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Owain Glyndŵr

Glyndŵr University’s name is inspired by the Welsh hero Owain Glyndŵr.

Glyndŵr the university

Inspiring enterprise

Glyndŵr University is a vibrant, friendly place where each student’s learning and future is given personal attention.

The facilities are excellent, as you’d expect from a university that values the spirit of enterprise and puts employability at the heart of everything it does. Courses are designed to provide employers with exactly what they’re looking for and many have been created with their direct input. Support, both in helping students plan their careers and their lives outside of the world of work, is always on hand via our careers team, as well as other expert advisers and counsellors.

We are proud to name our university after a man who cherished learning, loved his country, embraced an international outlook, and constantly demonstrated an inspiring and enterprising approach to life. His spirit lies at the heart of Glyndŵr University. Our aim is to make Glyndŵr a world-famous university that will make anyone connected with Wales justifiably proud.

Glyndŵr the man

Owain Glyndŵr is arguably the most famous Welshman of all. An enterprising and charismatic individual, he dreamt of a Wales with its own government and its own universities. Today he is still seen as symbol of hope and learning.

Born near Wrexham circa 1355, Glyndŵr was a nobleman who descended from a number of Welsh royal houses. As a local man, he was a figure with strong ties to North East Wales.

Glyndŵr the scholar

Owain Glyndŵr was a highly educated man, who studied law at the Inns of Court in London. He was fluent in four languages and he advocated the creation of a University in both North and South Wales.

Glyndŵr the nation builder

Fiercely proud of his Welsh roots, Glyndŵr united Wales and dedicated his life to building an effective and prosperous European nation. Ahead of his time, he believed in the four pillars on which a modern nation is based: parliament, independent judiciary, freedom of speech and automony of universities.

In 1404, Glyndŵr called a parliament of Welsh representatives from across Wales. He overhauled the legal system of Wales and revived the codified laws of Hywel Dda.

Glyndŵr the soldier

A skilful strategist and fierce warrior, Glyndŵr fought in the English army as a supporter of the English King, Richard II. When Richard was usurped by Henry Bolingbroke (later Henry IV), Glyndŵr led his forces against the usurper and defended his homeland. Against superior odds, he led his fellow Welshmen to their greatest victory at the Battle of Bryn Glas in 1402.

Glyndŵr the internationalist

Glyndŵr was proudly Welsh, but realised that Wales needed to look beyond its own boundaries, especially in the pursuit of learning and scholarship. As an internationalist, he forged meaningful relationships with other countries, most notably France.

Glyndŵr the legend

Glyndŵr lives on in Welsh culture and has been celebrated in word and song. Shakespeare’s Henry IV Part 1 features a character called Owen Glendower, whilst in 2007 the Manic Street Preachers released a song about the great Welsh hero entitled ‘1404’. In a Millennium Poll of 100 influential international people, Owain Glyndŵr was ranked seventh, above Sir Isaac Newton and Abraham Lincoln.

Find out more

If you are interested in studying at Glyndŵr University, why not attend one of our open days?

Alternatively you can contact our Admissions and Enquiries Team:

Email: enquiries@glyndwr.ac.uk

  • Tel: 01978 293439