Through consultation with the Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH), former students and employers, the undergraduate Housing Studies courses at Cardiff Met have been designed to reflect the demands of the sector and ensure that our graduates are equipped with the appropriate knowledge and professional skills required in the market place. The professional qualification is fully embedded within the Housing Studies programmes.
Full time students have an opportunity to undertake a practice placement module which when successfully completed, as an element of the degree programme, will entitle them to full Chartered membership of the Chartered Institute of Housing (CMCIH).
The programmes follow the 2014 CIH Professional Qualification specification and comprise four themes:
The programmes are offered on a full and part-time basis and also allow students to follow an interest in working with vulnerable adults through specialist housing related support modules. Another career interest route is provided in modules which cover design and development, regeneration and sustainability.
Course information on this page relates to 2022 entry.
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.