University cuts 'affecting students' mental health' – claim

STUDENTS called for an overhaul to make Welsh universities more financially sustainable amid concerns about the uncertainty of sweeping cuts impacting on mental health.

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Deio Owen, president of the National Union of Students (NUS) Cymru, warned that students’ mental health has suffered following proposed and confirmed cuts at Welsh universities.

He told the Senedd’s education committee: “That uncertainty does have a knock-on effect - not just on your education and your prospects in your exams... but also your personal life.”

Mr Owen said students are paying more than £9,000 in tuition fees “for a service you're not sure you're going to get, which makes the university sector unique”.

He told the committee: “It’s not like going to a shop and buying a tumble-dryer or a toaster, and it's that uncertainty which isn’t fair on students or staff or anybody that’s being affected.”

Giving evidence yesterday as part of an inquiry on higher education, Mr Owen said students support staff in taking crucial industrial action.