Health and Social Care (with Foundation Year)

This is a four-year programme that includes a year of foundational study which leads directly into the degree course. Our foundation year offers the chance to strengthen your skills, knowledge and confidence, before you advance to stage one of your honours degree.

​Are you passionate about making a difference in people’s lives? Do you want to drive change within the diverse and exciting health and social care sector? If so, the BSc (Hons) Health & Social Care degree at Cardiff Met is for you. Through this exciting undergraduate degree, you will explore three core themes: Adult Health and Social Care, Child Health and Social Care, and Global issues in Health and Social Care.

You will be taught by expert lecturers who are actively involved in cutting edge research in the field, meaning that you will stay up to date with key ideas and practices that shape the health and social care sector. You will also hear from a variety of guest speakers from the sector including Health and Social Care Wales.

At Level 5, you will gain a highly regarded Level 5 Institute of Leadership and Management (ILM) qualification, and take part in work-based learning, giving you valuable real-world experience of the health and social care sector. Placement settings include local and central government, third sector organisations, the NHS, drug and alcohol services and the St John Ambulance. At Level 6, our innovative social entrepreneurship module, provides an opportunity for you to propose an intervention to address a pressing health and social care issue, giving you the tools you need to create positive change in the sector.

There is a strong emphasis on creative research methods in each year of study, so you understand the connection between health and social care industry discoveries, leading to research, and subsequent government funded policies. This fully prepares you for an academic research poster exhibition and your dissertation on a relevant topic of your choosing in your final year.

On completion, the Health and Social Care degree at Cardiff Met will open up a wide range of career paths including working in the voluntary, charitable and private sectors.​

There’s still time to secure an award-winning university experience at Cardiff Met, ranked a top 3 Welsh university (Uni Compare Rankings 2026).

Whatever your goals, you’ll be supported to reach your full potential through expert teaching and a supportive environment. Gain real-world experience via placements and live briefs, and graduate with the skills to make a positive impact.

Professionally accredited courses prepare you for the world of work, alongside year-round careers support, entrepreneurship opportunities and options to study abroad.

Cardiff is also one of the UK’s most affordable cities (NatWest Student Living Index 2025), offering vibrant food, nightlife, green spaces and more on a student budget.

Into sport? Cardiff Met is a leading UK university for student sport, supporting both academic and athletic success.