**Wales Stands Alone in Drop in University Applications, UCAS Data Reveals**
The latest figures from the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) have revealed a distinctive trend for Wales in this year’s university and college admissions. While the rest of the United Kingdom has recorded increases in higher education applications, Wales is the only nation to experience a decline – a trend that has sparked concern among educational institutions and policymakers alike.
According to UCAS figures published today, total applications to universities and colleges originating from Wales have dropped by 0.6% compared to last year. In contrast, England, Scotland and Northern Ireland all posted rises of 1.1%, 1.3% and 1.5%, respectively. Delving further into the statistics, the rate at which Welsh 18-year-olds are applying for university places has also fallen, with figures now standing at 11,720 compared to 11,750 at the same stage last year. Although seemingly small, this reduction is notable when framed against a UK backdrop of steady growth.
The overall number of applicants for all ages from Wales by 30 June reached 80,020, a decrease from last year’s 81,640. The impact is not restricted to domestic students. Applications from fee-paying foreign students—a crucial source of income for Welsh institutions—are also in decline. This year, 11,920 international undergraduates have applied to Welsh universities, down from 12,550 the previous year.
By contrast, the UK as a whole has recorded a 2.2% rise in international applications, with substantial boosts from countries such as China (up 10% to 33,870), Ireland (up 15%), Nigeria (up 23%) and the United States (up 14%). These broader increases have not been matched in Wales, putting the nation’s institutions at a comparative disadvantage in both student intake and financial terms.
Nonetheless, Welsh universities and colleges have responded to these figures with a more generous offer rate. This year, 94.4% of applicants to Welsh institutions have received at least one offer, up 0.1% on the previous year. This approach appears to be a strategic bid to maintain enrolment numbers amidst dwindling candidate pools. It’s also a demonstration of the sector’s determination to remain competitive and accessible despite prevailing challenges.
Sector experts have pointed to these trends and warned of the financial and operational pressures building within the Welsh university sector. Many universities in Wales have reported deficits in their annual accounts, with only two institutions escaping the red last year. A Senedd committee heard warnings just last month that the risk of university collapse in Wales is real, with a combined shortfall of over £70m anticipated for the current year. In response, universities have begun making cuts to staff and courses, underlining how significant these decreases in student numbers and funding could become.
These unique pressures stand in contrast to the wider UK context, where the total number of undergraduate applicants reached 665,070 this year—a 1.3% increase. UK 18-year-olds are applying in record numbers, with 328,390 seeking places, a 2.2% rise. Even so, fewer mature students aged 21 and over have applied nationwide—down by 3.8%—suggesting broader shifts in educational aspirations among older demographics.
Commenting on the importance of resilience during the admissions process, Dr Jo Sexton, chief executive of UCAS, advised applicants to thoroughly review all their university options, noting that having contingency plans is always wise. Her remarks come as the university admissions cycle nears its key results day, with the 30 June deadline representing the last stage for submitting multiple choices before the Clearing period begins.
For Wales, the question remains as to how universities will adapt to these challenges in the coming years. Ensuring the continued attractiveness of Welsh higher education to both domestic and international students has never been more crucial. As universities navigate these turbulent waters, attention will likely focus on how institutions can innovate to reverse current trends, sustain financial viability and uphold the quality and diversity of their offerings.
As the admissions cycle progresses, the Welsh education sector, policymakers and prospective students alike will be watching closely to see how universities respond to what is now a clear, and concerning, downward trend unique within the UK.