Restore a fair funding route so Welsh students aren’t shut out from MT/dance degrees in England

Most specialist musical theatre and dance training is delivered by recognised colleges in England, so Welsh students rely on Student Finance Wales to access these pathways. Current rules mean many courses are not automatically designated unless both the university and partner college are OfS‑registered, which many specialist colleges are not. This leaves Welsh applicants without clear funding routes or limited to a reduced tuition‑fee loan that creates unaffordable gaps. Since Medr assumed responsibility for designation in July 2024, families have been told to contact colleges individually, but information is often unclear or unavailable. Welsh students now face a real risk of being unable to accept places they earn through competitive auditions. As students are already applying and auditioning in the current cycle, urgent clarity and a fair funding route are essential so Welsh learners are not shut out of professional training purely because of where they live.