Tell me about DIT
With almost 20,000 students, it is Ireland's second largest third-level and the largest Institute of Technology. It's the longest established institute of technology in Ireland with a strong track record of innovation and of creating courses in response to student and employer demand. It was first in Europe to develop a culinary arts degree programme and it's the only place to study optometry or dietetics and it was the first to offer a forensic science degree.
Why change to DIT
– Innovative approaches to learning. Opportunities for progression from Level 6/7 to Level 8. Diverse student body, from apprentices to PhD students.
– Over 80 clubs and societies, including juggling, fashion, archery, soccer and sub-aqua.
– Strongly career-focused courses with work placement opportunities.
Why not change to DIT?
– No centralised campus. The colleges are scattered throughout Dublin so some students don't fully feel part of the college experience. The student crowd sometimes tends to dissolve into town.
– The smaller campuses make it harder to hide from your lecturers.
– A good academic record but some courses are overshadowed by similar, rival courses in other universities.
Changes since February?
There's been a significant rise in first preferences since change of mind opened.
What's the advice from DIT?
Choose a programme that genuinely interests you. Research shows that unless students are genuinely interested, they may not stick it out. Every August, DIT offers a second-chance maths exam for engineering students who may not have done well in Leaving Cert maths.
Most popular CAO courses in 2012
BA (Hons) in Business and Management
What courses have declined in popularity?
Construction, but DIT says that Ireland faces a looming skills shortage in this area and points out that quantity surveyors are still in high demand.
DIT in three words: Dublin, relevant, focused.
