ABERYSTWYTH University has defended the unconditional offers it makes to applicants.

There has been a row nationally about unconditional offers with critics saying they undermine the education system and accusations that they are immoral.

Universities across Wales were asked about the number of unconditional offers they have made to all undergraduates of all ages.

The University of Wales Trinity Saint David said unconditional offers made to students through UCAS for full-time undergraduate courses accounted for 26 per cent of the total offers made. It said the figure for all its courses was 53.4 per cent.

Cardiff University said it made 6,504 unconditional offers - 26 per cent of the total offers for that year.

Bangor University said 6.4 per cent of its offers in 2017-18 were unconditional, Swansea University’s figure was 10 per cent, while Aberystwyth said the 9.3 per cent of unconditional offers it made included offers to those who had passed the scholarship exam.

An Aberystwyth University spokesperson said: “Aberystwyth University has a long tradition of academic excellence and is committed to offering opportunities of the highest quality to students from a broad range of backgrounds and who demonstrate commitment to making the most of studying at an institution that prides itself on academic rigour and teaching excellence.

“Aberystwyth University will only make unconditional offers to applicants who already fulfil the university’s entry requirements, for example mature learners who already have their exam results or relevant experiential learning, applicants who have been awarded a scholarship or merit award where students are required to sit entrance scholarship exams, or where applicants fulfil the conditions of the Academic Excellence Scheme.”

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