CONCERNS have been raised around a reported decrease in the number of students from European Union countries studying at Welsh universities.

Figures have shown there are 22 per cent fewer students from the EU studying at Welsh universities in the current academic year than there were last year.

And, speaking in the Assembly earlier this week, South Wales East AM Mohammad Asghar said he was concerned by figures which showed applications from EU students to Welsh universities were down 10 per cent this year - while England and Northern Ireland were up by two and three per cent respectively.

Addressing Carwyn Jones, the Conservative AM asked: "Given that Brexit will affect the whole of the United Kingdom, why is it that Welsh universities have performed so badly in attracting students from EU countries compared to England and Northern Ireland?"

Mr Jones responded an overhaul of student finance in Wales which replaced a £5,100 tuition fees grant offered to UK and EU students with a new grant covering the cost of living will have had an effect on this.

"It was very generous, of course, for EU students," he said. "That’s not the case any more in the same way. That may well be part of the reason why we’ve seen a decline in Wales, given the situation with our own student finances."

And Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney AM Dawn Bowden said she had been told the number of EU students accepting places at the University of South Wales (USW), which has a campus in Newport, was down around 33 per cent.

"There’s no doubt that this is going to impact on university and college finances, the sustainability of jobs in the sector and on many local economies," she said.

Mr Jones responded his government was working with the higher education sector to determine what the impact on Brexit and Welsh universities would be.

"We will, of course, continue to press the message that Wales is open for business and is an attractive destination for students, with well-ranked universities, quality teaching and affordable living costs," he said.

"But there’s no doubt that there is a feeling amongst students not just from within the EU, but from outside, that the UK in some way is not welcoming as far as students are concerned.

"For years, I listened to people from the Indian government, for example, and those representing them, saying that they felt that their students were not welcome in the UK any more, and now we’re seeing that perceived lack of a welcome being extended to other nationalities as well.

"But, as far as Wales is concerned, we welcome the brightest and best, wherever they’re from."

A USW spokesman said the university does not comment on student numbers.