree. Optional modules where available, form part of the overall credit structure of the course.

Download the programme specification for a detailed breakdown of the course structure, including modules, what you'll learn and other useful information.

Terms and Conditions

Details of the University’s terms and conditions are available here.