NEARLY a million pounds is to be slashed from a university’s budget as punishment for taking on too many students.

Edge Hill University, in Ormskirk, finds itself among the region’s education providers penalised for failing to stick to rigid government rules on student recruitment.

The Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) has confirmed the university is to have its funding reduced by more than £991,000 as a result of taking on an extra 268 students above agreed limits.

Universities are fined £3,700 for each student they over-recruit.

Last night, the university’s vice chancellor, Dr John Cater, said the recruitment cap confirmation came after students had been offered places.

He told the Daily Post: “The university has had a 400% increase in applications over the last 10 years.

“Last September was no exception to this trend and, as a consequence, we had a large number of qualified ‘A’ Level students who we were obliged to admit.

“Three months later, the then Secretary of State announced a post ad-hoc negotiation on previous September’s numbers.