Accredited by:
Trading Standards Institute

UCAS Code(s):
This course offers the following pathways of study and the relevant UCAS Code, shown below, should be used on your application form

L437: BSc (Hons) Consumer & Trading Standards
L430: BSc (Hons) Consumer & Trading Standards (inc. Foundation)
L438: BSc (Hons) Consumer & Trading Standards (Sandwich)
L436: BSc (Hons) Consumer & Trading Standards (Sandwich inc. Foundation)

Campus: Llandaff

School: Cardiff School of Health Sciences

Course Length:
L437: Three years full-time
L430: Four years full-time
L438: Four years full-time
L436: Five years full-time

Entry requirements:
Applicants should have five GCSEs incl. English, Maths and Science plus one of the following:

• 180 points from at least two A Levels / Scottish Advanced Highers
• BTEC Certificate / Diploma 180 points in an appropriate subject
• 180 points from the Irish Leaving Certificate at Highers (minimum C2 grade considered)
• Pass Access with 45 credits at Level 3 within a relevant subject
• 180 points from the Welsh Baccalaureate to include grades DD at A Level or equivalent, Core considered as third subject

If your qualification isn't listed above, please refer to the UCAS website.

If you do not meet the above entry requirements, the ‘Foundation leading to BSc Health Sciences’ is available one year full-time and will provide you with a relevant qualification that will allow you to progress to this degree upon successful completion. For further information about the Foundation course, please click here.

Career Potential:
Trading standards personnel are employed by every local authority within the UK, and as such, employment opportunities are widespread. There are also increasing employment opportunities within the private sector where companies recruit trading standards specialists to advise on consumer legislation and customer care.

The training of Trading Standards Officers requires successful completion of the Diploma in Consumer Affairs and Trading Standards (DCATS). This is available as a professional qualification for those who successfully complete this degree. Graduates will be eligible to embark on the DCATS and their degree will allow from the knowledge elements of most areas of the professional programme.

Course Content:
Year One:
You will be introduced to the underlying themes of trading standards and consumer protection. Law modules provide you with a sound knowledge of the general principles of law and the framework within which legal and quality standards relating to trade are influenced and enforced. The metrology theme, a study of accurate measurement, begins to develop the technical competence necessary for the proper functioning of trading standards professionals. This is delivered by way of practical sessions and a theoretical base. These, together with other modules, will allow you to explore the inter-relationship between technical, legal and business subjects as they relate to the discipline.

Year Two:
You will apply your knowledge of consumer protection legislation through case studies relevant to the regulation of trade and industry in areas such as safety, food, consumer credit and fair trading. Metrology is further developed and this, together with other elements of the course, will prepare you for either immediate progression to year three or for your year-long industrial work placement within a local authority trading standards department. Within this year there is an emphasis on anti-counterfeiting enforcement and how computers are becoming more important as evidence for court.

Year Three:
The modules in this year will help develop skills vital to professional enforcement, utilising the knowledge and experience gained by those who have completed their work placement with a local authority trading standards department. You will undertake a dissertation in an area of your choice within the Trading Standards remit, developing original and critical thinking.

Assessment:
Assessment is by a combination of coursework and examinations.

Selection Procedure:
Selection is normally based on the receipt of a UCAS application.

Additional Costs:
For information on additional costs relating to this programme please refer to www.uwic.ac.uk/additionalcosts

Contact Information:
For general enquiries please contact the UWIC Enquiry Team on 029 2041 6044 or email uwicinfo@uwic.ac.uk

For course specific enquiries, please contact the programme leader, Vitti Allender:
Email: vallender@uwic.ac.uk
Tel: 029 2041 6446

See Also:
Cardiff School of Health Sciences Website