Some of England's most prestigious universities, including Oxbridge, have said they do not want their share of 10,000 additional student places.

The government is allowing the extra undergraduates to be recruited in subjects important to the economy.

The higher education funding council (Hefce) is allocating them according to how many such students institutions already have: two get more than 300.

But six universities have said they want fewer, and 13 want none at all.

Nottingham is among those that have said 'Thanks but no thanks'

The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) said it was great news that a vast majority of English universities had chosen to take a share.

"Universities from across all of the major mission groups have chosen to offer more opportunities for students including almost half of the Russell Group and all but one of the 1994 Group of institutions," a spokesman said.

"That's good news young people wanting to go to university this year and good news for the UK as we continue to build Britain's future."

Quality concern

The 13 that have declined the offer are: Bristol, Cambridge, Exeter, Imperial College London, King's College London, Leeds, Liverpool, London Metropolitan University, Nottingham, Oxford, Southampton, University College London and Warwick.

Eleven of the 13 belong to the Russell Group of leading research intensive universities, which has 16 English members in all.

In a statement, its director general, Dr Wendy Piatt, said: "Maintaining quality is sacrosanct and the Russell Group is concerned about underfunded extra students - there is already a funding shortfall for teaching at our universities."

The government is providing funding for the additional students' tuition fee loans and maintenance grants, so universities will get their fees - but nothing for teaching them.

Hefce said: "To assure maximum take-up of the places, we informally approached institutions with a large initial share to see if they were able to take these up.

"For a variety of reasons, a number of institutions indicated that they cannot take up their share and have asked that their additional places be re-distributed so that they are available elsewhere.

"We have already distributed these numbers pro rata across the sector."

The divisions range from 341 places at Manchester Metropolitan University and 329 at Kingston, to just one extra place at 14 institutions, many of them further education colleges running undergraduate courses.

Leeds had been given the third largest allocation overall - 248 places - before saying it did not want them.

Others have until 1700 on Thursday 30 July to let Hefce know if they wish to return some or all of their provisional allocations.

These will then be divided among the rest on a pro rata basis, with final allocations of extra places being announced on Friday.

Eligible subjects

The 10,000 new places for 2009-10 are for full-time undergraduates in subject areas that will support the government's New Industry, New Jobs policy.

These include, but are not limited to, some of the Stem subjects - science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

The full list:

Anatomy, physiology & pathology

Pharmacology, toxicology & pharmacy

Medical technology

Biology

Botany

Zoology

Genetics

Microbiology

Molecular biology, biophysics & biochemistry

Others in biological sciences

Agricultural technology

Forestry technology

Food science

Food & beverage production

Chemistry

Materials science

Physics

Forensic & archaeological sciences

Astronomy

Geology

Science of aquatic & terrestrial environments

Others in physical sciences

Mathematical and computer sciences

Mathematics

Operational research

Statistics

Computer science

Information systems

Software engineering

Artificial intelligence

Others in mathematical and computer sciences

General engineering

Civil engineering

Mechanical engineering

Aerospace engineering

Naval architecture

Electronic & electrical engineering

Production & manufacturing engineering

Chemical, process & energy engineering

Others in engineering

Minerals technology

Metallurgy

Ceramics & glass

Polymers & textiles

Materials technology not otherwise specified

Maritime technology

Biotechnology

Others in technology

Architectural technology

Building technology

Economics

Business studies

Management studies

Finance

Accounting

Marketing

Human resource management

(www.eduwo.com, Jainlyn&Charlotte)