This year's Central Applications Office (CAO) listings recorded a drop in points for many arts courses while the number of degree courses requiring 500 points or more jumped to a new high. Trends in course choices are closely related to the condition of the economy and this year were borne out in a shift towards subjects relating to construction, nursing, architecture, engineering, technology and business.
All saw increases in points requirements as the growth in focus in recent years on Stem subjects – both at secondary and third level – has contributed to a wider interest in science, technology and maths-related courses.
While it is natural for applicants to base their course choice to some degree on current economic conditions it is worth noting that job prospects during enrolment will not be the same at graduation.
The construction sector is a good example. A decline in enrolments in construction-related courses that followed the property crash is now being keenly felt and, earlier this month, Engineers Ireland warned of a critical shortage of qualified highly-skilled workers.
In 2014, only 62 construction engineers graduated compared to several hundred in 2007. It will take several years before enough graduates are produced to meet the current demand and it is difficult to predict whether the sector will have the same appeal by then.
Another factor that arises when the economy is used as a barometer for choosing a third-level course is that students can end up entering programmes that do not best fit their abilities. The danger of viewing third-level education purely as preparation for the job market rather than a means of developing the individual could be more damaging in the long-term.
This newspaper has already reported on alarmingly high dropout rates at some institutions brought about by students enrolling for the wrong degree course.
It is worth noting that the analytical and communications skills obtained by arts students are also vital to the health of the economy. These cognitive skills may not be as easily measurable as those taught in science-related courses but nor should they be seen as mutually exclusive.
Concerns that the Arts may be eclipsed by Stem-related subjects may be premature and Arts programmes remain by far the most popular area of study with 16,000 students expected to enrol this year alone.
The increased promotion of Stem-related courses both by government and third-level institutions has the underlying goal of moving Ireland’s economy towards the global knowledge economy but the value of critical thinking in the jobs market should not be underestimated.
Educators and government need to ensure that students are properly equipped to choose the course that is best suited for them.