​Housing Studies - BSc (Hons)

Overview

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:

• Context of Housing
  

• Delivering the Housing Service
  

• Housing as a Business
  

• Ethics and Professional S​kills
  

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.

Career

Housing continues to grow as a priority at local, regional and national government levels. As a result, housing employers are expanding and diversifying into partnership working and community regeneration, which has created a great employment potential both at service delivery and strategic levels. Housing professionals are involved in many different activities and have many areas of work, including:

• Housing Management
• Housing Strategy
• Regeneration
• Development and Asset management
• Repairs and Maintenance
• Customer Care
• Finance, HR and IT
• Homelessness Services and Supported Housing
• Community development
• Tenancy sustainability and support
  

A career in housing can lead to a wide and varied choice of pathways, well-paid and secure jobs, good terms and conditions of employment and excellent opportunities for promotion and career advancement. Working in the housing sector can be stimulating and interesting and can make a positive contribution to people’s lives.

The course therefore offers the combination of an academic and a professional qualification, and is recognised across the housing sector for being comprehensive and highly relevant.

Flexible part-time programmes of study are also offered to current housing practitioners, or those employed or volunteering within a housing or related field, to enable them to further develop their knowledge and skills. The part time programmes allow participants to exit with a HNC Housing Studies or CIH Diploma in Housing Studies or a BSc (Hons) Housing Studies. Part time programmes are delivered on one day a week with a small number of blocks of learning, and are designed to be combined with employment within the housing field, or with other commitments.

Graduates from the programme can progress to study at Masters and PhD levels at Cardiff Metropolitan University, including the MSc Advanced Practice (Housing).