GLYNDWR University is bucking the national trend and reporting an increase in applications from prospective students.
But the University of Chester has seen thousands fewer applying for its courses, it has been revealed.
UK-wide figures from the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) show an overall fall of 7.4 per cent in applications.
Professor Helen James, pro vice-chancellor at Glyndwr, said: “As of this time last week, the total number of applications for undergraduate courses for September 2012 entry was up five per cent from the same point in the 2011 admissions cycle.
“The vast majority of subject areas have received more applications than at this point last year and applications continue to be accepted.
“Glyndwr is applying differential fee levels for its courses in recognition of the need to avoid, as far as possible, burdening students with large debt when they leave.
“Our average fee level is below the maximum fee level charged by institutions and may account in part for the increased interest in our courses.
“However, many courses are professionally and vocationally aligned and have an excellent record in terms of graduate employability.”
Chester vice-chancellor Professor Tim Wheeler said the university had received 20,602 applications for 2012 entry, or nine applications for each available place.
He said: “While this figure is a decrease from 23,675 last year, we are still in a very healthy position, having significantly increased our application numbers from 19,241 in 2010.
“Demand has been consistently high, particularly since 2004 when we achieved the highest percentage increase in applications in the country.
“It is particularly encouraging in such challenging times that students are continuing to appreciate the value of a degree and that the University of Chester remains such a popular choice.”
Prof Wheeler said the number of places the university offered had remained static since 2008 because of Government restrictions.
He added: “Naturally we cannot be complacent and, in common with all other UK institutions, we are continually striving for improvement.
“However, we remain in a strong position.”
l Glyndwr declined a request to provide figures for the total number of people making applications to study.