Podiatry

professoressa durante una lezione
In-person programme
Podiatry
Course sheet
A.Y. 2026/2027
Bachelor
L/SNT2 - Health professions for rehabilitation
Bachelor
180
ECTS
Access
Limited enrolment with admission test
3
Years
Course location
Milano
Language
Italian
Those earning a degree in Podiatry, pursuant to European Union guidelines, must have:
- the scientific bases, and the theory and practice needed to understand biological and hereditary phenomena, the principal methods of function of the organs and related apparati, as well as an understanding of the psychological, social, and environmental aspects of the same;
- an understanding of the evolution of the profession, and the foundations of podiatry and the treatment process;
- an understanding of the foundations, trends, and characteristics of the theory and models of podiatry theory and conceptual models;
- an understanding of the standards and regulations that govern the practice and responsibilities of a podiatrist;
- an understanding of the principles of bioethics, professional ethics, as well as legal and medical standards applicable to the profession;
- the ability to develop an integrated patient-centred approach, critically assessing the clinical, patient-interaction, patient-education, social and ethical aspects of podiatry as are germane to prevention, treatment, rehabilitation, and in recovering a higher degree of wellbeing;
- the expertise and professional standards that orient the diagnostic and rehabilitative process and thought and action of the podiatrist with respect to patients and the community, applying these standards in practice at an accredited healthcare facility, clinic or hospital;
- professional, decision-making, and operational autonomy thanks to a programme that takes a holistic approach to health problems, including an analysis of the patient's chemical-physical, biological and social environment;
- essential theoretical knowledge predicated on scientific foundations, with a view toward applying them in one's professional career;
- the capacity to find and critically assess data relating to patient needs for podiatry supports, and those of the community, setting the objectives for the same;
- knowledge, ability, and experience needed to plan, manage, and assess the need for podiatry services for the patient;
- knowledge, ability, and experience needed to ensure the proper application of all diagnostic prescriptions and treatments;
- the ability to take part in identifying the health-related needs of the individual and the community;
- the ability to pursue one's own continuing professional education;
- the diligence to seek out continuing education, and the tools to do so;
- the ability to cooperate and work with a diverse set of healthcare professionals on team projects and decision-making;
- the ability to properly delegate to, and use the talents of, support staff, and to contribute to their training;
- teaching activities geared toward student clinical experience;
- an awareness of the ethics and history of medicine, with particular reference to podiatry;
- an appropriate and effective bedside manner with patients and family members;
Graduates of the Podiatry programme are able to provide, on an independent basis, technical-professional services to prevent and treat (using bloodless, orthetic, and water-massage techniques) illnesses of the foot: callouses, hypertrophic, deformed, and ingrown nails, as well as foot pain; at the behest of a physician, they can prevent and medicate ulcerations of warts on the foot; they help with educating patients who suffer from foot ailments, or those at risk of injury to the foot; they identify and make physician referrals on suspected maladies requiring further diagnosis or treatment.
Employment opportunities for those earning a degree in Podiatry include providing services through a public or private (accredited or non-accredited) hospital or clinic.

Employment statistics (Almalaurea)
The Degree in Podiatry has a long-standing tradition of international exchanges.
The Erasmus programme (which stands for European Region Action Scheme for the Mobility of University Students) was founded in 1987 thanks to the efforts of the European Community. It gives university students the opportunity to complete a for-credit study-abroad period on an international campus partnering with the student's home campus.
In terms of study-abroad options, the Degree in Podiatry currently offers Year III students pre-professional opportunities in the form of an internship.
To that end, we have entered into agreements with the Universitat de Barcelona (Spain). For the past four years, two students each year have travelled there to complete a semester-long internship.
The Erasmus Plus programme contemplates, in addition to the bilateral agreements, the possibility of two instructors for each Campus to have international mobility.
Transfer credits of up to 20 ECTS/CFU for electives are available to students.
The Degree in Podiatry has entered into agreements with Spanish universities in Madrid and Coruna, although the study-abroad programme has not yet been launched.
Student feedback has been roundly positive: they have found inspiration for their thesis work, and developed contacts that have served them well over the years. The Erasmus experience is not just a university experience, but an opportunity to learn from, and live with, persons of a different culture and language. It's about more than learning a different language: it's a chance for the student to take on responsibilities, and begin to feel a part of a professional community that includes students from different countries.

Mandatory

Enrolment
Admission into the programme is capped, at a national level, pursuant to Law no. 264 of 2 August 1999. The number of students who may be admitted is set each year pursuant to a decree of the Ministry of Universities and Research (MUR), based on findings provided by the university in terms of available instructional, classroom, and clinical resources (human and otherwise), as well as the demand for the type of professionals contemplated for this Class as determined by the Region of Lombardy, and the Ministry of Health.
The admission test will be administered as a national exam, generally in the month of September. The date will be set pursuant to a decree of MUR.

Additional learning requirements (OFA)
Students who answer less than 50% of the Biology and Chemistry questions on the admission test will be required to finish a set of additional learning requirements (OFA). These prerequisites may be met through specifically assigned remedial work. Any failure to complete the OFA will make it impossible for the student to sit exams in: Chemistry and Pharmacology - Pathology and Hygiene.
Timely notice of the various courses will be posted to: https://podologia.cdl.unimi.it/it

Places available: 25 + 2 reserved for non-EU citizens

Call for applications

The call for applications is being finalized. Please refer to the call, once it is available, for admission test dates and contents, and how to register.

Application for admission: application deadlines will be published shortly.

The call for applications is being finalized

Programme description and courses list
year
Courses or activities Max ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Compulsory
Chimical and Pharmacological Sciences (first year) 2 20 Italian BIOS-07/A
Locomotor System and Physics and Rehabilitation Medicine 1 (first year) 2 20 Italian MEDS-19/A
Medical and Technical Sciences 1 (first year) 3 30 Italian MEDS-26/C
Skin and Venereal Diseases (first year) 3 30 Italian MEDS-10/C
Traineeship (first year) 6 150 Italian MEDS-26/C
First semester
Courses or activities Max ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Compulsory
Morphology 8 80 Italian BIOS-12/A BIOS-13/A
- Histology220BIOS-13/A
- Human anatomy660BIOS-12/A
Physical Sciences and Diagnostic Imaging 8 80 Italian IBIO-01/A MEDS-22/A PHYS-06/A
- Applied physics440PHYS-06/A
- Diagnostic imaging220MEDS-22/A
- Electronic and informatics bioengineering110IBIO-01/A
- Radioprotection110MEDS-22/A
Scientific Methodology and Human Sciences, Health and Corporate Law 10 100 Italian ECON-08/A GIUR-04/A MEDS-24/A MEDS-25/A PHIL-02/B PSIC-01/A
- Forensic medicine110MEDS-25/A
- General psychology220PSIC-01/A
- History of science and technology110PHIL-02/B
- Labour law110GIUR-04/A
- Medical statistics440MEDS-24/A
- Organization studies110ECON-08/A
Second semester
Courses or activities Max ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Compulsory
Pathology and Hygiene 5 50 Italian MEDS-02/A MEDS-03/A MEDS-24/B
- Experimental medicine and pathophysiology220MEDS-02/A
- Hygiene and public health220MEDS-24/B
- Microbiology and clinical microbiology110MEDS-03/A
Physiology 5 50 Italian BIOS-06/A
Open sessions
There are no specific sessions for these activities.
Courses or activities Max ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Compulsory
Computer Science Course 3 30 Italian INFO-01/A
English Assessment B1 (2 ECTS) 2 0 English NN
Study plan rules
Elettivi - Lo studente, al primo anno, deve altresì maturare 2 CFU in attività formative a scelta.
be activated by the A.Y. 2027/2028
year
Courses or activities Max ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Compulsory
Locomotor System and Physics and Rehabilitation Medicine 1 (second year) 6 60 Italian MEDS-19/A MEDS-19/B
- Musculoskeletal system diseases330MEDS-19/A
- Physical and rehabilitation medicine330MEDS-19/B
Medical and Neurological Sciences (second year) 5 50 Italian MEDS-05/A MEDS-07/B MEDS-10/B
- Cardiovascular diseases220MEDS-07/B
- Infectious diseases110MEDS-10/B
- Internal medicine220MEDS-05/A
Medical and Technical Sciences 1 (second year) 7 70 Italian MEDS-26/C
Skin and Venereal Diseases (second year) 3 30 Italian MEDS-10/C
Traineeship (second year) 22 550 Italian MEDS-26/C
First semester
Courses or activities Max ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Compulsory
Surgical Sciences 4 40 Italian MEDS-06/A MEDS-14/A MEDS-23/A
- Anaesthesiology110MEDS-23/A
- General surgery220MEDS-06/A
- Plastic surgery110MEDS-14/A
Second semester
Courses or activities Max ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Compulsory
Metabolic and Inflammatory Diseases 5 50 Italian MEDS-08/A MEDS-09/C
- Endocrinology330MEDS-08/A
- Rheumatology220MEDS-09/C
Study plan rules
Elettivi - Lo studente, al secondo anno, deve altresì maturare 2 CFU in attività formative a scelta.
be activated by the A.Y. 2028/2029
year
Courses or activities Max ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Compulsory
Chimical and Pharmacological Sciences (third year) 2 20 Italian BIOS-11/A
Gait Analysis and Orthoses Laboratory 3 75 Italian NN
Locomotor System and Physics and Rehabilitation Medicine 2 7 70 Italian MEDS-19/A MEDS-19/B
- Musculoskeletal system diseases - Foot surgery660MEDS-19/A
- Physical and rehabilitation medicine110MEDS-19/B
Medical and Neurologial Sciences (third year) 2 20 Italian MEDS-12/A
Medical and Technical Sciences 2 9 90 Italian MEDS-24/C MEDS-26/C
- Applied medical techniques (Podiatry)770MEDS-26/C
- Nursing sciences: general, clinical and paediatric220MEDS-24/C
Other Training Activities 3 45 Italian NN
Traineeship (third year) 32 800 Italian MEDS-26/C
Conclusive activities
There are no specific sessions for these activities.
Courses or activities Max ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Compulsory
Final Examination 7 0 Italian NN
Study plan rules
Elettivi - Lo studente, al terzo anno, deve altresì maturare 2 CFU in attività formative a scelta.
Prescribed foundation courses
Learning activityPrescribed foundation courses
Locomotor System and Physics and Rehabilitation Medicine 2 Locomotor System and Physics and Rehabilitation Medicine 1 (first year) (compulsory), Locomotor System and Physics and Rehabilitation Medicine 1 (second year) (compulsory)
Medical and Technical Sciences 2 Medical and Technical Sciences 1 (first year) (compulsory), Medical and Technical Sciences 1 (second year) (compulsory)
Physiology Morphology (compulsory)
Learn more
Milano
Course locations
Educational activities for the Degree Programme in Podiatry take place through affiliated teaching clinics and hospitals, as well as through other facilities as coordinated by the Faculty of Medicine and Surgery.

For students enrolled in Bachelor's, Master's and single-cycle degree programmes, tuition fees are to be paid in two instalments:

  • the amount of the first instalment is the same for all students and is due upon enrolment
  • the amount of the second instalment varies according to each student's ISEE University value and the degree programme in which they are enrolled
  • for international students with income and assets abroad, the second instalment varies according to their country of origin.

Education incentive programmes and other benefits

The University offers scholarships, cafeterias, subsidised accommodation and other forms of financial support to students meeting specific economic and merit requirements.

More information