Welsh and English Literature

Welsh and English literature is a combination that places two of Britain's literary traditions in dialogue with each other, exploring how each has shaped, reflected, and been influenced by the other over centuries. Welsh literature in Welsh is one of Europe's oldest literary traditions, encompassing medieval poetry, the Mabinogion, and a rich modern literary output. English literature, meanwhile, encompasses some of the most influential texts in any language.

Studying both together, in a bilingual country where the two traditions have coexisted, competed, and sometimes fused, opens up questions about language, identity, colonialism, and culture that studying either alone could not fully address.

At Cardiff University, the capital city's research institution and one of Wales's leading universities, this three-year full-time programme benefits from a uniquely appropriate setting. Cardiff's position in Wales means the relationship between Welsh and English literary cultures is not merely academic but lived and current. The university has strong traditions in both Welsh and English literary study, and you will engage with texts in both languages, requiring or developing proficiency in Welsh alongside your work in English.

The typical entry tariff of 136 points reflects the analytical demands of a dual literary degree at a research-intensive institution. You will develop skills in close textual analysis, literary history, critical theory, and extended academic writing across both traditions.

Graduates of Welsh and English literature go on to careers in teaching, publishing, journalism, broadcasting, arts administration, heritage, and the civil service. The combination is particularly relevant to careers in Wales and in Welsh language broadcasting, publishing, and education, where literacy in both languages is distinctively valuable. Many graduates also pursue postgraduate study in Welsh or English literature, creative writing, or related fields, and the critical and analytical skills developed through this combination are valued across any profession that demands clear thinking and precise communication.