Childhood and Youth Studies and Welsh BA (Hons)

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

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.