Welsh: Language and Literature

Entry requirements

A 2.ii undergraduate degree or equivalent in a relevant subject (e.g. Welsh Language/Literature, English Language/ Literature, History). This course is suitable both for students who have fluency in Welsh and for those who aim to acquire – in a rigorous academic context – a greater understanding of the language, its literature and of Welsh culture in general.

Successful applicants whose first language is not Welsh will have the opportunity to take Welsh lessons.

Applicants with equivalent qualifications or experience and applications from working professionals with non-graduate qualifications will be considered on an individual basis. Please contact us for more information.

For students whose first language is not Welsh/English an IELTS score of at least 6.0 (with no element below 5.5) is required.

Months of entry

September

Course content

It is entirely possible to study with us through the medium of English or Welsh.

Our MA in Welsh: Language and Literature (MA Cymraeg: Iaith a Llenyddiaeth) offers you an exciting opportunity to study various aspects of the language and its literature through the medium of Welsh or English – from the early heroic poetry of Aneirin to 21st-century literature in translation. You are encouraged to complement this with opportunities to learn Welsh within the vibrant environment of Bangor University and the wider community where the language can experienced as a living entity.

Within the flexible course framework, we can tailor the contents to suit your individual interests and you will be supervised by specialists in their different academic fields.

Through a series of short essays you will get an opportunity to extend your interests – this represents a total of 120 credits – and in a 20,000 word dissertation which equates to 60 credits you will get to grips with a specialist topic which truly excites you intellectually.

The rich resources relating to Wales and the Welsh language housed in Shankland Library will be at your disposal together with the outstanding facilities offered by the Archives and Special Collections at Bangor University.

You can follow this course on a 1 year full-time basis or a part-time 2 year basis. Added to that, the scheme is suitable for applicants with a degree qualification in a relevant subject.

Course Content

You study for an MA in Welsh by the traditional route of essay and dissertation. The first part comprises three course essays (3 x 4,000-6,000 words) which should display a solid grasp of the broad outlines of your chosen field of study; the second part is the dissertation (20,000 words) comprising original research based in part on primary material. During Semester 1 you will also follow an induction course on research methodology in the field of Welsh.

The great strength of our MA course is its flexibility and the fact that it allows a free choice of topics within the broad parameters of the discipline. If you are primarily interested in medieval Welsh literature – the Gododdin, the Mabinogion, or Dafydd ap Gwilym, for example – your course will be structured and tailored accordingly and you will have a dedicated course supervisor, who will be an expert in your chosen field of study. If, on the other hand, you wish to undertake a study of modern Welsh literature and culture, or aspects relating to the language itself, we will be able to accommodate your academic interests. We also warmly welcome students who wish to embark on a structured Welsh MA course which may be comparative in nature, linking the study of Welsh with areas such as English literature, medieval studies, European languages, language revitalization, Arthurian studies, history, religion, philosophy, gender studies, political theory and nationalism.

Information for international students

For students whose first language is not Welsh/English an IELTS score of at least 6.0 (with no element below 5.5) is required.

Fees and funding

Please see our Fees & Finances pages for more information. You can also visit our Scholarships, Studentships & Bursaries to learn more about funding available.