Welsh and Politics (BA)
- Subject areas: Politics and international relations, Welsh
- UCAS code: QL52
- Next intake: September 2025
- Duration: 3 years
- Mode: Full time
Why study this course
Experience politics in action
Choose a module taught in-conjunction with Westminster which includes teaching by clerks of the House of Commons and study visits.
A thriving community
Make connections through the Welsh Students' Union, Welsh-language halls and the new Welsh-language Academy.
Capital connections
Ideally located with links to cultural, political, heritage and media organisations to help you get ahead.
Links to political institutions
Benefit from links to Westminster parliament, Senedd Cymru, the European Union and NATO.
Placement opportunities
Gain skills, confidence and connections through a variety of opportunities to engage with communities and other partners.
By combining Welsh and Politics, you will gain a wealth of transferable skills and knowledge, opening the doors to a variety of career paths. You may find studying a joint honours degree both stimulating and rewarding as you observe similarities and differences between the two subjects. Often there are complementary issues and perspectives that link the subjects, be they critical analysis, historical context or recent research.
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.
Our Politics programme allows you to explore how parliaments and governments function and evaluate political ideas such as power, freedom, democracy, conflict, legitimacy or accountability as well as incorporating international relations.
Modules are varied, allowing you to explore how politics works in Britain and further afield as well as investigate how public policy is made. Other strands of work discuss justice, democracy, human rights and international relations; providing you with a broad understanding of politics tailored to your own particular needs.
This degree aims to provide you with an excellent understanding of politics and government while also equipping you with associated intellectual and communications skills that will be of value whether you work in government or in the private or voluntary sectors.
Subject area: Politics and international relations
Subject area: Welsh
Entry requirements
We accept a combination of A-levels and other qualifications, as well as equivalent international qualifications subject to entry requirements. Typical offers are as follows:
A level
BBB-BCC. Must include grade B in Welsh First or Second Language.
Extended/International Project Qualification: Applicants with grade A in the EPQ/IPQ will typically receive an offer one grade lower than the standard offer. Please note that any subject specific requirements must still be met.
- Our grade range covers our standard offer and contextual offer. We carefully consider the circumstances in which you've been studying (your contextual data) upon application. Eligible students will be given an offer that is lower than the standard offer (usually the middle or lower end of the advertised grade range).
- Where there is no grade range advertised and/or where there are selection processes in place (like an interview) you may receive additional consideration in the selection process.
Learn about eligible courses and how contextual data is applied.
International Baccalaureate
31-29 overall or 665-655 in 3 HL subjects. You must also have a Welsh Language qualification equivalent to grade B at A-level.
Baccalaureate Wales
From September 2023, there will be a new qualification called the Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales (level 3). This qualification will replace the Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate (Welsh Baccalaureate). The qualification will continue to be accepted in lieu of one A-Level (at the grades listed above), excluding any specified subjects.
Other essential requirements
You must have or be working towards:
- English language or Welsh language at GCSE grade C/4 or an equivalent (such as A-levels). If you require a Student visa, you must ensure your language qualification complies with UKVI requirements.
We do not accept Critical Thinking, General Studies, Citizenship Studies, or other similar equivalent subjects.
We will accept a combination of BTEC subjects, A-levels, and other qualifications, subject to the course specific grade and subject requirements.
English language requirements
GCSE
Grade B or grade 6 in GCSE English Language.
IELTS (academic)
At least 6.5 overall with a minimum of 6.5 in writing and a minimum of 6.0 in all other subskills.
TOEFL iBT
At least 90 overall with a minimum of 22 for writing and 20 in all other subskills.
PTE Academic
At least 69 overall with a minimum of 69 in writing and a minimum of 62 in all other communicative skills.
Trinity ISE II/III
II: a Distinction in Writing and at least one Distinction and two Merits in other components.
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.
Criminal convictions
You are not required to complete a DBS (Disclosure Barring Service) check or provide a Certificate of Good Conduct to study this course.
If you are currently subject to any licence condition or monitoring restriction that could affect your ability to successfully complete your studies, you will be required to disclose your criminal record. Conditions include, but are not limited to:
- access to computers or devices that can store images
- use of internet and communication tools/devices
- curfews
- freedom of movement, including the ability to travel to outside of the UK or to undertake a placement/studies outside of Cardiff University
- contact with people related to Cardiff University.
Other qualifications from inside the UK
BTEC
DM-MM in a BTEC Diploma in Humanities or Social Science subjects and grade B in A-level Welsh First or Second Language.
T level
Acceptance of T Levels for this programme will be considered on a case-by-case basis by the Academic School. Consideration will be given to the T Level grade/subject and grades/subjects achieved at GCSE/Level 2.
Please see our admissions policies for more information about the application process.
Tuition fees for 2025 entry
Your tuition fees and how you pay them will depend on your fee status. Your fee status could be home, island or overseas.
Learn how we decide your fee status
Fees for home status
| Year | Tuition fee | Deposit |
|---|---|---|
| Year one | £9,250 | None |
| Year two | £9,250 | None |
| Year three | £9,250 | None |
The University reserves the right to increase tuition fees in the second and subsequent years of a course as permitted by law or Welsh Government policy. Where applicable we will notify you of any change in tuition fee by the end of June in the academic year before the one in which the fee will increase.
Students from the EU, EEA and Switzerland
If you are an EU, EEA or Swiss national, your tuition fees for 2025/26 be in line with the overseas fees for international students, unless you qualify for home fee status. UKCISA have provided information about Brexit and tuition fees.
Fees for island status
Learn more about the undergraduate fees for students from the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man.
Fees for overseas status
| Year | Tuition fee | Deposit |
|---|---|---|
| Year one | £23,700 | None |
| Year two | £23,700 | None |
| Year three | £23,700 | None |
Learn more about our tuition fees
Financial support
Financial support may be available to individuals who meet certain criteria. For more information visit our funding section. Please note that these sources of financial support are limited and therefore not everyone who meets the criteria are guaranteed to receive the support.
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.
Living costs
We're based in one of the UK's most affordable cities. Find out more about living costs in Cardiff.
Course structure
This is a three-year full-time degree, consisting of 120 credits a year.
The modules shown are an example of the typical curriculum and will be reviewed prior to the 2025/2026 academic year. The final modules will be published by September 2025.
Year one
You will take 120 credits in total, equally split between 60 credits in Welsh and 60 credits in Politics.
The emphasis in year one 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.
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 Iaith [Language Skills]
- Sgiliau Astudio Llenyddiaeth [Studying Literature Skills]
- Y Gymraeg Heddiw [The Welsh Language Today]
Year one Politics is a foundation year to give you the skills for advanced study and an overview of the subject to inform your later choices. You will take our foundation core modules to lay the groundwork for your study in years two and three.
| Module title | Module code | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Sgiliau Astudio Llenyddiaeth | CY1513 | 20 credits |
| Sgiliau Iaith | CY1515 | 20 credits |
| Y Gymraeg Heddiw | CY1516 | 20 credits |
| Iaith ac Ystyr | CY1600 | 20 credits |
| Awdur, Testun a Darllenydd | CY1601 | 20 credits |
| Y Gymraeg yn y Gymru Gyfoes | CY1602 | 20 credits |
| Y Da, Drwg a'r Gwleidyddol: The Good, the Bad and the Political | PL9193 | 20 credits |
| Introduction to Political Science | PL9194 | 20 credits |
| Introduction to International Relations | PL9195 | 20 credits |
| Introduction to Political Thought | PL9196 | 20 credits |
| Introduction to Government | PL9199 | 20 credits |
Year two
You will take 60 credits in Welsh and 60 credits in Politics.
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.
You will also take optional modules from our range of politics and international relations options.
| Module title | Module code | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Yr Iaith ar Waith | CY2205 | 20 credits |
| Module title | Module code | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Dafydd ap Gwilym a'i Gyfnod | CY2290 | 20 credits |
| Llenyddiaeth Plant | CY2310 | 20 credits |
| Theori a Beirniadaeth Lenyddol | CY2330 | 20 credits |
| Ysgrifennu Creadigol | CY2360 | 20 credits |
| Bywydau Llên | CY2425 | 20 credits |
| Tafodieitheg | CY2450 | 20 credits |
| Enwau'r Cymry: Lleoedd, Pobl a Pholisi | CY2460 | 20 credits |
| Sosioieithyddiaeth | CY2530 | 20 credits |
| International Relations of the Cold War | PL9221 | 20 credits |
| Digital Technologies and Global Politics | PL9223 | 20 credits |
| Global Governance | PL9224 | 20 credits |
| EU Politics | PL9225 | 20 credits |
| From Espionage to Counter-Terrorism: Intelligence in Contemporary Politics | PL9229 | 20 credits |
| Modern Welsh Politics | PL9233 | 20 credits |
| Modern Political Thought: Machiavelli to Mill | PL9234 | 20 credits |
| Damcaniaethu a Dadfeilio'r Gymdeithas Gyfalafol | PL9238 | 20 credits |
| The Barbarians are Coming!: Cross-cultural Political Theories | PL9240 | 20 credits |
| Ideas and Ideology in British Politics | PL9241 | 20 credits |
| Animals, Air, and Areas beyond national jurisdiction - The Politics of Global Environmental Regimes | PL9242 | 20 credits |
| Governing Modern Britain | PL9243 | 20 credits |
| Personality, prejudice, and polarisation: Political Psychology | PL9244 | 20 credits |
| Critical Approaches to Middle East Politics | PL9245 | 20 credits |
| Revolutionising the Political Order: British Social Theory in the Eighteenth Century | PL9249 | 20 credits |
| Doing Political Research | PL9251 | 20 credits |
| Elections in the UK | PL9253 | 20 credits |
| Gender, Sex and Death in Global Politics | PL9254 | 20 credits |
| Credoau'r Cymry | PL9286 | 20 credits |
| British Politics since 1945 | PL9287 | 20 credits |
| International Security: Concepts and Issues | PL9288 | 20 credits |
| Global Justice | PL9292 | 20 credits |
| International Law in a Changing World | PL9299 | 20 credits |
Year three
You will take 60 credits in Welsh and 60 credits in Politics.
In Welsh it is compulsory to choose one of the following modules:
- Blas ar Ymchwil [Research Taster]
- Ymchwilio Estynedig [Extended Research]
You 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.
You will take 60 credits in optional year three politics modules, including the option of writing a dissertation. Our final year dissertation module gives you the option to write a dissertation and engage more deeply with a chosen topic area, as well as extending your research and analytical skills.
| Module title | Module code | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Dafydd ap Gwilym a'i Gyfnod | CY3290 | 20 credits |
| Llenyddiaeth Plant | CY3310 | 20 credits |
| Theori a Beirniadaeth Lenyddol | CY3330 | 20 credits |
| Ysgrifennu Creadigol | CY3360 | 20 credits |
| Bywydau Llên | CY3425 | 20 credits |
| Tafodieitheg | CY3450 | 20 credits |
| Enwau'r Cymry: Lleoedd, Pobl a Pholisi | CY3460 | 20 credits |
| Sosioieithyddiaeth | CY3530 | 20 credits |
| Yr Ystafell Ddosbarth | CY3660 | 20 credits |
| Cyfieithu Proffesiynol | CY3705 | 20 credits |
| Blas ar Ymchwil | CY3900 | 20 credits |
| Ymchwilio Estynedig | CY3905 | 40 credits |
| International Politics in the Nuclear Age | PL9320 | 20 credits |
| Africa in International Thought and Practice: Colonialism, Anticolonialism, Postcolonialism | PL9321 | 20 credits |
| Bombs, Bullets and Ballot-boxes: the Northern Ireland Conflict, 1969 to 1998 | PL9324 | 20 credits |
| Political Economy: Rationality in an Irrational World? | PL9325 | 20 credits |
| Popular Culture and World Politics | PL9328 | 20 credits |
| War and Society | PL9331 | 20 credits |
| Justice, Legitimacy and International Law | PL9336 | 20 credits |
| Sex, Drugs and Public Policy | PL9338 | 20 credits |
| Politics in Practice: Work Placement Module | PL9340 | 20 credits |
| Be the Change: Governing without the State | PL9346 | 20 credits |
| The Politics of Populism in Europe | PL9350 | 20 credits |
| Governing Global Public Health: Viral Pandemics, and the Global Drugs 'Epidemic' | PL9353 | 20 credits |
| Anglo-American relations and Cold War defence | PL9357 | 20 credits |
| China in the World | PL9358 | 20 credits |
| Strategy in Theory and Practice | PL9359 | 20 credits |
| The Political Economy of Wales: From Coal to Covid-19 | PL9361 | 20 credits |
| Economi Wleidyddol Cymru: o 'Oes y glo' i 'Oes y clo' | PL9362 | 20 credits |
| The End of the World as We Know It | PL9364 | 20 credits |
| After the West: IR 2.0 | PL9365 | 20 credits |
| US Government and Politics | PL9374 | 20 credits |
| Cyfiawnder Byd-eang | PL9377 | 20 credits |
| Cenedlaetholdeb, Crefydd a Chyfiawnder: Hanes Athroniaeth yr 20fed Ganrif yng Nghymru | PL9378 | 20 credits |
| Parliamentary Studies Module | PL9380 | 20 credits |
| International Relations Dissertation | PL9385 | 20 credits |
| Politics Dissertation | PL9386 | 20 credits |
| Global International Organisation in World Politics | PL9391 | 20 credits |
| Personality and Power | PL9392 | 20 credits |
The University is committed to providing a wide range of module options where possible, but please be aware that whilst every effort is made to offer choice this may be limited in certain circumstances. This is due to the fact that some modules have limited numbers of places available, which are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, while others have minimum student numbers required before they will run, to ensure that an appropriate quality of education can be delivered; some modules require students to have already taken particular subjects, and others are core or required on the programme you are taking. Modules may also be limited due to timetable clashes, and although the University works to minimise disruption to choice, we advise you to seek advice from the relevant School on the module choices available.
Learning and assessment
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).
All modules in the School of Welsh are taught through the medium of Welsh. Politics and International Relations provide opportunities for learning and teaching through the medium of Welsh. Seminar teaching in Welsh is available in modules in each of Years 1, 2 and 3. Students may elect to write all or some of their assessed work and examinations in Welsh.
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
- hone linguistic skills and a broad appreciation of the culture, literature and history of Italian and Italian-speaking countries
- 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
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.
Politics at Cardiff University is a respected recruitment pool for a variety of employers within the sector with the Public Service Ombudsman for Wales, the Department for Education, Oxford City Council, the UK Border Agency and a range of political parties all recruiting from recent graduating years.
The degree is also of interest to employers in both the public and private sectors, with graduates taking up management training opportunities within Ernst & Young, Enterprise Rent A Car, Zurich Insurance and King Worldwide.
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
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HESA Data: Copyright Higher Education Statistics Agency Limited 2021. The Higher Education Statistics Agency Limited cannot accept responsibility for any inferences or conclusions derived by third parties from its data. Data is from the latest Graduate Outcomes Survey 2019/20, published by HESA in June 2022.
