Profiles of Welsh-speaking Undergraduate Students

"Staying in Wales to study was important to me, and Swansea University was the closest institution to home offering Graduate Entry Medicine. When I came to the open day and for my interview, the University felt very friendly. This was the case for everyone I met at the Medical School as well, and the relatively small numbers on the course made the experience feel more personal and like being part of a family. I've been fortunate to meet people and see special things, which is a real privilege. I feel fortunate to have had a place to study Medicine here. The course is so enjoyable and keeps us busy but it doesn't feel like much work when everything is so interesting.

"Taking the opportunity to study part of the course in Welsh is also important to me. I've been fortunate to receive scholarships throughout my time at University, the Coleg Cymraeg Incentive Scholarship and the Academi Hywel Teifi Scholarship. I've had many opportunities at Swansea University as a Welsh student, I have been on the interview panel for the Medicine course, offering Welsh interviews to prospective students. I was also a Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol Ambassador for a year and hope to be able to inspire students in Welsh schools to study Medicine. This year, I had the unique opportunity to take part in the Urdd's Message of Peace and Goodwill which was a great opportunity to discuss important issues and meet other students I would never have been able to meet without this opportunity.

"There are so many societies to join and something for everyone. I've joined the healthcare choir and established the Swansea Oncology Society which has been fun. By establishing Swansea University's Welsh Medical Society I hope we can socialise more through the medium of Welsh and network with other Welsh doctors."

"I'm studying Medical Genetics, looking at treatments and disease management. The course covers a variety of topics such as Immunology, Research Skills and Eukaryotic Cell Biology. Studying at Swansea has been different for me because I started during Covid-19 but I've had more lectures and face-to-face workshops on campus this year and always look forward to them. My favourite subject on my course so far is Immunology and Human Physiology. I really like learning about the body's systems and how treatments work and treat a variety of diseases and also how the body responds to the treatment.

"While studying elements of my course in Welsh, I continue to use the language verbally and in writing. Using the language in a formal and informal way is very important to me as a Welsh woman. There is a variety of Welsh language support on offer at Swansea University such as Academi Hywel Teifi and the Coleg Cymraeg Branch. There is also support available from Welsh speaking Personal Tutors and the teaching groups tend to be smaller which gives people the confidence to ask questions and express opinions. I am also receiving an Academi Hywel Teifi and Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol scholarship as I am studying my course in Welsh.

"In my first year I chose to live in Welsh language accommodation on campus. I am so grateful for this opportunity because it ensured that I was with peers who share the ability to speak the same language which gives a homely feeling in a whole new environment."

“There were many reasons why I chose to study at Swansea University, including the beach, The Mumbles and The Gower, as well as the fact that Swansea has one of the best Schools of Medicine in the UK. Another reason I chose to study at Swansea is because I was able to continue my studies through the medium of Welsh. The ‘Population Health’ element of my course allowed the perfect combination of medical sciences as well as public health, epidemiology and social patterns. I enjoyed studying health factors and determinants including health care services, behavioural lifestyles and the physical environment considering how best to develop modern solutions to better the needs of the population. I was also able to tailor the assignments to my own interests allowing me to research the subjects I was most passionate about. By completing my assignments and exams in Welsh I was able to develop my bilingual communication skills on many levels. Having a Welsh speaking academic tutor since the first year has been a crucial part of my Welsh speaking student experience.

"I’ve really enjoyed my experience as an undergraduate student, regardless of the effects of Covid. The location of the university is perfect, with the beach literally over the road. During the summers, I’ve loved spending hours on the beach or in the park, as well as visiting the cafes and restaurants nearby. I’ve also had plenty of opportunities to use my Welsh outside of the classroom. Developing my bilingual skills has also given me the opportunity to apply for internships within the School of Medicine which has allowed me to gain experience working and researching in fields that are of interest to me, having been an intern in the School of Medicine. I’ve also been a member of the GymGym and Aelwyd yr Elyrch, having the opportunity to represent the university at the Eisteddfod. I’ve also had the opportunity to be an ambassador for the Coleg Cymraeg.”

“The Welsh Department is great because they offer such a range of modules meaning there’s something for everyone to enjoy such as legal and historical modules as well as grammar modules. However, I’ve enjoyed studying the more literature-based modules because I love reading especially novels from different periods. The translating module I studied in my final year was very interesting because I had the opportunity to see how the Welsh Language can be used in day-to-day life.”

“My experience as an undergraduate student to compare with to other students because I chose to live at home instead of living on campus or in the city, so I travelled to the campus every day to attend my lectures. However, I still felt a part of the community at Swansea University, especially because everyone in the Welsh Department (lecturers and students) are very close and supportive. I originally come from a non-Welsh speaking background so before starting my degree I didn’t have many opportunities to use my Welsh outside the classroom. The Welsh speaking community in Swansea has given me the opportunity to speak through the medium of Welsh regularly and whilst studying at Swansea I was speaking Welsh every day! I’ve also had the opportunity to meet a lot of new people by socialising through the medium of Welsh. The Welsh speaking community in Swansea is great,”

"I decided to study through the medium of Welsh because I felt strongly about the Welsh language. As a Welsh speaker, Swansea University and the Coleg Cymraeg have offered me incredible opportunities, such as being part of the S4C documentary 'Nyrys' by following my student journey in the first year of the nursing degree. It was an unforgettable experience. I have also been given opportunities to represent the Coleg Cymraeg and Swansea University as a student nurse sharing my experiences with prospective students in schools as they consider their next step after A levels. I was selected as a rep on the University's Lead Student Academy team. Since then, I have been invited to speak at a conference on the importance of the Welsh language in leadership.

"After great results and excellent support on the first module I studied through the medium of Welsh, I have decided to write all my essays in Welsh. The Welsh language support is excellent including my personal Welsh tutor and other lecturers who give Swansea University a homely atmosphere.

"I am receiving the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol Incentive Scholarship. The Scholarship means that I have been able to continue my studies through the medium of Welsh which has made my experience so much better. From a financial perspective, receiving £500 a year over the course of my degree has helped me significantly reduce that burden."

“I decided to study at Swansea University, the very day I attended the open day. I fell in love with the area instantly and the fact that living on campus meant I was so close not only to my lectures but also the beach. I really enjoyed completing my degree, and proud to be graduating with first class honours. The skills I have developed during the degree have helped me so much, especially the language skills I’ve gained. As well as this, I’ve now gained experience working abroad in a primary school – an unforgettable experience. Studying my degree has also allowed me to continue my studies, undertaking a masters in Professional Translating at Swansea University. This course offers a wide range of employment opportunities as well as the opportunity to gain experience using translating technology. (CAT equipment) I’ve also had the opportunity to complete a Welsh translation internship. Whilst studying my undergraduate degree, I also learnt valuable information on how Wales is governed on modules such as ‘Y Gymraeg, Datganoli a’r Gyfraith’.

“I was fortunate enough to have studied the Spanish element of my course through Welsh, which also meant I was eligible for a scholarship from the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol. I attended lessons with other students, but I also had one-to-one revision sessions with Dr Geraldine Lublin every week too. As someone who came from a second language Welsh background, I’m amazed that I was able to study elements of my course through the medium of Welsh. This really does show my proficiency in the language and a skill I’m able to note on my CV, showing employers that I’m not less fluent or less confident than a first language Welsh speaker.

“At Swansea University you are surrounded by supportive and friendly lecturers, a wide range of teaching opportunities, and most importantly – an amazing night out!”

"One of the main reasons I chose Swansea University was because of the staff at the Hillary Clinton School of Law. When visiting on an open day, the staff were so kind and obviously enthusiastic about their subject. There were also a lot more options for second and third year options which open more doors after I graduate. As a Pembrokeshire girl, one of the best things about Swansea University is the fact that I am still close to my friends from home but also with my new friends.

"I believe that studying through the medium of Welsh presents more career opportunities in the future and is a good way to improve my general communication skills. I am fortunate to receive the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol Incentive Scholarship which means that I receive £500 per year for studying 40 credits through the medium of Welsh.

"In my spare time I dance as part of the Swansea University Dance Society not to mention being the society's secretary!"

"It was important for me to complete my course in Wales and Swansea felt at home with friendly, supportive staff and so enthusiastic about the course. In addition, I knew that Swansea University was a very special institution with a reputation for Midwifery.

"It is an intensive degree with half of the course taught at university and the other half in practice settings, working with midwives in community teams, midwifery-led birth centres and hospital maternity units. The course has given me the balance to continue in education as well as get a taste of the real world of work. Although it's a difficult course I know I'm at the right degree and I enjoy every second of bringing new joy into the world every day as well as supporting mothers and their families through some of the most difficult times of their lives.

"The fact that I have continued to study elements of the course through the medium of Welsh gives me the ability to provide care to women in their first language which is so important in providing the best possible care. I learned to speak Welsh at the age of eleven and it's something I'm very proud of so it's important for me to keep using it. The Welsh-speaking community at Swansea University is very special and one which I greatly appreciate - everyone is so friendly."