A radical overhaul of the points system - which is set to see the abolition of "high points" for medicine and related courses - will be unveiled shortly.The Higher Education Authority (HEA) is to propose sweeping changes to entry requirements for medicine and possibly other prestige courses like veterinary science and pharmacy, write Seán Flynn and Kathryn Holmquist, Education Staff
The proposals were forwarded to the Minister for Education, Mr Dempsey, recently, and he is thought to favour reform.
Last year the Programme for Government said the Coalition would seek to address "the distortion of the points system".
CAO offers sent to more than 51,000 applicants today show that medicine courses require on average 570 points, the equivalent of more than 5 A1's in the Leaving Certificate.
But this could be the last year of this system. In future, students could be asked to take a broad science degree before opting for medicine.
The CAO figures show that students are continuing to shun courses in the Information Technology sector, opting instead for what are seen as less risky options like teaching and commerce.
The health-care sector and construction studies are also in demand, reflecting the need for social service workers and the continuing property boom.
At UCD it is now much easier to get into science rather than arts courses. On average arts courses can require more than 100 more points than those in science.
The CAO figures this year show that points for most courses have remained relatively stable.
However, points for prestige courses like medicine, dentistry and law remain on an upward spiral.
On medicine, the HEA report is thought to outline a range of options including:
The introduction of a life sciences course for all undergraduates, which would be completed before they gained entry to medical school.
Allowing all graduates who want to pursue a career in medicine to apply for places on postgraduate courses.
The possibility of these options for other healthcare areas such as dentistry, medicine, veterinary medicine, physiotherapy and pharmacy.
The proposal for a change in the route to a medical degree was first mooted by the Points Commission in its landmark report on the points system over three years ago.
Nursing has entered the CAO list for the first time, giving the first realistic view of required points which range from 235 to 390.
The continuing drift away from computer and some science courses will dismay Government and industry, amid concerns that the State will soon lack the hi-tech graduates its needs for the IT sector.
Students have ignored advice from Government and business interests that the computer sector is in recovery and set to grow in the next few years.
A move towards a general science degree as a gateway to medicine and other healthcare courses could also help to rejuvenate the area.
Trinity College Dublin remains the college where points are rising fastest. No university is harder to get into.
Points there have increased in two-thirds of courses, dropping or remaining stable only in the science and computer areas.
General arts degrees are increasingly popular, as more students move away from choosing a career too early.
This year's new glamour courses include Trinity College's film studies, requiring 510 points - as much as commerce at UCD.