Skip to main content
Part-time courses for adults

Pathways to a degree

We have developed a number of pathways to help you study for an undergraduate degree at the University.

Each pathway is taught on a part-time basis in the evenings and weekends in a friendly and relaxed setting. In most cases, you won’t need prior qualifications to get started and there will be plenty of help to develop your study skills.

Our pathways programme is an alternative to A-level and access qualifications as it is taught and assessed in similar ways to first year undergraduate courses. This means that you will gain first-hand experience of studying at degree level in a vibrant higher education environment.

We welcome applications from students who may have been away from formal education for several years and a number of our pathways do not require any formal qualifications.

We will support you to prepare and submit your degree application, and help you prepare for your degree interview when the time comes.

Students discussing work in a lesson

Pathway to a degree in International Relations and Politics

Learn about domestic and global politics, along with the large issues facing our world today in this popular route into an undergraduate degree.

Mature student working

Pathways to a degree in English Language, English Literature, Creative Writing, and Philosophy

Learn about the stories we use to make sense of life and get the opportunity to progress to study for an undergraduate degree with us.

Three Cardiff University graduates who took the Exploring the Past pathway programme.

Pathway to a degree in History, Archaeology or Religion

Realise your ambition to study history, ancient history, archaeology or religion at a degree level.

Students in an IT room wearing headphones

Pathway to a degree in Translation

Students successfully completing this pathway and passing the subsequent degree interview can enter their first year of undergraduate study at Cardiff University with half of that year's credits already completed.

Female student in a computer classroom.

Pathway to a degree in Modern Languages: French, German, Italian, Spanish

Study within a flexible time-scale, framework and environment, working towards starting an undergraduate degree.

Male and female students paying attention to a speaker

Pathway to a degree in Social Science

Enrol on the courses that are part of this pathway and if you are successful, you will transfer on to a full undergraduate degree.

Pathway student

Pathway to a degree in Business Management, Marketing, and Accounting

Our pathway is a popular route into studying at Cardiff Business School, widely regarded as one of the leading business and management schools in the UK.

Man sitting on the floor of a library reading

Pathway to a degree in Media, Journalism and Culture

If you have ever thought about studying journalism, media and cultural studies this pathway will open up and tackle fascinating subject areas concerning the media around us.

Healthcare students walking in a group

Pathway to a degree in Healthcare

After studying part-time successful students will be able to make an application to an undergraduate healthcare degree in a variety of areas.

Medical students

Pathway to a degree in Medical Pharmacology

This pathway would be ideal for students who want to pursue a career in biomedical research.

Pathway to optometry

Pathway to a degree in Optometry

Our part-time Pathway to a degree in Optometry has been designed for adults who want to return to education in order to apply to study for a degree.

Pathway to a degree in Law

Pathway to a degree in Law

Our part-time Pathway to a degree in Law has been designed for adults who want to return to education.

Cardiff University student

Pathway to a degree in Modern Languages: Chinese, German, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese (beginners)

Our Pathway to a degree in Modern Languages is designed for adults returning to education and has the potential to contribute directly to a highly marketable degree.

Pathway to a degree in Music

Pathway to a degree in Music

Studying our Pathway to Music prepares you to make an application to progress on to an undergraduate degree with the University's School of Music.

Counselling

Pathway to a Masters in Social Work

The Pathway to a degree in Social Work (MA) is perfect for adult learners interested in returning to education.

Contact

If you have any queries or would like to find out more about this pathway, please contact:

Pathways to a degree