Coalition GOVERNMENT plans to cut university places by 15,000 from next year has drawn widespread condemnation.

The proposals will remove the 10,000 places introduced in 2010 to help institutions cope with a sudden increase in applications, as well as cutting 5,000 places usually reserved for universities who have given out too many offers.

Coalition ministers insist the changes will give universities more flexibility in the admission process, pointing to the additional places reserved for universities charging less than £7,500 per year, as well as the potential benefits of increased competition for the brightest applicants.

However, some critics have slammed the cut as the latest in a line of government policies discouraging potential students from applying to university.

Pam Tatlow, chief executive of university think-tank Million Plus, expressed her concerns over cut. She said, “The reduction in the total number of student places available in 2012-13 is likely to dash the aspirations and ambitions of many well-qualified applicants”.

Similarly Liam Burns, president of the National Union of Students, condemned the proposal. He said, “As the country stands on the brink of recession and youth unemployment reaches record levels, ministers have effectively cut places by 15,000 and extinguished hope for many prospective students and set back economic recovery in the process.”

The reduction was detailed in a letter to the Higher Education Funding Council for England from Business Secretary Vince Cable and Universities minister David Willetts.

Despite the reduction in places, overall university funding will actually increase next year, rising to £9.46 billion from this year’s £9.31 billion.

David Willetts defended the changes, saying, “We are increasing the total funding available to the sector… and our reforms will enable successful universities to expand if they wish to do so.

“However it is also essential that the sector works collaboratively to lower their costs.”

Labour shadow higher education minister Shabana Mahmood was less supportive, saying, “On the day we learn the economy is shrinking, choked off by the Government cutting too far and too fast, ministers should recognise the crucial importance of investing in our universities to secure our long term economic competitiveness.

“They are…cutting student places by 15,000 and will deny yet more people the opportunity to go to university and develop skills to make them more employable and to make our businesses more productive.”

Universities will also incur a £3,800 fine for every student admitted above the permitted amount.

Last year 386,000 UK and EU students were admitted to English universities.