Education
High achievement for higher education

WEST WALES’ universities have been sortlisted for awards in the 2018, WhatUni, Student Choice Awards.
Building on the five nominations Aberystwyth received in 2017, the University has been shortlisted for University of the Year for the second year running.
Aberystwyth is also shortlisted for Accommodation, Clubs and Societies, Course and Lecturers, Giving Back, International and Postgraduate.
Professor John Grattan, Pro Vice-Chancellor for Student Experience at Aberystwyth University said: “We are delighted to have been short-listed for seven awards by WhatUni. What’s significant about these awards is that they are based on real feedback from students and reinforce our outstanding results in the 2017 National Student Survey, which placed Aberystwyth students amongst the most satisfied in the UK for overall satisfaction. The quality of the education and wider student experience offered at Aberystwyth is also borne out by our accolade as the UK’s University of the Year for Teaching Quality in The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2018.”
And student satisfaction has ensured that the University of Wales Trinity Saint David will feature in three categories at this year’s Whatuni Student Choice Awards (WUSCAs).
Dr Mirjam Plantinga, the University’s Associate Pro Vice Chancellor for Student Experience said: “We’re delighted to be shortlisted in three categories for this year’s Whatuni Student Choice Awards. Staff at UWTSD work hard to make university life for our students enjoyable and fulfilling, so to be recognised in this way, based on student feedback, is excellent news. The quality of the student experience is central to our mission and we continue to introduce new initiatives to help enhance the offer to our students.
It’s extremely pleasing for us to see UWTSD receive top ratings in areas which we really pride ourselves on, especially as these awards are voted for by students themselves. Student engagement is a priority at UWTSD and is crucial to achieving a high-quality student experience. We work in close partnership with the Students’ Union to ensure that the student voice is integral to our planning activities throughout the organisation.”
Dai Rogers, Director of Student Services, is delighted that the University has been nominated in the ‘Student Support’ category. He added: “We enjoy a close working relationship with our students and are very proud of the support provided for our students by our staff who work extremely hard to ensure that the UWTSD student experience, across all our campuses, is of a high standard.”
A total of 43 higher education institutions have been nominated across the categories, recognised by their students for offering an incredible university experience.
More than 36,000 student reviews were collected and more than a hundred universities were visited in order to compile this year’s list.
The awards are based on averages taken from tens of thousands of reviews submitted by students and published on Whatuni.com.
Now in their fifth year, the awards provide prospective students with an unbiased, student-led alternative to traditional university ranking systems.
Eleni Cashell, Editor of Whatuni, said: “Being nominated for an award is a huge achievement, because the only judges at the WUSCAs are the students themselves. It showcases to both prospective students and the higher education sector that your institution offers value for money, provides a good student experience and has a highly satisfied and supported student community.”
The winners will be announced at the annual WhatUni Student Choice Awards ceremony on the April 19, 2018, presented by stand-up comedian, Katherine Ryan.
Education
University crisis: ‘Credential factories’ blamed for rising debt and low-value degrees

DAMNING REPORT CALLS FOR RADICAL OVERHAUL OF WELSH HIGHER EDUCATION
A BOMBSHELL new report has branded Wales’ university sector as bloated, inefficient, and no longer fit for purpose—accusing it of churning out debt-ridden graduates with degrees that fail to match the needs of the modern economy.
The report, titled The University Industrial Complex and published by the Prydain Centre on Thursday (Apr 10), claims that the eight universities currently operating across Wales have evolved into “credential conveyor belts,” more concerned with racking up tuition fees than providing meaningful education.
In a searing analysis of the state of higher education, the authors argue that mass participation has eroded academic standards, with many students paying tens of thousands of pounds for degrees that leave them underemployed—or unemployed.

The key figures
According to the report, there are over 135,000 students enrolled in Welsh universities—despite Wales having a population of just 3.1 million. The average student debt upon graduation now exceeds £37,000, and one in three graduates finds themselves in non-graduate jobs five to ten years after leaving university.
“This isn’t education—it’s exploitation,” said lead author Chris Harries. “We’ve created a generation weighed down by debt, false promises, and qualifications that offer little in terms of real-world value.”
The paper argues that universities have become “visa mills” reliant on overseas student fees, while whole departments and even campuses are being shuttered due to financial pressures.
A new vision for Welsh higher education
The Prydain Centre proposes a sweeping set of reforms that would see the current eight universities reduced to just three elite institutions—each with a clear and distinct focus:
- Cardiff: a global leader in academic research, STEM and humanities.
- Swansea: a centre for applied sciences and industrial collaboration.
- Aberystwyth and Bangor: hubs for Welsh culture, environmental science and rural leadership.
Student numbers would be halved to around 65,000, with raised entry requirements and targeted support for disciplines linked to national priorities such as engineering, healthcare and technology.
Instead of encouraging mass enrolment, the report champions a shift toward merit-based admission and the reintroduction of rigorous academic standards.
From degrees to digital
In perhaps its boldest proposal, the report calls for the launch of a “Digital Knowledge Hub”—a free or low-cost online platform offering lectures, short courses and learning forums.
Built in partnership with leading universities and ed-tech firms, the hub would be accessible to anyone with an internet connection, enabling lifelong learning without incurring debt.
“Education must be about knowledge, not credentials,” said Harries. “This is not nostalgia for an elitist past. It’s a practical leap toward a fairer, smarter system.”
The case for consolidation
The Prydain Centre argues that maintaining eight institutions spreads resources too thinly and dilutes academic quality. By consolidating funding, the three remaining institutions could become internationally respected centres of excellence.
The estimated £500–600 million annual higher education budget would be more effectively used, the report claims, by reducing duplication and investing in talent, research, and student support.
It also acknowledges that the transition would require careful planning, with phased closures and support for affected staff and students, including relocation options and course transfers.
Calls for Government action
The report urges the Welsh Government to pilot the Digital Knowledge Hub as a first step toward system-wide reform. Ministers are being asked to consider a roadmap for consolidation and entry reform over the next five years.
“Wales has a choice,” the report concludes. “Maintain the failed status quo—or build a higher education system that commands global respect.”
The Welsh Government has been approached for comment.
Education
Public asked to have say on school transport policy

PEMBROKESHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL has launched a public consultation on its School Transport Policy, inviting residents to share their views as part of a wider review into the future of school transport provision.
The local authority currently provides daily transport to school or college for more than 4,500 eligible learners, at an annual cost of over £8 million.
While no specific changes are being proposed at this stage, the Council says public feedback will help shape future policy. Any changes arising from the review would need to be both deliverable and affordable, taking into account ongoing driver shortages and the wider financial pressures faced by the authority.
Should any amendments be made to the policy, they would come into effect from September 2026.
Residents have until Sunday, May 18, 2025, to complete the survey, which can be accessed online at:
https://www.pembrokeshire.gov.uk/have-your-say/school-transport-policy-consultation
Paper copies are also available by calling the Council’s Contact Centre on 01437 764551 or by emailing: school.transport@pembrokeshire.gov.uk
Education
Derelict Hakin Infants School site to be demolished

A PEMBROKESHIRE council application to demolish a disused school to make way for a potential housing development has been given the go-ahead by county planners.
Pembrokeshire County Council, through agent Asbri Planning, sought approval to demolish the former Hakin Infants School, Picton Road, Hakin, Milford Haven.
Works proposed also include the construction of a bat house and ecological enhancement area.
A supporting statement said: “The former school buildings are boarded up, whereas the gardens and play areas have become overgrown. This is one of three schools to close in the last decade within the local area, alongside Hubberston VC School and Hakin Junior School, which have already been demolished.
“This application forms part of a wider strategy for the site. An outline application for residential development will be submitted in order to confirm the development in principle in land use terms is acceptable. A reserved matters application would follow on from outline approval in order to confirm the details of the actual development to be built.”
It also sought permission for a bat box as a bat survey report “revealed that the building acts as a bat roost for low numbers of brown long-eared bats, greater horseshoe bats and lesser horseshoe bats.”
It finished: “The proposed work seeks to demolish and remove the former school buildings and surrounding hard standing within the eastern half of the site. The playing fields and vegetation located to the west of the site will remain unaffected by the demolition works and would therefore remain intact.”
The application was conditionally approved.
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