The Welsh Government has said it is “confident” that it can maintain student nurse numbers in the country even if Cardiff University goes ahead with controversial plans to scrap its nursing degree courses.
The comments, from a government spokesperson, followed the publication of the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS)’s first data for the 2025-26 application cycle.
“We are confident whatever the final decision, alternative plans can be put in place”
Welsh Government spokesperson
Applicant numbers to nursing courses in Wales increased by roughly 14%, from 3,050 last year to 3,480 as of this year’s January equal consideration deadline.
Wales’ increase bucked a UK-wide trend, which saw applicant numbers fall for a fourth consecutive year.
Health leaders welcomed the news of more nurses being trained, at a time when nursing vacancy numbers remain high in Wales.
Despite this, concerns remain about the future of nurse training in the country due to recently-announced proposals by Cardiff University to cut all of its nursing courses.
These plans, which are out for consultation, are part of a large-scale shrinking of the university’s workforce due to funding difficulties.
Nursing Times asked the Welsh Government if the loss of nursing from Cardiff could set back progress in improving nurse training numbers shown in the UCAS data. A spokesperson said they were “confident” it would not and flagged work it was undertaking with Health Education and Improvement Wales (HEIW).
They said: “We are committed to providing the NHS the workforce it needs to meet ever-increasing demand through increased training places and encouraging young people to take up health professions.
“We are working urgently with HEIW to ensure we train the same number of nurses in Wales and there will be extensive engagement undertaken with both Cardiff University and HEIW to ensure all options for continuity of nursing provision are explored.
“We are confident whatever the final decision, alternative plans can be put in place to ensure continuation of provision so there is no impact on the numbers of nurses trained in Wales.”
Speaking following the publication of UCAS’ new figures, Helen Whyley, executive director of the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) Wales, reiterated her concern over Cardiff University’s plans.
She said: “Any reduction in nursing education provision would have significant implications for the future workforce and the ability to meet health care needs across Wales.
“We urge Cardiff University and policymakers to prioritise investment in nursing education and ensure that opportunities for aspiring nurses are expanded rather than reduced.”
RCN Wales director Helen Whyley (centre) with Cardiff University nursing students
Ms Whyley also called on the devolved Welsh Government to work with HEIW to increase the number of nurse education places commissioned in Wales.
She further aired concern about the longer-term statistical trends shown in the UCAS data; the 2025 nursing applicant figures in Wales were still 15% lower than the 2021 peak.
Ms Whyley said: “The healthcare system is already under immense pressure, and without sustained investment in nursing education, we risk deepening the workforce crisis.
“RCN Wales will continue to advocate for sustained investment in nursing education, ensuring that Wales has a well-supported, well-educated nursing workforce now and in the future.
“The RCN urges the Welsh Government, universities and health leaders to work together to secure the long-term sustainability of nursing education and protect the future of the profession.”
Nursing Times asked Cardiff University if this week’s UCAS data would likely impact on its proposals, but the organisation declined to comment.
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