The numbers applying for third-level places have dropped significantly for the first time, according to figures from the Central Applications Office (CAO). But points for medicine and related areas are expected to increase after strong demand for places on these courses in the next college year. Seán Flynn, Education Editor, reports.
Applications for medicine have risen by 14 per cent, pharmacy by 9 per cent and healthcare by 7 per cent.
Medicine-related courses are one of the few areas to see an increase in demand. Overall, applications to universities are down by 5 per cent.
Significantly, applications to Dublin City University, which has become synonymous with computers and technology, have declined by more than 7 per cent. Sources at the college say there has been a particular fall-off in demand for computer and engineering courses, despite efforts by Government and industry to stimulate student interest in these areas.
The reduction in demand for CAO places could have serious implications for some third-level colleges, particularly a number of the 14 institutes of technology which are already struggling to fill places on some courses.
Last night Mr Brian Mooney, president of the Institute of Guidance Counsellors and an Irish Times columnist, said there would be "no huge drop" in college points this year . The points for most courses in most universities would be broadly similar to last year.
The CAO points score required to gain entry to medicine is expected to increase to up to 580 points, because of the surge in demand from students. It is expected that the Minister for Education, Mr Dempsey, will intensify his efforts to change the current regime. He wants to widen access to medicine by allowing students pursue it as a postgraduate option.
Applications for most degree courses are down, according to the CAO figures. These include:
r Arts and social science (down 3 per cent);
r Education-primary teaching (down 8 per cent);
r Business (down 7 per cent);
r Agriculture (down 5 per cent).
The downturn comes as the Paris-based OECD continues its review of the third-level sector in the Republic. On the basis of Department of Education figures, the review team was expecting third-level numbers to increase by 20 per cent over the next five years. But this projection now looks less certain, with a 35 per cent drop in the number of school-leavers expected up to 2012.
Analysis: page 9; Editorial comment: page 17