Welsh and Celtic Languages BA (Hons)

Aberystwyth University

The BA Welsh and Celtic Languages degree is a highly entertaining course that brings the Celtic world to life and fires the imagination.

By choosing Aberystwyth University, you will be joining one of the leading departments in the field of Welsh and Celtic Languages. You can learn about the culture, literature, history and languages of Britain, Ireland, Europe and beyond from the earliest times to the present day.

Why study Welsh and the Celtic Languages in Aberystwyth?

• International reputation – The department is among those with the liveliest academic and scholarly environment in the world in the field of Celtic Studies.
• An unrivaled location - On the shores of the west coast between Ceredigion Bay and the Cambrian Mountains, you will be part of a friendly, broad-minded community - the ideal place to study the Welsh language together with the rich history and heritage of the Celts and their areas more widely.
• Experts - The department is a research center with an international reputation, and is home to a team of inspiring experts who lead the world in the field of Welsh and Irish language and culture.
• Other Celtic languages - You will have the opportunity to learn Scottish Gaelic and Breton as well as the related literature.
• Study Abroad - Students of the scheme usually spend a semester in their third year studying at a foreign university - a valuable experience that develops language skills and confidence.
• Student Satisfaction - In the recent national survey of student satisfaction, the Department of Welsh and Celtic Studies was at the top in the UK in the field of Celtic Studies (NSS 2020).
• Wide choice – You can choose from a fascinating range of modules that reflect the latest research interests of our lecturers.
• Vibrant Welsh Social Life - You can live through the medium of Welsh and enjoy the social element of the Welsh community here. Come live in Pantycelyn hall, join UMCA, go on rugby trips, join the choir, and go to nights such as the Cellar Awards.
• Motivational Events - While studying here, you will have the opportunity to attend a wealth of public lectures, book launch evenings, performances and talks in the Department itself and outside it.
• The National Library of Wales - The Library is on the doorstep of the Penglais Campus. It is unique in Wales and gives students the opportunity to take advantage of its rare collections of literature.
• Center for Advanced Welsh and Celtic Studies - The Center is a research institution located near the National Library of Wales in Aberystwyth.

Graduates of the Welsh and Celtic Languages degree find work in a variety of careers, including education, administration, the media and the public sector, here and abroad. The research and analysis skills you will have developed will also be a solid basis for postgraduate study and for a career in the academic world.

What will I learn?

The modules you will follow on the Welsh and Celtic Languages course could include 'Introduction to Modern Irish and its Literature', 'Welsh Yesterday and Today', 'Celtic Culture' and 'Sketch of our History' to name but a few.

During your second and third year, you will develop your knowledge further and get to choose subjects that are of particular interest to you.

Over three years then, you will cultivate the ability to recognize the journeys of the Welsh language and the Celtic languages and gain an understanding of the creative process and the value of literary works. The nature of the range of modules means that you can combine the study of contemporary or historical language, literature and culture in Welsh and the other Celtic languages.

How will I be taught?

In the Welsh Language Department you will learn through a combination of traditional lectures, seminars and other innovative learning methods. There is a more informal atmosphere in the seminars, in order to foster a more open discussion.

How will I be assessed?

Your work will be assessed through exams, through regular assessment, and through setting and marking essays and exercises.