Applications to Study Nursing in Wales Surge as Cardiff University Considers Eliminating Degree Programme
According to recent data from UCAS, applications for nursing degrees in Wales have seen a significant increase in 2024, particularly among international students. This surge in interest comes at a time when Cardiff University has proposed cutting its nursing school and facing the prospect of 400 academic job losses. The numbers from UCAS, spanning from 2019, reveal a rise in both applications and acceptances from international students looking to study nursing in Wales over the last five years leading to 2024.
In 2019, only 6.9% of international candidates who applied were accepted, with 15 out of 160 applicants securing a spot. By 2024, this acceptance rate had more than doubled, with just over 14% of applicants (175 out of 1,180) successfully gaining admission. Notably, around 31% of all nursing degree applications in Welsh universities were successful in 2024, with candidates from Wales being almost twice as likely to secure a place compared to international applicants. The drop in higher-paying international student applications is a growing concern for universities in Wales and across the UK, leading to financial strains and the need to streamline operations.
The UCAS data specifically focuses on undergraduate degrees in nursing and does not encompass postgraduate courses. Cardiff University staff are set to protest against the proposed cuts outside the Senedd on February 4. The latest figures from UCAS provide insight into the total number of nursing applicants in Wales from 2019 to 2024, with 2024 seeing 4,095 applicants and 1,270 acceptances, of which 884 were from Wales. The number of international applicants during the same period highlights a growing interest, with 1,180 applicants in 2024 compared to 160 in 2019.
Despite the estimated shortage of 2,000 nurses in Wales, Cardiff University’s decision to potentially scrap its nursing school has been met with disappointment from the Welsh Government. The universities in Wales, including Cardiff University, are facing various financial challenges such as a decrease in international student applications, stagnant home tuition fees, inflation, and new National Insurance payments. The Welsh Government has expressed concerns about the impact of these cuts on the training of future healthcare professionals in Wales.
Cardiff University reiterated its commitment to continue offering midwifery programmes and assured that current nursing students would not be immediately affected by the proposed changes. The university stressed that the decision was still at the proposal stage and that further discussions and consultations would be conducted before any final determinations are made. The potential closure of the nursing school at Cardiff University has raised alarms within the healthcare sector, with the Royal College of Nursing in Wales highlighting the critical need for registered nurses, especially in light of the ongoing staffing crisis in the NHS and social care.
Nursing degrees are currently offered in various universities across Wales, including Aberystwyth, Bangor, Cardiff, Wrexham, the University of South Wales, and Swansea. The impact of Cardiff University’s proposal to eliminate its nursing degree programme is being closely monitored, particularly in the context of the wider nursing shortage in Wales. As the sector grapples with these challenges, stakeholders are working towards ensuring that the training and development of nurses in Wales remains a top priority.
In conclusion, the rise in nursing degree applications in Wales, coupled with Cardiff University’s potential decision to discontinue its nursing programme, underscores the evolving landscape of healthcare education in the region. The collaborative efforts of academic institutions, government bodies, and healthcare organisations will be crucial in addressing the existing nursing shortage and sustaining the delivery of quality healthcare services in Wales.