Objectives
The goal of the Welsh Student Representatives Scheme is to strengthen representation, visibility, and student voice for Welsh-speaking and Welsh-medium students across the University. Launched as a pilot in 2024–25, the scheme was designed to lay a strong foundation for long-term Welsh academic representation, ensuring Welsh-speaking students are actively involved in shaping their educational experience and feel a genuine sense of belonging within the institution.
The scheme directly supports Cymraeg 2050, the Welsh Language Standards, and the University’s strategic commitments around inclusion, participation, and the growth of Welsh-medium provision.
Planned Actions
Pilot and Partnership Delivery: Launch the Welsh Student Reps pilot as a joint project between Academi Hywel Teifi and the Students’ Union, strengthening collaboration between academic and student-facing teams.
Representation and Student Voice: Appoint Welsh Student Representatives to advocate for Welsh-speaking students within their Schools and across the wider University, ensuring their experiences and needs are represented.
Integration into Existing Structures: Embed Welsh Student Reps within established University and Students’ Union processes, including participation in the Swansea University Coleg Cymraeg Branch Student Forum, enabling direct influence over decisions affecting education and student life.
Training and Support: Provide full training and ongoing support, aligning Welsh Reps with the University’s standard academic representation framework.
Sustainability and Growth: Secure ongoing funding and institutional support to move the scheme beyond a pilot phase and towards mainstream adoption as Welsh-medium provision expands.
Measures of Success
Role Uptake and Coverage: Number of Welsh Student Representative roles filled across eligible Schools.
Quality of Integration: Successful inclusion of Welsh Reps within standard training cycles, forums, and representation structures.
Student and Staff Feedback: Positive qualitative feedback reflecting increased visibility, engagement, and impact of Welsh representation.
Funding and Continuity: Securing sustainable funding to ensure the continuation and development of the scheme year-on-year.
Strategic Alignment: Clear contribution to University objectives around Welsh-language provision, inclusion, and belonging.
Progress to Date – Completed / Ongoing
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The Welsh Student Reps pilot launched in 2024–25, led by Carys Dukes (Welsh Affairs Officer 2024–25) and funded by Academi Hywel Teifi, with the aim of strengthening representation and opportunities for Welsh-speaking students.
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Welsh Student Reps became members of the Swansea University Coleg Cymraeg Branch Student Forum, providing a formal platform to influence decisions related to education and student experience.
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The pilot year was praised by both staff and students for improving visibility, engagement, and student voice.
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Following the success of the pilot, the scheme has continued into 2025–26 under the leadership of Tanwen Moon (Welsh Affairs Officer 2025–26).
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£2,500 in alternative funding was secured through Student Life, demonstrating institutional commitment to maintaining and developing the scheme.
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Welsh Student Reps are now fully trained and integrated into the University’s standard rep training cycle, ensuring parity with other academic representatives.
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9 of 11 roles are currently filled, with remaining vacancies in Engineering & Applied Sciences.
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The scheme now forms a long-term foundation for expanding Welsh academic representation as Welsh-medium provision grows.
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This ongoing collaboration reflects a shared commitment to taking the student voice seriously and ensuring meaningful improvements to Welsh-speaking students’ educational experiences.