THE CAO points required for entry to third-level courses in science, technology and engineering are set to increase this year as students opt for courses with better job prospects.
But points for some degree courses – in teaching, business and in the arts and humanities area – could fall amid sluggish demand from students.
In a striking trend, demand for teaching jobs has declined for the second year in succession, and by more than 7 per cent since 2009. This reflects increasing concern about a much tighter jobs market for teaching graduates as education spending is cut.
Another striking feature of this year’s CAO trends is the surge in demand for places on courses in the booming agriculture and horticulture sector, which is up 27 per cent on last year.
The final CAO application details, released yesterday, also indicate that points for all courses associated with the building industry will see a further decline.
Only 236 students in the State listed a property-related course as their first preference this year, a trend that will raise questions about the continued viability of some third-level courses.
In a related move, points requirements are set to fall for areas such as architecture and law, which are also suffering in the property downturn.
By contrast, the surge in the numbers seeking places on science courses (up 6 per cent on 2010 and 14 per cent since 2009) will see points increase for virtually all level-8 or higher-degree courses in this area.
Points will also move upwards for engineering and technology courses, which have registered a 1.7 per cent increase in demand.
While the Government and business leaders will welcome this trend, courses in science and technology account for only 21 per cent of all higher-degree first-preference applications.
By contrast, more than 42 per cent of applications are for courses in arts/social science and business.
With Leaving Cert results due next week, the CAO will issue its first round of offers at 6am on Monday, August 22nd.
Other expected CAO points trends include:
* Medicine, nursing and related health care: points requirements for medicine are expected to remain broadly unchanged. But demand for nursing and areas such as occupational therapy and speech and language therapy remains strong – which could means a modest increase in points. Points for dentistry should fall.
* Physiotherapy: first preferences rose by 21 per cent in 2010, and are up by 2.4 per cent this year. This should see points increase again.
* Pharmacy: student demand has bounced back after a 21 per cent drop in applications in 2010; this year it is up 23 per cent which will mean higher points needed for entry.
The CAO application details, released also, show the first recorded decline in the total number of applications for several years. Career experts say the increased student contribution fee (up from €1,500 last year per cent to €2,000 from next month) may be affecting demand.
There has been a surge in interest from students in Britain and Northern Ireland, who face prohibitive fees levels. Applicants are up by about 500, to close on 2,500.
In a new trend, students prefer to wait until after their Leaving Cert results before deciding on their college options.
The CAO figures show that more than 40,000 students opted to use the “change of mind” process this year.
