Welsh and English Literature BA

Bangor University

Wales has two major literatures, in two languages, with a long and rich history. This is a course for those who want to study the two traditions in parallel: in England and Wales from medieval times to the present, and also in the rest of Britain and around the world. As you read, research and write, you will develop analytical and critical skills relevant to a wide range of careers.

The Welsh language at Bangor is a living language for this century and the next, without forgetting its long history. Here you will have the opportunity to not only study and enjoy one of the most remarkable Celtic literatures in the world, but also to pursue more practical modules that will prepare you for a career and the world of work. In Welsh and English, this course will enable you to research independently, to practise original thinking, to gain an intimate knowledge of literatures and cultures and to master various language registers. Our lecturers include world-renowned creative writers, in both languages, and, if you wish, you can take modules led by these experienced novelists, playwrights and poets.

A BA course such as this gives you much more than a certificate: it is a complete cultural and intercultural experience that will enable you to play a professional role in the excitement of a truly bilingual Wales. You can study literatures and cultures alongside language studies, on a rigorous academic course relevant to the social and linguistic needs of Wales. Our graduates work in areas such as the civil service, public relations, marketing, local government, broadcasting, publishing, teaching, translation, the arts and heritage.

Placement Year and International Experience Year Available

Careers

There has never been a more exciting time to study Welsh at Bangor, as an individual subject or in tandem with another field such as English Literature. There has never been more demand for a workforce that can use Welsh at senior professional levels. The goal is clear, it has been set by the Welsh Government: a million Welsh speakers by 2050 and a truly bilingual Wales.
In pursuit of that aim, there will be a great need for confident Welsh-speaking graduates, who can use their language skills in flexible ways, who can think analytically and use their languages - both orally and in writing - in various work situations.
The remarkable professional success of our students in employment - and their varied careers - already proves how entirely relevant this course is to the requirements of contemporary Wales. A proportion of our graduates are attracted into education, to be primary and secondary teachers, headteachers, education officers and directors of education. Others go into further education and to become university lecturers. Teaching Welsh for adults is also a key area. Television and digital and print media - including the BBC centre in Bangor - offer a cross-section of interesting jobs and have attracted other alumni into book publishing, creative writing and television scripting, public relations and marketing. There is also continuing demand for bilingual administrators and local government officers. And without the presence of Bangor's Welsh graduates, the translation industry would be quite different.