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Catrin Hughes, a 22-year-old from the village of Cilycwm near Llandovery, has just completed her degree in Philosophy, Religion and Ethics at the ���Ҵ�ý. She’s also the recipient of the Canon Daniel Richard Prize in Religion and Ethics.

On receiving this award, Catrin said that: 

“It’s a meaningful recognition of my potential and commitment, and a powerful reminder that dedication and perseverance pave the way to success.”

Catrin’s passion for exploring how beliefs, values, and moral choices shape the world began in the classroom, where inspiring teachers sparked her curiosity.

“Their enthusiasm, encouragement, and ability to create open, thought-provoking discussions inspired me to study the subject further at university. This subject has allowed me to explore diverse perspectives, question assumptions and develop a more thoughtful approach to understanding people and society. It has helped me grow both intellectually and personally.” 

Throughout her studies, Catrin was drawn to the ways ethical thinking and religious understanding can be used to support communities. She explored career paths in both teaching and policing, recognising that each offered an opportunity to promote fairness, empathy, and public service.

Her degree offered a rich mix of academic and real-world engagement. Highlights included modules such as The Ethics of Life and Death and Women and Religion, which challenged her to think deeply about complex and sensitive issues. She said: 

“The small class sizes allowed for open, in-depth discussions, and the seminar debates helped me develop confidence in presenting my ideas and listening respectfully to different viewpoints. The supportive academic environment made the learning experience even more enriching.”

Catrin did face some challenges along the way, and one of them was managing her workload. 

“���Ҵ�ýing Philosophy, Religion, and Ethics required a lot of reading, writing, and critical thinking, often with tight deadlines for essays and presentations. At times, juggling multiple assignments alongside other commitments felt overwhelming. To tackle this, I developed a clear study plan that broke down tasks into smaller, manageable steps.” 

Another challenge was engaging with complex philosophical and religious texts, which often contained dense language and abstract ideas that were difficult to understand. Some of these readings required careful, repeated study to grasp the main arguments and their implications. 

“To overcome this, I made sure to prepare by reading ahead and taking detailed notes. Discussing the texts in seminars and study groups was incredibly helpful — hearing different interpretations and asking questions clarified confusing points and deepened my understanding.”

Now preparing to begin her PGCE in Religion, Values and Ethics with Religious Studies QTS this September, Catrin is excited to share her passion with the next generation. 

“I want to create a classroom where students feel safe to question, explore and think critically about the world and their place in it.”

Looking ahead, Catrin sees her future in education as a way to give back to her community and inspire thoughtful, open-minded learners. 

“This course has prepared me for a life of meaningful engagement with others – and I can’t wait to get started.”

Further Information

Lowri Thomas

Principal Communications and PR Officer     
Corporate Communications and PR     
Email: lowri.thomas@uwtsd.ac.uk     
Phone: 07449 998476