University of Brighton Podiatry Student Wins National Award as New NHS Clinic Opens at Falmer
Arham Khalid, a final-year University of Brighton podiatry student, has won the Royal College of Podiatry Student of the Year Award 2026. Photo: University of Brighton
Update, 20 June 2026: Arham Khalid has since been named the winner of the Student of the Year (Pre-Registration) Award. This article has been updated to reflect the result announced by the Royal College of Podiatry.
A University of Brighton student has won a national podiatry award, as the university opens a new NHS clinic at its Falmer campus creating more than 4,500 additional appointments a year
Arham Khalid, a final-year podiatry student at the University of Brighton, has been named winner of the Student of the Year (Pre-Registration) Award at the 2026 Royal College of Podiatry Awards. The Royal College of Podiatry announced the result at its awards ceremony at the Royal Institution in London on 12 June 2026, recognising Arham for her outstanding clinical and communication skills throughout her training.
Two of the university's placement educators, Simon Croucher and Florentin Baciu, were also finalists for the Podiatry Careers Champion Award at the same ceremony, recognising their work to promote podiatry as a career.
The recognition comes as the University of Brighton has partnered with Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust to open a new podiatry clinic at the Falmer campus this summer. With nearly 10,000 podiatry referrals in the Sussex area alone, the clinic will create more than 4,500 additional appointments annually, helping people across West Sussex and Brighton and Hove to be seen sooner and receive timely care.
About the winner and finalists
Arham Khalid has demonstrated advanced clinical skills in high-risk foot care, musculoskeletal assessment, wound management and nail surgery throughout her training and placements across NHS settings. Her supervisors have praised her professionalism, diagnostic reasoning and patient-centred approach. On International Podiatry Day 2025, Arham was selected by the Council of Deans of Health as a student voice to write a nationally published article encouraging prospective students to consider careers in podiatry.
Speaking after her nomination, Arham said: "Being recognised in this way is an incredible honour. Throughout my studies and placements, I have been fortunate to learn from inspiring clinicians who have challenged and supported me to grow. This reflects not only my efforts but also the guidance and encouragement I have received from patients, placement educators and university staff along the way."
Simon Croucher and Florentin Baciu are the founders of Bognor Podiatry Clinic and long-standing practice placement educators for the University of Brighton. They were shortlisted as finalists for their sustained efforts to promote podiatry as a rewarding and accessible career, supporting students and prospective applicants through outreach events, careers activities, university open days and hands-on clinical shadowing opportunities.
Faith Lang, a second-year podiatry student at the University of Brighton, said: "Their mentorship hasn't just helped me learn; it has pushed me to want more for myself. They've inspired me to pursue podiatry with even greater determination, giving me the confidence to believe I can achieve my goals within the profession."
Why podiatry matters
Since 2018, podiatry training programmes across the UK and Ireland have reduced by 35%, while the number of new podiatrists entering the profession has declined by 7%. Podiatrists are now listed among the UK's shortage occupations, despite growing demand for specialist foot health services.
Podiatrists play a critical role in preventing serious complications linked to conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease and arthritis. More than six million people in the UK are living with diabetes, with over 1.2 million requiring regular podiatry care to reduce the risk of foot ulcers, infection and lower-limb amputation. Among older adults, disabling foot pain and structural foot conditions are major contributors to falls, which account for thousands of hospital admissions each year.
Dao Tunprasert, Practice Learning Lead for Podiatry at the University of Brighton, said: "We are delighted to see Arham, Simon and Florentin recognised at a national level. These nominations reflect the strength of our podiatry community and the dedication shown by students, educators and clinical partners in supporting the next generation of practitioners. Developing the next generation of practitioners has never been more important, and we are proud to be playing our part in meeting that challenge."
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