Cymraeg (Welsh) and Philosophy, Ethics and Religion

Highlights

Develop your Welsh language skills at a world-renowned centre for the study of Welsh and Celtic Studies, our research specialisms span 1,500 years covering Welsh literature, and culture. We bring philosophy, ethics and religion to life: from walks along the North Wales Pilgrims Way to interviewing Buddhist monks and talks from a Chief Druid on Paganism and an exorcist on exorcism. Based in Gwynedd, a county with one of the highest numbers of Welsh speakers, Bangor University offers a friendly, welcoming bilingual university and community where you can immerse yourself in Welsh culture.

You can tailor your studies. Options include different ethical approaches, analytical and continental philosophy, and broad scope of Eastern/Western religions, such as Islam, Judaism, Wicca or Voodoo. You can gain funding when you study through the medium of Welsh.

Scholarships by The Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol offer up to £1,000 per year whilst the University Welsh Medium Bursary offers an additional £250 per year depending on the amount of Welsh modules taken.

Course overview

This degree in Welsh and Philosophy, Ethics and Religion is all about expression, opinion and meaning. Delve into questions such as what is the meaning of life? Does God exist?

All whilst improving your Welsh language skills. Dividing your time equally between Welsh and Philosophy, Ethics and Religion will take you on a journey of self-discovery and development. You can unravel the mysteries of linguistic heritage, examining diverse worldviews, and exploring the fundamental questions that have intrigued thinkers for centuries.

Take a fresh look at creative works from one of Europe’s richest literary traditions, from the ecumenical, ephemeral and feminist to scientific and Welsh literature in America. Consider how Welsh language writers around the world have responded to the demands of the ages, while learning more about analytical and continental philosophy, and religions from the Eastern and Western traditions. Welsh and Celtic Studies is one of the oldest subjects taught at Bangor University.

Since its establishment in 1889, its contribution to the literary and cultural life of Wales has been crucial. You will be taught by some of the most prominent writers and poets in contemporary Wales. Garnering international acclaim, they have won awards including Book of the Year, and the highest prizes - Prose Medals, Drama Medals, Chairs and Crowns at the Urdd Eisteddfod and National Eisteddfod.

Explore rich and diverse literary texts from the tales of the Mabinogion to the dynamic literature of contemporary Wales. Studying Welsh in north-west Wales, a largely Welsh community, means you can immerse yourself in the history, culture, and society. Many of our students join Bangor University’s Welsh Students' Union and choose to live in our Welsh-speaking halls of residence, Neuadd JMJ.

Our Philosophy and Religion staff specialise in diverse, often conflicting, fields of expertise, such as religious extremism, existentialism, aesthetics and Holocaust studies. Their interests span a host of ethical approaches, from queer and feminist ethics to Asian or African ethics, consequentialism and deontology. They cover religions from around the world including Christianity, Islamic Studies, Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism, Judaism, Voodoo, Satanism, Paganism and Wicca.

Bangor city itself is home to many houses of worship and places of historical significance. Bangor Cathedral is the longest Anglican establishment to have continuous worship for nearly 1,500 years. There are many other Christian places of worship, as well as a Muslim community centre, and several significant historical Jewish establishments in Bangor city.

Over in Anglesey, the prehistoric burial ground and Neolithic chambered tomb of Bryn Celli Ddu is a popular location for followers of Paganism and is one of the spiritual homes of the Anglesey Druid Order.