Three university students awarded a prestigious bursary for their math studies in Welsh

Three university students have been awarded a prestigious bursary to help with the continuation of their math studies in Welsh.

The Gareth Pierce Bursary is offered to three undergraduate students studying at least a third of their maths degree course through the medium of Welsh each year and helps to reduce the financial burden of uni.

It provides students with £3,000 each, enabling them to continue their math studies at university through the medium of Welsh.

The three recipients of the 2025 Gareth Pierce Bursary are Cardiff University’s Iwan Rhys Bryer and Siôn ap Llwyd Dafydd, as well as Jacob Matthew Redmond from Aberystwyth University.

Cardiff University student, Iwan from Llanarthne, Carmarthenshire said: “It is very important that I can study Maths through the medium of Welsh to enable me to build terminology and expertise in both languages.

“I’m grateful to my teachers at Ysgol Bro Myrddin for inspiring me to study Maths at university, and to WJEC and the Coleg Cymraeg for the support.”

Fellow Cardiff student Siôn from Ffos y Gerddinen near Caerphilly, added: “I love studying Maths at Cardiff University and look forward to becoming a Mathematics teacher or lecturer in the future. It was very important for me to continue with my Welsh medium education at university after leaving school because Welsh is my first language.”

Both students, who are passionate about maths, expressed the importance of being able to study subjects in Welsh at Cardiff University as it appeals to employers looking for employees with bilingual skills.

Jacob, who is from Cardiff, was awarded the bursary to study maths at Aberystwyth University, said: “I enjoy living in Aberystwyth, and the course thus far is fantastic. I am very grateful to the Coleg Cymraeg and to WJEC for the bursary.

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“In the future I hope to work through the medium of Welsh in my community in the financial sector.”

The bursary scheme is now in its third year and was set up in 2022 in honour of Gareth Pierce, the former chief executive of WJEC, after his sudden passing in 2021. Pierce was also the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol and spent his career supporting young learners throughout Wales and advocating for the Welsh language.

The Coleg’s chief executive, Dr Ioan Matthews, said: “On behalf of the Coleg, I would like to congratulate Iwan, Siôn and Jacob on winning this year’s Gareth Pierce Bursary.

“It is a privilege to support this bursary in memory of a friend, colleague, and influential figure who made a key contribution to the Coleg and the wider field of education in Wales.

“We are extremely grateful to Gareth’s family and also to WJEC for their support. We wish the students every success in the future.”

Ian Morgan, Chief Executive of WJEC, also said: “Gareth Pierce’s bursary scheme is now in its third year, and its growing popularity reflects Gareth’s passion for Maths and learning through the medium of Welsh.

“On behalf of WJEC, I would like to congratulate Jacob, Iwan and Siôn, who have won this prestigious bursary.

“We wish the all the best with their studies, and I hope the bursary will mean they can thrive in their respective courses.”

The Gareth Pierce Bursary Scheme aims to help Welsh students thrive in their studies and applications for the bursary run annually, more information is available here.

Feature image credit: Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol