J.R.R. Tolkien once asserted that Welsh is of this soil, this island, the senior language ofBritain, and Welsh is beautiful. As Wales develops into a dynamic bilingual country there has never been a more exciting time to study the most vibrant of the Celtic languages. Follow the story of Welsh from the medieval tales of the Mabinogion to the multifaceted Welsh-language culture of contemporary Wales. This four-year programme is designed for beginners and unconfident speakers. It includes an intensive language-focussed Foundation Year, followed by the comprehensive Welsh (second-language pathway) three-year BA degree scheme.<br>Along this path, Welsh-medium teaching increases gradually as your skills develop, and special modules are designed to facilitate 'crossing the bridge' from learner to enterprising speaker with a degree in Welsh .<br>Don't worry if you don't have A levels Welsh - we are always happy to consider other qualifications, and alternative experiences: Welsh is a subject for students of all backgrounds. And this four year course allows complete beginners to study with us, even if they have never spoken a word of Welsh.<br>Doing a degree in Welsh allows you to enjoy and appreciate one of Europe's richest literary cultures - the culture of Wales. You will be given every help to fully participate in the Welsh life of the university and the locality, and you will also learn about Welsh in wider international contexts. We ask questions such as how the fate of the language compares with languages such as Basque and Irish, or how Welsh writers and poets have responded to global themes such as slavery, the Holocaust and the ecological challenge of the modern world.<br>Placement Year and International Experience Year Available<br><br>Careers<br>Bangor's second language students have enjoyed great success recently. Many have gained first class degrees, and some have won University awards for their work (competing with first language students). Some have chosen to go on to successful careers where their Welsh language skills are essential, others have decided to stay in academia, and complete postgraduate degrees in Welsh, either here at Bangor or at other universities internationally.<br>There has never been a more exciting time to study 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. <br>In pursuit of this goal there will be a considerable demand for confident Welsh speaking graduates. A degree in Welsh will qualify you as well as any other route in the Humanities would - and doing so better than many other subjects. Employability statistics show, year on year, that graduates from the School of Welsh succeed exceptionally well in finding qualified work. The ability to communicate effectively in spoken and written Welsh is an essential skill in an ever-increasing number of jobs, and Welsh is not a subject that closes any doors on finding work internationally either.