Course Content
Year One/Level 4 (BSc/HNC)
(Normally completed in 1 academic year full-time or the HNC is 2 academic years part-time)
Core modules (all 20 credits):
- Context of Housing
- Professional Practice Skills
- Delivering Housing and Support Services
- Working with Service Users and Communities
- Introducing the Housing Business
- Sustainable Places
Year Two/Level 5 (BSc/Diploma)
(Normally completed in 1 academic year full-time or the Diploma is 2 academic years part-time)
Core modules (all 20 credits):
- Looking into Housing
- Understanding Inequalities
- Contemporary Housing Practice
- Understanding the Housing Business
- Personal and Professional Development
(full-time route only)
Option modules:
- Regeneration and Sustainability (20 credits)
- Professional Studies (APEX) (20 credits)
(part-time route only)
- Working in the Community (10 credits)
- Mental Health (10 credits)
Year Three/Level 6 (BSc)
(Normally completed in 1 academic year full-time or 2 academic years part-time)
At Level 6 there are a combination of core and option modules. At this point in your studies you will have a clearer idea of the direction your career is taking and what your particualr areas of interest are, so you have the option of studying subjects which reflect current practices in the field of housing work. All degree candidates undertake a 400 hour practice placement, and a piece of research (dissertation) on an area of your choice, supported by tutorials.
Core modules:
- Dissertation (40 credits)
- Practice Placement (20 credits)
- Comparative Practice Study
(part-time route only)
Option modules:
- Applied Work Based Learning Module* (40 credits)
- Homelessness (10 credits)
- Project Management & Social Enterprise (10 credits)
- Housing, Community and Culture (10 credits)
- Managing in Organisations (10 credits)
- Evaluating Quality (10 credits)
- Addictions (10 credits)
- Participation and Empowerment (20 credits)
- Independent Practice Study** (20 credits)
*An applied negotiated work-based learning module at Level 6 is also available as an alternative to the Dissertation. This module, which is designed around negotiated work-based learning, will be available to part-time degree students and those full time degree students that have access to the workplace through paid or voluntary employment. This approach will also provide further opportunity for students to further develop graduate attributes.
**Students only undertake Independent Practice Study if, for some exceptional reason, they are unable to undertake the practice placement module.
Learning & Teaching
The programmes place great emphasis on the quality of teaching and the importance of a student centred learning experience. Over the period of their course students are encouraged to develop the confidence and skills to be increasingly independent learners. The courses are delivered by a course team, which consists of academics who all come from practice backgrounds who ensure that the teaching is relevant to current and future practice needs. Practitioners contribute as guest lecturers to many of the modules and ensure that the teaching reflects contemporary housing practice. All full time undergraduate Housing Studies students have an opportunity to undertake a practice placement module enabling them to gain practice experience and qualify for the professional qualification in addition to their academic qualification. Opportunities are also given to students to attend study visits and access international mobilities, as well as professional conferences and seminars.
Lectures and tutorials are modular in structure with an emphasis on the application of theory to practice. Although students undertake self-study there is also an emphasis on group work throughout the programme. Learner guidance is available from Professional (personal) and Module Tutors.
All students have access to a Personal Tutor throughout the course as well as a Dissertation Tutor at Level 6. The Personal Tutor provides support to students and is available for individual tutorials. Placement Supervisors take on the role of supporting students on placement by holding regular supervision sessions with the student and observe them, on at least two occasions, using a format to encourage reflection and critical analysis.
Moodle is used to support learning at all levels of study. In addition, students have access to a vast library of books and journals (including e-copies), available from Library Services.
Assessment
Assessment is interesting and varied. The assessments are completed on either an individual or group basis and include written assignments, group presentations and academic posters. A number of these assessment methods have been chosen to mirror processes and demands that occur within housing work.
The practice placement module features a practice-based assessment and students have many opportunities to apply their knowledge and skills to case studies that are based upon current practice issues. Other assessments include traditional essays and examinations as well as reports, research, projects and portfolio development. Students also undertake professional skills development which enhances their employability and enables them to evidence their competence as housing professionals.
Employability & Careers
This course is designed to provide a professionally recognised qualification in housing. The BSc (Hons) Housing Studies and CIH Diploma in Housing Studies courses lead to an academic qualification, which provides a professional qualification accredited by the Chartered Institute of Housing.
Housing continues to grow as a priority at local, regional and national government levels. As a result, housing employers are expanding and diversifying into partnership working and community regeneration, which has created a great employment potential both at service delivery and strategic levels. Housing professionals are involved in many different activities and have many areas of work, including:
- Housing Management
- Housing Strategy
- Regeneration
- Development and Asset management
- Repairs and Maintenance
- Customer Care
- Finance, HR and IT
- Supported Housing
- Community development
- Tenancy sustainability and support
A career in housing can lead to a wide and varied choice of pathways, well-paid and secure jobs, good terms and conditions of employment and excellent opportunities for promotion and career advancement. Working in the housing sector can be stimulating and interesting and can make a positive contribution to people’s lives.
The course therefore offers the combination of an academic and a professional qualification, and is recognised across the housing sector for being comprehensive and highly relevant.
Flexible part-time programmes of study are also offered to current housing practitioners, or those employed or volunteering within a housing or related field, to enable them to further develop their knowledge and skills. The part time programmes allow participants to exit with a HNC Housing Studies or CIH Diploma in Housing Studies or a BSc (Hons) Housing Studies. Part time programmes are delivered on one day a week with a small number of blocks of learning, and are designed to be combined with employment within the housing field, or with other commitments.
Graduates from the programme can progress to study at Masters and PhD levels at Cardiff Metropolitan University, including the MSc Advanced Practice (Housing).
Entry Requirements & How to Apply
HNC:
Applicants should have one of the following (or equivalent):
- One A-level pass, with five passes at GCSE grades A, B or C
- A relevant EDEXCEL National (or Higher) Certificate or Diploma
- 88 points from the Irish Leaving Certificate at Highers to include a relevant subject (H4 minimum grade considered)
Appropriate Chartered Institute of Housing certificated learning
The university may Accredit Prior Learning (APL) in appropriate cases where evidence of learning outcomes achieved by the applicant through other qualifications (for example, Housing NVQ’s) is clear.
We encourage applications from applicants who may not have the entry requirements but have relevant experience in the sector. Applications are considered on an individual basis.
Diploma:
Applicants should have an NC (National Certificate) in Housing, or an equivalent qualification.
Experienced practitioners with two years experience and graduate practitioners with one years experience can apply via the fast track route to be accredited with the HNC.
Students without these formal qualifications but who have relevant experience are actively encouraged to apply.
BSc:
All applicants should possess five GCSE passes, including English and Maths*, plus one of the following:
- 88 points from at least 2 A Levels to include CC; Welsh Baccalaureate – Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate considered as the third subject
- RQF BTEC/Cambridge Technical National Diploma / National Extended Diploma DD / MMM within a relevant subject
- 88 points from the Irish Leaving Certificate at Highers to include a relevant subject (H4 minimum grade considered)
- 88 points from at least 2 Scottish Advanced Highers to include grades DD. Scottish Highers are also considered, either on their own or in combination with Advanced Highers.
- 86 points from the Access to HE Diploma within a relevant subject
*For Welsh applicants sitting the reformed Mathematics GCSE, we will accept either GCSE Mathematics or Mathematics – Numeracy.
If your qualification isn't listed above, please refer to the UCAS website. Further information on our entry requirements, including qualifications from the EU can be found by clicking here.
We encourage applications from other applicants who may not have the entry requirements but have relevant experience in the sector. Applications are considered on an individual basis.
Entry onto all pathways is also subject to a satisfactory disclosure barring service check. More details about criminal records procedures can be found at www.cardiffmet.ac.uk/dbs
Selection Procedure:
Applicants will be invited to attend an interview with a member of the course team.
International Applicants
Students
whose first language is not English will need to provide evidence of
fluency to at least an IELTS 6.0 standard or equivalent. For full
details about how to apply and English Language qualifications please
visit the International pages on the website.
How to Apply:
BSc (full-time): Applications should be made online to UCAS at
www.ucas.com.
For further information please visit our How to Apply pages at:
www.cardiffmet.ac.uk/howtoapply.
BSc (part-time)/Diploma/HNC: Applications should be made direct to the university, however please familiarise yourself with the Recognising Prior Learning (RPL) page to ensure you apply correctly for the programme. Additional application information can be found on the Advice for Applicants page.
Recognised Prior Learning (RPL) and Credit Transfer into year 2 & 3
If you are interested in transferring credit from another institution to study at Cardiff Met for a course which accepts entry for year 2 and/or 3, you can find further information on this and information on how to apply on the RPL page. Please contact Admissions for any queries that you have on RPL.
Mature students
A mature applicant is anyone over the age of 21 who didn't go to university after school or college. Cardiff Met welcomes applications from mature applicants and further advice and information can be found here.
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