ABERYSTWYTH University has continued to refuse to reveal how many students signed up for courses at its new Mauritius campus as senior staff members fly out to visit the site.

While the institution said in September that it was “encouraged” by the number of applications, just six students were pictured at an induction event earlier in the month, sparking concerns of a significantly lower than expected intake.

Prof John Grattan, Pro Vice-Chancellor for Student Experience and International, and Rebecca Davies, Pro Vice-Chancellor and Chief Operating Officer, were flown out to Mauritius earlier this month for the event.

After initially refusing to answer questions on student numbers at the 2,000 capacity campus, the university has now also refused a Freedom of Information request from the Cambrian News. The university did say that “more than six” students have enrolled there, and that the handful of students pictured were the “only ones available to meet senior staff at that time”.

The university’s refusal to divulge the simple information is being challenged by this newspaper, as Aberystwyth staff – paid for through the fees of students in Aberystwyth – sign on to work at the new campus.

See this week’s south editions for the full story, in shops on Wednesday