'Long-term decline' in students at troubled university

A university campus facing financial pressures has seen undergraduate student numbers fall from 562 in 2015-16 to 92 this year, an official has said.

Vice Chancellor of University of Wales Trinity Saint David (UWTSD) Prof Elwen Evans was speaking at a meeting to discuss the future of the university's Lampeter campus, in Ceredigion, attended by about 300 people.

UWTSD has said it had been "clear" that the Lampeter campus is not closing, but it is looking at different ways to hold events that are linked to education.

However, last month it was confirmed that the humanities courses at the campus will be moved to Carmarthen, a move that has been highly criticised.

Prof Evans described the "long-term decline" in undergraduate students, and said people must "face the reality" that fewer students are choosing Lampeter to study due to "location" and "transportation".

Speaking of the "existential crisis" facing universities in general, she said there are "significantly fewer" students in Wales going into higher education than the rest of the UK.

She also said the university is wholly dependent on student fees.

"We have no reserves. We have no money saved," she said.

Those at the meeting heard that the cost of running the campus in Lampeter is £2.7m a year, but Prof Evans said student income is "way less than that".

Emotions were high in the meeting, which was chaired by Member of the Senedd for Ceredigion Elin Jones.

Responding to questions from students about their experience, Prof Evans said it was important for students to "be in a more vibrant, fuller and bigger environment".

One international student said she was "shocked" by the way "you've treated international students", adding that it was "more disappointing" than having to cancel her wedding last year.

The campus is located in the centre of Lampeter, which has a population of around 3,000.