In response to the UCAS Applicant figures up to the 15 January 2012 deadline, Amanda Wilkinson, Director of Higher Education Wales, said:
“Building on two years of exceptional growth, the number of applicants to Wales through UCAS by the January deadline exceeds the levels on record for 2009. This testifies to the continued strength of demand for places at Universities in Wales which is critical to the long-term prosperity of individuals and the economy as a whole.
It is clear that students in Wales and indeed across the UK have been taking more time this year to consider the options available to them in light of the new fees arrangement. Applications will continue to be accepted up to 30 June 2012, so we will need to continue to ensure that nobody who could benefit from higher education is missing the opportunity due to a lack of clear information regarding the support on offer and the particular benefits of study in Wales.
On the basis of these figures we would not anticipate there being unfilled places at Universities in Wales, but it may mean that there are fewer unplaced applicants than in the previous two years. The increase in overseas applicants is also encouraging.”