BSc Hons Prosthetics & Orthotics
ApplyKey facts
- UCAS Code: B984
- Accreditation: We are the only UK course accredited by the International Society for Prosthetics & Orthotics
Ranked: 3rd for Medical Technology & Bioengineering (Complete University Guide 2024)
Industry experience: two clinical placements across prosthetics and orthotics in Year 4
Study with us
- study on the only four-year Prosthetics and Orthotics course in the UK accredited by the International Society for Prosthetics and Orthotics
- gain clinical experience with patients in both prosthetics and orthotics throughout your studies
- access to state-of-the-art technology in gait analysis and scanning systems
- one of only two such degrees in the UK approved by the Health and Care Professions Council
- benefit from access to departmental scholarships
Why this course?
We offer the only four-year prosthetics and orthotics degree in the UK
The only way to join the profession of prosthetics and orthotics in the UK is by graduating with an Honours degree in prosthetics and orthotics, which is approved by the Health and Care Professions Council. Strathclyde's BSc (Hons) programme, within the Department of Biomedical Engineering, is one of only two such approved degrees in the UK.
We run the only course in the UK with accreditation from the International Society for Prosthetics and Orthotics.
Watch our course video to find out more
What you’ll study
Prosthetics and orthotics science classes form a major element of the course. Practical sessions are based at the National Centre for Prosthetics & Orthotics and you'll undertake a clinical placement in Year 4.
Year 1
In your first year you'll study:
- Principles of Prosthetics and Orthotic Design 1
- Introduction to Health Service Research
- Human Biological Science 1
- Foundations for Interprofessional Practice
- Prosthetics & Orthotics Professional & Technical Skills
- Prosthetic & Orthotic Science 1
Year 2
Second-year classes are:
- Professional Skills for Healthcare 2
- Human Biological Sciences 2
- Principles of Prosthetic and Orthotic Design 2
- Prosthetics and Orthotics Science 2
- Foundation Layer of Scottish Infection Prevention and Control Education Pathway (SIPCEP) in preparation for your clinical placements
Year 3
In third year you'll study:
- Human Biological Science 3
- Principles of Prosthetic and Orthotic Design 3
- Prosthetics and Orthotic Science 3 with Applied Health Service Research
In the second semester of Year 3 you'll undertake you'll undertake a project intended to develop the skills of critical appraisal, analysis, review of the literature and presentation skills. Many projects are proposed by the NHS or private prosthetic/orthotic companies. There are also compulsory classes and a number of modules to choose from.
Year 4
Students in Year 4 undertake two clinical placements, one in prosthetics and one in orthotics. Each placement lasts a minimum of four months. You're placed in approved clinical facilities within hospitals or private companies under the direction of a designated supervisor.
In addition to clinical placements, you'll undertake a project intended to develop the skills of critical appraisal, analysis, review of the literature and presentation skills. Many projects are proposed by the NHS or private prosthetic/orthotic companies. There are also compulsory classes and a number of modules to choose from.
Principles of Prosthetic & Orthotic Design 1
This class provides you with a basic grounding in the theory & application of the broad engineering sciences that underpin prosthetic & orthotic practice.
Introduction to Health Service Research
This class provides you with knowledge and skills so that you may adopt systematic approaches to gathering and interpreting information from a wide range of sources.
Human Biological Science 1
This class will give you a general understanding of key concepts in human anatomy and general pathophysiology to act as a basis for discussion in this and subsequent modules.
The physiology and pathophysiology of skin and cardiovascular system pathologies are examined in detail. The basic changes in metabolism that occur in diabetes are studied.
Foundations for Interprofessional Practice
The class will introduce you to current developments of policy and processes that direct the delivery of health and social care. It will enable you to identify key principles of partnership working through an awareness of the qualities and attributes of Health and Social care professionals.
Prosthetics & Orthotics Professional & Technical Skills
Professional aspects
The aim is for you to:
- develop a patient-centred approach to the clinical practice of prosthetics and orthotics
- develop the interpersonal and communication skills required to be able to effectively implement prosthetics and orthotics clinical and technical skills in a professional setting
- develop the practice of self-awareness, self-appraisal, giving and receiving peer feedback, and the setting of personal and professional development objectives
- develop the skills required to initiate and sustain lifelong learning
Technical aspects
The aim is to equip you with basic practical skills that will be required to enable you to complete the prosthetic and orthotic science modules within the Honours degree programme.
It will allow you to carry out the technical skills which are necessary within a clinical and technical prosthetic and orthotic service delivery setting.
Prosthetic & Orthotic Science 1
You'll develop knowledge, understanding and clinical skills (involving real patient experience) in the lower limb prosthetics and orthotics practice and patient management. This module will be in two sections:
- An introduction to the practical clinical skills which underpin prosthetic and orthotic practice
- Trans-tibial, ankle disarticulation and partial foot prosthetic science.
Professional Skills for Healthcare 2
This class aims to help you:
- develop a patient-centred approach to the clinical practice of prosthetics and orthotics
- enhance your interpersonal and communication skills
- encourage exploration and appreciation of ethical and moral issues in relation to the provision of prosthetic and orthotic services within the wider healthcare context
Human Biological Sciences 2
This class will provide knowledge of:
- the aetiology and pathogenesis of congenital disorders
- the physiology and pathophysiology of the nervous system
- the detailed anatomy of the upper limb and spinal column and cord
Principles of Prosthetic and Orthotic Design 2
Prosthetics and Orthotics Science 2
This class will provide you with a knowledge and understanding of lower limb prosthetic and orthotic rehabilitation and management based on a patient centred approach. You'll gain knowledge of the basic and advanced clinical and technical requirements of becoming a competent and professional practitioner.
Cross-curricular, sequential links with other relevant and complementary modules will be established, e.g. human biological sciences, professional skills for healthcare, principles of prosthetic and orthotic design, and health services research.
Elective Class
You'll take an elective class of your own choice.
Human Biological Science 3
This class will provide knowledge of the structure and functioning of skeletal muscle tissue. The effects of exercise on the respiratory, cardiovascular and skeletal muscle systems will be considered.
You'll develop an understanding of the pathophysiological changes underlying conditions affecting locomotion. Selected pathologies of particular relevance to prosthetic and orthotic practice will be covered in depth, including stroke, diabetes and contractures.
Principles of Prosthetic and Orthotic Design 3
The aim of this class is to develop your skills to recognise and respond to the trends that shape prosthetics & orthotics.
Prosthetics and Orthotic Science 3 with Applied Health Service Research
This class aims to give you the knowledge and practical application of:
- Upper Limb Prosthetics and Orthotics (all levels)
- Spinal Orthotics (all levels)
- Case Studies (assessing complex multi-level patients)
- Applied Health Services Research (statistics, research ethics and research methodology)
Prosthetics/Orthotics Clinical Placement
Students in years 3 & 4 are required to undertake two periods of clinical placement; one in prosthetics and one in orthotics.
Each placement is for a minimum of 4 months. You're placed in approved clinical facilities under the direction of a designated supervisor.
Compulsory classes
Prosthetics/Orthotics Clinical Placement 2
Students in years 3 & 4 are required to undertake two periods of clinical placement; one in prosthetics and one in orthotics.
Each placement is for a minimum of 4 months. You're placed in approved clinical facilities under the direction of a designated supervisor.
Project
This project is intended to develop the skills of critical appraisal, analysis, review of the literature and presentation skills at level 4 of the BSc (Hons) Prosthetics and Orthotics degree programme.
Elective classes
Upper Limb Prosthetics
The class builds on the introduction to upper limb prosthetics studied in Prosthetics and Orthotics Science 3. You'll gain knowledge of advanced clinical and technical aspects required to become a competent and professional practitioner.
Hip, Knee & Ankle Disarticulation Prosthetics
The class builds on the introduction to ankle, knee and hip disarticulation prosthetics studied in Prosthetics and Orthotics Science 1, 2 and 3. You'll gain knowledge of advanced clinical and technical aspects required to become a competent and professional practitioner.
Lower Limb Prosthetic Design
The class builds on the introduction to prosthetics socket design, components and materials studied in Prosthetics and Orthotics Science 1, 2 and 3. You'll gain knowledge of advanced clinical and technical aspects required to become a competent and professional practitioner.
Orthotic Management of Spinal Deformity
This class helps you to acquire the knowledge and understanding of the sciences which underpin the orthotic management of common spinal deformities. In addition, you'll formulate and analyse treatment protocol for management of these patient groups.
Orthotic Management of Neurological Conditions
This class will:
- present a multidisciplinary and patient-centred approach to the orthotic management of neurological disorders
- enable students to synthesise and analyse their knowledge of the role of lower limb orthoses in the management of neurological disorders
- review the available evidence base for orthotic intervention in neurological disorders, and use this to inform practice
Clinical Governance
The course will help you to gain knowledge of:
- the core principles of clinical governance
- practical and clinically relevant lessons on improving healthcare services from current national and international work
- relevant references and reading
Clinical Gait Analysis
This class will give you an appreciation of the methods and levels of accuracy of those gait assessment techniques that are currently available. They range from the simple to the sophisticated, (or the inexpensive to the costly), and the advantages and limitations of each will be explored.
The module will help you to develop an awareness and practical understanding of the interpretation of the data and its relevance to clinically observed conditions.
Orthotic Management of the Diabetic Foot
You'll gain the knowledge and understanding of the sciences which underpin the orthotic management of the diabetic foot.
This class builds on the knowledge gained from an introduction to the orthotic management of the diabetic foot in Prosthetics & Orthotics Science 2. In addition, you'll formulate and analyse treatment protocol for management of this patient group.
Paediatric Prosthetics
The class builds on the introduction to prosthetics socket design, components and materials studied in Prosthetics & Orthotics Science 1, 2 and 3. You'll gain knowledge of advanced clinical and technical aspects required to become a competent and professional practitioner.
The class will build on the cross-curricular links with other relevant and complimentary modules, e.g. human biological sciences, professional skills for healthcare, principles of prosthetic and orthotic design, and health services research.
Assessment
Assessment is by exam and coursework. Clinical work-based learning is assessed in a clinical setting. Our range of assessments includes:
- essays
- written exams
- practical exams
- problem-solving
- multiple-choice questions
- oral presentations
- project work
The main exam sessions are held in January and May. The final clinical exams are oral exams, which are held after each clinical placement period, also in May and January. Final projects are presented as part of a graduate show each year.
Learning & teaching
Teaching is delivered by a variety of methods and varies between subjects.
Our lectures are supported by supervised tutorials and practical laboratory sessions. You'll work as part of small teams with patients to assess, manufacture and fit prosthetic/orthotic devices.
The course includes two mandatory periods of clinical placement.
Guest lectures
There are regular lectures from Allied Health Profession colleagues including practice and service users.
Facilities
The National Centre for Prosthetics & Orthotics houses state-of-the-art technology including a Siliconcoach® 2D video gait analysis system and CNC milling machine with robot arm.
Student competitions
- Limbless Association awards a prize to the student in Year 1 and the student in Year 4 with the best academic performance
- Ottobock Healthcare pls award a prize in Year 4 for the best clinical performance in prosthetics
- Orthotic Education and Training Trust award a prize in Year 4 for the best clinical performance in orthotics
Accreditation
Approved by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) for the purpose of eligibility for entry to the HCPC register as a practitioner prosthetist/orthotist.
Our course cohort is small, consisting of less than 40 people in my year, so everyone knows one another and we always help each other out.
Our volunteers: Geoffrey Ward
Geoffrey was working for the British Army in the Falkland Islands, after the war in 1983, when he stepped on a mine and, as a result, lost his foot. He went back to work following surgery and rehabilitation and then around eight years ago he began volunteering at the University to work with students.
Entry requirements
Required subjects are shown in brackets.
| Highers |
AAAB/AABBB (Higher Maths at B and Nat 5 Physics/Engineering Science at B) BBBB (Higher Maths at B and Nat 5 Physics/Engineering Science at B) |
|---|---|
| Advanced Highers | Maths, Physics or Biology recommended |
| A Levels | ABB-BBB including Maths. GCSE Physics at Grade 6
|
| International Baccalaureate | IB 34-32 including Maths (Higher Level 5) and Physics (Standard Level 5) |
| HNC/HND | HNC/HND in an Engineering subject with grade A in graded unit 1 or 2 and passes in Engineering Mathematics 1 and 2 |
| International students | View the entry requirements for your country. |
| Deferred entry | Accepted |
| English language requirements | Due to the clinical nature of this degree, we have a higher IELTS (Academic) requirement: 6.5 overall (no individual band less than 6.0). |
Additional information
- no offers will be made until candidates have been interviewed
- confirmation of a place on the course is conditional on applicants having no criminal convictions or charges relevant to state registration
- due to the highly practical nature of the course, there is clinical contact with patients from the start; successful applicants will therefore be required to apply to join the Protecting Vulnerable Groups Scheme through Disclosure Scotland
- for applicants who do not have a Maths or Physics qualification, attendance at Strathclyde’s Summer School may be a condition of entry
- SQA Higher Applications of Mathematics is not accepted instead of Higher Mathematics
- both IB Higher Level Mathematics pathways are accepted
*Standard entry requirements
Offers are made in accordance with specified entry requirements although admission to undergraduate programmes is considered on a competitive basis and entry requirements stated are normally the minimum level required for entry.
Whilst offers are made primarily on the basis of an applicant meeting or exceeding the stated entry criteria, admission to the University is granted on the basis of merit, and the potential to succeed. As such, a range of information is considered in determining suitability.
In exceptional cases, where an applicant does not meet the competitive entry standard, evidence may be sought in the personal statement or reference to account for performance which was affected by exceptional circumstances, and which in the view of the judgement of the selector would give confidence that the applicant is capable of completing the programme of study successfully.
**Minimum entry requirements
Contextual Admissions for Widening Access
We want to increase opportunities for people from every background.
Strathclyde selects our students based on merit, potential, and the ability to benefit from the education we offer. We look for more than just your grades. We consider the circumstances of your education and will make lower offers to certain applicants as a result.
University preparation programme for international students
We offer international students (non-UK/Ireland) who do not meet the academic entry requirements for an undergraduate degree at Strathclyde the option of completing an Undergraduate Foundation Programme in Business and Social Sciences at the University of Strathclyde International Study Centre.
Upon successful completion, you can progress to your chosen degree at the University of Strathclyde.
International students
We've a thriving international community with students coming here to study from over 140 countries across the world. Find out all you need to know about studying in Glasgow at Strathclyde and hear from students about their experiences.
Visit our international students' section
Fees & funding
All fees quoted are for full-time courses and per academic year unless stated otherwise.
Fees may be subject to updates to maintain accuracy. Tuition fees will be notified in your offer letter.
All fees are in £ sterling, unless otherwise stated, and may be subject to revision.
Annual revision of fees
Students on programmes of study of more than one year (or studying standalone modules) should be aware that tuition fees are revised annually and may increase in subsequent years of study. Annual increases will generally reflect UK inflation rates and increases to programme delivery costs.
| Scotland |
Fees for students who meet the relevant residence requirements in Scotland are subject to confirmation by the Scottish Funding Council. Scottish undergraduate students undertaking an exchange for a semester/year will continue to pay their normal tuition fees at Strathclyde and will not be charged fees by the overseas institution. |
|---|---|
| England, Wales & Northern Ireland | £9,250 Assuming no change in fees policy over the period, the total amount payable by undergraduate students will be capped. For students commencing study in 2024/25, this is capped at £27,750 (with the exception of the MPharm and integrated Masters programmes), MPharm students pay £9,250 for each of the four years. Students studying on integrated Masters degree programmes pay an additional £9,250 for the Masters year with the exception of those undertaking a full-year industrial placement where a separate placement fee will apply. |
| International | £27,500 |
| University preparation programme fees | International students can find out more about the costs and payments of studying a university preparation programme at the University of Strathclyde International Study Centre. |
| Additional costs | Course materials & costs:
Placements & field trips: Compulsory clinical placements take place in semester 2 year 3 and semester 1 year 4. Students may be responsible for additional costs for accommodation and travel and should check with their funding agency for eligibility for financial support. Study abroad: The option of P&O Clinical placement abroad may be possible at students' request but is not compulsory. Visa & immigration: International students may have associated visa and immigration costs. Please see student visa guidance for more information. |
| Available scholarships | Take a look at our scholarships search for funding opportunities. |
Please note: All fees shown are annual and may be subject to an increase each year. Find out more about fees.
How can I fund my studies?
Students from Scotland
Fees for students who meet the relevant residence requirements in Scotland, you may be able to apply to the Student Award Agency Scotland (SAAS) to have your tuition fees paid by the Scottish government. Scottish students may also be eligible for a bursary and loan to help cover living costs while at University.
For more information on funding your studies have a look at our University Funding page.
Students from England, Wales & Northern Ireland
We have a generous package of bursaries on offer for students from England, Northern Ireland and Wales:
You don’t need to make a separate application for these. When your place is confirmed at Strathclyde, we’ll assess your eligibility. Take a look at our scholarships search for funding opportunities.
International Students
We have a number of scholarships available to international students. Take a look at our scholarship search to find out more.
Faculty of Engineering International Scholarships
If you're an international applicant applying for a full-time, on-campus undergraduate course in the Faculty of Engineering, you'll be eligible to apply for a scholarship award equivalent to a 10% reduction of your tuition fees for each year of study. The first year of the scholarship will typically be £2,670 deducted from fees.
Scholarships are available for applicants to all self-funded, new international (non-EU) fee-paying students holding an offer of study for a full-time, on-campus undergraduate course in the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Strathclyde.
Please note you must have an offer of study for a full-time course at Strathclyde before applying. You must start your full-time undergraduate course at Strathclyde in September 2024.
Faculty of Engineering International Scholarships
Careers
Key sectors for graduate recruitment are the Health Service, in either NHS facilities or for commercial companies contracted to the NHS for prosthetic/orthotic services.
Graduates of the BSc (Honours) in Prosthetics & Orthotics at Strathclyde are eligible to apply for registration as a Prosthetist/Orthotist through the Health and Care Professions Council (www.hcpc-uk.org). Our graduates can also become members of the British Association of Prosthetists and Orthotists (www.bapo.com).
Graduates will also achieve Category 1 status certification from the International Society for Prosthetics and Orthotics, which is the highest recognised accreditation in this field. Strathclyde is the only university in the UK with this accolade and one of only a few prosthetic and orthotic programmes across the world to have this international recognition.
Some of our graduates continue to postgraduate study or research.
Where are they now?
91% of our graduates are in work or further study.*
Recent job titles include:
- Graduate Orthotist
- Orthotist
- Prosthetist
- Prosthetist/Orthotist
Recent employers include:
- AC Tonks Orthopaedics Ltd
- Blathchford
- Buchanan Orthotics
- NHS
- Peke Waihanga (New Zealand)
- Royal Adelaide Hospital
- Steeper Group
*Based on the results of the national Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education.
Glasgow is Scotland's biggest & most cosmopolitan city
Our campus is based right in the very heart of Glasgow. We're in the city centre, next to the Merchant City, both of which are great locations for sightseeing, shopping and socialising alongside your studies.
Life in Glasgow
Apply
Start date:
Prosthetics & Orthotics (1 year entry)
Start date: Sep 2024
Prosthetics & Orthotics (1 year entry)
Contact us
Have you considered?
We've a range of undergraduate courses similar to this one which may also be of interest.
Discover Uni
Discover Uni includes official statistics about higher education courses taken from national surveys and data collected from universities and colleges about all their students.