One of the main aims of supporting medical students in developing their ability to communicate through the medium of Welsh is to enhance patient care. We are pleased to offer Welsh language opportunities to all students completing the GEM course.
For fluent Welsh speakers:
At least 40 credits
There are opportunities for Welsh speakers to study at least 40 credits of this course through the medium of Welsh. Newly appointed in 2021, there are two dedicated members of academic staff whose roles are to develop the Welsh provision of the Graduate Entry Medicine course. Academi Hywel Teifi is also here to support you throughout your time at Swansea University. We can offer you:
- Access to generous Welsh-language study scholarships or bursaries.
- An interview through the medium of Welsh when applying for a place.
- An opportunity to attend regular clinical skills sessions through the medium of Welsh.
- Opportunities to train with Welsh speaking medical professionals and converse with patients in Welsh whilst on placements.
- Opportunities to be paired up with Welsh speaking patients for yearlong case studies.
- Opportunities to reflect on your clinical experiences through the medium of Welsh.
- Access to Welsh medium resources such as Welsh medium clinical examination videos.
- Opportunities to discuss professionalism through the medium of Welsh.
- The opportunity to join the MedSoc team (Swansea University Medical Society) as the Welsh Language Officer.
- The option to receive your personal correspondence in Welsh, English or bilingually.
- A Welsh-speaking Academic Mentor automatically allocated to fluent Welsh speaking students.
- An opportunity to gain an additional free qualification that serves as evidence of your Welsh language ability for future employers.
- Opportunity to be a member of the Swansea University Branch of the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol.
- The option to write and submit your coursework or exams through the medium of Welsh (even if you have chosen to study in English), and your work will be marked in Welsh. There are dedicated Welsh speaking markers for written assessments such as placement reflections and the first-year family case study.
- Contribute to a mentoring scheme as part of Doctoriaid Yfory, offering help and support to future applicants.
- Download our free app: Gofalu Trwy’r Gymraeg
- Access to the Arwain mobile app for the latest information about Welsh-medium courses and modules within the University. (Available to download free on the App Store and Google Play.)
Visit the Welsh Language Rights webpage for further information about Students' rights to use the Welsh Language.
Continuing to study through the medium of Welsh once you leave school or college will be a natural step for you and a way of ensuring your chance of getting the best education possible. It will also be a valuable addition to your CV, professional development and future career as a Doctor, here in Wales hopefully.
For less confident Welsh speakers or non-Welsh speakers:
- During induction week all 1st year GEM students attend the Medicine in Wales seminar where students learn more about living and working in Wales as well as the importance of the Welsh language in healthcare.
- A free Welsh for Medicine language course run by Academi Hywel Teifi available to all GEM students.
Everyone is welcome to join our Welsh Medical Society – Cymdeithas Feddygol Gymraeg Prifysgol Abertawe - who run social and educational sessions in Welsh and bilingually. Twitter and Instagram - @CymFeddygolTawe
Edrychwn ymlaen i'ch croesawi i Brifysgol Abertawe!