The Welsh Language Services Centre University of Wales Trinity Saint David are pleased to announce the second cohort of the Postgraduate Certificate in Language Policy and Planning have graduated on the 15th of July 2025.
This innovative qualification responds to the Welsh Government's linguistic agenda of reaching one million Welsh speakers by the year 2050. A combination of academic and practical experiences is offered in order to deepen an understanding of the main concepts of the field nationally and internationally, providing up-to-date and necessary knowledge as well as applied experience.
Manon Humphreys, a graduate of the Certificate, said, "Studying on this course has given me an unrivalled knowledge base, so that I can continue to act for the Welsh language confidently and accurately. To hear first-hand from experts from Wales and beyond has been particularly exciting."
Another recent graduate added, "One of my favourite things about the course was having the opportunity to meet my fellow students and since studying, we have created a community that has been invaluable to us not only to support each other as students but as workers within the field."
A round table discussion was held at the Urdd Eisteddfod, Margam Park this year to discuss Essential Language Planning and the Future of Welsh Language. The students were delighted to join the tutors on the panel and had the opportunity to share their experiences of being students on the Postgraduate Certificate in Language Policy and Planning.
One of the graduates noted, "As part of the conversation, it became apparent how much we have learned as students as we responded to the lecturers' confidently and comfortably." Manon agreed stating, "It was lovely to have the opportunity to share some of the special experiences I had on the course and hopefully try to encourage others to consider studying on the course as well. It was also nice to see the lecturers and the other students in the flesh. I'm extremely grateful that the course is available digitally – it would have been impossible for me to study the course if I had to travel to campus every week because I have two young children and a full-time job – but the opportunities to meet face to face are also invaluable."
Professor Elin Haf Gruffydd Jones, Director of the Centre for Advanced Welsh and Celtic Studies noted, "The Postgraduate Certificate in Language Policy and Planning is specifically aimed at professional practitioners and individuals who want to create a career in this exciting field. The course combines specialist knowledge and practical experiences, with a focus on Wales and on different international contexts. For us tutors it is a pleasure to welcome the new crew every year. Each student brings experience to contribute to the interesting and inspiring discussions that take place between us during the course."
A number of the students noted how much this Certificate has raised their awareness of the issues facing the Welsh language as well as developing their confidence to implement changes in their daily work, including "developing the conditions to ensure that the Welsh language can thrive for everyone, wherever they are on their language journeys."
Manon added, "The course has opened my eyes to the wealth of research, data and theory available to support me in my work as a policy and compliance manager, and opportunities arise regularly to put what I have learnt into practice."
The Certificate will be offered again this year starting at the end of September 2025, please contact the team as soon as possible for more information or to apply [email protected]