Last week the college learned that it is to receive £18.742 million, a rise of 2.8%, in funds from the Scottish Further Education Funding Council for 2004-05.

Mr Ovens said at the time, “This announcement confirms the funding we were anticipating. It means we will be able to maintain the current level of activity overall. However, we will have to turn away students in some areas where demand is especially high.”

Asked to elaborate on the last point, a spokesperson for the college said today it was not a new development and the college was not in any difficulty.

It was simply the case that after a period of rapid expansion — there are now more than 20,000 full and part-time students at the further education centre — the college is in a standstill period. It was not able to continue to absorb increases in students, especially from candidates who delayed their applications until later in the process.

The spokesperson said, “If applicants delay they may find courses are full and they will be unsuccessful or placed on a waiting list in case vacancies arise.”