Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol - The Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol Scholarship

Benefit

You will receive a cash grant, usually £500 to £1,000 per year (about 580 to 1,160 EUR), which is paid for the duration of your studies. This is not a loan, so you will never have to pay it back. These grants are administered by the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol. This national body supports study in the Welsh language (i.e. you study your subject in Welsh rather than in English). There are two main options. The Incentive Grant pays £500 per year if you undertake at least 33% of your studies in Welsh. The Main Scholarship pays £1,000 per year, up to a total of £3,000 over three years, if you complete at least 66% of your studies in Welsh. There are additional named scholarships for specific subjects such as mathematics, law, medicine, nursing, veterinary medicine, education and the creative industries, as well as for students from specific regions of Wales.

Eligibility

• University: You’re studying at a university in Wales.
• Welsh-medium study: You are studying your degree programme entirely or partly in Welsh. The minimum proportion depends on the specific scholarship: from 33% (40 credit points) per year for the incentive scholarship up to 66% or more for the main scholarship.
• Subject: The support grants and main scholarships are open to all disciplines. Other scholarships named specifically are restricted to certain disciplines such as mathematics, law, medicine or education.
• Nationality: Any nationality can apply.
• Language certificate: If you pass, you will receive the Coleg certificate in Welsh language proficiency whilst you are studying.
• Area: Some scholarships are restricted to students from specific regions of Wales, such as Anglesey, Gwynedd, Meirionydd or Rhondda Cynon Taf. However, most are open to students from across Wales.

How to apply

Applications are made via the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol’s online forms. Some universities require you to register as a prospective student first. Deadlines vary depending on the scholarship; the application deadline for the main scholarship is 20 January. For the main scholarship at Bangor and Aberystwyth, you must also sit an entrance examination. Several smaller scholarships are automatically awarded to applicants for the main scholarship; no separate application form is required.

How realistic are your chances?

This is a series of scholarships rather than a single competition. You should therefore select the scholarship that best matches your degree subject, your field of study and the proportion of your course taught in Welsh. The general scholarship is open to all fields of study and therefore attracts more applicants. The subject- or region-specific scholarships are aimed at a much smaller group of applicants. If you clearly meet these specific criteria and apply before the deadline, your chances are good.