Menu
17/08/2012
400 Students' Places Withdrawn After University Blunder
More than 400 students who were told they had a place at the University of Ulster have now had their unconditional offers withdrawn as they were the result of a computer mistake.
Professor Millar, dean of the faculty of computing and engineering at the Jordanstown campus, said an e-mail was sent out to all applicants in the system telling them they had unconditional offers to study there.
But in a mistake that will be crushing for the hundreds affected, the e-mail was sent to everyone and the university will now be contacting teenagers who let them know individually whether they actually have places or not.
Professor Millar apologised for the blunder on the BBC's Nolan Show and advised students to check UCAS for the most up-to-date response to their application.
He said: "We normally carried out the process by postal service and this is the first time we had tried this new system of communication with applicants by email.
"Clearly things have gone wrong and that's something we would want to put right and we will put additional checks in place to ensure that this is not repeated.
"I would love to be in a situation where we could tell these applicants, yes, we will stand over this and honour this, however that is not going to happen."
The mistake was confined to one faculty.
SDLP education spokesman Sean Rogers told the Belfast Telegraph: "This is a totally shambolic situation which has left many students and their families upset and uncertain. Not only have students had the places they were offered withdrawn but they have also missed a day of clearing to attempt to get into other courses."
Mr Rogers called on the Department for Employment and Learning to step in.
The irony of a department that teaches computing making such a big computer mistake will undoubtedly not be lost on students.
(NE)
Professor Millar, dean of the faculty of computing and engineering at the Jordanstown campus, said an e-mail was sent out to all applicants in the system telling them they had unconditional offers to study there.
But in a mistake that will be crushing for the hundreds affected, the e-mail was sent to everyone and the university will now be contacting teenagers who let them know individually whether they actually have places or not.
Professor Millar apologised for the blunder on the BBC's Nolan Show and advised students to check UCAS for the most up-to-date response to their application.
He said: "We normally carried out the process by postal service and this is the first time we had tried this new system of communication with applicants by email.
"Clearly things have gone wrong and that's something we would want to put right and we will put additional checks in place to ensure that this is not repeated.
"I would love to be in a situation where we could tell these applicants, yes, we will stand over this and honour this, however that is not going to happen."
The mistake was confined to one faculty.
SDLP education spokesman Sean Rogers told the Belfast Telegraph: "This is a totally shambolic situation which has left many students and their families upset and uncertain. Not only have students had the places they were offered withdrawn but they have also missed a day of clearing to attempt to get into other courses."
Mr Rogers called on the Department for Employment and Learning to step in.
The irony of a department that teaches computing making such a big computer mistake will undoubtedly not be lost on students.
(NE)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
07 December 2011
Students Boosted By Extra Uni Places
Hundreds of extra places are being made available at NI universities and colleges. An extra 700 undergraduate places will be opened up in Northern Ireland by 2015, the Stormont Employment and Learning Minister Stephen Farry has announced.
Students Boosted By Extra Uni Places
Hundreds of extra places are being made available at NI universities and colleges. An extra 700 undergraduate places will be opened up in Northern Ireland by 2015, the Stormont Employment and Learning Minister Stephen Farry has announced.
17 May 2024
QUB Ranked Top 10 For Graduate Prospects
Queen's University Belfast has ranked in the top 25 of UK universities, with 28 subjects now ranked in the top 20 in this year's annual Complete University Guide rankings.
QUB Ranked Top 10 For Graduate Prospects
Queen's University Belfast has ranked in the top 25 of UK universities, with 28 subjects now ranked in the top 20 in this year's annual Complete University Guide rankings.
16 August 2001
Northern Ireland pupils are in a class of their own
Northern Ireland students have outperformed their peers in England and Wales in both A-level and the new AS level exams. Figures released by the Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment (CCEA) on Thursday August 16 show a record 48,000 grades have been issued to Northern Ireland students across all exam boards.
Northern Ireland pupils are in a class of their own
Northern Ireland students have outperformed their peers in England and Wales in both A-level and the new AS level exams. Figures released by the Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment (CCEA) on Thursday August 16 show a record 48,000 grades have been issued to Northern Ireland students across all exam boards.
17 June 2022
Tech Innovations Benefit Wellbeing Of Older People
The positive impact of innovative technology on older people's health, wellbeing and independence has been showcased at an event at the Europa Hotel. As Loneliness Awareness Week draws to a close, the event was part of the £2.
Tech Innovations Benefit Wellbeing Of Older People
The positive impact of innovative technology on older people's health, wellbeing and independence has been showcased at an event at the Europa Hotel. As Loneliness Awareness Week draws to a close, the event was part of the £2.
27 August 2021
Trial Of Innovative New Approach To Tackle Isolation And Loneliness
An innovative new approach to tackle isolation and loneliness in older people is to be trialled in Belfast. Communities in the Markets area of the city will be taking part in the project this autumn – an initiative of the £2.
Trial Of Innovative New Approach To Tackle Isolation And Loneliness
An innovative new approach to tackle isolation and loneliness in older people is to be trialled in Belfast. Communities in the Markets area of the city will be taking part in the project this autumn – an initiative of the £2.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
