Fear for future as Welsh University numbers dwindle

Local TV

Wales could be at an economic disadvantage in the future as less than a third of 18 year olds are applying to university, according to Universities Wales. Wales has significantly lower than the roughly 40% average across the rest of the UK, with us last of the four nations.

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00:00Universities across Wales have seen a steady decline in applicant numbers year-on-year,

00:07and now less than a third of 18-year-olds are applying to higher education.

00:11Universities Wales, which represents the nine universities across the country,

00:15says that according to the latest UCAS figures, Wales ranks bottom of all the UK nations,

00:20with significantly lower than the rest of the country.

00:23Across the UK generally, roughly 40% of 18-year-olds apply to university,

00:28compared to just 32% in Wales,

00:30something that the board fears could leave Wales at an economic disadvantage in the future.

00:35The issue also affects more aspects of post-16 education,

00:39with roughly a third of young people studying A-levels,

00:42compared to almost 50% of young people in England.

00:45Universities Wales director Amanda Wilkinson called on the Welsh Government

00:50for immediate action to tackle the petition-patient crisis,

00:53and says that the stark issue will impact Wales' economic growth in the future.

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