Four posts have been approved across various disciplines including Welsh, Public Relations, Medicine and Social Work.

It’s hoped the successful applications will be in post by September and they will be funded until 2017.

The lecturers will be responsible for developing Welsh medium provision within their respective subject areas, contribute to intellectual life at Swansea University and higher education within Wales through research work and promote the Welsh language within their specialised fields.

Swansea University has succeeded in securing several Research Scholarships thanks to the Coleg’s Academic Staffing Scheme since 2011. Swansea University has also appointed seven lecturers within Modern Languages, Geography, History, Law, Biosciences and Digital Media.

Opportunities for students to study through the medium of Welsh have substantially increased since a new teaching space, funded by the Coleg Cymraeg was launched on campus last year.

The multipurpose teaching room is a useful resource for students and includes the latest video conferencing equipment to enable co-operative teaching provision through the medium of Welsh.

Professor Iwan Davies, Swansea University’s Pro Vice Chancellor said: ‘‘This is excellent news for Swansea University and ensures that Welsh medium provision continues to grow in a number of new and exciting fields. I look forward to seeing new opportunities available for students to study through the medium of Welsh and welcoming the new academics to campus in due course.’’

Dr Ioan Matthews, Chief Executive of the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol concluded: ‘‘The Academic Staffing Scheme has been a vital part of the strategy to develop and enhance Welsh medium provision within the higher education sector. The Coleg has awarded 21 academic posts to various universities across Wales, to start by September 2013 ranging from Accountancy, Medicine, Law, Journalism and Sports Science. We are hopeful that the new posts at Swansea University will make a significant contribution to the University’s Welsh medium provision as they will expand the range of courses available to students through the medium of Welsh.’’