Moreover, applications to higher education from 18-year-olds in Wales are down by almost a quarter. The extent of this decline is most clearly seen in valley fair Blaenau Gwent and Rhymney. The figures reveal a stark contrast in university admission rates between different areas. This serves to underscore some of the systemic barriers that young people in these communities face. By June, we had only seen 32.5% of Welsh 18-year-olds apply to university. This is well below the UK average of 41.2% and London’s 51.5% rate.
In Blaenau Gwent and Rhymney, just 18.9% of 18 year olds go to university. In stark contrast, neighbouring Cardiff North has an extraordinarily high entry rate of 47.9%. Torfaen has the lowest rate in Wales for 2024, with just 16.9% of young people going on to higher education. This disproportion, in turn, underscores deep socio-economic rifts. For so many young people across the south Wales valleys, going to university is a dream that seems impossible.
The Jobs Growth Wales+ programme is specifically designed to tackle employment barriers for 16 to 19-year-olds in these communities. Young people start the work readiness training at our ACT centre in Ebbw Vale. For one, it provides them with a unique set of skills and experiences. Other young people are opting for routes such as further education colleges, training providers or apprenticeships. Because of this, the classical route of going to university looks less attractive.
Megan Pitman is an aspiring student who hopes to study at Aberystwyth University after completing her A-levels. Now she’s excited and nervous as she looks ahead to what’s next. “It’s a bit daunting but I think it makes it that much more interesting,” she said. Her desire for independence and new experiences rings true with many of the young people in her community.
Summer, a 16-year-old from Ebbw Vale, has temporarily left her hairdressing programme. She says she is looking to come back, having acquired useful experience working with the Jobs Growth Wales+ programme. “I want to do more education first so I’m fully qualified for everything and then have a job and hopefully it’ll be a good paying job because the more you work the more you succeed,” she explained.
For Gil, another 16-year-old trying to decide his future, he understands that there are worries that come with getting a university education. “None of the careers I would want to do are easy to get into with just a degree from university so I don’t really want to spend tons of money on going to university and then not be able to get a job straight out of it and then have to struggle with the debt,” he remarked.
None of these sentiments is unique to Nathan Felvus from ACT. His advice to the youth today is simple—“Find something that you like to do. Our Take This guidance demonstrates a growing understanding that there is more than one way to succeed outside of or after a university education.
New data paints a very different picture. While disadvantaged regions have experienced a rise in university applications, major obstacles continue to prevent many of these prospective students from succeeding. The demand for new pathways into work has never been greater, with an increasing number of aspirational young people pursuing the confusing and competitive landscape of post-secondary options.
Linda, a 17-year-old future baker, expressed that she needed to gain more practical experience in her career. “I want to make birthday and wedding cakes – my own business. My dream? To be a baker,” she stated with determination. Her ambitions are illustrative of the ways that vocational aspirations can lead away from the traditional academic pathway.
While students consider their options, cost or no cost, the draw of university won’t wane anytime soon. Having a real plan for her future is very important to Millie. Given these considerations, she thinks the ruling is pretty difficult to understand. “I like to have things planned out. I did have a general idea of what would happen to me after college,” she explained.
Universities Wales and member institutions believe passionately in the transformative power of higher education. They are passionate advocates for the idea that a university education opens doors to greater personal success, while furthering the well-being of their community and broader economy. “University offers a transformative experience that not only benefits individuals but strengthens our communities and economy,” they stated.
The trends in application rates from Wales underscore an urgent need for tailored support systems that address the unique challenges faced by young people in different regions. As we empower them to define their own futures, we must arm them with the most powerful tools. This will better equip them to choose the paths of education and careers that are right for them.
