Welsh / International Relations BA (Hons)

Aberystwyth University

When choosing to study the combined BA Welsh and International Relations degree at Aberystwyth University you will divide your time between the Department of Welsh and the Department of International Politics - two very prestigious departments. The Welsh language department is the oldest and largest department of its kind in the world. It is home to an enthusiastic community of students and researchers who share the aim of promoting a wider understanding of the Welsh language, its history, its literature and its place in the contemporary world.

The department is also home to the Institute of Welsh Politics. The combination of excellent learning and exciting research creates a unique and exceptional experience here, in a friendly atmosphere. There are also opportunities of all kinds to develop transferable skills that will increase your opportunity for careers.

Ever since the establishment of the College in Aberystwyth in 1872, the Department of Welsh has contributed brilliantly to the learning and cultural life of the nation, in the fields of literature and other media, education, politics and journalism. Many of Wales' most notable scholars and writers taught and studied here.

The department maintains consistently high standards and presents attractive, interesting and relevant courses to our way of seeing Wales and the world through the Welsh language. During your time as a student with us you will have a choice of a wide variety of modules that cover a wide range of interests and become a natural part of the buzz associated with the Department. You will be taught by experts who are pioneers in their field and you will follow an exciting and challenging course. There is a very close and friendly community within the Welsh Language Department and the staff are proud of their relationship with its students.

The International Relations element of the degree is about power and justice, conflict and collaboration. You will study the condition of humanity and how human societies relate to each other and deal with all kinds of global changes, economically, culturally and politically. International Relations is an exciting and interdisciplinary subject that includes Politics, History, Philosophy, Law, Geography and Sociology in order to try to understand the world around us and the problems that face it. The Department of International Politics was established in 1919 at the end of the First World War, and is the first university department of its kind. It remains one of the largest politics and international relations departments in Europe, with over 40 academic staff. The department has a long history of looking at the world and asking fundamental questions about a range of subjects – issues such as war, intelligence and security, global poverty, ethics and climate change; how the world came to be as it is, and how that keeps changing. The combination of excellent teaching and some of the most exciting research in the field creates a unique and exceptional experience.

We have another big advantage in Aberystwyth as it is the home of the National Library of Wales, which is a copyright library. There are only five copyright libraries throughout Britain, and our National Library is one of them. It holds more than 6 million books, maps and prints. The Center for Advanced Welsh and Celtic Studies is also on hand. By choosing to come here to Aberystwyth you will also become part of a buzz of public lectures, launches, performances and talks that take place regularly throughout the year in the Department itself and beyond.