BA (Hons) Welsh and Music Bachelor's degree at Cardiff University
BA (Hons) Welsh and Music at Cardiff University. Studying Welsh and Music together at Cardiff University means engaging with two subjects that are deeply woven into Welsh culture and identity, side by side rather than as separate strands.
About this course
BA (Hons) Welsh and Music is a Bachelor's degree (BA (Hons)) at Cardiff University. It runs 3 years, studied full-time.
For Language and area studies graduates from this provider, 95% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, 75% in highly skilled roles, typical earnings around £25,000. (HESA Graduate Outcomes / LEO, via Discover Uni.)
For the typical curriculum, specialisations, career paths and graduate earnings for Modern Languages, see the sections below.
Course evidence score
The arithmetic mean of the official measures available for this course: NSS satisfaction, graduate activity and continuation.
Published threshold met NSS publication requires sufficient responses; small differences are not a rank. NSS mean of 7 published themes (Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Moderate evidence Published sample: 80; avoid reading small differences as meaningful. Cohort 2021-23. Graduate Outcomes work or further study 95% (2021-23; Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Published threshold met Discover Uni suppresses continuation data below its publication threshold. Cohort 2022-23. Continuation 95% (2022-23; Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Curriculum & modules
Real modules published for this course, grouped only where the source gives a year, stage or level.
Year one 6 modules
- Iaith ac YstyrCore
Module details
Language and Meaning
- Awdur, Testun a DarllenyddCore
Module details
Author, Text and Reader
- Y Gymraeg yn y Gymru GyfoesCore
Module details
The Welsh Language in Contemporary Wales
- Sgiliau IaithCore
Module details
Language Skills
- Sgiliau Astudio LlenyddiaethCore
Module details
Studying Literature Skills
- Y Gymraeg HeddiwCore
Module details
The Welsh Language Today
Year two 1 modules
- Yr Iaith ar WaithCore20 credits
Year three 2 modules
- Blas ar YmchwilCompulsory
Module details
Research Taster
- Ymchwilio EstynedigCompulsory
Module details
Extended Research
Source: provider course page. Modules can change; required/optional status, credits, descriptions and assessment are shown only when explicitly published.
Course in depth
What this course covers, who it suits and where it leads.
What you'll study
The course structure moves you from grounding to independence over the three years. Early on, you'll cover core theory in both Welsh (language, literature and cultural context) and music (harmony, analysis, historical and stylistic knowledge), building the vocabulary and frameworks you need for more advanced work later. Research and methods training runs alongside this, introducing you to how scholars and practitioners in both fields ask questions, gather evidence and construct arguments - skills that matter whether you're analysing a medieval Welsh text or a piece of contemporary composition. Applied practice is a significant part of the course too: for music, this might mean performance, composition or ensemble work; for Welsh, it typically involves developing spoken and written fluency through structured practice. As you progress, specialist options let you shape the degree towards areas that interest you most, such as particular periods of Welsh literature, specific musical genres, or areas of language and cultural study, allowing some genuine personalisation within the shared curriculum. The independent project in the final year is where you bring your learning together, working on a sustained piece of research, composition or performance-based work that reflects your own interests and demonstrates what you've learned across both subjects. Professional skills teaching threads through the degree as well, helping you develop the practical competencies - written communication, presentation, project management - that apply well beyond either subject individually.
Who it's for
This course will suit you if you're genuinely curious about Welsh language and culture and also drawn to music, whether as a performer, composer or someone who simply loves thinking critically about it. You don't need to be a fluent Welsh speaker before you start, but you should be willing to commit to developing that fluency steadily over three years - if the idea of gradually building a new language skill alongside musical study appeals rather than daunts you, that's a good sign. You'll likely enjoy both close analytical work (unpicking a text or a score) and more creative or expressive tasks (writing, composing, performing), since the course asks for both. Most students accepted onto courses like this arrive with A-levels or equivalent, typically in the 144-159 UCAS tariff range, often including relevant subjects such as Welsh, music or English, though what matters most is a real interest in both fields rather than narrow specialism. Expect a mix of independent study - practising, reading, composing - and collaborative work, including ensemble playing and seminar discussion, so you should be comfortable working both alone and with others. If you're the kind of person who likes seeing connections between disciplines rather than keeping them in separate boxes, studying Welsh and Music side by side is likely to feel rewarding rather than disjointed.
Careers & job market
Graduates from Modern Languages courses nationally have gone into a range of fields, and the dual grounding in Welsh and music opens routes into areas such as education, broadcasting, arts administration, translation, performance and cultural or heritage work, particularly within Wales where both language skills and cultural knowledge are valued. Nationally, Graduate Outcomes data shows that around 85% of graduates from Modern Languages courses are in work or further study 15 months after graduating, with about 70% of working graduates in roles classed as highly skilled or continuing into further study. These figures relate to the national picture for the subject area rather than being specific to this course or a guarantee of individual outcomes. National earnings data (LEO) for the broader subject area shows starting salaries around 15 months after graduation typically ranging from £24,000 to £33,500, rising to roughly £25,500-£36,000 after three years and £32,725-£46,200 after five years - again, national figures reflecting a range of outcomes rather than fixed amounts tied to this specific course. Around 90% of students nationally continue past their first year of study, an indicator of retention across the field rather than a promise of individual progression.
University & format
Cardiff University is a public, research-intensive institution and a member of the Russell Group, founded in 1883 and now home to over 30,000 students. The BA (Hons) Welsh and Music is a full-time, three-year course taught in English, based at Cardiff University's campus in the Welsh capital. As a recognised UK degree-awarding body, the university's degrees carry national recognition, and its Russell Group membership reflects a broader institutional commitment to research alongside teaching. The university also offers bursaries and scholarships, and it's worth checking Cardiff's own funding pages for current details, as availability and criteria can change from year to year.
Student satisfaction
How students on this course answered the National Student Survey, by theme.
Share of students responding positively. Overall student satisfaction: 100%.
Published threshold met NSS publication requires sufficient responses; small differences are not a rank. NSS mean of 7 published themes (Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Applicant information
The next application dates for this course, followed by facts the provider publishes.
- 2027 entryCompleted applications can be submitted
Your application needs a reference before you can send it.
- 2026 entryFinal date for 2026 applications
Applications must reach UCAS by 18:00 UK time.
- 2026 entryLast day to add a Clearing choice
Check that this course still has a vacancy before adding it.
- 2027 entryEqual-consideration deadline
18:00 UK time for most undergraduate courses.
Show 5 later dates
- 2027 entryUCAS Extra opens
Applicants who used all five choices and hold no offer may be able to add another choice.
- 2027 entryLast day applications go directly to providers
Applications received after 18:00 UK time are entered into Clearing.
- 2027 entryClearing opens
Eligible applicants can see vacancies and release themselves into Clearing.
- 2027 entryFinal date for 2027 applications
Applications must reach UCAS by 18:00 UK time.
- 2027 entryLast day to add a Clearing choice
Check that this course still has a vacancy before adding it.
Provider-published requirement; check the linked course page before applying.
Entry & how to get in
Who gets in
What recently admitted students actually held, official admissions data, not a stated requirement.
UCAS tariff of entrants
Grades are the A-level equivalent of each points band. Tap a band to check your own chances below.
Qualifications held on entry
| Qualification | Share |
|---|---|
| A-levels or equivalent | 90% |
| another higher-education qualification | 5% |
| No / unknown prior qualifications | 5% |
| Other | 5% |
Entry & your chances
An honest read from the official entry data, plus your personal match.
Accepted students typically held strong UCAS tariffs. Check how your predicted grades compare and whether a contextual offer applies.
Will you get in? Plot your grades
Pick your predicted A-levels and watch your UCAS points land on the real spread of students admitted to this course.
Each bar is the share of admitted students in that UCAS-points band (lower → higher). Grades show the A-level equivalent.
Based on the official admitted-student tariff distribution. Many universities make contextual (reduced-grade) offers, so a result below the range doesn’t rule you out.
How to apply
Undergraduate applications go through UCAS. Here’s what matters for this course, the right deadline, the grades to aim for, and the steps in order.
- 1Register on UCAS Hub
Create your UCAS application and add this course. One application covers up to five choices.
- 2Write your personal statement
A single statement covers all your choices, so keep it broad enough for similar courses while showing genuine interest in this subject.
- 3Submit by 13 January 2027, 18:00 UK time
UCAS equal-consideration deadline for most undergraduate courses. Source: UCAS 2027 dates.
- 4Reply to your offers
When decisions are in, pick a firm (first) choice and an insurance (back-up) choice with slightly lower grades.
- 5Results day & confirmation
On results day (mid-August) your place is confirmed if you meet the offer. Just missed? Talk to the university, or find a place through Clearing.
Fees & funding
What this course costs and how UK student finance covers it.
Tuition per year
Set under Wales's student-finance system; the provider's page is authoritative.
Check fees at Cardiff University →If you normally live in Wales
2026/27 total maintenance support from Student Finance Wales. How much of it is grant and how much is loan depends on household income; the total does not. If you normally live elsewhere, use your home funding body.
Check your entitlement with Student Finance Wales →Paying for it
- Tuition Fee Loan: paid directly to the university by Student Finance Wales.
- Maintenance support: a mix of grant and loan from Student Finance Wales, weighted to household income.
- Repayment: only above the income threshold, and written off at the end of the plan term.
- Earn alongside: most students work part-time in term, part-time roles on the StudySmarter job board.
Wales runs its own system through Student Finance Wales; check studentfinancewales.co.uk for current rates.
Scholarships & bursaries you could qualify for
That does not mean no funding exists. Check the university directory for current amounts, eligibility and application dates.
We only display a named award when its provider source identifies the award and who it is for.
Still deciding what to study?
StudyKit brings course choice, applications and funding together in one place, with a personal AI assistant. Find what really fits you and start your UCAS application step by step.
Careers & earnings
What Modern Languages graduates actually earn, from real outcome data, 15 months, 3 years and 5 years after graduating.
Graduate earnings: this course
| When | Median | Typical range | Graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 months after | £25,000 | £23,000 – £30,000 | 80 |
| 3 years after | £24,000 | £19,500 – £28,000 | 560 |
| 5 years after | £29,000 | £25,000 – £36,000 | 605 |
Nominal earnings for graduates of this course/subject at this provider. Moderate evidence. Published sample: 80; avoid reading small differences as meaningful. Cohort 2021-23.
Graduate outcomes, 15 months on: this course
- 1Graduate roleFirst role after the degree · 0–2 yrs
- 2Specialist / PractitionerWorking in modern languages · 2–5 yrs
- 3Senior / LeadLeading work and people · 5–10 yrs
- 4Head of / ExpertSenior leadership or deep expertise · 10+ yrs
How pay grows: this course vs Modern Languages nationally
National figures for Modern Languages graduates, HESA Graduate Outcomes (15 months) and the Longitudinal Education Outcomes (LEO) dataset (3 & 5 years). These are national, not university-specific; actual pay varies by employer, region, role and experience. Different cohorts, so the bars are not one group over time.
Work out your pay
Headline figures hide a lot. Calculate realistic take-home pay for this field by role, region and experience, then check your CV before you apply.
What happened to 100 students?
Choose an outcome to translate the published percentage into a simple 100-person view. Each dot represents one percentage point, not an individual tracked student.
were in work or further study
15 months after graduation
Source: Discover Uni, using Graduate Outcomes and continuation data. Cohorts: 2021-23. Moderate evidence. Published sample: 80; avoid reading small differences as meaningful. Cohort 2021-23. Each tab is a separate published measure; categories can overlap and should not be added together.
Value compared with similar courses
How this course’s 5-year median earnings compare with Modern Languages courses at the same study level.
Compared with 931 courses with compatible official earnings data. This is a course-value comparison, not a quality ranking.
UK occupations graduates enter
Published graduate destinations, joined conservatively to UK SOC 2020, ONS pay and Skills England demand.
- Teaching ProfessionalsSOC 2020 231 · 20% of published destinations · ASHE median £42,660
- Legal professionalsSOC 2020 241 · 20% of published destinations · ASHE median £45,000
- Administrative occupationsSOC 2020 41 · 10% of published destinations · ASHE median £27,006
- Artistic, literary and media occupationsSOC 2020 341 · 10% of published destinations · ASHE median £33,824
- Welfare and housing associate professionalsSOC 2020 322 · 10% of published destinations · ASHE median £27,937
Discover Uni JOBLIST/JOBTYPE; ONS ASHE 2025 provisional, all employee jobs; Skills England Occupations in Demand 2025. SOC is shown only for an exact normalised label match; demand is shown only at exact four-digit SOC. Published sample: 40; response rate: 60%. Pay describes the occupation across workers, not a guaranteed graduate salary.
Job market & outlook
How Modern Languages graduates fare in the labour market, and how AI is reshaping the work.
How AI is changing the work
AI doesn't replace the profession, it shifts it: routine tasks get automated, while judgement, working with people and using AI well become more valuable.
What AI takes off your plate
- Routine information gathering
- First-draft writing and summaries
- Standard analysis and admin
- Repetitive processing tasks
More human than ever
- Judgement and original thinking
- Working with and leading people
- Owning and sense-checking AI output
- Ethics and accountability
The strongest graduates pair subject depth with the ability to use AI tools critically.
Roles & employers
Where Modern Languages graduates typically go, indicative destinations from graduate career data. Each role links to live openings on the StudySmarter job board.
Roles graduates go into
Where they work
- Translation agencies
- International businesses
- Government (FCDO)
- Tourism & education
Jobs after this course
Current roles from the StudySmarter job board that suit Modern Languages graduates.
Head of Modern Languages, Inspire, Lead & Develop MFLSuffolk County Council11 To 18 (Secondary) QTS Programme - Modern Languages (French, Spanish or German)Diversity DashboardHead of Modern Languages - Inspire & Lead GCSE FrenchCoast and Vale Learning TrustHead Of Department of Modern LanguagesSheringham High SchoolHead of MFL: Lead & Grow our Modern Languages DepartmentWayman Learning TrustModern Foreign Languages Assistant (French) 18 hrs p/w (temporary position)The Cherwell SchoolIs this course right for you?
The essentials UK applicants ask about: finance, outcomes, entry and quality.
Student finance
Fees for this course are set under Wales's own student-finance system, not the England cap; check the provider's course page for the exact figure. If you normally live in Wales, Student Finance Wales can pay an eligible Tuition Fee Loan directly to the university, and maintenance support is a mix of grant and loan weighted to household income. You repay only above the income threshold.
Where graduates go
95% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, with a median salary of £25,000. See the full breakdown in Careers & earnings above.
Your entry chances
Use the UCAS points calculator above to see how your predicted grades compare with admitted students, and whether a contextual offer could apply.
Official-data snapshot
Averaging the official measures published for it, this course scores 9.6 out of 10: NSS 97.4% · in work or study 95% · continued 95%.
Who studies here and in this subject?
Provider- and UK subject-level context.
Cardiff University
Language and area studies across the UK
HESA student record 2024/25. Counts are rounded.
Local crime-data context
A neutral snapshot around the published teaching location.
Around Cardiff University - Main Campus
4,125 street-level reports returned within roughly one mile across 2026-04 to 2026-06.
Police.uk street-level API. Approximate locations, not confined to campus. England, Wales and Northern Ireland; not Scotland.
Is Modern Languages right for you?
Tick what applies to you and see how good a fit it is.
International students
What applying to Cardiff University from outside the UK involves: fees, English, visa, funding and living costs.
Tuition fees
International tuition is set per course by Cardiff University; international fees are typically £12,000–£30,000/year for classroom subjects and higher for lab/clinical ones. You’re not eligible for UK Tuition Fee or Maintenance Loans, so plan for fees plus living costs upfront.
English language
Most UK undergraduate courses ask for around IELTS 6.0–6.5 (no band below 5.5–6.0), or an accepted equivalent. If you’re just short, most universities run a pre-sessional English course that counts towards the requirement.
Student visa
You’ll usually need a Student visa (Student Route). After you accept an offer the university issues a CAS; you then show funds for fees plus about £1,023–£1,334/month living costs and pay the Immigration Health Surcharge for NHS access.
Scholarships & funding
Many universities offer international/global scholarships (often £2,000–£6,000/yr), check Cardiff University’s funding pages.
Living costs
Budget roughly £1,100–£1,400/month outside London and £1,400–£1,800/month in London for rent, food and travel; the figure also matters for your visa.
Working while you study
A Student visa usually allows up to 20 hours/week in term time and full-time in holidays, useful alongside study, though not something to rely on for fees.
Visa rules and fees change. Always confirm the current requirements with Cardiff University and gov.uk before you apply.
Related courses
More at Cardiff University
Common questions
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