Students abandon property-related courses as interest in science picks up

The latest CAO figures released yesterday give a fascinating insight into how the class of 2010 sees its job prospects, writes SEÁN FLYNN

STUDENTS HAVE very little confidence that the economy is going to pick up any time soon and many are opting for “wait and see’’ courses in arts and social science.

They are also deserting in their droves any courses linked to the property sector. And they are no longer charged with enthusiasm about the business world after all that negative publicity about corporate Ireland.

These are the main conclusions to be drawn from yesterday’s CAO figures, detailing the courses which students hope to study next autumn. Overall, the number of applications for higher level degrees is up by 6 per cent. About half of these are mature students opting for college; many are struggling to find employment. The following are the main trends in key subject areas.

CONSTRUCTION – THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT

(Down 21 per cent)

If there is one clear signal from the CAO figures, it’s the lack of confidence in the property market. Demand for all courses linked to the building sector has collapsed. The impact of this will be keenly felt at the Dublin Institute of Technology which pioneered so many innovative courses in this area.

The figures are stark. Of the 61,000 applications for higher degree courses, only 257 made a course in the built environment area their top choice. The Class of 2010 has voted no confidence in the property market.

What might happen to points? Expect a further decline.

ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY, AND SCIENCE

(Up 6 per cent and 9 per cent respectively)

At last, there are signs that the Government’s efforts to boost student interest in science and technology are working. Almost 6,500 students made a higher level science course their first choice this year. And over 5,000 made an engineering course their first choice.

These figures are still relatively low – over 16,500 opted for arts and social science – but they will encourage business leaders and the science community and the growth in some colleges was spectacular. At UCD, there was an impressive 28 per cent increase in applications for the general science degree programme. NUI Maynooth saw strong growth in the number of applications for computing (up 8 per cent), biotechnology (up 32 per cent) and product design (up 8 per cent). Why is demand picking up? Clearly, students take the view there are good job prospects in these areas.

What might happen to points? A significant increase again this year.

ARTS AND SOCIAL SCIENCE

(Higher level applications up 10 per cent)

With so many arts graduates struggling to find work, the increase in applications here will surprise many. What’s clear is that students still see the arts degree as a decent platform.

It is also a decent each-way bet for students at a time when there is so much uncertainty about the economy. An arts degree will give students a good qualification; and some breathing space while the economic storm hopefully plays itself out.

What might happen to points? A modest increase.

BUSINESS AND ADMINISTRATION

(Up 4 per cent)

Given the increase in total applications, the marginal increase in applications here represents a net decline in applications – and a reverse of recent trends. Business courses have been booming for over a decade.

With so much money sloshing around the business sector, the number of courses multiplied, and demand surged. Many school-leavers with very high points (500-plus) opted for business courses.

But the negative publicity about the business in Ireland has had a huge impact on college applications. Business is now seen as hazardous – and no longer that lucrative. What might happen to points? A slight decrease.

OTHER MAIN TRENDS

Pharmacy

The confrontation between the HSE and the pharmacists – resulting in a substantial decrease in the margins earned by pharmacists – has hit demand for these courses. Applications are down by 26 per cent – from 380 to 280 first preferences.

Physiotherapy

Has bounced back in popularity after a huge decline in recent years. Negative publicity about huge unemployment among graduates saw a huge fall-off in demand. But this year applications are up by 21 per cent.

Nursing

Nursing has held steady, increasing in line with the overall increase in applicant numbers. Medicine and dentistry are up 5 per cent and 8 per cent respectively and other non-defined healthcare courses are up by 20 per cent.

Architecture, Law and Teaching

With sluggish demand, CAO points for architecture and law will also decrease again this year.

Teaching courses may also decrease slightly by five to 10 points at a maximum.