The numbers of people applying to study at third level is set to reach a record high this year based on the volume of individuals who have registered with the Central Applications Office (CAO).
Latest figures show there were some 76,227 applications at the close of the CAO’s normal application deadline on Monday evening.
This compares to 74,499 at the same point last year, 73,063 in 2014 and 71,151 in 2013.
This figure does not represent the total number of CAO applicants as a late application facility opens on March 5th and runs until May 1st at 5:15 pm.
Based on these trends, experts say the overall number of applicants is set to climb above 80,000 for the first time since the CAO system was established almost 40 years ago.
The increased numbers are driven by a combination of population growth, higher numbers of mature applicants and policies promoting third-level education.
Experts say points increases, meanwhile, are likely among the most popular courses. especially in sectors linked to strong jobs growth such as science, technology and business.
Eileen Keleghan, the CAO's communications officer, said applicants who have already applied to CAO will have opportunities to change their course choices in May or June for no extra charge.
“If an applicant has forgotten to apply for a restricted course, or if they are a restricted-category applicant, they should avail of our ‘change of course choices’ facility which opens on Friday and is available until 1 March”.
Against a backdrop of growing numbers at third level, the Government has moved in recent times to emphasise alternatives to college.
Its 10-year national skills strategy, launched last week, places a heavy emphasis on alternatives to college such as the creation of some 50,000 apprenticeships and traineeships in the further education sector.
There are concerns in some quarters that too many young people are going to third level, with drop-out rates in some courses of between 50 and 60 per cent. In all, one in six students is failing to progress from the first to the second year of their course.
In the CAO system, officials have advised that some mature applicants may be required to apply directly to a higher education institution and not through the CAO.
These potential applicants should check with the admissions office of the college they are applying to.
Ms Keleghan said Leaving Certificate students and other non-restricted category applicants can still apply to CAO up to May 1st at 5:15pm using its late application facility.
This will become available in March for a fee of €50 for online applicants and €80 for paper applicants.
Ms Keleghan said students with concerns about their options or their application should consult their guidance counsellor, the admissions officers in the individual institutions, and read the CAO handbook.
“If they cannot find the answer to their application query they can e-mail CAO using the ‘Contact’ page on the website,” she added.
* The CAO website is available at: www.cao.ie
