About the School of Welsh

A degree in Welsh gives you the opportunity to study one of Europe's oldest languages and a literature that dates back to the sixth century. You will have the opportunity to learn more about Wales' rich poetic tradition and some of the most outstanding features of our prose tradition.

John Morris-Jones was the first Professor of Welsh at Bangor, one of our most important scholars and also a successful poet. One of his most famous students in the early twentieth century was Kate Roberts, an author who became known as the Queen of Welsh Literature.

During your time at the department, you will have the opportunity to study the work of many other former students of the department, who include some of the most prominent writers of the twentieth and twenty-first centuries.

• Islwyn Ffowc Elis, author of Cysgod y Cryman, a novel named Welsh Book of the Century in 1999
• Eigra Lewis Roberts, a prolific author who has twice won the National Eisteddfod Prose Medal and who also won the Crown at the Swansea National Eisteddfod in 2006
• Angharad Tomos, author of astounding novels such as Yma o Hyd and Si Hei Lwli and the winner of two National Eisteddfod Prose Medals
• Sonia Edwards, the Anglesey writer who won the National Eisteddfod Prose Medal in 1999
• R. Williams Parry, one of the greatest Welsh language poets of all time
• Gwyn Thomas, National Poet of Wales and one of the most prolific and influential poets of the second half of the twentieth century.

• Alan Llwyd, winner of the Chair and Crown poetry competitions at both the 1973 and 1976 National Eisteddfodau, and author of the Oscar nominated Hedd Wyn film script  
• Nesta Wyn Jones, a delicately lyrical poet who has published four collections of poetry
• Einir Jones, a poet of dazzling imagery who won the Crown at the Mold National Eisteddfod in 1991
• Tudur Dylan Jones, one of the leading lights of the current wave of  poets writing in cynghanedd and strict metre and winner of the Chair at the 1995 and 2005 National Eisteddfodau 
• John Gwilym Jones, playwright, novelist, short story writer and influential literary critic
• William R. Lewis, an Anglesey playwright who has been twice commissioned to write works for the National Eisteddfod
• Dewi Wyn Williams, a successful playwright and author of the stage play Leni and a number of works for television
• Aled Jones Williams, the playwright and fiction writer who won the Crown at the Pembrokeshire National Eisteddfod in 2002

The fact that creative writers such as R. Williams Parry, John Gwilym Jones and Gwyn Thomas are former members of staff and Angharad Price, Jason Walford Davies, William R. Lewis and Gerwyn Wiliams are currently lecturers here is a clear indication of the department's commitment to the Welsh language as both a rigorous academic discipline and a living creative medium.

As a department we place great emphasis on looking after the best interests of our students. You will be allocated a Personal Tutor who will be available to assist you both with matters relating to your academic progress and your personal welfare. In addition, to make it easier for you to settle in during your first semester, all freshers are allocated a Peer Guide.

This second or third year student will be able to give you practical advice on issues relating to student life.

Another reason for studying at Bangor is the high quality of life of our students. We guarantee accommodation in halls of residence for all our first year students. The most famous hall for Welsh-speaking students is Neuadd John Morris-Jones, home to generations of Welsh-speaking students in Bangor over many years.

The city and wider area offer a wide range of social and cultural activities. In addition, as Bangor is located on the banks of the Menai Straits and at the foot of the mountains of Snowdonia, this is one of the most beautiful university locations you will find anywhere.