The Asian Flu, which is affecting many British third-level colleges this year, is beginning to spread its symptoms here too.

The Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland confirms that it is admitting only a small number of Malaysian students this term, as a result of the financial crisis in Asia. However, this does not mean that there will be more places for Irish students, according to Dr Kenneth Winser, RCSI's vice dean for admissions.

"We normally take in about 30 to 40 students from Malaysia every year, but this year our intake is going to be down to between 10 and 15," he says. Most Malaysian students are sponsored by their government, which has decided to cease funding new students during the financial crisis but is continuing to support existing ones. Irish students do not stand to benefit. Winser explains: "The HEA will only allow us to take in 40 Irish/EU students each year." These places are filled through the CAO.

The places normally taken up by Malaysians have already been filled by students from other countries. "We have about six applications for each international place available," Winser says. "The places have been filled by students from other countries. We have large numbers of students from North America, the Middle East and Norway and smaller numbers from Australia and Canada and elsewhere."