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Profiles of Welsh-speaking Postgraduate Students

Group of students working in the Bay Campus Library

Comments from postgraduate students who have studied through the medium of Welsh...

Studying through the medium of Welsh

Swansea University has many opportunities for students who wish to study through the medium of Welsh at postgraduate level and Academi Hywel Teifi is here to support you in doing so throughout your time with us. Continuing to study through the medium of Welsh after studying the language at undergraduate level will be a natural step and a significant advantage and you will be fully supported and encouraged to do so to enhance your employability, to develop analytical skills and to demonstrate the ability to work in more than one language.

Here are comments from students who have taken advantage of the Welsh language provision.

Undergraduate student profiles

who have studied through the medium of Welsh

Group of students waling by the Abbey on Singleton Campus

Andrew Teilo, MA Welsh

"I decided to study for a Master's degree because I wanted to be pushed outside of my comfort zone! I also wanted to ‘qualify', somehow, in Welsh, or at the very least, use Welsh as a vehicle for my studies. All those years ago, as a school pupil I was too overwhelmed to decide on a life path for myself, and soon after that my professional life consumed all my energy for many, many years. However, I was always aware that I had 'left something behind'; also let some unspecified opportunity escape through my hands, that I have not realised some 'potential'. Broadly speaking, my decision to seek an MA degree for myself was an attempt to put that right.

I am fascinated by the humanities, but, having discussed with my course director, I decided that the short story would be a very worthwhile area for me to immerse in; I have a great love of literature, and love the compact forms. My world is fiction, of a different kind, and stories about the human condition are my bread and butter. An actor spends a lifetime interpreting scripts, and seeking the truth in the words of their authors. I felt, therefore, that I was well prepared for my studies.

Studying is fun! Choose an area that gets you excited, throw yourself into the middle of it, and don't be afraid to experiment with ideas and directions! You will have unrivalled education, care and advice at Swansea University, and educational experiences that will stay with you forever."

Morgan Lees, MSc Environmental Dynamics and Climate Change

"I chose to study the MSc Environmental Dynamics and Climate Change because of the many career opportunities I would gain and the broad skill set I would achieve if I studied it. The course covers a wide range of subjects and allows me to specialize in my favourite aspects of geography as well as enabling the use of complex software such as arcGIS, which is a skill specifically requested by employers.

"I studied Geography at undergraduate level at Swansea University with an emphasis on human geography. Swansea is a great university because of its location by the sea and it's so close to Gower. In addition, there is a sense of community that comes from being a campus university. I decided to continue my postgraduate studies at Swansea in order to continue to receive support to study in Welsh and experience the beautiful setting for an extra year.

"Studying in Welsh is a natural choice for me. Completing my dissertation in Welsh was an enjoyable and straightforward process. I will receive a £1,000 Welsh Government Bursary for undertaking an element of the course through the medium of Welsh."

Catrin Jones, PGCE Mathematics

"I have enjoyed every second of the PGCE Mathematics course this year, even with the changes and restrictions caused by COVID-19. This is due to the detailed planning that has gone into the creation of the course by Swansea University. I have accepted a post in a Welsh medium secondary school in Powys County and I’m looking forward to starting teaching at the school in September.

"Although the pandemic created new challenges during the year, this did not affect the structure and purpose of the course. Swansea University has ensured that the PGCE course contains all the experiences that trainee teachers need to develop into successful teachers.

"As well as being awarded a Welsh Government STEM bursary as I graduated with a first-class Mathematics degree, I have also received financial support under Athrawon Yfory incentive scheme as I successfully completed the PGCE course through the medium of Welsh.

"I would encourage anyone considering a teaching career to go for it - it's such a rewarding and rewarding career."

Aneirin Karadog, PhD Welsh


"The opportunity to get back into academia was very appealing and a chance to rediscover a lot about myself. After 11 years of being in the world of work I decided to study for a doctorate. Having worked as a researcher in the television world, I was fascinated by research in its nature. Exploring deeper and re-learning academic techniques opened up many opportunities for me.

"My research area was Welsh poetry. I looked at the relationship between the poet, his medium and his audience. In the end, I tried to find out if there is the perfect poem, which can transcend all media and audiences. Having the opportunity to focus on creative writing and compulsion to do so as part of the degree was heaven for someone who loves to write, it was a must have every day! There were also opportunities to teach as part of the doctoral degree - this was exciting.

"My advice to prospective students is that there are no disadvantages to studying a postgraduate degree. If you are not sure what you want to do, this can help you focus your career path and channel your energy into a particular element and area."