About This Course
This Childhood and Youth Studies and Welsh BA allows you to combine two complementary fields in exciting ways. Childhood and Youth Studies addresses the current demand for qualified specialists who can work with children, young people and their families in a range of contexts, in the community and in organizations. Similarly, Welsh in Bangor is much more than a degree course: it is a complete cultural experience that will enable you to play a professional role in the excitement of creating a truly bilingual Wales. This course offers a combination of a solid academic foundation and a practical and operational dimension: the result is the production of professionals who can cope with the challenges of a modern and vibrant society in a bilingual country.
The course offers opportunities to study abroad, as well as to present in conferences, helping you to develop your academic and employability skills. Each year you have the opportunity to go on work placements to develop your understanding of aspects of children's needs and development and to research current issues and practice. Our teaching team has expertise and backgrounds in psychology, sociology, children's rights, linguistics, education, forensics, health and welfare. This rich and diverse learning environment is a unique feature of our course, giving you the opportunity to study childhood and adolescence from many perspectives.
Welsh at Bangor is a living language of the present day rather than a relic of the past. 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. This course will enable you to research independently, to practise original thinking, to develop an intimate knowledge of Welsh literature and culture and to master the various registers of the language. If you so wish, you will have the opportunity to pursue your creative interests under the guidance of experienced writers and poets. You will also gain an awareness of the Welsh language in wider international contexts. What is the relationship between Welsh and the other languages of the world? How does the fate of the language compare with languages like Basque and Irish? How have Welsh writers and poets responded to global themes such as slavery, the Holocaust and the ecological challenge of the modern industrial world? From the earliest times to the present, the choice of modules is wide and the opportunities to broaden your horizons are endless.
In areas such as education, social work, counselling, the creative industries and the heritage, broadcasting and media sectors, public relations and marketing, translation, language planning and public administration, Bangor graduates fulfil important roles. They are among the leaders of our contemporary Wales and are shaping our future.
Why Choose Bangor University for this course?
- This dynamic, multidisciplinary degree offers you the opportunity to study a diverse range of topics related to the lived experiences of children and young people in contemporary society, while also exploring life in cultural contexts across the centuries.
- You can choose to study 100% of your modules through the medium of Welsh.
- A world-renowned centre for the study of Welsh and Celtic Studies.
- Study in the unique Celtic linguistic environment of Gwynedd (north-west Wales) where Welsh remains the language of the majority.
Additional Course Options
This course is available with a Placement Year option where you will study for 1 additional year. The Placement Year is undertaken at the end of the second year and students are away for the whole of the academic year.
The Placement Year provides you with a fantastic opportunity to broaden your horizons and develop valuable skills and contacts through working with a self-sourced organisation relevant to your degree subject. The minimum period in placement (at one or more locations) is seven calendar months; more usually you would spend 10-12 months with a placement provider. You would normally start sometime in the period June to September of your second year and finish between June and September the following year. Placements can be UK-based or overseas and you will work with staff to plan and finalise the placement arrangements.
You will be expected to find and arrange a suitable placement to complement your degree and will be fully supported throughout by a dedicated member of staff at your academic School and the University’s Careers and Employability Services.
You will have the opportunity to fully consider this option when you have started your course at Bangor and can make an application for a transfer onto this pathway at the appropriate time. Read more about the work experience opportunities that may be available to you or, if you have any questions, please get in touch.
This course is available with an International Experience Year option where you will study or work abroad for 1 additional year. You will have ‘with International Experience’ added to your degree title on graduating.
Studying abroad is a great opportunity to see a different way of life, learn about new cultures and broaden your horizons. With international experience of this kind, you’ll really improve your career prospects. There are a wide variety of destinations and partner universities to choose from. If you plan to study in a country where English is not spoken natively, there may be language courses available for you at Bangor and in your host university to improve your language skills.
You will have the opportunity to fully consider this option at any time during your degree at Bangor and make your application. If you have any questions in the meantime, please get in touch.
Read more about the International Experience Year programme and see the studying or working abroad options on the Student Exchanges section of our website.
Course Content
You will learn through a combination of lectures, seminars, digital resources and practical workshops. Lectures and seminars make creative use of a variety of digital resources and media to help you plan, record and support your progress. An integral element of the program are the guest speakers and educational visits that enrich and reinforce your learning.
On this course you will have the opportunity to participate in and experience the following:
- Workshops on issues as diverse as children's literacy, children and technology and children's rights with the support of experts in those fields.
- Use of digital media and resources to educate, support research, help record progress and share work.
- Participate in meetings and conferences on a variety of course related issues, including children's voices and the contribution of childhood and adolescence to decision-making processes.
- Regular presentations by experts in the field in areas related to different childhood and youth pathways, and Welsh language literature.
- Educational visits in the local area, to places of national significance and, in some cases, to international locations.
- Opportunity to work alongside employers and service providers in relevant areas, including education, care services and agencies supporting provision for young people.
- Regular contact and support with important organizations, including schools, social care organizations and children's rights organizations. Liaise with these organizations to help develop ideas and pathways related to individual career aspirations.
You will write essays, undertake various weekly exercises and tasks, read and prepare for seminars. Assessments are a combination of coursework and examinations, with some modules assessed solely on the basis of coursework. If you are from a second language background, all your Welsh-language instruction in the first year will be specifically tailored for you and a continuation of your language experiences to date. Additional language support is also provided in the second and third years.
What will you study on this course?
The course will include modules covering psychological, sociological and educational perspectives on issues relevant to childhood and adolescence, both theoretical and practical. You can study and enjoy the whole range of Welsh literature, and can also take vocational or creative modules (it's your choice).
In your third year, you will undertake a major research project in an area of your choice. Depending on your area of research, you may be involved in projects in school, nursery or with practitioners in the childhood and youth industry. Recent Welsh graduates have chosen to research individuals such as Dafydd ap Gwilym, Kate Roberts, Mihangel Morgan, Angharad Tomos, Caryl Lewis, Meic Stevens and Geraint Jarman and areas such as eco-criticism, gender and transgender, the language of Pembrokeshire, Welsh literature and slavery, literature and horses and football in literature.
You can choose to study 100% of your modules through the medium of Welsh, and choose to have a Welsh speaking personal tutor; you can do your assignments in English or Welsh. As a bilingual speaker, you may feel more confident writing in either language. On this course, you can follow Childhood and Youth Studies modules through the medium of Welsh and submit work in English, or vice versa. Whatever your decision, we will support you in developing your bilingual skills.
Facilities
General University Facilities
Library and Archive Services
Our four libraries provide a range of attractive study environments including collaborative work areas, meeting rooms and silent study spaces.
We have an extensive collection of books and journals and many of the journals are available online in full-text format.
We house one of the largest university-based archives not only in Wales, but also the UK. Allied to the Archives is the Special Collections of rare printed books.
Learning Resources
There is a range of learning resources available, supported by experienced staff, to help you in your studies.
The University’s IT Services provides computing, media and reprographics facilities and services including:
- Over 1,150 computers for students, with some PC rooms open 24 hours a day
- Blackboard, a commercial Virtual Learning Environment, that makes learning materials available on-line.
Course Costs
General University Costs
Home (UK) students
- The cost of a full-time undergraduate course is £9,250 per year (2025/26).
- The fee for all integrated study abroad years is £1,385 (2025/26).
- The fee for an integrated year in industry as part of a sandwich programme is £1,850 (2025/26).
More information on fees and finance for Home (UK) students.
International (including EU) students
Additional Costs
There are also some common additional costs that are likely to arise for students on all courses, for example:
- If you choose to study abroad or take the International Experience Year as part of your course.
- If you attend your Graduation Ceremony, there will be a cost for gown hire (£25-£75) and cost for additional guest tickets (c.£12 each).
Course-specific additional costs
Depending on the course you are studying, there may be additional course-specific costs that you will be required to meet. These fall into three categories:
- Mandatory Costs: these are related to a particular core or compulsory module that you’ll be required to complete to achieve your qualification e.g. compulsory field trips, uniforms for students on placement, DBS Check.
- Necessarily Incurred Costs: these may not be experienced by all students, and will vary depending on the course e.g. professional body membership, travel to placements, specialist software, personal safety equipment.
- Optional Costs: these depend on your choice of modules or activity and they are shown to give you an indication of the optional costs that may arise to make sure your choice is as informed as possible. These can include graduation events for your course, optional field trips, Welcome Week trips.
Entry Requirements
Offers are tariff based, 96 - 128 tariff points from a Level 3 qualification e.g.:
- A Levels: including grade B in Welsh (or a grade B in a humanities subject studies through the medium of Welsh - e.g. History, Geography, Religious Studies). General Studies and Key Skills not normally accepted
- BTEC National Extended Diploma**: MMM-DDM
- Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma**: MMM-DDM
- City & Guilds Advanced Technical Extended Diploma (1080): considered on a case-by-case basis
- International Baccalaureate Diploma: including grade H5 in Welsh**
- Access**: pass required
- Welsh Baccalaureate: We will accept this qualification in conjunction with other level 3 qualifications
- T Levels: T Levels in a relevant subject considered on a case-by-case basis
- NCFE CACHE Level 3 Extended Diploma
- Irish Leaving Certificate: 96- 128 points from a minimum of 4 Higher Subjects
- Extended Project Qualification: Points can include a relevant Extended Project (EPQ) but must include a minimum 2 full A-levels, or equivalent.
We are happy to accept combinations of the qualifications listed above, as well as alternative Level 3 qualifications such as City & Guilds, Access and Cambridge Technical Diplomas.
We also welcome applications from mature learners.
International Candidates: school leaving qualifications that are equivalent to A levels/Level 3 and/or college diplomas are accepted from countries worldwide (subject to minimum English Language requirements). More information can be found on our International pages.
*For a full list of accepted Level 3 qualifications, go to www.ucas.com.
**Can be considered in conjunction with another qualification in Welsh or taken through the medium of Welsh (e.g. A Levels).
Additional Information
Applicants are required to undergo an enhanced DBS check for the child workforce including a check of the children’s barred list. Applicants who have lived or worked outside the UK are also required to undertake a criminal records check in their countries of residence .
Offers are tariff based, 96 - 128 tariff points from a Level 3 qualification e.g.:
- A Levels: including grade B in Welsh (or a grade B in a humanities subject studies through the medium of Welsh - e.g. History, Geography, Religious Studies). General Studies and Key Skills not normally accepted
- BTEC National Extended Diploma**: MMM-DDM
- Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma**: MMM-DDM
- City & Guilds Advanced Technical Extended Diploma (1080): considered on a case-by-case basis
- International Baccalaureate Diploma: including grade H5 in Welsh**
- Access**: pass required
- Welsh Baccalaureate: We will accept this qualification in conjunction with other level 3 qualifications
- T Levels: T Levels in a relevant subject considered on a case-by-case basis
- NCFE CACHE Level 3 Extended Diploma
- Irish Leaving Certificate: 96- 128 points from a minimum of 4 Higher Subjects
- Extended Project Qualification: Points can include a relevant Extended Project (EPQ) but must include a minimum 2 full A-levels, or equivalent.
We are happy to accept combinations of the qualifications listed above, as well as alternative Level 3 qualifications such as City & Guilds, Access and Cambridge Technical Diplomas.
We also welcome applications from mature learners.
International Candidates: school leaving qualifications that are equivalent to A levels/Level 3 and/or college diplomas are accepted from countries worldwide (subject to minimum English Language requirements). More information can be found on our International pages.
*For a full list of accepted Level 3 qualifications, go to www.ucas.com.
**Can be considered in conjunction with another qualification in Welsh or taken through the medium of Welsh (e.g. A Levels).
Additional Information
Applicants are required to undergo an enhanced DBS check for the child workforce including a check of the children’s barred list. Applicants who have lived or worked outside the UK are also required to undertake a criminal records check in their countries of residence .
General University Requirements
To study for a degree, you’ll be asked for a minimum of UCAS Tariff points. For a fuller explanation of the UCAS Tariff Points, please see www.ucas.com.
We accept students with a wide range of qualifications and backgrounds and consider each application individually.
All students need to have good basic skills and the University also values IT and communication skills.
As part of the University’s policy, we consider applications from prospective disabled students on the same grounds as all other students.
We also consider applications from mature students who can demonstrate the motivation and commitment to study a university programme. Each year we enrol a significant number of mature students. For more information about studying as a mature student, see our Studying at Bangor section of the website.
EU and International Students' Entry Requirements
For detailed guidance on the entry requirements for EU and International Students, including the minimum English Language entry requirement, please visit the Entry Requirements by Country pages. International applicants can also visit the International Education Centre section of our website for further details.
Bangor University offers International Incorporated Bachelor Degrees for International students whose High School qualification is not equivalent to the UK school leaving qualification. The first year (or Year 0) is studied at Bangor University International College, an embedded College on our University campus and delivered by Oxford International Education Group.
Careers
There has never been a more exciting time to study Welsh - or study through the medium of Welsh - at Bangor. 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 through the medium of the language and use it - both orally and in writing - in various work situations.
The degree’s multidisciplinary approach prepares students for a range of career choices in education, psychology and sociology and related professions, in the public and private sectors, including health, social care, youth work and community work. On the other hand, some students continue their studies on a Masters program or apply for a place on a PGCE Primary course. If you decide to apply for a PGCE Primary course at Bangor, you will be offered an interview if you meet the entry requirements.
This degree is suitable for students who wish to pursue a career in any of the main routes underpinning the course: Education, Psychology, Social Sciences and Literature / Culture. The depth of knowledge and fine-tuned skills gained on the course provide a solid foundation to specialize in many environments. In areas such as education, social work, counselling, the creative industries, the heritage, broadcasting and media sectors, public relations and marketing, translation, language planning and public administration, Bangor graduates fulfil important roles. They are among the leaders of our contemporary Wales and are shaping our future.
Opportunities at Bangor
The University’s Careers and Employability Service provides a wide range of resources to help you achieve your graduate ambitions.
Internships
Bangor University runs a paid internship scheme within the university’s academic and service departments.
Student Volunteering
Volunteering widens your experience and improves your employability. Find out more about volunteering on the Students’ Union’s website.
