This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/education/8174997.stm

The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Universities shun extra students Top universities wary on places
(10 minutes later)
Some of England's most prestigious universities, including Oxbridge, have said they do not want their share of 10,000 additional student places.Some of England's most prestigious universities, including Oxbridge, have said they do not want their share of 10,000 additional student places.
The government is allowing the extra undergraduates to be recruited in subjects important to the economy.The government is allowing the extra undergraduates to be recruited in subjects important to the economy.
The higher education funding council (Hefce) is allocating them according to how many such students institutions already have: two get more than 300.The higher education funding council (Hefce) is allocating them according to how many such students institutions already have: two get more than 300.
But six universities have said they want fewer, and 11 want none at all.But six universities have said they want fewer, and 11 want none at all.
The 11 are: Bristol, Cambridge, Exeter, Imperial College London, King's College London, Liverpool, London Metropolitan University, Nottingham, Oxford, Southampton, Warwick. The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) said it was great news that a vast majority of English universities had chosen to take a share.
"Universities from across all of the major mission groups have chosen to offer more opportunities for students including almost half of the Russell Group and all but one of the 1994 Group of institutions," a spokesman said.
"That's good news young people wanting to go to university this year and good news for the UK as we continue to build Britain's future."
Quality concernQuality concern
The 11 that have declined the offer are: Bristol, Cambridge, Exeter, Imperial College London, King's College London, Liverpool, London Metropolitan University, Nottingham, Oxford, Southampton, Warwick.
Nine of the 11 belong to the 20-strong Russell Group of leading research intensive universities.Nine of the 11 belong to the 20-strong Russell Group of leading research intensive universities.
In a statement, its director general, Dr Wendy Piatt, said: "Maintaining quality is sacrosanct and the Russell Group is concerned about underfunded extra students - there is already a funding shortfall for teaching at our universities."In a statement, its director general, Dr Wendy Piatt, said: "Maintaining quality is sacrosanct and the Russell Group is concerned about underfunded extra students - there is already a funding shortfall for teaching at our universities."
The government is providing funding for the additional students' tuition fee loans and maintenance grants, so universities will get their fees - but nothing for teaching them.The government is providing funding for the additional students' tuition fee loans and maintenance grants, so universities will get their fees - but nothing for teaching them.
Hefce said: "To assure maximum take-up of the places, we informally approached institutions with a large initial share to see if they were able to take these up.Hefce said: "To assure maximum take-up of the places, we informally approached institutions with a large initial share to see if they were able to take these up.
"For a variety of reasons, a number of institutions indicated that they cannot take up their share and have asked that their additional places be re-distributed so that they are available elsewhere."For a variety of reasons, a number of institutions indicated that they cannot take up their share and have asked that their additional places be re-distributed so that they are available elsewhere.
"We have already distributed these numbers pro rata across the sector.""We have already distributed these numbers pro rata across the sector."
The divisions range from 341 places at Manchester Metropolitan University and 329 at Kingston, to just one extra place at 14 institutions, many of them further education colleges running undergraduate courses.The divisions range from 341 places at Manchester Metropolitan University and 329 at Kingston, to just one extra place at 14 institutions, many of them further education colleges running undergraduate courses.
They all have until 1700 on Thursday 30 July to let Hefce know if they yet wish to return some or all of their provisional allocations.They all have until 1700 on Thursday 30 July to let Hefce know if they yet wish to return some or all of their provisional allocations.
These will then be divided among the rest on a pro rata basis, with final allocations of extra places being announced on Friday.These will then be divided among the rest on a pro rata basis, with final allocations of extra places being announced on Friday.
Eligible subjectsEligible subjects
The 10,000 new places for 2009-10 are for full-time undergraduates in subject areas that will support the government's New Industry, New Jobs policy.The 10,000 new places for 2009-10 are for full-time undergraduates in subject areas that will support the government's New Industry, New Jobs policy.
These include, but are not limited to, some of the Stem subjects - science, technology, engineering and mathematics.These include, but are not limited to, some of the Stem subjects - science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
The full list:The full list:
Anatomy, physiology & pathologyAnatomy, physiology & pathology
Pharmacology, toxicology & pharmacyPharmacology, toxicology & pharmacy
Medical technologyMedical technology
BiologyBiology
BotanyBotany
ZoologyZoology
GeneticsGenetics
MicrobiologyMicrobiology
Molecular biology, biophysics & biochemistryMolecular biology, biophysics & biochemistry
Others in biological sciencesOthers in biological sciences
Agricultural technologyAgricultural technology
Forestry technologyForestry technology
Food scienceFood science
Food & beverage productionFood & beverage production
ChemistryChemistry
Materials scienceMaterials science
PhysicsPhysics
Forensic & archaeological sciencesForensic & archaeological sciences
AstronomyAstronomy
GeologyGeology
Science of aquatic & terrestrial environmentsScience of aquatic & terrestrial environments
Others in physical sciencesOthers in physical sciences
Mathematical and computer sciencesMathematical and computer sciences
MathematicsMathematics
Operational researchOperational research
StatisticsStatistics
Computer scienceComputer science
Information systemsInformation systems
Software engineeringSoftware engineering
Artificial intelligenceArtificial intelligence
Others in mathematical and computer sciencesOthers in mathematical and computer sciences
General engineeringGeneral engineering
Civil engineeringCivil engineering
Mechanical engineeringMechanical engineering
Aerospace engineeringAerospace engineering
Naval architectureNaval architecture
Electronic & electrical engineeringElectronic & electrical engineering
Production & manufacturing engineeringProduction & manufacturing engineering
Chemical, process & energy engineeringChemical, process & energy engineering
Others in engineeringOthers in engineering
Minerals technologyMinerals technology
MetallurgyMetallurgy
Ceramics & glassCeramics & glass
Polymers & textilesPolymers & textiles
Materials technology not otherwise specifiedMaterials technology not otherwise specified
Maritime technologyMaritime technology
BiotechnologyBiotechnology
Others in technologyOthers in technology
Architectural technologyArchitectural technology
Building technologyBuilding technology
EconomicsEconomics
Business studiesBusiness studies
Management studiesManagement studies
FinanceFinance
AccountingAccounting
MarketingMarketing
Human resource managementHuman resource management