International entry into UK podiatry

Podiatry in the UK

Podiatry in the UK has a large clinical scope and offers lots of opportunity, including the ability to develop into advanced clinical practice in podiatric surgery, diabetes, vascular, rheumatology and MSK.

You can work in full-time or part-time positions. Part-time working often allows individuals to work in multiple roles as part of a portfolio career.

You can work in the:

• NHS
• Independent sector
• Education
• Public health.

Benefits of practising podiatry in the UK

Not only do you get to travel and experience another culture, but you also get to expand your skills and increase your earning potential. Read first-hand accounts of what it’s like to come to the UK to practice in our set of case studies. We profiled several international podiatrists to find out why they came to work in the UK, what the challenges were, and their recommendations and tips.

What do I need to think about if I want to come to the UK to work?

Considering a career move to the UK may be daunting. International podiatrists will need to consider many things before they make the move

English language: If you're applying internationally to the podiatry regulator in the UK – the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) - for registration to practise in the UK, you need to include your International English Language Testing System (IELTS) certification with your application. Your score on the test must be at least 7.0 overall. However, if you can prove you are a native English speaker and English is your first language, you don't need to submit an IELTS score.

Visa: You will need to apply for a Health and Care Worker visa once you have successfully been offered a job. You must have a confirmed job offer before you apply for your Visa. Your employer will need to provide a certificate of sponsorship.

HCPC registration: The Department of Health and Social Care says that if you work as a healthcare professional in the UK, you have to be registered with a professional regulatory body. For podiatrists, the regulatory body in the UK is called the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).

Driving: Some jobs might require you to have a driver's license. This is usually the case in rural areas where public transport might be limited. In cities and some towns with good public transport, having a driver's license might not be necessary for the job.

Applying for a job: You will need to prepare a CV and prepare for an interview with your employer to secure a job. Click here to find resources to help you with your application.

Understand the UK tax system: As with any country, it can take a while to understand the local tax system. In the UK, all workers pay income tax and national insurance. This money funds essential services like education and healthcare. You will need to apply for a national insurance number. You can find out more information about tax and salary on our resources page.

Resources

The RCPod has compiled a resources page for international podiatrists looking to work in the UK. You can read that page in full here.