FEARS have been raised over the future of Wales' oldest university as bosses consider moving courses to Carmarthen.

University management is considering moving humanities courses to the Carmarthen campus of University of Wales Trinity Saint David from September next year.

Staff have told the Cambrian News that they fear the moving of these courses away from Lampeter will ‘most likely execute a shutting down of the Lampeter campus, the oldest university in Wales’.

A spokesperson for UWTSD said: “We are initiating a dialogue this week with staff and students at our Lampeter campus around a proposal to move our current and future taught Humanities provision to our Carmarthen campus with effect from the new academic year starting in September 2025.

“Although UWTSD’s student numbers are growing overall, they are not distributed proportionately across our different campuses.

"Despite a range of innovative ideas to attract a greater number of students to our Lampeter campus these have not delivered, and this campus has seen a steady decline in the number of students being taught in-person. This is not a sustainable situation, and we must take action.

“Key to this proposal is maintaining continuity of education for all of our students with an objective to enhance the overall student experience and strengthen our programme delivery and quality. This would also help our Humanities programmes to develop further and flourish as an academic discipline.

“The university is committed to retaining the main Lampeter campus estate and finding alternative ways of delivering education-related activities that would give this campus a new lease of life and a more secure future.

“Our deliberations will take into account how to serve the best interest of our students, staff and the community in Lampeter whilst we also ensure the future sustainability of the institution.”

Ceredigion Preseli MP, Ben Lake, said in response: "Lampeter is the birthplace of higher education in Wales, and for over two centuries the University has been a cornerstone of the town.

“Relocating humanities undergraduate teaching to Carmarthen would be a severe blow to both the academic and local community.

“While higher education institutions across the UK are under severe financial pressure, it is incumbent on UWTSD to clarify their plans to retain higher education at Lampeter.

"I urge the university to consider the impact of these proposals, and I shall be seeking an urgent meeting with local and university leaders to ensure a future for higher education in Lampeter."

Also raising concern, Plaid Cymru’s Education spokesperson and Member of the Senedd for Mid and West Wales, Cefin Campbell MS said: "This will be a huge blow for Lampeter and the wider area, for which Welsh Government must work with the University of Wales Trinity Saint David to provide immediate support to students, academics, and the wider support staff who will be affected by moving courses to Carmarthen.

“Staff and the local community are already worried about the future of the Lampeter campus, and this latest news will only increase fears.

"Unfortunately, we know that universities across Wales are in crisis - something the Labour Welsh Government have failed to act upon.

"Labour have rowed back on promises to bring forward a rescue plan for Welsh Universities, and the Chancellor's decision to increase employers' National Insurance contributions is a further blow.

"Plaid Cymru is clear that urgent action must be taken to put universities on a sustainable footing in Wales - there can be no further delay."