DIT and UCD are the most popular third-level colleges with applicants this year, according to the latest CAO figures.
Some 7,128 students put a DIT course as their number one choice, narrowly ahead of UCD which was chosen by 7,102 students. This is the second successive year DIT has come first. In total applications, DIT was also ahead with 23,260 applications, compared to UCD's 23,219.
DIT, with six constituent colleges, offers a large number of courses, contributing to its popularity. Its applications increased notably in the last five years, even though it was denied university status three years ago.
UCD - the State's largest university - was well ahead of its rival Trinity College on first preferences and total applications. Trinity had a 6 per cent drop in total applications and a 4 per cent drop in first preferences.
NUI Galway had a 10 per cent rise in first preferences, but total applications were down by 6 per cent. UCC had a small rise in first preferences, but total applications were also down by 6 per cent. DCU saw first preferences fall by 9 per cent and total applications by 10 per cent.
The University of Limerick saw some of the largest falls in its sector, with first preferences down 13 per cent and total applications down 13 per cent. NUI Maynooth's first preferences were unchanged and it is understood its science courses have done well despite adverse publicity about high drop-out rates in the last fortnight.
Many smaller colleges are finding it harder to recruit students as the youth population shrinks. The Institutes of Technology (ITs) are also under pressure. Limerick, Galway-Mayo and Athlone ITs saw their applications drop.
However, other ITs saw applications rise considerably. Tralee IT, for example, had a 92 per cent increase in first preferences and an 89 per cent rise in total applications.