Welsh

Why study with us

Our MA in Welsh and Celtic Studies and our PhD/MPhil pathways enable you to explore the relationship between literature, language, culture and identity through both an international and interdisciplinary lens. Tailoring the content to your interests and matched with our expertise, you’ll become part of a dynamic, challenging and transformative research and teaching community.

Professional experience

Benefit from opportunities and training which will develop your professional profile and your employability skills.

Research excellence

Placed 9th for research impact and 11th for research environment (Modern Languages and Linguistics, REF 2021).

Flexible study

Study through the medium of Welsh, English or a combination of both, and tailor the programme to your interests and ambitions.

Welsh and Celtic Studies (MA)

Full time, Part time

Join us to explore Welsh literature, language and culture through an international and interdisciplinary lens.

Creative and Critical Writing (Welsh) (PhD)

Full-time, part-time

Produce an original piece or collection of creative work as well as developing important critical skills.

Language, Policy and Planning (PhD)

Full-time, part-time

Explore the social, economic and environmental implications of language over both time and space.

Welsh (PhD)

Full-time, part-time

The School of Welsh is well-known for its academic research and is one of the leading centres for Celtic Studies research in the UK.

Hear from our students

The breadth of positive experiences enjoyed by our postgraduate students varies based upon where they come from, their distinctive interest in the Welsh language and the scope of their ambitions. In these blogs, you can read how our recent MA graduates Osian and Emma created their own unique degree experiences.

Meet Adam

Originally from the USA, Adam Barnett chose to study at the School of Welsh because of the flexibility of the MA programme, the opportunity to learn Welsh and the attractions of the capital city.

Meet Anna

For Anna Powys, the MA Welsh and Celtic Studies programme was the perfect choice for her, offering an expansive education and considerable flexibility which in turn helped her narrow and focus her research interests. (Video only available in Welsh)

I chose to study the MA Welsh and Celtic Studies programme as it is an exciting, varied and really interesting degree. The thing that I’ve enjoyed most is the opportunity to experience different aspects of the Welsh language as an academic discipline, from literature to linguistics, and from language policy to language sociology. Studying sociolinguistics, and learning about the factors that influence the ways that we all use our language or languages, has made me think differently about the ways I use Welsh and English from day to day.

Osian Morgan MA Welsh and Celtic Studies

Your Cardiff, your experience

Vibrant community

Our MA and research students come from a range of different backgrounds and often other countries, each bringing with them unique experiences and perspectives which enrich our community. It’s a creative, collaborative and friendly environment in which to live and learn.

Our specialisms and expertise

Studying with us will provide you with an opportunity to engage with a variety of subjects relevant to Welsh, and other languages, including: Welsh literature and literary criticism; children’s literature; sociolinguistics; language acquisition; dialectology; language policy and planning; and translation theory and methodology.

Exciting PhD pathways

Explore your research interests in a supportive and impact-focused environment. Recognised internationally for research quality and impact, we have a proud history of positive practical, cultural and legislative change, benefiting communities in Wales and around the world. We offer three PhD/MPhil pathways: Welsh; Language, Policy and Planning; and Creative and Critical Writing.

By giving you the opportunity to study specialist subjects, develop projects, and explore the relationship between your research interests and the demands of the workplace, this degree will provide you with the skills and confidence to contribute creatively and practically to our understanding of language and culture. Our emphasis is on responding to contemporary challenges by developing research expertise in Welsh and Celtic studies, enabling you to ask original research questions and offer new insights and perspectives.

Dr Siwan Rosser MA Director

Find out more about our School

We’re based in the John Percival Building on the Cathays Park campus. Minutes from the Students’ Union, and the University’s support services, you can also walk to the city centre in 10 minutes.

We’re also located next door to the Arts and Social Sciences library which holds an extensive collection of relevant works and archives, including the Salisbury Collection.