Welsh / International Relations

Welsh and international relations is a degree that connects the study of Wales as a bilingual nation with a distinct cultural identity to the broader analysis of how states and other actors interact in an interconnected world. Welsh is not only the everyday language of a substantial part of the Welsh population but a language with a rich literary tradition, a growing body of contemporary media and cultural production, and an official status in Wales that creates genuine professional demand for people who can work in it. International relations, meanwhile, provides the analytical frameworks for understanding global politics, conflict, diplomacy, and the forces reshaping international order.

At Aberystwyth this three-year full-time programme introduces you to modules that consider Wales and the world through Welsh, alongside international relations topics that address the main challenges of the twenty-first century. You will develop your Welsh to a high level of academic and professional proficiency, engaging with the language in its contemporary social, cultural, and political contexts. Your international relations work will develop your understanding of global politics, security, development, and the institutions of global governance, giving you the analytical tools to engage with current events and long-term trends in world affairs.

The combination of Welsh and international relations produces a distinctive graduate profile. The ability to work in Welsh is valued by the Welsh government, the Senedd, local authorities, the BBC, and many other public and private sector employers in Wales, while the international relations knowledge opens broader professional paths.

Graduates move into careers in the Welsh public sector, media, international organisations, journalism, education, and a wide range of other professional fields both in Wales and beyond. Many also continue to postgraduate study in Welsh, international relations, or related fields.