Anybody who missed out on the DIT photography course this year due to the massive jump in points will be happy to hear that for September 2001 and subsequent years all applicants will be required to submit a portfolio.

The introduction of a portfolio will reflect the creative theme in the new four-year degree course, says DIT admissions officer Vincent O'Hora. Students will submit a portfolio around March and will also be subject to minimum Leaving Cert requirements, a format similar to that used in the area of art and design.

This year, photography shot to 550 points in the first round of the CAO offers, 160 points up on last year. The reason for this surprisingly had little to do with the ratio of applicants and places. The reason, according to O'Hora, is because the course was changed to a degree midstream.

Every year around 3,000 students apply for the course and O'Hora usually makes 400 or 500 offers for the 25 to 30 places. This year he was more cautious and made just 70 or 100 offers in the first round for the twenty places, as he was aware some students would, in effect, have to make a choice between two degree offers. This resulted in higher calibre students being offered the places. The points, however, dropped to 510 in the second round and 470 in subsequent rounds as there were not enough acceptances in the initial round.