University offers to be honoured

A total of 370 applicants received congratulatory offers after they applied for places within the School of Engineering at the university, where only 194 places are available.

The university first issued an apology, blaming a "computer error" for the glitch.

It has now decided to honour most offers after a review of all cases.

"The Faculty and School has now had an opportunity to review each individual case," Professor Richard Millar, Dean of the Faculty of Computing and Engineering, said.

"For all students for whom we have a complete set of examination results, we are able to honour the offer made. These decisions are being communicated to the individual students through UCAS and we expect them to be confirmed on UCAS TRACK by Sunday evening."

All applicants that received the congratulatory email in error from the faculty, and for whom the university has a full set of examination results, are now having their place in the university confirmed.

Prof Richard Millar

A further 20 students are still waiting for some exam results - such as college diplomas - and the university said their cases will be looked at as soon as possible.

The university said it will have to provide more teaching support and may face a financial penalty for exceeding a cap on numbers.

Prof Richard Millar explained: "In the light of the extra student numbers we are now admitting, the university will put in place additional teaching and pastoral support. As a consequence of this decision the university is likely to overshoot its MaSN (maximum student number) cap and may face a financial penalty.

University of Ulster vice-chancellor Professor Richard Barnett thanked the Employment and Learning minister Dr Stephen Farry for his "understanding" on the issue.

He said the university will be holding further talks with the minister and his officials.

"Once again, the university apologises for the anxiety and distress that has been caused to any of our applicants and their families," he said.