Northern Ireland's department for employment and learning has dismissed student claims of an impending admissions crisis, writes Olga Wojtas.

The National Union of Students - Union of Students in Ireland said many school- leavers would have their hopes dashed by the government's failure to provide an adequate number of university places.

Ben Archibald, NUS-USI convenor, said: "Demand is so high for college places that many local students will be forced to leave Northern Ireland to find a course or give up any hope of entering higher education."

The union is calling for an increase of at least 4,000 places to match those available in Scotland.

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But a department spokesman said: "Higher education in Northern Ireland is going through a period of expansion. Since 1999, more than 3,000 additional full-time equivalent places have been introduced."

Total additions were set to rise to about 5,600 later in the decade, subject to budgetary considerations, he said.

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The union also wants to see a reformed admissions system, which it says would mean A-level students who do better than expected will not be "unfairly penalised" by the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service.

Student leaders believe a post-qualification admissions system would be fairer and allow students more time to choose their future study and career options.