Foundation leading to BA/BSc Social Sciences

This programme provides students with an opportunity, on successful completion, to progress onto a variety of social science-based programmes, with direct entry onto:

HND/BSc (Hons) Health & Social Care
BSc (Hons) Environmental Health
BSc (Hons) Psychology
BSc (Hons) Health & Wellbeing
BSc (Hons) Housing Studies

The foundation year is classed as a year 0 and students wishing to undertake this course should apply for the relevant degree programme, using the appropriate UCAS code. The entry point for the Foundation programme is 0 on the UCAS website. As such, students who follow the Foundation route into further education will take an extra year to complete their honours degree/HND.

The course is modular in structure and includes core modules in:

• Leading to Graduateness (20 credits) – To develop key academic skills for successful study

• Numeracy (10 credits) and Research Methods (10 credits) – To equip students with basic skills for research

• Critical Analysis in the Social Sciences (10 credits) – To develop critical appraisal skills 

• Psychology/Sociology Extended Essay (10 credits) – To develop the ability to engage in independent study in relation to the chosen degree pathway

Students will also study modules which will provide a broad knowledge and understanding of the foundation of social science and how it applies to everyday life. These modules include:

• Introducing Psychology (10 credits)

• Introducing Sociology (10 credits)

• Communities and Health (10 credits)

• Globalisation and Migration (10 credits)

• Crime and Offending (10 credits)

• Reflective Practice in the Workplace (10 credits)

Throughout the Foundation year, students will be supported by an assigned personal tutor as well as the module teaching team.

A variety of teaching strategies will be employed to reflect the requirements of the particular topic, the variety of student learning styles, the existence of professional experience within the group and the level and type of study required over the programme.

Approaches include lectures, small group work, practical sessions, use of the Virtual Learning Environment (VLE), workshops, tutorials and independent learning.

This is a full-time programme and students are expected to engage through regular attendance at teaching/learning sessions and complete and assigned tasks on time. On average there are 10 hours of taught content a week. Additionally, students are expected to engage in 10 – 15 hours of self-study/independent learning each week as this will facilitate the development of their skills, knowledge and understanding as well as enable them to complete their assessments.

Student learning is supported by a personal tutor system which provides students with both academic and pastoral support.

The teaching team are all actively involved in teaching on the various pathways offered by this programme and are able to provide support and advice to students with regards the opportunities available for undergraduate study.

Each module that undertaken is assessed in order to demonstrate, and provide evidence for, student’s academic achievement. The aim of the assessments is to ensure students have developed the skills needed for undergraduate study.

Assessments strategies include:

Examinations - These can consist of academic essays, multiple choice questions and short answer questions. 

Coursework - This may include academic essays, research reports, class tests, presentations, posters, case studies, reflective assignments and portfolios.

Specific assessments for each module will be outlined in module handbooks and further supported during teaching/learning sessions.

At the beginning of the year, students will be given their assessment timetable. This will provide details as to the nature and format of the assessment along with the submission dates. More detailed information about each assessment, including marking criteria, will be available in the relevant module page on Moodle.

Assessments will be initially introduced and explained during the relevant lecture. Assessment support will be provided by the module leader with additional support available in the group tutorials.

Feedback on coursework assessments will be provided electronically with further feedback provided during taught sessions and in personal tutor meetings.

The aim of the Foundation year is, on successful completion, to enable students to progress onto various Degree/HND programmes within the Social Sciences.
As such, this programme provides students with an opportunity to develop the skills for successful undergraduate study which will, ultimately, lead to a career in a chosen field. 

Applicants should normally have five GCSEs including English Language (or Welsh First Language) and Mathematics* at grade C or above / grade 4 or above (for applicants holding newly reformed GCSEs in England) plus one of the following:

• 48 points from at least two A level qualifications or their equivalent at an appropriate standard for entry into Higher Education at Level 4, but in subject areas which fail to meet the entry requirements for their intended undergraduate degree programme.
• 48 points from at least two A level qualifications or their equivalent in subject areas relevant for their intended undergraduate degree programme, but at a standard which fails to meet the entry requirements to Higher Education at Level 4.

*For Welsh applicants sitting the reformed Mathematics GCSE, we will accept either GCSE Mathematics or Mathematics – Numeracy.

Prospective students who do not meet the above criteria will be considered on an individual basis and may be called for interview.

For specific information on entry requirements or if your qualification isn't listed, please either contact Admissions or refer to the UCAS Course Search. Further information on our entry requirements, including qualifications from the EU can be found by clicking here.

Selection Procedure:
Selection is usually on the basis of a completed UCAS application and where relevant an interview.

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: Full-time applications for this course 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.

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.

For Admissions enquiries please contact the Admissions Team on 029 2041 6044 or email askadmissions@cardiffmet.ac.uk​

​For course specific enquiries, relating ot the foundation year only, please contact the programme leader, Sarah Taylor​: 
Email: sjtaylor@cardiffmet.ac.uk
Tel: 029 2041 7228