Record numbers of youngsters are applying for uni

RECORD numbers of youngsters from South Wales are going to university — with more than ever expected to apply this year.

Figures released by the UK Department for Business Innovation and Skills show that the number of undergraduates going to university from South Wales increased by 18 per cent in a year.

According to the statistics, the number of under-21s going to uni from Swansea increased from 1,045 in 2007/8 to 1,225 in 2008/9 — a jump of just over 17 per cent

In Neath Port Talbot, the number of undergraduate university entrants rose by 16.6 per cent from 540 to 630 during the same time period.

In Carmarthenshire, the number of youngsters heading off to uni jumped by a fifth in a year from 865 to 1,040.

And even higher numbers are expected to apply to go to university this year, amid warnings that up to one in three could miss out as the rush to escape higher tuition fees in England generates record demand for places.

By Christmas, an unprecedented 344,000 candidates nationwide had completed university applications for the next academic year — more than ever before at such an early stage in the admissions process.

Last month, MPs backed plans to increase the cap on tuition fees in England from �3,290 to �9,000 from 2012 — however all the MPs from South West Wales voted against the plan.

Meanwhile, the Assembly has decided not to raise the current fee cap of �3,290 for Welsh domicile students.

And Cardiff Bay has said it will subsidise the fees of Welsh students who cross the border to go to uni, with the money coming from the existing university teaching grant.

There are no tuition fees for students at Scottish universities.

In the wake of the decision by the Tory-Lib Dem coalition government in London to increase fees, Lib Dem-led Swansea Council passed a motion opposing the rise.

postnews@swwmedia.co.uk

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