Course summary
What influence does the Welsh language have on international matters? How is culture communicated through the language? How important is it that content is created through the medium of a minority language today? Here are only a few big questions that form the part of our BA Welsh (Second Language) course at Swansea University. Immerse yourself in the literature, and poetry of Wales while learning about the social, cultural, and political history of the language. You will study a wide range of literature including plays, short stories, and novels, as well as poetry from the medieval bardic tradition to modern protest songs. The third year of this 4-year course with a Year in Industry will be spent on placement. You will have the opportunity to gain real-world industry experience and develop your employability skill set. We have a strong network of industry contacts, and you will receive dedicated support from our employability team, ranging from CV advice through to mock interviews. You will develop a keen understanding of Welsh language and grammar, sociolinguistics, language planning policy, and learn valuable translation skills. Throughout your studies, you will develop excellent research and analytical skills and learn to present your ideas effectively both verbally and in writing, which can all lead to various career opportunities. Why Welsh (a Pathway for Second Language Students) at Swansea? A BA Welsh degree from Swansea University explores the Welsh language in an international context, discussing language policy, world literature and translation. All modules have been designed by expert researchers, with a focus on ensuring our student community learns the necessary skills to succeed in the world of work. Celtic Studies at Swansea is ranked:
- 2nd in the UK Overall (Times Good University Guide 2025)
Modules
Your first year will include a mixture of compulsory and optional modules, with examples of compulsory modules from recent years including: • Defnyddio'r Laith • Trawsieithu Your second and third years will comprise entirely optional modules from an expansive range of subject areas. Examples of optional modules in recent years have included: • Hawliau Laith yn y Cyd-destun Rhyngwladol • Amlddiwylliannedd a'r Gymraeg • Cyfraith Hywel • Blas ar Ymchwil • Y Gymraeg, Datganoli a'r Gyfraith The third year of this 4-year course with a Year in Industry will be spent on placement. You will have the opportunity to gain real-world industry experience and develop your employability skill set. We have a strong network of industry contacts, and you will receive dedicated support from our employability team, ranging from CV advice through to mock interviews. Your final year will include an optional independent dissertation project. For the full programme structure and module breakdown, please visit our webpage at: https://www.swansea.ac.uk/undergraduate/courses/culture-communication/welsh/ba-welsh-second-language
Assessment method
We are proud to provide an outstanding educational experience, using the most effective learning and teaching approaches, carefully tailored to suit the specific needs of your course. Apart from a small number of online-only courses, most of our courses consist of in-person, on-campus teaching, enabling full engagement with your lecturers and fellow students. Practical skills sessions, lab work seminars, and workshops predominantly take place in person, allowing for group working and demonstrations. We also operate virtual labs and Simulated Learning Environments which will facilitate greater access to training opportunities in the future. However, our approach also includes the use of some online learning to support and enhance traditional face-to-face teaching. Online learning may take place ‘live’ using software such as Zoom, allowing you to interact with the lecturer and other students and to ask questions. Lecture recordings also allow for more flexibility to revisit material, to revise for assessments and to enhance learning outside of the classroom. Some modules have extra resources in Canvas, such as videos, slides and quizzes enabling further flexible study. This course may offer some modules taught through the medium of Welsh or bilingually for students who consider themselves to be fluent Welsh speakers. For more details on the provision available see the Welsh Provision expander below.
How to apply
This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.
Application codes
- Course code:
- Q563
- Institution code:
- S93
- Campus name:
- Singleton Park Campus
- Campus code:
- -
Points of entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
- Year 1
International applicants
If you are an International Student, please visit our International pages for more information about entry requirements: http://www.swansea.ac.uk/international/students/requirements/
Entry requirements
Qualification requirements
UCAS Tariff - 120 points
A level - ABB - BBC
Access to HE Diploma - D: 21 credits M: 18 credits
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme - 32 points
WJEC Level 3 Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales
Welsh Baccalaureate - Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate (last awarded Summer 2024)
Extended Project
Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017) - H3, H3, H3, H3, H3, H3
GCSE/National 4/National 5
English language requirements
For applicants whose first language is not English we require a minimum overall IELTS score of 6.0 (or equivalent) and no less than 5.5 in each component.
English Language Requirements at Swansea University
https://www.swansea.ac.uk/admissions/english-language-requirements/
Student Outcomes
The number of student respondents and response rates can be important in interpreting the data – it is important to note your experience may be different from theirs. This data will be based on the subject area rather than the specific course. Read more about this data on the Discover Uni website.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
No fee information has been provided for this course
Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .
Additional fee information
Sponsorship information
You may be eligible for funding to help support your study. To find out about scholarships, bursaries and other funding opportunities that are available please visit the University's scholarships and bursaries page https://www.swansea.ac.uk/undergraduate/scholarships/ Academi Hywel Teifi at Swansea University and the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol offer a number of generous scholarships and bursaries for students who wish to study through the medium of Welsh or bilingually. For further information about the opportunities available to you, visit the Academi Hywel Teifi Scholarships and Bursaries page https://www.swansea.ac.uk/academi-hywel-teifi/learn/scholarships/
Provider information
Swansea University
Singleton Park
Swansea
SA2 8PP