Sioned Williams MS studied a BA in English and Welsh Literature at Aberystwyth University, followed by a Postgraduate Diploma in Journalism at Cardiff University.

“I chose Aberystwyth University for my BA because of the nurturing environment it offered; it was a smaller university, and it was student friendly. I was extremely interested in Wales and wanted to explore the literature, history and culture in both languages.

“It also gave me the opportunity to live in a Welsh medium hall of residence, which was important to me. I came from an English-speaking home in south-east Wales but wanted to keep developing my Welsh language skills and gain Welsh-medium social opportunities. Mixing with Welsh speakers at university informed my awareness of the nation’s life in all its diversity, as well as giving me the opportunity to meet students and academics from all over the UK and beyond.

“Going to university in Wales gave me an awareness of the ‘national project’ as we would call it in Plaid Cymru. I was inspired by what I studied, and the people I came into contact with, including academics who were working on all aspects of Welsh life, had a profound impact on me. It also helped me to understand where Wales fitted in the global, political and cultural picture which has informed my professional life ever since - as a journalist, working in communications for Welsh institutions, and now as a politician.

“The experience and the networks I built stood me in good stead. I joined Plaid Cymru while at university, and a Welsh-medium creative writing module as part of my degree inspired me to move into journalism. The people around me influenced me and helped inform me about the opportunities that were available to me.  I studied for a postgraduate degree in Journalism in Cardiff University and was the first person on my course to land a job, going on to join the BBC. 

“I feel very strongly about the transformative effect of higher education. We want people to expand their horizons at the same time as exploring and understanding their own place as a Welsh citizen in the nation and the world, meet people from all walks of life, learn to think critically, research, and explore questions, create networks and develop opportunities which will help you flourish, whatever your background – this is what university gives you.

“For me, international students bring so much to our higher education institutions and help us in Wales to forge fruitful educational partnerships. I used to work in a university and saw firsthand the huge interest that international students had in Wales and our culture, and how they relished the fact that we are a bilingual nation. So I would definitely encourage international students and academics to come to our world class universities!”

Photo of Sioned Williams. White quote on purple background: "The experience and the networks I built stood me in good stead - as a journalist, working in communications for Welsh institutions, and now as a politician."