Fewer apply but enrolment possible via clearing

UNIVERSITIES had previously said that applications were down, citing Brexit and population change as the causes.

Speaking yesterday, Universities Wales said although there had been a slight improvement in applications since January it was still unclear how the pattern would change during clearing.

“A reduction in applications does not automatically mean a reduction in enrolments,” a spokesman said.

“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, which is projected to continue to decline significantly until 2020 – and the impact of Brexit.”

The University of South Wales said it had courses in a range of subject areas “so it is worth applicants contacting us”.

Swansea University said it had “limited places available across most subject areas”.

Aberystwyth University also has a number of clearing places across more than 100 courses – and is using live chat and Facebook messenger for the first time to offer places.

“We are expecting demand to be high for our science and computing courses, but also for those programmes such as English and creative writing, international politics and geography,” said a spokeswoman.

New courses were also being offered through clearing for the first time, including film-making, robotics and embedded systems engineering.

Glyndwr University, in Wrexham, said it still had places available.

“It’s been a very busy day, with the first call received around 6.30am,” said a spokesman. “We’ve been speaking to prospective students from all over the country and the phones have been ringing throughout, so we have been making instant decisions and offers in many cases.”