University applications fall in Wales
UNIVERSITY applications from and to Wales have fallen this year, new figures released yesterday show.
Applications from Wales have fallen 5% in 2017 with fewer 18-year-olds applying to start courses this September compared to a rise in that age group across the border. There has also been a drop in numbers of applications from students across Wales, the UK and the EU to study at universities in Wales from 77,750 in 2016 to 72,200 this year.
By the July 30 deadline 22,530 students from Wales had applied for undergraduate courses across the UK compared to 23,740 in 2016. Of these, 11,550 were aged 18 compared to 11,950 in 2916,
Late applicants from Wales boosted a 7% fall reported in January but it still recorded the joint-steepest decline of all the UK nations along with England at 5%,
Applications from students living in Wales to go to Welsh universities fell 6% from 18,450 in 2016 to 17,310 in 2017, the report from university admissions body Ucas shows. The fall comes against a backdrop of universal tuition fee grants being scrapped and uncertainty over whether tuition fees would rise.
An increase of nearly £300 was announced this week, just after the June 30 deadline.
It also follows the Welsh Government’s decision to scrap the universal tuition fee grants of £5,100 a year that had been paid to all students. Students on lower incomes from Wales will now get a means-tested maintenance grant of up to £9,000 a year if they study full time from 2018.
Across the UK, the number of people who have applied to UK higher education courses for 2017 by the June deadline was 649,700, which is 25,000 fewer than this time last year – a 4% drop.
EU applications are also down 5% following last summer’s Brexit vote.
A Welsh Government spokesman said: “These figures show there has been a slight decrease in applications compared to last year but overall the number of 18-year-olds applying for university remains high compared to the trend of previous years.
“However the uncertainties over Brexit and the UK’s long-term relationship with the EU do seem to be having an impact as we see the number of EU students applying to study in Wales fall.
“We want to send a message loud and clear that students and staff from across the EU are still welcome at Welsh universities. Our universities are central to our social and economic future and they thrive through the diversity of the people who come to them.”
Amanda Wilkinson, director of Universities Wales said: “Although the overall application picture for Wales has improved slightly since the January 2017 deadline there are still issues to address and it is unclear at this stage how far the recruitment pattern will change during clearing before the end of the cycle, or how far this will translate into actual enrolments at the start of term. A reduction in applications does not automatically mean a reduction in actual enrolments.
“However the figures across the UK point to a number of potential challenges emerging such as underlying population change – in particular the number of 18-year-olds in Wales is projected to continue to decline significantly until 2020 – and the impact of Brexit. It will be important to continue to stress the benefits of study in Wales throughout the cycle.
“Overall student satisfaction at universities in Wales hit its highest-ever level this year, with 86% of students saying they are satisfied with their course.”