FdA Social Care Studies

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At a glance

Full Time
2 Years
Ammanford Campus

The Foundation Degree in Social Care Studies is truly unique. It’s the only one of its kind in Wales. It has been taught for over 30 years with its most recent version updated in 2021 so it remains current and up to date with social care developments.

The course has good connections with local employers and organisations which helps our students to secure employment. It looks at the social care sector as a whole including working in mental health, learning disabilities and probation services.

This foundation degree is a two year, full-time university course and students attend lectures for two days a week at our Ammanford Campus. Delivery of the course is blended, which means students are provided with face to face lectures supported by online learning. Students are also expected to engage in self-directed, independent study. The course offers an opportunity to explore social care and the values and systems that underpin work in this field. Students gain the required theory and knowledge to work in many different areas of social care and, through required volunteering or work experience, see how these are put into practice. The course leads to a foundation degree qualification validated by University of Wales, Trinity Saint David.

Programme Features

A small, friendly staff team and small groups of around 15- 25 people
Experienced tutors qualified both academically and professionally
Many opportunities to develop initiative, and group working skills
Student support is available onsite, ranging from learning support for academic study skills, through to financial advice and personal counselling
Links with local care and support services through which students can gain experience through volunteer placements.

Programme content

What modules will I study?

In the first year (Level 4) you will study:

Employability 1
Advocacy and Empowerment
Inclusive Practice
Key Theories
Skills for Learning
Personalisation of Care and Support

In the second year (Level 5), you will study six of the following modules:

Employability 2
Safeguarding Children, Young People and Adults
Research in Social Care
Exploring Mental Health
Ethical Dilemmas in Social Care
Supporting Carers
Introduction to Criminology
Understanding Substance Misuse

Progression and employment

Progression to BA (Hons) Social Care Studies at Coleg Sir Gar is encouraged and is the most popular choice for our students. Whilst completion does not guarantee progression, students completing the course have also successfully undertaken further study s in Social Work; Nursing (various areas); Social Inclusion as well as Social Science Degrees. Employment has been gained in many local social care agencies or in developing new community projects.

How to apply:

All full time applicants must apply via UCAS using the course code L500 and institution code C22.

Information on fees is available from Student Services in the college and Student Finance Wales.

Method of assessment

Assessment is by assignment. There are no examinations.

Entry requirements

Formal qualifications may not be necessary as applicants could be accepted if they have experience, professional or personal, of the social care sector. However, Access qualifications or the equivalent of one A Level are considered for those without experience. All decisions are made on an individual basis following an informal interview.

Decisions are made on an individual basis following interview.

The University of Wales Trinity Saint David welcomes applications on the basis of prior learning, further details can be found here.

Additional costs

Students are required to show a satisfactory DBS and to register to the Update Service. The DBS is completed at the expense of the student. This is currently £46 plus £13 per annum for registration.