Welsh Language and Culture
What makes Welsh culture unique? Learn more about the language, culture, and heritage of Wales in our guide. Read on to find out more!
Fun tradition: ๐ฅถ Frosty Festivities
Wales celebrates a lot of ancient traditions. But one newer addition has become a favorite.
Festive swims - named because most occur on Christmas Day, Boxing Day, or New Year's Day - are hosted throughout Wales. People gather to take icy plunges into the sea, often dressed in festive garb. While some participate for the rush a cold dip brings, others do so to raise money for their favorite charity. The tradition dates back to at least 1965, when local officials organized the Porthcawl Christmas Day Swim. Now, at least eight swims are held annually during the holiday season.
Languages in Wales
Wales has two languages. English is the most widely spoken, with over 99% of people in Wales speaking it. But the Welsh language is also a part of everyday life. Itโs spoken by over half a million people, taught in schools, and celebrated at festivals. It's also seen in place names, on street signs, and heard on television as well as radio channels. It has a thriving music scene, and Welsh-language films and TV programs are catching on outside of Wales. International students can learn Welsh whilst studying in Wales, and most universities offer free classes.ย
Welsh culture
Wales enjoys a centuries-old tradition of folklore, poetry, music, and intellectualism. Its culture is quite distinct from elsewhere in the British Isles. By coming to study in Wales, students will be able to explore traditions, language, and heritageโincluding more than 600 of Walesโ famous castles.
Find a program in Wales
Why settle for one country when you can get four? Find programs in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales using our search engine.
Welsh culture is everywhere. It can be seen at a performance of the Welsh National Opera, during the pre-match build-up for a Six Nations rugby game at Cardiff's Principality Stadium, or at one of the vibrant music and arts festivals.
Sport in Wales
Sport is extremely important in Welsh culture, especially rugby union and football (soccer). Three football teams play in the English Football League. Cardiff FC and Swansea FC have played in the Premier League, and Wrexham FC has recently grown in popularity after being bought by Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney. Every Spring, the International Six Nations tournament takes place across Cardiff. Up to 90,000 rugby fans attend, and if youโre lucky enough, you can see the rivalry between Wales and England when studying in Wales.ย
Welsh food
Food is also an essential part of Welsh culture. Traditional meals include fish and chips, Welsh rarebit (seasoned melted cheese poured over toasted bread), Laverbread (seaweed, traditionally served at breakfast with some bacon), cawl (a meat soup), Welsh cakes (a biscuit that's like cake), bara brith (spiced fruit bread) as well as the Glamorgan sausage (a vegetarian sausage made from cheese). In modern times, these are enjoyed alongside new favorites from India, America, and China, like chicken tikka masala, hamburgers, and chow mein.ย
Famous Welsh people
Notable figures in Welsh culture include authors Roald Dahl and Ken Follet, actors Anthony Hopkins, Christian Bale, Michael Sheen, Taron Egerton, and Catherine Zeta-Jones, musicians Tom Jones and Charlotte Church, and who could forget world-famous poet Dylan Thomas.
Fun facts ๐ฒ
Wales's national animal is the Welsh Dragon, its national emblem is the leek, and its national flower is the daffodil. All three are prominently displayed on St. David's Day, Wales' national day, celebrated on March 1.
Learn more about studying in Wales:
Overview
Choosing Wales as your study abroad destination means more than a top-quality education. Get an overview of Wales and why you should study abroad there.
Tuition Fees in Wales
Tuition fees for higher education programs in Wales can vary. Many international and domestic students pay different tuition fees, depending on where they are from. In this section, you'll find all the information on how this works in Wales.
Housing and Living Costs in Wales
No matter where you study abroad, itโs important to create a budget in advance so that youโre prepared. Therefore, weโve detailed average living and housing costs so that you can get a better idea of what you would be paying as a student in Wales.
Entry Requirements for Welsh Universities
Learn more about the national application portal for Welsh universities. This section covers what you'll need to do when applying as an undergraduate and postgraduate.
Scholarships
Don't let international student tuition fees stop you from studying abroad in Wales. Find out more about some of the scholarships available to international students here!ย
Student Visas for the UK
Do you need a visa to enter Wales to study? Learn more about the student visa process, and what you need to enter the country, depending on your citizenship. Don't worry! We've gathered the information you'll need to make it happen.
Student Life in Wales
Wondering what it's like to study abroad in Wales? Discover what student life looks like outside of the classroom.
Programs in Wales
Ready to browse higher education courses in Wales? Use our search engine to find and compare top programs in Wales and the rest of the UK today!
educations.com team
Author
The educations.com team consists of hundreds of dedicated individuals who share a passion for studying abroad. We combine our diverse strengths to guide millions of students in over 250 countries toward finding their dream education.