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FdA Social Care Studies (FdA)

  • Ammanford Campus
2 Years

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. 

Course details

Study modes:
  • Full time
Institution code:
C22
UCAS code:
L500
Course length:
2 Years

What you will learn

  • 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.

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 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 alsosuccessfully 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.

Assessment is by assignment. There are no examinations.

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.

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.

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