Frequently Asked Questions (Undergraduates)
These are the most frequently asked questions about studying an undergraduate course at the School. If the question you have is not here please contact us and we will try to help.
- What are the standard offers for your courses?
- Can I defer my entry until next year?
- I have applied for degree scheme X, but now wish to change to scheme Y. Is this possible?
- I have dropped an A'level due to family bereavement. Will you still accept me?
- I am taking an Access course. Is this an acceptable route in to your degree schemes?
- I am doing A level sociology, AS psychology, AS business studies and I also have a single award in AVCE Health and Social Care. I would like to do a degree in Sociology and was wondering if I could get in with those qualifications?
- I am a mature student. Can I gain entry to your degree schemes?
- Do you accept Key Skills and General Studies?
- I am a first year sociology student at the XXX University. However, I would like to leave XXX University to study sociology at Cardiff University, starting from the first year again in September. Will you accept me?
- I applied several weeks ago, but haven't heard anything. What has happened?
- What are the BPS routes through Education and Social Science degree schemes?
- Does the BA Education degree qualify me to be a teacher?
Answers
1. What are the standard offers for your courses?
We offer the following degree schemes:
- L370 BSc Criminology
- X300 BA Education
- L300 BScEcon Sociology
- L301 BSc Social Science
- L402 BScEcon Social Policy
- LM39 BscEcon Sociology and Criminology
- LL34 BscEcon Sociology and Social Policy
- ML94 BscEcon Criminology and Social Policy
- LX33 BscEcon Sociology and Education
- XM39 BscEcon Education and Criminology
- XL34 BscEcon Education and Social Policy
Standard offers are currently:
- ABB for L370 BSc Criminology
- BBB for all other degree schemes
- All offers exclude General Studies and Key Skills
- Offers are expressed in grades rather than Tariff points.
- We do not accept AS levels in lieu of A Levels
2. Can I defer my entry until next year?
SOCSI admissions do not usually object to requests for deferral. You must ask for a deferral via Cardiff University Registry and let UCAS know.
Admissions Office
Email: admissions@cardiff.ac.uk
Phone: +44 (0)29 2087 6024
Fax: +44 (0)29 2087 6982
Address:
Registry
Cardiff University
PO Box 927
30-39 Newport Road, Cardiff
CF24 0DE
3. I have applied for degree scheme X, but now wish to change to scheme Y. Is this possible?
Provided you have obtained/are sitting the required entry qualifications for the new scheme, you can simply send an email to Registry to request the change (email: admissions@cardiff.ac.uk). The relevant admissions tutor will then make a decision.
4. I have dropped an A level mid-course due to family bereavement. Will you still accept me?
We will consider all applications in August, but can't give a decision until then. Our general policy, however, is to take into account the extenuating circumstances of our own students, and to assume that schools and colleges will do the same when the students they are teaching and assessing encounter similar difficulties.
5. I am taking an Access course. Is this an acceptable route in to your degree schemes?
Yes. We normally ask you to pass the course and forward on to us a satisfactory reference from your course tutor around Easter time. You should supply as much information about the course in your application as you can, including modules taken and the maximum number of credits attainable. You may be made an offer which is conditional upon attaining a specific number of credits at level 3.
6. I am doing A Level sociology, AS psychology, AS business studies and I also have a single award in AVCE Health and Social Care. I would like to do a degree in Sociology and was wondering if I could get in with those qualifications?
These would not give you sufficient grades to meet our entry requirements. You need BBB at A level. AVCEs and their successors, Applied A-levels, are accepted, as are Double Awards (though we may favour applicants studying subjects with a strong social science content).
7. I am a mature student. Can I gain entry to your degree schemes?
Yes, we welcome applications from mature students. We expect evidence of recent completion of successful study at a level appropriate to University entrance (e.g. recognised Access courses, foundation diplomas, Open University credits, BTECs, etc. or other relevant qualifications and/or experience deemed suitable by the admissions tutors).
8. Do you accept Key Skills and General Studies?
No.
9. I am a first year sociology student at the XXX University. However, I would like to leave XXX University to study sociology at Cardiff University, starting from the first year again in September. Will you accept me?
We will consider such requests on a case-by-case basis. It is not usual practice to accept students into years other than Year 1, though exceptions may be made. All applicants for transfers must apply via UCAS. You do not need to contact the School first, but it may be worth discussing your options with an admissions tutor to help make the right decision.
10. I applied several weeks ago, but haven't heard anything. What has happened?
Please be patient - application forms can take quite a while to process. If you are really concerned, please contact Registry.
11. What are the BPS routes through Education and Social Science degree schemes?
These routes are degree pathways accredited with the British Psychological Society (BPS). This means the degree programme is accredited as conferring eligibility for Graduate Basis for Registration (GBR) with the BPS, provided the requisite modules are completed and the minimum qualification of Second Class Honours is achieved. This is the first step to becoming a chartered psychologist. This accreditation is essential to work in psychology professions, such as educational or clinical psychology. The advantage of our pathways is that you study psychology along with other social sciences and adopt a social approach to psychology.
12. Does the BA Education degree qualify me to be a teacher?
No. There are two ways to train to be a teacher. You can study the Bachelor of Education (BEd) degree, which is normally a four-year course. The BEd is not taught at Cardiff University. Or you can supplement your first degree with a one year Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE). The School of Social Sciences does offer a PGCE, which qualifies people to teach post-16 education.
Undergraduate Enquiries
Phone: 029 208 75122 Email: socsi-ugadmissions@cardiff.ac.uk