Scholarship worth £1,500 available for everyone studying part of their university course through the medium of Welsh

The Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol is today announcing that it is extending its Incentive Scholarship Scheme to include every student starting university in September 2020 who chooses to study at least 40 credits through the medium of Welsh. Scholarship holders will receive £500 per year (or £1,500 over three years).

In previous years the Coleg Cymraeg has awarded an incentive scholarship to up to 200 students a year but in response to the Covid-19 crisis, the Coleg has decided to extend the scheme to all qualifying students, targeting at least 500 students who wish to study whatever subject they wish, including the Welsh language and undergraduate Initial Teacher Training courses.  

The Coleg hopes that this financial incentive will support more Welsh speakers to choose to study through the medium of Welsh in September and supports universities, who are facing considerable challenges as a result of the crisis, to provide Welsh courses to as many students as possible.

The Coleg Cymraeg’s Registrar, Dr Dafydd Trystan said:

“In response to the Covid-19 crisis, the Coleg has committed to do everything within its power to support students and universities. It is a pleasure therefore to announce that we are extending the incentive scholarship scheme and we would encourage anyone considering starting a university course in Wales in September to study in Welsh and to apply for a scholarship.”

Welcoming the scheme, Education Minister, Kirsty Williams, said:

“It is excellent news that the Coleg will substantially increase its incentive scholarships for students this September, and I’m pleased that this will include undergraduate Initial Teacher Training and Welsh courses.  We need many more confident bilingual teachers to address the growth in Welsh-medium education and to support the new curriculum from 2022 onwards.”

The scheme has received wide support from across the Higher Education sector. Lleucu Myrddin, President of Undeb Myfyrwyr Cymraeg Bangor (Bangor Welsh Students’ Union) said:

“It’s excellent to see the Coleg’s commitment to encouraging more students to study through the medium of Welsh and to offer additional Support to universities and students during such uncertain times. I sincerely hope that a good number of young people will take advantage of this special opportunity and of the excellent Welsh language provision available for them.”

According to Tim Hayes, head of years 12 and 13 at Ysgol Bro Myrddin, Carmarthen:

“In what is a very uncertain time it’s good to receive news which offers some assurance to our young learners. The news that the Coleg’s incentive scholarship scheme for students studying a third of their course through the medium of Welsh in any course and in any of Wales’ universities from September is being extended is extremely heartening. I very much hope that our young people will take advantage of the opportunity to begin their studies this year in spite of the concerns surrounding Covid, that they continue to enjoy the benefits of studying at least part of their subject through the medium of Welsh and develop into a confident and bilingual workforce.”  

For more information and to apply for a scholarship students should visit the Coleg Cymraeg website and complete an application form.