Wales struggles with lowest university applications among young people

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Wales faces a challenge as it records the lowest university application rate among 18-year-olds in the UK, a situation that university leaders say needs urgent attention. Professor Joe Yates, Vice Chancellor of Wrexham University, emphasized that this trend harms both individuals and the broader Welsh community.

He advocates for more proactive engagement by universities through outreach and workshops in schools and colleges to demonstrate the personal value of earning a degree, highlighting the “untapped potential” within Wales.

Wrexham University, known for attracting students from backgrounds traditionally underrepresented in higher education, is strengthening ties with local colleges, including a recent partnership with Coleg Cambria.

“We have a track record on inclusion and a lot of our students come from backgrounds which historically did not go to university,” Professor Yates said, noting the university’s role in providing skills needed in north east Wales.

He stressed that both private and public sectors require these skills, and universities must adapt by offering diverse courses and delivery methods.Professor Yates pointed out the need to better communicate the benefits of university education, acknowledging that while university is not for everyone, there must be a focus on supporting young people from less advantaged backgrounds.

“I think it’s about collaborating across education, business and government about what education offers. It is about showcasing and doing outreach and workshops with schools and colleges,” he said.

He urged unlocking the vast potential of young people by showing them the opportunities a degree can offer and questioned why barriers are placed on their aspirations.

The university’s collaboration with local further education colleges aims to develop a workforce aligned with industry and public sector needs in Wales. “Young people in Wales are less likely to go to university than elsewhere in the UK. We need to look at that and think what we need to do differently,” Professor Yates remarked. He also highlighted research showing that university graduates tend to have better pay, job prospects, and health outcomes.
Welsh universities are under financial strain due to declining numbers of international students, rising costs, and static domestic fees, with many institutions facing deficits. Wrexham and the University of Wales Trinity St Davids, which focus on vocational courses, are exceptions, having avoided deficits last year.

Wrexham offers degrees in areas such as green energy, manufacturing, business, public services, nursing, and healthcare, featuring practical learning environments like simulated wards to prepare students for real-world roles.

Professor Yates emphasized the importance of universities responding to the economy’s diverse skill needs without excluding non-vocational disciplines. “It is important to see the sector as a whole and we all play a role. We are in the industrial heartlands of north east Wales and respond to that,” he said.

He noted that subjects like health and nursing, speech and language, and criminology attract the most applicants at Wrexham, reflecting local demand. Despite ending the 2023-2024 academic year with a £1.3m operating surplus, Wrexham University remains cautious about the sector’s future amid widespread financial challenges.

Across Wales, universities anticipate a combined deficit exceeding £70 million this financial year, with some, like Cardiff University, facing cuts that threaten jobs and programs. Other institutions, including Bangor, Cardiff Metropolitan, and South Wales universities, are also reducing staff, while Swansea University reviews its curriculum and Aberystwyth University plans significant budget cuts.

Professor Yates acknowledged that while Wrexham is not currently cutting jobs or running a deficit, the university is not immune to sector-wide difficulties. “We are not immune to the challenges the sector is facing – universities are facing significant challenges as we move forward in the next couple of years,” he said.

He stressed the crucial role universities play in skill development and economic prosperity, noting the importance of evolving to meet changing circumstances and the needs of mature learners.He expressed confidence that traditional three-year degree courses will remain popular but suggested they could be part of a broader range of educational offerings.

“Universities adapt to different circumstances. I don’t think three-year degree courses are going to end as the preferred option but they could be part of wider provision,” Professor Yates concluded.