Welsh

Welsh is one of Europe's oldest living languages, with a literary tradition spanning more than fifteen centuries and a contemporary identity that is deeply woven into the cultural and political life of Wales. Studying Welsh for beginners at degree level is an opportunity to engage seriously with a language that, far from being a historical curiosity, is actively used by over half a million speakers, is officially co-equal with English in Wales, and is the medium of a growing bilingual public sector, broadcasting landscape, and educational system.

This four-year, full-time programme at Aberystwyth is designed for students who are new to Welsh, taking you from first principles through to a high level of proficiency across all four skills of reading, writing, speaking, and listening. Aberystwyth has a particularly important place in Welsh-language life and culture, situated in a strongly Welsh-speaking part of Wales and home to one of the oldest and most distinguished departments of Welsh in the world. You will engage with contemporary Welsh literature, media, and culture alongside your language development, gaining a rich understanding of the society in which Welsh is used and of its historical and contemporary significance.

Graduates with Welsh-language skills are in genuine and growing demand in Wales, where the Welsh Government's commitment to expanding the number of Welsh speakers creates sustained need for bilingual professionals across education, the public sector, broadcasting, journalism, and the arts. The establishment of Y Senedd and the extension of its powers have intensified demand for graduates who can work confidently in both languages. Further study in Welsh, Celtic studies, or related areas is a natural extension for those who wish to pursue academic or specialist professional careers, and a degree in Welsh provides a strong foundation for roles in Welsh-medium education, broadcasting, and public administration.