Why study Welsh at Aberystwyth?

• A vibrant Welsh community in the heart of Wales - You'll be joining one of the strongholds of the Welsh language.
• Good reputation - The standard of research and teaching in this department is one of the highest around.
• Leading - The Department leads the sector in fields such as creative writing, Welsh in the professional workplace and translation services, and everybody in the Department shares the aim of promoting a wider understanding of the Welsh language, its history, literature, and its place in the modern world.
• History - This is the oldest department of its kind in Wales.
• Experts - You will be taught by lecturers who are experts in their field.
• Wide choice of modules - You will study fascinating subjects that reflect the latest interests of our lecturers, from the history of our literature to contemporary literature, and from the sociology of the Welsh language to registers and dialtects, and creative writing and scriptwriting??
• The National Library of Wales – As well as the extensive resources of the University, we are on the doorstep of the National Library of Wales and its amazing collections of literary and audio and visual media resources.
• A lively Welsh Social Life - You will be able to join the Aberystwyth Welsh Students' Union (UMCA), live in the Pantycelyn halls of residence, and take place in numerous fun activities that are organised by the union.
• Student Satisfaction - In the recent national student satisfaction survey, 100% of our students were satisfied in the subject of Welsh Studies (NSS 2020).

Our Staff

All academic staff in the Department of Welsh and Celtic Studies are research active scholars and experts in their chosen fields of study, including the study of languages and literatures as well as creative writing.

During the course, you will develop a host of transferable skills that are highly valued by employers. Here are some examples:

• exploring and analysing data
• thinking creatively and effective problem solving
• working independently
• organising and managing time, including the ability to meet tight deadlines
• expressing ideas and communicating information clearly and coherently, orally and in writing
• self-motivation and self-reliance
• team work - the ability to discuss concepts in groups, discussing various ideas and reaching an agreement
• information technology skills.

What can I do with a degree in Welsh?

Feedback from employers consistently shows that a degree in Welsh is a sign of achievement at a high level, and there is evidence that there is great demand for graduates of this calibre in a variety of jobs.

Graduates of the Welsh Department enter into excellent jobs. Many go into education, while the Welsh media attracts many into performance, administration and production. Some of the department's graduates go into some aspect of social work or law. As a result of Welsh Language Legislation and the establishment of the National Assembly, there has been an increase in demand for civil servants who have Welsh language skills, and for translators and administrators across several areas. The combination of Welsh and Accounting and Finance offers a range of career prospects, from the tourism or book publishing industry to the police. The skills of researching and analysing that you will develop during your degree course will also provide a solid foundation for studying at postgraduate level and for a career in academia.

Learn more about the jobs of some of our graduates on the page 'Ydy fy swydd yn dy siwtio?' here.

What opportunities for work experience will be available during my studies?

Click here to learn about the different opportunities offered by the Aberystwyth University Careers team.

Improve your employment opportunities with GO Wales and YES (the Year in Employment scheme) which is managed by our Careers team.

We offer a fascinating variety of individual modules that reflect the latest research interests of our lecturers: the history of our literature and contemporary literature, literary theory, children's literature, folk literature, women and gender studies, creative writing and scriptwriting, registers and dialects of Welsh, the language in professional contexts, translation and adaptation, Welsh and the media, sociology of the Welsh language.

What will I learn?

Here is a summary:

First Language - In the first year you will have the opportunity to find out which aspect of Welsh interests you the most. You will learn about a variety of literary periods as well as other aspects of the subject to enable you to choose your own unique combination of modules in the second and third years. Click on the Modules tab to see the full choice.

Second Language - In the first year you will be taught separately from first language students. This will give you an opportunity to build confidence and improve your language skills with the support of staff and your peers. You will study the following modules during your first year:

• Cymraeg Ysgrifenedig 1 a 2 - a language module which will enable you to develop writing skills and understand grammatical rules
• Trafod y Byd Cyfoes 1 a 2 - a focus on speaking and an opportunity to develop your oral skills and enhance your vocabulary
• Llenyddiaeth o 1900 hyd Heddiw - a literature module that introduces the poetry and prose of this century
• Braslun o Hanes ein Llên - a literature module that provides a taste of the main elements of the history of Welsh literature.

During your second year, you will study other language modules to build your confidence further, as well as choose from a wide variety of modules that are available in the Department. By your final year you will have reached the same level as the first language students and you will graduate with the same qualification.

How will I be taught?

You will be taught through a combination of traditional lectures, seminars and other innovative teaching methods. In the seminars, the groups are smaller and the atmosphere more informal, to foster open discussion.

How will I be assessed?

Your work will be assessed through examinations, continuous assessment, and essays and exercises.

Personal Tutor

A personal tutor will be allocated to you for the duration of your degree course. The tutor will be able to help you with any problems or queries that you may have, whether academic or personal. You are welcome to contact your personal tutor at any time if you need assistance.

Roeddwn yn benderfynol fy mod am astudio’r Gymraeg a chan fod yr Adran yn Aberystwyth ymhlith y gorau yn y byd roedd y dewis yn un hawdd i mi. Roedd enw da’r Adran yn sicr wedi fy nenu yma, ac roedd lleoliad Aberystwyth yn ffactor pwysig hefyd. Hefyd roedd bywyd cymdeithasol y Brifysgol a naws cartrefol y dref yn apelio’n fawr ataf. Roedd Diwrnod Agored y Brifysgol yn hollol allweddol i’m penderfyniad terfynol. Ar ?l gweld y campws a’r llety a chael cipolwg ar fywyd y dref roedd fy mhenderfyniad wedi’i wneud. Cefais gyfle hefyd i ymweld a’r Adran a chwrdd a’r staff. Roeddent yn hynod o groesawgar, eu gwybodaeth yn ddefnyddiol a’u brwdfrydedd wedi fy annog i ddod i astudio yn Aberystwyth. Mae’r dewis o fodiwlau sydd ar gael yn rhagorol – mae rhwybeth at ddant pawb. Mae’r dysgu hefyd yn ennyn diddordeb a mwynhad yn y pynciau. Mae Aberystwyth yn unigryw. Bydden i’n bendant yn argymell Aberystwyth i eraill. Rachel Morgan