Published Wednesday, 07 December 2011
For 2012/13, there will be 233 new places made available, with a further 467 in 2013/14.
All of the new places will be in mathematics, science, technology and engineering.
The new places are being created after the Department of Employment and Learning was awarded a £3m funding boost, which will be allocated over the next three years, aimed at increasing university places for students.
"This increase, which will start next year, is great news for all those young people who want to access higher education in Northern Ireland," the minister said.
"All the additional places will be in economically relevant Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) subjects which will ensure that we are delivering the right skills to support the rebalancing and growth of our local economy."
"This investment will help to address the anticipated rising demand for local places from Northern Ireland students as a consequence of the freezing of tuition fees in line with inflation", Mr Farry added.
"These additional places will be made available to the University of Ulster, Queen's University and also to local further education colleges that deliver higher education courses.
"Higher education delivered through further education is an important aspect of our overall provision and the allocation of places will ensure that extra capacity is also made available to our further education colleges."
The University of Ulster will receive 322 additional places under the plans, with Queen's University receiving 308 additional places.
A further 70 will be given to other further education providers.