Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol - Scholarships for studying in Welsh (Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol Scholarships)

What you get

These are cash awards for studying part or all of your degree through Welsh at a university in Wales. The money is a grant, not a loan, so you never repay it. The amount and length depend on which scholarship you match:

• Main Scholarship: about EUR 3,500 over 3 years (£3,000, £1,000/year) if you study at least 66% of your course in Welsh.
• Incentive Scholarship: about EUR 580/year (£500) for the length of your course if you study at least 33% (40 credits) in Welsh, in any subject.
• Medicine Scholarship: about EUR 580/year over 5 years (£500/year, £2,500 total) for medical students doing at least 33% in Welsh.
• Nursing Scholarship: about EUR 580/year over 3 years for nursing and midwifery students doing at least 33% in Welsh.
• Subject and regional awards: for example the Gareth Pierce Bursary of about EUR 3,500 (£3,000) in year one for maths students, plus awards tied to home areas such as Gwynedd or Anglesey.

The scholarships are run by the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol, a body that promotes studying in the Welsh language across universities in Wales.

Who can apply

• Where you study: You study an undergraduate degree at a university in Wales, mainly Cardiff University. Some awards are open to all Welsh universities.
• Welsh-medium study: You study a set share of your course in Welsh. The minimum varies by award, from 20 credits up to 100%.
• Field of study: Any subject qualifies for the Incentive Scholarship. Other awards target one field, such as medicine, nursing, maths, law or veterinary science.
• Membership: You must be a member of the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol. Membership is free, and you need your membership number to apply.
• Nationality: All nationalities can apply. What counts is your Welsh-language study, not where you are from.
• Home area: A few awards are only for students from specific areas, such as Gwynedd or Anglesey.
• Financial need: Only some bursaries, such as the S4C and Cyngor Môn awards, count your income or background.

How to apply

First join the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol for free to get your membership number. Then fill in the online form for the award you want. Deadlines differ: the Incentive Scholarship for 2026/27 is open now, the Gareth Pierce and Cyngor Môn awards close on 1 October 2026, and the Main and Medicine Scholarship windows for September 2027 entry open on 9 September 2026. The Main, Anne Brooke, William Park Jones and Gwilym Prys Davies awards are given by university nomination, so you cannot apply directly.

How realistic are your chances?

Each award is cut narrowly around one thing: studying a real share of your degree in Welsh, often plus a set subject or home area. That keeps the applicant pool small, so if you genuinely study in Welsh and match the specific award, your prospects are good. Apply early and check the credit share for your course. Remember that the nomination-based awards depend on the university putting your name forward.