Welsh and Philosophy (BA)
The Joint Honours degree in Philosophy and Welsh provides you with the opportunity of specialising in two university honours subjects.
Course overview
By combining Welsh and Philosophy, you will gain a wealth of transferable skills and knowledge, opening the doors to a variety of career paths. The Joint Honours degree gives you the opportunity to specialise in two subjects and you will find they often share issues and perspectives.
The Welsh course is relevant to contemporary Wales and delivered by a school noted for its research quality and impact. The course aims to produce graduates with a thorough academic and practical understanding of the Welsh language, its literature and culture, a high level of skill in written and spoken Welsh and well-developed employability and creative skills relevant to modern Wales.
There are two related aspects of the philosophy course at Cardiff that mark it out among Russell Group universities. One is that there is a strong emphasis on ethics, politics, and aesthetics among the modules on offer. The other is that our research and teaching is spread equally across both the ‘analytic’ and ‘Continental’ styles of Western philosophy.
As a joint honours student, you will find that often there are complementary issues and perspectives that link subjects, be they critical analysis, historical contexts or recent research.
NOTE: This joint degree programme is usually available only to those who have studied Welsh as a first language at A-level. If you have not done this but feel your Welsh is of an equivalent standard, email cymraeg@cardiff.ac.uk.
Distinctive features
The distinctive features of the course include:
- the opportunity to follow a degree course that develops skills relevant to both the academic world and the workplace
- a core module which focuses on employability skills and which offers a period of work experience
- a range of core and optional modules in Welsh language, literature and culture as well as the opportunity to specialise in areas of personal and career interest
- the emphasis on practical research skills, that will benefit you throughout your career
- the emphasis on independent learning in a supportive environment
- the involvement of research-active staff in teaching
- the experience of being taught by staff who will recognise you as an individual
| UCAS code | QV55 |
|---|---|
| Next intake | September 2020 |
| Duration | 3 years |
| Mode | Full time |
| Typical places available | The School of Welsh typically has 30 places available. The School of English, Communication and Philosophy typically has 350 places available. |
| Typical applications received | The School of Welsh typically receives 100 applications. The School of English, Communication and Philosophy typically receives 1450 applications. |
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School of English, Communication and Philosophy
John Percival Building
Colum Drive
Cardiff
CF10 3EU
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John Percival Building
Colum Drive
Cardiff
CF10 3EU
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Bute Building
King Edward VII Avenue
Cardiff
CF10 3NB
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Arts and Social Studies Library
Arts and Social Studies Library
Colum Drive
Cathays
Cardiff
CF10 3EU
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Library Wing
Aberdare Hall
Corbett Road
Cardiff
CF10 3UP
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Bute Building
King Edward VII Avenue
Cardiff
CF10 3NB
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Bute Building
King Edward VII Avenue
Cardiff
CF10 3NB
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Videoconference suite, Ty Dewi Sant
Ty Dewi Sant
University Hospital of Wales
Heath Park
Cardiff
CF14 4XN
Contact
Entry requirements
BBB-BBC including a B in Welsh First Language. Please note, Critical Thinking and General Studies will not be accepted.
Extended Project Qualification: Applicants with grade A in the EPQ will typically receive an offer one grade lower than the standard A level offer. Please note that any subject specific requirements must still be met.
The Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate will be accepted in lieu of one A-Level (at the grades listed above), excluding any specified subjects.
DD in BTEC Humanities or Social Science subjects plus grade B in A Level Welsh First Language.
Achieve IB Diploma with 665 in 3 HL subjects plus a Welsh First Language qualification.
Alternative qualifications may be accepted. For further information on entry requirements, see the School of English, Communication & Philosophy and School of Welsh admissions criteria pages.
IELTS (academic)
At least 6.5 overall with a minimum of 5.5 in each sub-score.
TOEFL iBT
At least 90 with minimum scores of 17 for writing, 17 for listening, 18 for reading and 20 for speaking.
PTE Academic
62 with a minimum of 51 in all communicative skills.
Trinity ISE II/III
II: at least two Distinctions and two Merits.
III: at least a Pass in all components.
Other accepted qualifications
Please visit our English Language requirements page for more information on our other accepted language qualifications.
GCSE English or Welsh Language Grade C or 4, IGCSE English First Language grade C, IGCSE English as a Second Language grade C
Tuition fees
UK and EU students (2020/21)
Please see our fee amounts page for the latest information.
Students from outside the EU (2020/21)
Please see our fee amounts page for the latest information.
Additional costs
Course specific equipment
You will not need any specific equipment.
Accommodation
We have a range of residences to suit your needs and budget. Find out more on our accommodation pages.
Course structure
This is a three-year full-time degree, consisting of 120 credits a year. You’ll study six 20-credit modules a year, split equally between Welsh and Philosophy.
The modules shown are an example of the typical curriculum and will be reviewed prior to the 2020/21 academic year. The final modules will be published by September 2020.
Year one
You will take 120 credits in all. There are two routes in the first year, one for students who have studied Welsh as a first language and the other for students who have studied Welsh as a second language. First-language Welsh students will take 60 credits in Welsh and 60 in Philosophy, while second-language students will take 80 credits in Welsh and 40 in Philosophy.
The emphasis in year one Welsh is on developing key skills (linguistic, analytical, creative and employability) in the fields of language and literature, and all students follow a set number of modules with an appropriate number of contact hours. The School will also provide additional arrangements for second language students to develop and practise their language skills.
Normally, students who have studied A-level Welsh as a second language follow the second-language route, but we will consider your linguistic skills, both oral and written, before deciding which route you will follow.
For the first-language route the core modules are:
- Iaith ac Ystyr [Language and Meaning]
- Awdur, Testun a Darllenydd [Author, Text and Reader]
- Y Gymraeg yn y Gymru Gyfoes [The Welsh Language in Contemporary Wales]
For the second-language route the core modules are:
- Sgiliau Llafar [Oral Skills]
- Defnyddio’r Gymraeg [Using Welsh]
- Astudio Llenyddiaeth [Studying Literature]
- Y Gymraeg Heddiw [The Welsh Language Today]
Year One Philosophy modules will provide you with a thorough grounding in the subject to provide you with a solid foundation for the modules you choose in years two and three.
| Module title | Module code | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Iaith ac Ystyr | CY1600 | 20 credits |
| Awdur, Testun a Darllenydd | CY1601 | 20 credits |
| Y Gymraeg yn y Gymru Gyfoes | CY1602 | 20 credits |
| Mind, Thought and Reality | SE4101 | 20 credits |
| Moral and Political Philosophy | SE4103 | 20 credits |
| Critical Thinking | SE4107 | 20 credits |
Year two
You will take 60 credits in Welsh and 60 credits in Philosophy.
In year two Welsh, you will build on the skills and knowledge acquired in year one. The core linguistic elements of the course focus on language skills within both an academic and a vocational context, and include a period of work experience in a workplace in which Welsh is used on a daily basis.
Alongside these core elements, the Welsh course offers optional modules in years two and three in Welsh language, literature and culture, including several with direct relevance to specific fields of employment, such as language planning, scriptwriting and translation.
Your second year in Philosophy is designed to build on the foundation of year one through more focused modules that provide a more solid grounding in particular areas. There are no compulsory modules in year two. You will be encouraged to follow the interests you developed in year one, but also consider what you would like to take in the following year.
| Module title | Module code | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Yr Iaith ar Waith | CY2205 | 20 credits |
| Module title | Module code | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Dafydd ap Gwilym | CY2105 | 20 credits |
| Rhyddiaith Ddiweddar | CY2410 | 20 credits |
| Cynllunio Ieithyddol a Pholisi Iaith | CY2610 | 20 credits |
| Sgriptio | CY2700 | 20 credits |
| Canu'r Gymru Newydd: Barddoniaeth er 1990 | CY2810 | 20 credits |
| Caffael Iaith | CY2910 | 20 credits |
| Philosophy of Science | SE4312 | 20 credits |
| Metaphysics | SE4364 | 20 credits |
| French Existentialism | SE4369 | 20 credits |
| Modern Moral Philosophy | SE4373 | 20 credits |
| Contemporary Ethical Theory | SE4388 | 20 credits |
| Epistemology | SE4398 | 20 credits |
| Credoau'r Cymry | SE4400 | 20 credits |
| Ancient Philosophy | SE4405 | 20 credits |
| Philosophy of Feminism | SE4418 | 20 credits |
| Philosophy of Psychology | SE4421 | 20 credits |
| Damcaniaethu a Dadfeilio’r Gymdeithas Gyfalafol | SE4423 | 20 credits |
| Aesthetics | SE4424 | 20 credits |
| ENCAP Employability Module | SE6255 | 20 credits |
Year three
You will take 60 credits in Welsh and 60 credits in Philosophy.
In Welsh, it is compulsory to choose one of the following modules:
- Blas ar Ymchwil [Research Taster]
- Ymchwilio Estynedig [Extended Research]
You will have a choice of an essay or project of 5,000 words (20 credits) or 9,000 words (40 credits), to be completed under the direction of a member of staff who is an expert in the relevant field. This may lead to further research or provide an effective showcase for potential employers. You will also choose more optional modules.
Year three in Philosophy is a ‘research-led’ year, where the modules on offer reflect the current research activities of the staff who teach them, building on the themes studied in year two. You will read and think about the very same texts that the module leader is currently thinking and writing about.
There is also the opportunity for independent research in the dissertation module.
| Module title | Module code | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Dafydd ap Gwilym | CY3105 | 20 credits |
| Rhyddiaith Ddiweddar | CY3410 | 20 credits |
| Cynllunio Ieithyddol a Pholisi Iaith | CY3610 | 20 credits |
| Yr Ystafell Ddosbarth | CY3660 | 20 credits |
| Sgriptio | CY3700 | 20 credits |
| Cyfieithu Proffesiynol | CY3705 | 20 credits |
| Canu'r Gymru Newydd: Barddoniaeth er 1990 | CY3810 | 20 credits |
| Blas ar Ymchwil | CY3900 | 20 credits |
| Ymchwilio Estynedig | CY3905 | 40 credits |
| Caffael Iaith | CY3910 | 20 credits |
| Metaethics | SE4367 | 20 credits |
| Moral Psychology | SE4372 | 20 credits |
| The Problem of Consciousness | SE4379 | 20 credits |
| Dissertation in Philosophy | SE4385 | 20 credits |
| Cyfiawnder Byd-eang | SE4394 | 20 credits |
| Hanes Athroniaeth yr 20fed Ganrif yng Nghymru | SE4396 | 20 credits |
| Cognition and Technology | SE4410 | 20 credits |
| Animal Minds | SE4411 | 20 credits |
| The Social Imagination | SE4412 | 20 credits |
| Modern German Philosophy | SE4413 | 20 credits |
| Athroniaeth Crefydd | SE4417 | 20 credits |
| Belief & Irrationality | SE4419 | 20 credits |
| Desires, Emotions and Happiness | SE4420 | 20 credits |
| Ethics of Knowing | SE4422 | 20 credits |
| Beauty & Ethics | SE4425 | 20 credits |
| Moral Responsibility | SE4426 | 20 credits |
Learning and assessment
How will I be taught?
We offer a supportive learning environment, where you are enabled to acquire a range of skills and a wealth of specialist knowledge. Our courses foster intellectual skills, such as critical thinking, close analysis, evaluating evidence, constructing arguments, using theory and the effective deployment of language in writing and in debate. We also help you gain experience in team working, independent research and time management.
You will be taught both by lecture and seminar. Lectures provide an overview of the key concepts and frameworks for a topic, equipping you to carry out independent research for the seminars and to develop your own ideas. Seminars provide an opportunity for you to explore the ideas outlined in the lectures.
Seminars usually consist of about 15 students and the seminar leader (a member of the teaching team). Seminars may take various formats, including plenary group discussion, small-group work and student-led presentations. For Welsh, there is also an important role to be played by tutorials, workshops and language classes (especially for students following the second language route).
How will I be supported?
As well as having regular feedback from your personal tutor in each course, you will have a reading week each semester for guided study and a chance to catch up on assessed work, reading and revision. These weeks are also used by staff to visit students on their year abroad.
You will have access through the Learning Central website to relevant multimedia material, presentations, lecture handouts, bibliographies, further links, electronic exercises and discussion circles.
The University offers a range of services including the Careers Service, the Counselling Service, the Disability and Dyslexia Service, the Student Support Service, and excellent libraries and resource centres.
Feedback
We’ll provide you with frequent feedback on your work. This comes in a variety of formats including oral feedback during tutorials, personalised feedback on written work, feedback in lectures and seminars, generic written feedback and feedback on tutorial performance.
Coursework will be marked by your module tutor and your tutor will give you written feedback on your work. You will also have a feedback class after each assessment. Students will be given general feedback in relation to examinations following the May/June examination period and you will be able to discuss your overall performance with your personal tutor as part of the monitored student self-assessment scheme.
How will I be assessed?
A range of assessment methods are used, including essays, examinations, presentations, portfolios and creative assignments.
Essays and examinations are used not only for assessment purposes but also as a means of developing your capacities to gather, organise, evaluate and deploy relevant information and ideas from a variety of sources in reasoned arguments. Dedicated essay workshops and individual advice enable you to produce your best work, and written feedback on essays feeds forward into future work, enabling you to develop your strengths and address any weaker areas.
The optional final-year dissertation provides you with the opportunity to investigate a specific topic of interest to you in depth and to acquire detailed knowledge about a particular field of study, to use your initiative in the collection and presentation of material and present a clear, cogent argument and draw appropriate conclusions.
What skills will I practise and develop?
As a result of engaging fully with this course, you will acquire and develop a range of valuable skills, both those which are discipline specific and more generic ‘employability skills’. These will allow you to:
- grasp complex issues with confidence
- ask the right questions of complex texts
- have an imaginative appreciation of different views and options and analyse these critically
- identify and apply relevant data
- develop practical research skills
- propose imaginative solutions of your own that are rooted in evidence
- communicate clearly, concisely and persuasively in writing and speech
- work to deadlines and priorities, managing a range of tasks at the same time
- learn from constructive criticism and incorporate its insights
- work as part of a team, developing a collaborative approach to problem-solving
- use IT programmes and digital media, where appropriate
- take responsibility for your own learning programme and professional development
Careers and placements
Career prospects
School of Welsh
In 2015/16, 100% of the School’s graduates who were available for work reported they were in employment and/or further study within six months of graduation.
The demand for Welsh speakers means that a degree in Welsh can be highly valuable for jobs and roles that require bilingual speakers. Many of our graduates are now following careers in areas such as law, politics, media, performing arts, administration and education, or engaged in postgraduate study.
School of English, Communication and Philosophy
In 2015/16, 95% of the School’s graduates who were available for work reported they were in employment and/or further study within six months of graduation.
We provide our students with a highly satisfying academic experience that assists their development as critically-minded, culturally-aware citizens whose high analytic skills, powers of expression and progressive self-reliance make them extremely attractive to employers.
Placements
Year two includes a period of work experience in a workplace in which Welsh is used on a daily basis. This period of work experience is part of a programme of events designed to focus on developing employability and career skills.
Studying in Welsh
Up to 83% of this course is available through the medium of Welsh. Please contact the Admissions tutor for more information.
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