UNIVERSITY applications from Wales remain low compared to England, figures from the University and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) revealed today.

Torfaen in South Wales has the lowest university entry rate for 18-year-olds in 2024 at 16.9 per cent, while nearby Blaenau Gwent and Rhymney were 18.9 per cent compared with 47.9 per cent in Cardiff North.

The figure for London is 51.5 per cent, while across Britain and Northern Ireland the average is 41.2 per cent, according to Ucas data.

Universities Wales has previously called for “urgent action” to address low participation in post-16 education.

Many of Wales’ universities have announced cost-cutting measures to address financial pressures, which are facing growing costs and reduced income from international students.

A Welsh government spokesperson said: “It is heartening to see that more Welsh applicants from disadvantaged backgrounds are applying to university.

“However, we recognise the overall decrease in applicants applying to Welsh universities and are working to increase participation across all post-16 learning options.”