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| Welsh student university applications fall 2.1% | Welsh student university applications fall 2.1% |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| The number of Welsh students applying for a university place has dropped compared to last year bucking the UK trend, admissions service Ucas says. | The number of Welsh students applying for a university place has dropped compared to last year bucking the UK trend, admissions service Ucas says. |
| Throughout the UK there was a 3.5% rise in the number of applications although in Wales it was down by 2.7%. | Throughout the UK there was a 3.5% rise in the number of applications although in Wales it was down by 2.7%. |
| But there is a rise in those wanting to attend Welsh universities from outside Wales. | But there is a rise in those wanting to attend Welsh universities from outside Wales. |
| Had there been a fall, there were fears over the Welsh government's tuition fees policy for Welsh students. | Had there been a fall, there were fears over the Welsh government's tuition fees policy for Welsh students. |
| That involves topping-up contributions to tuition fees above £3,500 for Welsh students - whether studying in Wales or not. | That involves topping-up contributions to tuition fees above £3,500 for Welsh students - whether studying in Wales or not. |
| The Welsh government made a decision some years ago that they didn't want Welsh students to have to pay that extra part of the tuition fees over £3,500. | The Welsh government made a decision some years ago that they didn't want Welsh students to have to pay that extra part of the tuition fees over £3,500. |
| Anything over that, the Welsh government pays, and that goes with the student wherever they choose to study in the UK. | Anything over that, the Welsh government pays, and that goes with the student wherever they choose to study in the UK. |
| We know average tuition fees in England are £8,500 - so if a Welsh student chooses to go to England to study it takes that £5,000 of Welsh government money with them over the border. | We know average tuition fees in England are £8,500 - so if a Welsh student chooses to go to England to study it takes that £5,000 of Welsh government money with them over the border. |
| What we have started to see is that more Welsh students are taking their £5,000 with them to universities outside Wales, but fewer students are coming in with their £9,000. | What we have started to see is that more Welsh students are taking their £5,000 with them to universities outside Wales, but fewer students are coming in with their £9,000. |
| What some experts are now saying is 'Well, it's a very generous idea by the Welsh government - but maybe it's a little too generous for its own good'. | What some experts are now saying is 'Well, it's a very generous idea by the Welsh government - but maybe it's a little too generous for its own good'. |
| As average tuition fees in England have now hit £8,500, it means each Welsh student deciding to study over the border will take a £5,000 Welsh government subsidy with them per year. | As average tuition fees in England have now hit £8,500, it means each Welsh student deciding to study over the border will take a £5,000 Welsh government subsidy with them per year. |
| It is hoped those sums would be offset by the number of students from outside Wales choosing to studying in Wales and paying the full tuition fees of up to £9,000 charged by some of the institutions, such as Cardiff University. | It is hoped those sums would be offset by the number of students from outside Wales choosing to studying in Wales and paying the full tuition fees of up to £9,000 charged by some of the institutions, such as Cardiff University. |
| According to an investigation by the BBC's Wales report earlier this week, in 2012, more than 7,000 Welsh students crossed the border to study outside of Wales - a 13% increase on the year before. | According to an investigation by the BBC's Wales report earlier this week, in 2012, more than 7,000 Welsh students crossed the border to study outside of Wales - a 13% increase on the year before. |
| This saw the Welsh government pay £31 million in fees to universities in other parts of the UK. | This saw the Welsh government pay £31 million in fees to universities in other parts of the UK. |
| However, the number of English students enrolling at universities in Wales in 2012 fell by nearly 17% compared to the previous year. | However, the number of English students enrolling at universities in Wales in 2012 fell by nearly 17% compared to the previous year. |
| Swansea and Bangor universities both said the number of applications to their institutions had risen compared to last year, with Swansea claiming a 25% increase across domestic and foreign student applicants. | |
| And education experts questioned whether the £1.5bn policy was sustainable if fewer students came from outside Wales paying the full fees. | And education experts questioned whether the £1.5bn policy was sustainable if fewer students came from outside Wales paying the full fees. |
| Deian Hopkin, a member of the Higher Education Commission UK told the programme: "I don't think anyone can deny we're moving into somewhat uncertain territory. | Deian Hopkin, a member of the Higher Education Commission UK told the programme: "I don't think anyone can deny we're moving into somewhat uncertain territory. |
| "For a variety of reasons, applications to Wales and indeed, enrolments in Wales last year dropped faster than perhaps people had hoped. | "For a variety of reasons, applications to Wales and indeed, enrolments in Wales last year dropped faster than perhaps people had hoped. |
| "But what is also interesting is the number of students coming across the border from England has declined. So the uncertainties are now growing and, I guess, the calculations of how the flow of money is going, may now have to be revised." | "But what is also interesting is the number of students coming across the border from England has declined. So the uncertainties are now growing and, I guess, the calculations of how the flow of money is going, may now have to be revised." |
| The Welsh government has said it remains committed to the current tuition fee policy until at least the next assembly elections. | The Welsh government has said it remains committed to the current tuition fee policy until at least the next assembly elections. |
| UK wide figures show numbers applying to university overall are up on last year but have not recovered compared to the previous year. | UK wide figures show numbers applying to university overall are up on last year but have not recovered compared to the previous year. |