Course Content

As well as the Educational Studies part of the programme you will select one of the following pathways:

•    ‘Drama’: focuses on the development of skills related to performance, technical theatre and directing. You will also examine theoretical aspects of drama, drama as a tool for cross-curricular learning in schools and the use of drama in community contexts. As part of the work-based placement, there are opportunities to work in a range of settings (including theatres, community groups, schools and broadcasting).

•    ‘Early Childhood Studies’: focuses on the 0-8 years age range and examines key issues such as child development, inclusive practice and observational practice in an early years’ setting (which incorporates a work– based placement). Practical workshops link theory and practice together and are an integral part of the course. In particular, you will engage with the outdoor environment as an educational setting for young children.

•    ‘English’: engages with your enthusiasm for reading and literature, and introduces you to advanced critical thinking in the form of theoretical practice. This subject pathway combines a thematic and chronological approach to English literature and considers the teaching of English with various age groups. Our emphasis on your own research enables you to develop your interests in the discipline.

•    ‘Literacy’: This pathway focuses on literacy linking closely with the National Literacy Programme for Wales (Welsh Government, 2012). You will develop knowledge and understanding of significant themes in the promotion of ‘oracy’, reading and writing. Key issues explored include early language development, adult literacy and bilingualism. Practical placements are embedded throughout the course with a view to developing employability skills in a range of different learning environments.

•     ‘Sport and Physical Activity’: This pathway examines sport and exercise physiology; physical activity, health issues and special populations; sports principles, techniques and analysis; and explores current issues in physical education.  You will be able to choose specific sports to specialise in from a wide range of National Curriculum- based sports.

•    ‘Cymraeg’:  Mae’r astudiaeth o’r Gymraeg yn ymchwilio i hunaniaeth Gymreig drwy astudio iaith, llenyddiaeth, diwylliant a chymdeithas. Byddwch yn archwilio hunaniaeth Gymreig gyfoes mewn cyd-destun cenedlaethol a rhyngwladol. Bydd cyfle i chi fynd ar brofiad gwaith mewn cyd-destun Cymraeg yn yr ail flwyddyn er mwyn hybu eich sgiliau ymarferol yn y gweithle Cymraeg.

•    ‘Welsh’: The study of Welsh investigates Welsh identity through the exploration of language, literature, culture and society. You will examine modern Welsh identity in a national and international context. You will have the opportunity to attend a Welsh work-based placement in the second year to enable you to develop your practical use of Welsh in the workplace.
 
We are delighted to announce that we have received funding from Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol to enable us to teach Educational Studies modules through the medium of Welsh. This is a great opportunity for both first and second language Welsh medium students to continue to develop their written and spoken Welsh in a supportive environment.

Career Potential

This course will provide you with an in-depth knowledge of a wide range of educational issues and your chosen specialist pathway as well as developing key skills which will prepare you for your future career within the diverse field of education.

We are committed to providing a range of opportunities for our students to gain valuable employability skills throughout the programme. These employability skills are generated both through experience in work-based settings and also in the teaching and learning within the university environment.  For example, in year 2, there is a strong focus on identifying and then experiencing ‘life’ in a chosen career via a placement in a work-based setting.  Following the placement, the assessment is an interview to a panel. This provides a valuable opportunity to develop interview skills within a supportive environment. We also have strong links with a range of local schools and educational settings and can help you to arrange voluntary placements throughout your degree. We also run Forest School sessions with local schools and community groups and encourage students to take an active role within this.

Our graduates access a range of jobs and employment opportunities including further study in education via the Post Graduate Certificate in Education or Graduate Teacher Programme. Our graduates have pursued careers in nursery management, educational welfare and worked as local education officers for local education authorities. This degree also provides access to a range of other interesting careers, some of which may require further qualifications. Examples include careers advisory work, journalism, Master’s and PhD qualifications, social work, youth and community work and hospital play work.

We are pleased to guarantee entry to the selection process for the PGCE Primary Course at Cardiff Met for all graduates of our programme and for the PGCE Secondary Sport (for Sport and Physical Activity students only), the PGCE Secondary English (for English pathway students only) and PGCE Welsh (for Welsh pathway students only) and PGCE Drama (for Drama pathway students only). An honours degree classification of a 2:2 or 2:1 depending on PGCE programme chosen will be required, and the statutory entry requirements must also be met.
Please refer to the PGCE Primary or PGCE Secondary course pages for further information.

Entry Requirements

Applicants should have one of the following:

• 260 points from at least 2 A levels / Scottish Advanced Highers, or equivalent to include grades BC; grade B in chosen pathway-subject or relevant subject area
• BTEC QCF Diploma / Extended Diploma 260 points within a relevant subject
• CACHE Diploma 260 points
• 260 points from the Irish Leaving Certificate at Highers to include 2 x A2 grades; one to be in the chosen pathway-subject or relevant subject area (minimum C2 grade considered)
• Pass Access with 45 credits at Level 3 within a relevant subject
• 260 points to include the Welsh Baccalaureate and A level grades BC; grade B in chosen pathway-subject or relevant subject area. Core counted as third subject.

Entry is also subject to a satisfactory criminal records check.  More details about criminal records procedures can be found at www.cardiffmet.ac.uk/dbs.

Students hoping to progress to a PGCE should check the statutory entry requirements for their subject.

If you are a mature applicant and have alternative qualifications or experience that you would like us to consider, please contact a member of staff.

Please note that there are statutory requirements for GCSEs in English, Maths and Science for those wishing to progress to PGCE.

If your qualification isn't listed above, please refer to the UCAS website.

Key Facts

UCAS Code(s):
This course offers the following pathways and the UCAS Code, shown below, should be used on your application:

BA (Hons) Educational Studies & Drama: XW34
BA (Hons) Educational Studies & Early Childhood Studies: X300
BA (Hons) Educational Studies & English: XQ33
BA (Hons) Educational Studies & Literacy: XQ34
BA (Hons) Educational Studies & Sport & Physical Activity: XB39
BA (Hons) Educational Studies & Welsh: XQ35

Campus: Cyncoed

School: Cardiff School of Education

Course Length: Three years full-time

Assessment:
A wide range of assessment methods are used. These include coursework, seminar presentations, research trails, blogs and poster presentations. Some pathways also incorporate written examinations (see KIS for details). Practical assessments of coaching principles are carried out as part of the Sport and Physical activity options.

How to Apply:
Applications for this course should be made online to UCAS at http://www.ucas.com/

For further information please visit our How to Apply pages at www.cardiffmet.ac.uk/howtoapply

International Applicants:
Before making an application, international students (those outside of  the EU), should contact the International Office at Cardiff Met to discuss the necessary procedures in relation to studying with us. For further information visit www.cardiffmet.ac.uk/international

Selection Procedure:
Selection is usually based on the receipt of a completed UCAS application.

Tuition Fees and Financial Support:
For up to date information on tuition fees and the financial support that may be available please refer to www.cardiffmet.ac.uk/fees.

Bursaries & Scholarships:
The university also offers a bursary and scholarship scheme to help students whilst at university. To see if you are eligible, visit www.cardiffmet.ac.uk/scholarships

Contact Us

For general enquiries please contact the Student Recruitment Team on 029 2041 6044 or email courses@cardiffmet.ac.uk

For course specific enquiries, please contact the programme director for all pathways, Alison Murphy:
Email: amurphy@cardiffmet.ac.uk
Tel: 029 2041 6731

Come and see us
If you’d like to find out more, then why not come and see us at one of our undergraduate Open Days. To book a place, click here.

See Also:
Cardiff School of Education Website