Wales has the lowest proportion of 18-year-olds in the UK applying to go to university this year, according to the latest figures.
The gap in applications between Wales and the rest of the UK is now at a 15-year low with those from deprived areas the least likely to apply.
The Latest data from UCAS shows 33.8% of 18 year-olds from Wales applied to university this year, compared to 50% in Northern Ireland, 42% in England and 33.9% in Scotland.
Responding to the worrying trend, NUS Cymru President Deio Owen said:
“Students in Wales are walking away from university with an average of £37,360 in debt (Student Loan Company figures) so it’s hardly surprising that 18-year-olds from less affluent backgrounds are being squeezed out of higher education.
“Student debt discourages people from working class backgrounds from going to university, no matter how much they may thrive there or how much they want to go.
“We cannot pretend that higher education is accessible to everyone in Wales when students are incurring this level of debt.
“We’re in desperate need of a review into higher education funding so students can fully participate in their studies without fear of lifelong debt.”
