The number of Leaving Certificate students who have applied to the Central Applications Office for a place on degree courses has increased this year, despite a decline in the number who sat the exam. In all, 54,989 have applied for a degree course compared to 53,960 in 1998, while 64,761 sat the Leaving compared to 65,584 in 1998.
Degree courses in administration, business and engineering have risen in popularity. Administration and business courses were the first preference for 14,010 students, compared to 12,317 in 1998, an increase of almost 14 per cent. The number who made engineering and technology degree courses their first choice rose by more than 7 per cent, from 8,811 in 1998 to 9,486 this year.
There was also a slight increase in the number choosing degree courses in arts, social science, law, physiotherapy, art and design.
However, first preferences for veterinary medicine fell by almost 18 per cent from 642 last year to 528 this year. First choice of education-related degree courses fell by almost 14 per cent, from 4,903 students in 1998 to 4,228 this year. The number making pharmacy their first choice dropped from 430 to 393.
Science and applied science degree courses also experienced a decline in demand. The number of students who made degree courses in science and applied science their first choice has fallen almost 8 per cent from 6,030 last year to 5,560 this year.
Earlier this week, the Minister of State for Science, Technology and Commerce, Mr Noel Treacy, urged school-leavers to think seriously about pursuing science-related third-level courses. The Government has invested £15 million to improve facilities for the teaching of physics and chemistry in secondary schools and the course syllabuses over a three-year period.
There was also a slight drop in the number of people making degree courses in architecture, medicine and dentistry their first preference.
The total number of first-preference applications for diploma and certificate courses dropped from 58,164 last year to 57,276 this year.
There were particularly sharp declines in the number of first-preference applications for diplomas and certificates in arts, social science, agriculture and horticulture. There was a significant increase in the number choosing administration and business certificate and diploma courses as their first preference.
