Demand for popular arts programmes likely to push points up

COLLEGE CHOICE:THOSE STUDYING arts far outnumber any other discipline, accounting for 25 per cent of all students. The largest programme, the bachelor of arts degree in UCD (DN001), accepted 1,232 new students in 2009.

Arts faculties in the NUI universities in Cork, Galway and Maynooth offer about 1,000 places each. Trinity, University of Limerick, the colleges of education and a number of the fee-paying private colleges also offer comprehensive programmes.

REQUIREMENTS IN 2010

Given the present economic uncertainty, it is highly probable that demand for arts programmes will increase as students look for more wide-ranging courses.

If this trend emerges, it will push up CAO points requirements for arts degrees towards 400.

CHOOSING YOUR SUBJECTS

The BA is a vast degree covering a multiplicity of subjects, with the main universities offering up to 30 subjects. Within the broad- based arts programmes such as those at NUI Galway, UCC and NUI Maynooth, students can select between three and four subjects in first year, dropping to two or sometimes one subject for the remainder of the degree.

Trinity has traditionally asked students to select two subjects in their (TR001) option, which have different points requirements for each combination selected.

This year, UCD is introducing a new subject preference grid that lets you pre-select two subjects. This guarantees you a place in the classes you need to attend to get sufficient first-year credits to take the subject to degree level.

It is still possible to select the UCD BA arts programme (DN012) without making any subject choices and to choose them when you register in September – although some classes may be full at that stage. Even if you do pre-select subjects, you still have the option to change your mind when you get to UCD.

Unlike at Trinity (TR001), the points required to secure a place in any combinations of UCD arts subjects within the (DN012) programme will be the same.

INTERESTED IN APPLYING FOR SPECIFIC SUBJECT(S?)

You should be very careful before you opt for a specific arts degree as you will in most cases be sharing the same classes with those entering through the general route. The only real advantage is that you are securing in advance your entitlement to places in those subjects.

In certain circumstances, denominated programmes combine subjects from more than one faculty, known as inter- disciplinary programmes, which are not open to those in the omnibus or general programme.

For a full list of such specialist combination and inter-faculty degrees see www.qualifax.ie

WHAT CAN YOU DO WITH AN ARTS DEGREE?

Arts subjects don’t tend to have a clear career path but HR managers look to employ well- educated graduates who are self- motivators and who demonstrate creative and analytical skills.

In achieving these skills, students involved in college societies, public debating, acting, event-organising etc are often popular with employers.

More than 40 per cent of arts graduates have traditionally got jobs in teaching, politics, the Civil Service, journalism, performing and visual arts, public relations, financial services, recruitment, management consultancy and customer service.

Recent graduates are having far greater difficulty in securing employment following the contraction of the economy. Up to 50 per cent are now doing postgraduate studies in areas such as business, law, journalism and creative writing.

SOCIAL SCIENCE

Graduates are associated with the social professions of community work, youth work and social work. They are also found in management and public administration, journalism, the media and social research.

MATURE APPLICANTS

UCD and UCC both require mature applicants to arts and social sciences to sit the MSAP (mature students admissions pathway) test. Applicants must register for this at http://msap. acer.edu.au/ by February 1st.

Tomorrow: science and engineering

Brian Mooney’s final column in the series will be published tomorrow, the deadline for “early- bird” online applications.

Listen to Brian Mooney’s podcast for both Leaving Certificate and mature students at irishtimes.com/education