Opportunity to study and socialise in Welsh attracts student to UWTSD

2 September 2026

For Naomi Davies the opportunity to study and socialise through the medium of Welsh was very important when choosing a university course.

Naomi Davies - BA Addysg Gynradd SAC 2026

Naomi has just graduated from the BA Primary Education with QTS from the University of Wales Trinity Saint David’s Carmarthen campus and praises the Welshness and friendly nature of the campus.

She says: “Before going to university, I was a bit worried about making friends. However, due to the close and warm nature of the Carmarthen campus, it soon became clear that this was not going to be a problem. Living with other Welsh speaking students offered natural opportunities to socialise, and this helped me to make friends straight away.

“In addition, I had the opportunity to socialise with students from different years and courses through activities and events organised by the University’s Welsh Society.”

“The experience would not have been the same without the support of the friendly porters, the kind cleaners, and the dedicated lecturers of the BA Primary Education course with QTS, who played a key role in creating a welcoming and inclusive environment”.

Born in Aberystwyth, Naomi received her early education entirely through Welsh at Ysgol Gynradd Llanfarian and Ysgol Gyfun Gymunedol Penweddig which made her determined to study a degree through the medium of Welsh as well.

“During the UWTSD open day, I had the opportunity to receive a detailed explanation of the course and ask questions to the staff in Welsh” she said. “I was immediately impressed that the university takes Welsh education seriously and values students who wish to study through the language”.

Alongside her studies, Naomi was a very active member of the student community. She said: “Beyond my studies, I enjoyed the many social opportunities available at the Carmarthen campus. Regular trips for a cup of tea or shopping with friends (especially for TK Maxx!), as well as trips to Llansteffan beach and to Trostre Shopping Park, were a natural part of my week. I also enjoyed evenings out on Wednesdays in Swansea and Saturdays in Carmarthen, often with the Welsh Society’s fun and creative themed evenings.

“I took part in a variety of events organised by the Welsh Society, including a trip to Dublin for the Wales Six Nations rugby match against Ireland, the Intercollegiate Dance, and the Mystery Trip to the Bryn a’r Bragdy in Llangrannog. I also enjoyed attending UWTSD’s Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol Branch lunch. By the third year, I had the privilege of serving as Treasurer of the Welsh Society and enjoyed every second of the experience!”

As Naomi looks forward to starting her career as a teacher she appreciates the opportunities she has had throughout the course.

She said: “During my studies, the university recommended that we start working with agencies as classroom assistants. By doing this, I gained valuable experience of working with learners from a wide range of ages, providing effective support to diverse needs. The experience was an opportunity to observe various pedagogical strategies and exercises, and this was instrumental in informing and reinforcing my own professional practice.

“In order to build skills that would be beneficial when applying for future jobs, I decided to start working as a supply teacher. As the agency already knew me from my work as an assistant, the transition to working as a student-teacher before the summer was a smooth and natural one”.

Naomi has now started working as a supply teacher for her induction year. She is confident that the BA Primary Education course with QTS has thoroughly prepared her for the next stage as the University arranged specific sessions on the induction year with the individuals who would support her as a newly qualified teacher (NQT), providing her with a clear understanding of the expectations and processes.

In addition, while a student she attended the University’s annual conference, Aiming for Excellence, which gave students the opportunity to hear from experts and interact with others within the field of education, share ideas and explore practical approaches that could be used in the classroom.

She said: “During the course, I had a number of opportunities to observe and experiment with ideas, strategies and techniques that could be used in the classroom. With lecturers being experts across diverse areas of learning and experiences, we had the opportunity to gain a broad understanding of different aspects of pedagogy and professional practice.

“I particularly enjoyed the creative tasks we were given, tasks that would be used with primary learners proving how a simple activity can be extremely effective. Completing the Qualified Teacher Status at the end of the course was invaluable in identifying realistic and achievable targets for my NQT year.”

“When completing my professional teaching placements, the support provided beforehand, during and at the end of the placement was of great help. The weekly emails from my personal tutor ensured I was not alone; support, advice and guidance were always available when needed”.

Naomi also received support from the University’s Student Services department which offers a wide range of support to students. She said “As the end of my studies approached, I decided to seek help from the Careers Service regarding writing my personal statement. I received advice tailored specifically to my path as a teacher, receiving clear guidance on what should be included to effectively reflect my skills and experiences. In addition, the service emphasised the importance of carefully reviewing the job description and identifying any key details that schools are looking for, to ensure that my application is strong and fit for the role”.

Naomi recommends the University of Wales Trinity Saint David to anyone considering studying a university course, particularly within the field of education. She said: “With a significant number of skilled teachers in the sector who have trained through the university, along with the range of awards the university and education courses have won, I am honoured to be able to say that I have been so fortunate to train with UWTSD who are leading the way in preparing high quality teachers who are ready to make a real difference to the lives of future learners”.