Prosthetics and Orthotics BSc
Study of how to design, create, and fit artificial limbs and supportive devices - combining healthcare, engineering, and biomechanics to help people regain movement and independence.
Is this for you?
This degree could suit you if you:
Want to help people with mobility
Are interested in healthcare and design
Enjoy problem-solving
Like practical work
Are empathetic
Popular Career Fields
Healthcare & Public Health
Engineering & Construction
Government & Public Sector
Research & Academia
Your Personality Might Be:
Problem-solver
Engineering & Construction
Patient-centered
Technical precision
What is it?
What Is a Prosthetics and Orthotics Degree?
Prosthetics and Orthotics focuses on restoring and improving movement for people with limb loss, injury, or disability. You’ll learn to assess patients, design and manufacture assistive devices, and support rehabilitation using both medical science and technology.
Why Study Prosthetics and Orthotics?
If you’re interested in healthcare and enjoy hands-on technical work, this degree offers a unique mix of science, design, and patient care. You’ll work directly with people, helping them move confidently and live independently using custom-made prosthetic and orthotic solutions.
Course Summary
Study of how to design, create, and fit artificial limbs and supportive devices - combining healthcare, engineering, and biomechanics to help people regain movement and independence.
What you'll study
Most Prosthetics and Orthotics degrees cover:
Human anatomy, physiology, and biomechanics
Materials science and device design
Computer-aided design (CAD) and manufacturing
Rehabilitation and gait analysis
Clinical assessment and patient care
Professional ethics and multidisciplinary teamwork
Research and evidence-based practice
Later in your degree, you may specialise in areas such as sports prosthetics, paediatric orthotics, or rehabilitation technology.
Degree Type
BSc (Bachelor of Science) or BSc (Hons) — both lead to registration as a Prosthetist/Orthotist with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).
Skills You'll Gain
This degree develops both technical and interpersonal skills, which might include:
Patient Assessment – evaluating mobility, gait, limb function, and clinical needs.
Device Design & Fabrication – creating custom prosthetic and orthotic devices using biomechanics principles.
Biomechanical Analysis – understanding forces, movement, and alignment to optimise device performance.
Technical Problem-Solving – adapting and adjusting devices for comfort, function, and support.
Clinical Communication – working closely with patients and healthcare teams to deliver personalised care.
Pathways, Placements and Work Experience
CAREERS
Career Pathways
After graduation, you can register as a Prosthetist/Orthotist with the HCPC and work in:
NHS rehabilitation and mobility services
Private clinics and medical technology companies
Humanitaria and international health projects
Research, product development, or education
Work Experiences & Placements
All Prosthetics and Orthotics degrees include clinical placements, where you’ll work with patients and healthcare teams. Settings include:
NHS rehabilitation and orthopaedic centres
Specialist prosthetics and orthotics clinics
Private healthcare providers
Research and manufacturing facilities
Placements help you apply technical and clinical knowledge in real-world situations.
Salary Profile
Coming soon
Qualifications, Personal Satement, What to do Next?
AM I ELIGIBLE?
Entry Requirements
A-levels or equivalent including at least one Science (Biology, Physics, or Design Technology preferred). Some universities prefer two Sciences or Science plus Maths.
Personal Statement Tips
Explain your interest in healthcare, design, and problem-solving.
Mention any relevant experience in health, engineering, or volunteering.
Highlight teamwork, communication, and creativity.
Show understanding of how prosthetics and orthotics transform lives.
Universities may also hold interviews or assessment days with practical or scenario-based questions.
What to do Next
Gain experience through volunteering in rehabilitation, engineering, or care settings.
Attend open days to explore workshops and fabrication labs.
Read about medical technology and assistive design innovations.
Stay up to date with NHS rehabilitation and mobility services.
Wider Reading
The Body Builders: Inside the Science of the Engineered Human by Adam Piore – Exploring breakthroughs in prosthetics and human enhancement.
Rebuilt by Michael Chorost – A personal account of technology restoring the senses.
Anatomy of Movement by Blandine Calais-Germain – Understanding body mechanics and motion.
To Be a Machine by Mark O’Connell – A thought-provoking look at the future of human-technology integration.