Human Geography and Planning with a Professional Placement Year (non-accredited) (BSc)

Our approach is based upon a commitment to provide the highest quality teaching. As far as possible, we aim to teach in small groups because we believe this encourages a more positive learning environment between staff and students and among students themselves. Typically, you’ll study 6 modules per year and will receive 12 hours of guided study per week.

We offer a supportive learning environment, where you are enabled to acquire a range of skills and a wealth of specialist knowledge. Our programmes foster intellectual skills, such as critical thinking, close analysis, evaluating evidence, constructing arguments, using theory and the effective deployment of language in writing and in debate. We also support you to develop team working, independent research and time management skills.

How will I be supported?

As well as having regular feedback from your personal tutor, you’ll have a reading week each semester for independent study and a chance to catch up on assessed work, reading and revision.

You’ll have access through the Learning Central website to relevant multimedia material, presentations, lecture handouts, bibliographies, further links, electronic exercises and discussion circles.

The university support services (including the careers service, the counselling service, the disability and dyslexia service, and excellent libraries and resource centres) will be available to you.

Feedback 
We’ll provide you with frequent feedback on your work. This comes in a variety of formats including oral feedback during tutorials, personalised feedback on written work, feedback lectures, generic written feedback and feedback on tutorial performance.

You’ll receive written feedback on all your coursework and be able to discuss your overall performance with your personal tutor and the Student Services team.

How will I be assessed?

A range of assessment methods are used, including essays, examinations, presentations, report-writing and creative assignments such as videos and posters.

We encourage innovation and creativity in the delivery and assessment of teaching and learning, for example the use of digital media and field study visits.

Written assessments are used not only for grading purposes but also as a means of developing your capacities to gather, organise, evaluate and deploy relevant information and ideas from a variety of sources in reasoned arguments. Dedicated workshops and individual advice are delivered through modules to enable you to produce your best work, and written feedback on essays feeds forward into future work, enabling you to develop your strengths and address any weaker areas.

During your placement year, you’ll complete a module that enables you to demonstrate the professional skills gained from the professional experience with clear and identifiable evidence of how these skills have been acquired and honed. This enables you to track your work experiences and will provide evidence for future employment purposes.

The final-year research project (dissertation) provides you with the opportunity to investigate a specific topic of interest to you in depth and to acquire detailed knowledge about a particular field of study, to use your initiative in the collection and presentation of material and present a clear, cogent argument and draw appropriate conclusions.

What skills will I practise and develop?

The Learning Outcomes for this programme describe what you’ll be able to do as a result of your study at Cardiff University. They will help you to understand what is expected of you.  
The Learning Outcomes for this programme can be found below:

Knowledge & Understanding:

• Explain the historical, philosophical and contemporary components of human geography and planning.  
• Appraise a practical issue or problem for investigation, study or research, devising and implementing a strategy for collecting, assessing, analysing and presenting relevant data and information.
• Explain and analyse the nature of the planning system in managing change in the built and natural environment with reference to the planning policies of government and local government, and other institutions. 
• Synthesise, compare and assess evidence to evaluate planning and related applications, and/or the production of planning strategies, policies and plans.

   

  Intellectual Skills:

• Synthesise, analyse and critically review scholarly work. 
• Compose a convincing argument using appropriate evidence.  
• Demonstrate and explain respect for equality of opportunity, social and cultural diversity, and the sustainable use of natural and human resources. 
• Summarise, explain and apply key principles for the protection of personal health and safety at work and the health and safety of others. 
   

  Professional Practical Skills:

• Presentation skills developed through a range of modules and professional experience. 
• Design and demonstrate a self-critical approach to becoming a reflective practitioner, in relation to current sector-specific practices as well as the personal skills and knowledge that need further development.
   

  Transferable/Key Skills:

• Evidence different methods of effective communication.
• Demonstrate critical thinking and writing skills.
• Identify team-working skills by responding appropriately to peer/colleague requests and making clear one’s own demands on colleagues.
• Perform effective self-management by setting and adhering to work priorities, making effective use of time and identifying opportunities for input from colleagues, other professionals and/or stakeholders.