Welsh for Beginners

Highlights

For beginners and near beginners, the first year of this course offers intensive Welsh lessons in speaking, listening, reading, and writing and introduces Welsh history, literature and culture. 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. Bangor University has a long-standing tradition in teaching Welsh and Celtic Studies, Welsh was one of the first subjects to be taught within the University dating back to 1889.

A world-renowned centre for the study of Welsh and Celtic Studies, our research specialisms span 1,500 years covering Welsh literature, and culture. 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 course is perfect for beginners, whether you’re looking to strengthen your language skills or want to learn Welsh for the first time. On this Welsh for Beginners course not only will we help improve your spoken, written and reading skills but we will also introduce you to the Welsh culture and its history. From the medieval legends to today’s workplace, you’ll learn how the Welsh language has developed over the years and why it’s important to modern Wales.

Government targets to double the current numbers of Welsh speakers by 2050 is driving the demand for confident bilingual graduates. The call for Welsh language skills in Wales is growing, with Welsh Government, local Councils and large organisations adopting a bilingual workforce and growing their Welsh provisions. Now more than ever there are lots of high quality, skilled jobs looking for graduates with Welsh language skills.

You will be taught by professional tutors with years of experience teaching Welsh learners. Our academic team include some of the most prominent writers and poets in contemporary Wales. Garnering international acclaim, they have won awards including Book of the Year, Prose Medals, Drama Medals, Chairs and Crowns at the Urdd Eisteddfod and National Eisteddfod.

Focused on developing on your language proficiency, you will also start to explore Welsh literature, not only through classical works across all periods, but also looking at contemporary writers such as Angharad Tomos, Manon Steffan Ross, Caryl Lewis, Aled Jones Williams and William Owen Roberts At Bangor University we have a close-knit, supportive learning community with easy access to lecturers. We can offer a truly unique ‘Welsh’ experience. A large percentage of our wider support staff have Welsh language skills and the county we’re located in, Gwynedd, has the highest percentage of Welsh speakers in the world.

Studying in North Wales and a largely Welsh community means you can immerse yourself in the history, culture, and society, widely considered the best way to learn any language. You will have opportunities to participate in Welsh-speaking work placements, engage with working professionals from organisations that operate through the medium of Welsh. Many of our students choose to live in our Welsh-speaking halls of residence), and join the Bangor University Welsh Students' Union.

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Placement year

What is the Placement Year? This exciting opportunity allows you to spend a year working with a self-sourced, professional organisation relevant to your studies. You'll typically start between June and September of your second year and finish by the following June or September.

Placements can be UK-based or even overseas. Why choose a Placement Year? Gain practical experience that complements your academic learning Make valuable industry contacts that could open doors for future careers Strengthen your employability by gaining real-world…