Students gain insider view of BBC Radio Cymru

Students of the School’s ‘Yr Ystafell Newyddion’ (the Newsroom) module were recently given an insider view of radio broadcasting when they visited BBC Radio Cymru.

The second and third year students spent a week working with producers, editors and presenters and created their own radio packages which were used live on-air.

Sian Morgan Lloyd, who leads the Welsh-language provision in the School of Journalism, Media and Cultural Studies said: “The relationship between the School and industry is key to ensuring meaningful experiences like this.

“The students are able to work alongside experienced professional journalists and in doing so gain hugely valuable insight into the practical requirements of modern digital journalism.

“The week was a perfect example of challenging, relevant and successful work experience.”

When deciding on the topic for her radio package, Abbie Bolitho chose a topic that as a Welsh learner is close to her heart – learning Welsh as a second language.

Abbie said: “It was good to learn how to use the technology, and to make editorial decisions. The best thing was hearing the package live on air and receiving positive feedback on my work!”

BBC Radio Cymru presenter Garry Owen was keen to praise the students’ professionalism, “It was a pleasure to watch the students develop new skills as they prepared the reports. They found original stories and were mature and professional in their work."

The Welsh and Journalism BA, which is a joint honours degree with the School of Welsh, is distinctive in that it offers an opportunity to follow a degree course that develops skills relevant to both the academic world and the workplace.