Retraining for Podiatry course after 50s

[AA55]

Hi,
I am 55 yo and have been a full-time carer for more than 8 years and still doing it. Was a full-time senior lecturer in HEIs for more than 16 years. Then, took some part-time teaching while caring for my loved ones. I have just been offered to do an MSc in Podiatry and looking forward to retrain in 2026. My previous academic background was in operational research, business and finance as well as teaching them in UKHEIs. Learning is a life long journey and age is no barrier to any learning.
Would like to hear from anyone if you are pursing or have completed a podiatry or any AHP (allied health professional training, MSc/BSc e.g., in PT/OT/SLT/Radiography) as a career change/retraining as mature student. Thanks.

I'd just like to say that it sounds great. Everyone has feet, so podiatry isn't going anywhere. I can't see it taken over by AI. So it's a good career..I kind of like the idea of doing it. I don't love feet but I sort of like them, lol.

Good luck and it sounds like a fantastic idea. X

I am not currently, but considering applying, so here to see if anyone else has some useful info. There is a degree apprenticeship near to me and I am tempted. I am currently a nurse and am at a point of burn out. Not sure I can afford to drop salary and NHS benefits I currently have though. It's scary thinking about leaving.
Is the MSc through an employer or are you self funding?

I am self-funding. Podiatrists are on the shortage lists in UK and other countries such as Aussie/NZ, etc. Many of the podiatrists who took the course were matured students and pursing it as a second career as I was informed.

Sounds like a great idea! Always plenty of work, although you might need to work privately due to NHS recruitment freeze. I'm an OT, qualified in my 40s and work in private practice around school hours.

I started the 4 year BSc (Scotland) this year. No regrets so far. Small group but mature students outnumber school leavers.

My very good friend retrained as a pod at 40, doing the BSc. She’s been qualified for 17 years and has been working as an NHS pod all that time. She works in hospital and in the community. She is frustrated by poor management and restricted funding, but fundamentally enjoys the work.

It’s something I’ve always considered doing and it looks like there’s going to be a redundancy payout this year so I’m mulling it over.

I'm a podiatrist in NHS and went in as a career changer. It can be tough, but it is a great job and a variety of options. I'm in the NHS, about half of the people I trained with ended up in the NHS the others private.

Lots of different options.