UCD has suspended the allocation of much sought after campus accommodation for the next academic term due to a technical problems with its email system.

Students were invited to make online applications ten days ago, with thousands logging on in the first few minutes of the offer opening.

Applications were due to be ranked on a first-come-first served basis but, in a statement , UCD Residences said: “It appears that a number of emails were not ranked properly for a number of technical reasons.”

People who had been given a high ranking in the queue for accommodation have been told this cannot be guaranteed and they may fall off the list .

In an email to applicants, the college authorities said: “It came to our attention through student feedback that there were potential inaccuracies in the first come first serve rankings on the wait list. Having investigated the queries IT Services confirmed that a number of technical problems had developed with the university email service.

“We have temporarily suspended the queuing system that processes the UCD Residences room offers to continuing and senior year allocations until the issues are fully resolved.

“A new correct ranking will be produced and will be available next week. Unfortunately, this may affect the ranking you were already been given.”

UCD said it would provide an update to applicants on on Wednesday June 24th at 12pm on its website ucd.ie/residences.

“We would like to sincerely apologise for any inconvenience caused,” it added.

More than 700 beds are at stake, 275 for students continuing their studies, and 453 for those in senior year. The allocation is 26 per cent of UCD’s total student accommodation, with the remainder going to first-year students, international students and others.