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Why study with us

In an increasingly globalised and fast-changing world, it has never been more important to understand the behaviours, attitudes and motivations of people and how opportunity and success is shaped by our interactions with the institutions and structures that surround us.

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Placements and studying abroad

Extend your study to four years by spending a year on professional placement or studying abroad.

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Excellent research

3rd in the UK for our research in Education, and 10th in the UK for our research in Sociology, Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021.

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Employability

93% of graduates were in employment and/or further study, due to start a new job or course, or doing other activities such as travelling, 15 months after the end of their course (Graduate Outcomes survey 2021/22).

Courses

Entry year

Criminology (BSc)

Full time, 3 years

Our Criminology degree, delivered by renowned social scientific scholars, draws on a range of social science perspectives, including sociology, law and history. You will learn how to approach problems of crime, justice and control as a social

Criminology and Social Policy (BSc)

Full time, 3 years

Criminology and Social Policy gives students the opportunity to combine study of crime, deviance and victimisation with study of wider society and the social and governmental policies within it.

Criminology and Sociology (BSc)

Full time, 3 years

Criminology and Sociology gives students the opportunity to combine study of crime, deviance and victimisation with study of wider society and the social processes within it.

Education (BSc)

Full time, 3 years

Education is an exciting social science subject increasingly being presented as a principal means of fostering economic growth, social cohesion and personal well-being.

Human and Social Sciences (BSc)

Full time, 3 years

Study our BSc Human and Social Sciences and you will be pursuing a unique opportunity to combine psychology with another social science discipline in one of the UK’s largest and most successful centres of social science.

Law with Criminology (LLB)

Full time, 3 years

Gain a thorough grounding in the theory and practice of law, working with respected academic researchers and experienced legal practitioners.

Politics and Sociology (BSc Econ)

Full time, 3 years

Combining Politics with Sociology enables you to acquire a broad understanding of society.

Social Science (BSc)

Full time, 3 years

Our Social Science BSc is an excellent way to obtain the maximum benefit from your time studying in one of the UK's largest and most successful centres of social science.

Sociology (BSc)

Full time, 3 years

Study our Sociology BSc and you will be pursuing one of the oldest and most prestigious social science disciplines in one of the UK's largest and most successful centres of social science.

Sociology and Education (BSc)

Full time, 3 years

By combining Sociology and Education, you will develop a deep understanding of the social, historical, political, economic and developmental contexts of education, preparing you to make your own contribution to improving society.

Sociology and Social Policy (BSc)

Full time, 3 years

Sociology and Social Policy BSc gives students the opportunity to study wider society, combined with an element of social and governmental policy.

Welsh and Education (BA)

Full time, 3 years

Education and Welsh BA (Joint Honours) gives first-language Welsh students the opportunity to combine study of Welsh with educational policy and development theory – leading onto a number of different possible career routes within the education

Student experience

Find out what our students say about their time at the School of Social Sciences.

I've thoroughly enjoyed being able to put theory into practice through research, and I've loved how passionate the lecturers have been.
Poppy Dall'Occo Education (BSc)

Learn about our subjects

We offer a dynamic teaching and research environment to around 1,000 undergraduate and postgraduate students and over 160 academic staff within seven disciplines:

Dr Katy Greenland introduces our human and social sciences course.

Human and Social Sciences (BSc)

Dr Katy Greenland introduces our human and social sciences course.

Dr Daniel Smith introduces our social analytics course.

Sociology (BSc)

Dr Daniel Smith introduces our social analytics course.

Dr Nick Bailey introduces our social science course.

Social Science (BSc)

Dr Nick Bailey introduces our social science course.

Dr Sioned Pearce introduces our social policy course.

Social Policy (BSc)

Dr Sioned Pearce introduces our social policy course.

Professor Trevor Jones introduces our criminology course.

Criminology (BSc)

Professor Trevor Jones introduces our criminology course.

Dr Kevin Smith introduces our education course.

Education (BSc)

Dr Kevin Smith introduces our education course.

Work placements

Turn theory into practice with a work placement. Many of our courses can be extended to four years, with the third year spent either on a professional placement or studying abroad.

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“My placement year got me a dream start to my career.”

Placement student Amy blogs about her work experience year.

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“My placement really helped me develop my analysis skills and build my confidence.”

Placement student Emelie chatted with us about her work experience at Cardiff University.

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Relax with a coffee at the Glamorgan café.

Our postgraduate courses

Once you've completed your undergraduate studies, you may wish to dive deeper into your chosen subject or discover more about a related area within the social sciences.

Our postgraduate courses are informed by internationally-recognised researchers who have influenced policy in the UK and around the world.

By progressing your studies with us, you can develop your thinking and skills, or begin your career in social work.

Our postgraduate courses are:

Education (MSc)
International Criminology and Criminal Justice (MSc)
Social Science Research Methods (MSc) 
Sociology (MSc)
Social and Public Policy (MSc)
Social Work (MA)

My BSc and MSc not only provided me with the skills and knowledge to apply for a doctoral position but inspired it too. Through my studies I realised that I had a passion for research. I never thought I would, nor intended to, continue studying beyond my bachelor's degree, yet I cannot imagine doing anything else now.
Jodie Luker Social Analytics (BSc 2018) and Social Science Research Methods (Criminology) (MSc 2019)

Research-led learning

Our teaching is informed and underpinned by the most recent academic research and scholarship and is recognised as internationally excellent, having a direct impact on policy and practice around the world.

Many of our staff act as advisors to international public and private sector organisations, Westminster and European parliaments, and the Welsh Government.

Transforming relationships and sex education in Wales, England, and internationally

Professor EJ Renold’s work has made sure the views of young people are central to new legislation and policies.

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Listening to survivors of child sexual exploitation

Dr Sophie Hallett’s pioneering research has made young people’s views integral to decisions on their care.

Explore Cardiff University

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Student support

Get free, impartial and confidential advice on disability and dyslexia, money, careers, counselling and more.

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Guaranteed accommodation

If you arrive in September, you're guaranteed a single occupancy room, and you'll be allocated with other first-year students.

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Student life

Learn more about our sport and recreation, free language programmes, living costs, learning support and the Students' Union.

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Living costs

See how far your money goes by using our living costs calculator.

Next steps

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Learn more about our courses, School and the wider University.

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Contact us

Ask a question via our enquiry form, and we'll get back to you as soon as possible.

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How to apply

Everything you need to know about our application process.


Source: Graduate Outcomes 2021/22 survey results published by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA). Copyright Jisc 2024. Jisc cannot accept responsibility for any inferences or conclusions derived by third parties from its data.