Barriers to higher education in Wales: evidence review

This report summarises recent evidence on the barriers to higher education in Wales. It is part of work package 2 under the Diamond Reforms to Student Finance Evaluation Plan 2024 on widening access and participation.

Main findings

• The level of financial support across all UK nations falls short of a minimum standard of living for students. The cost-of-living crisis is negatively impacting the vast majority of students at some level across the UK.
• Many students need to work alongside studying as a financial necessity. Higher education courses were not originally designed to accommodate this.
• There is a widening participation gap between the least and most advantaged students. In Wales, young people from deprived backgrounds are significantly less likely to go to university. 
• Low prior attainment at key skills early in school acts as a barrier to accessing higher education. 
• Learners in rural areas may face practical barriers to accessing tertiary education. Limited availability of local Sixth form and further education provision can impact pathways to university.
• Women are more likely to go to university than men. Disadvantaged White young men are least likely to go to university.  
• The number of students from minority ethnic backgrounds has been increasing.
• The proportion of disabled students in Welsh higher education providers has also increased, but this could be due to increased reporting of disability.  
• More diverse student populations have varying needs and face cost-of-living challenges that make the traditional full-time study model inaccessible or extremely challenging. 
• The impact of COVID-19 on education and outcomes is still ongoing with the effects still unfolding on attainment, mental health and wellbeing.
• The graduate job market is changing and there are claims that AI is partly responsible for a reduction in graduate level roles.