The call comes from local MLA Pat Ramsey, of the SDLP, who wants student numbers at the Derry campus hitting the 10,000 mark.

He says: “Such a growth would make a huge impact on employment here – because the presence of such a campus would attract investment in jobs from across the world. That has been the experience of every other Irish university city, without exception, but all of the other University cities have university campuses of over 10,000 students. The campus at Magee has 3,700 students enrolled.”

Minister for Employment and Learning Reg Empey recently told the Northern Ireland Assembly that he has received no development plans from the university.

He said: ““If it is a matter of considering caps on student numbers, the maximum student number cap, as it is known, is purely a cost-control measure,” Mr. Empey told the Assembly, “If a university presented me with proposals and said that it cannot take on any more students in economically relevant subject areas because of its cap, I will consider that; however, I must be approached. If a proposal is produced it will be assessed."

Mr. Ramsey added: “The Minister had informed me that he has written to the University on two occasions recently, asking them for their plans for growth at Magee, but he has received no reply from the University. The SDLP is now requesting an urgent meeting with University authorities to ask them to explain what their plans are for the Magee Campus. If the campus delivers on its stated goal of 10,000 students, then it will deliver great social and economic benefit for the people – and we intend to ensure that it delivers."

In response, a spokesperson for the University said: “The University of Ulster has continuously demonstrated its commitment to the Magee campus, with the unprecedented growth that has occurred since 1984. We will be pleased to meet interested parties."