CAO second round

THE SECOND round of CAO offers, published this morning, will disappoint many students who had hoped that points for their preferred course at higher degree level would fall. In fact, with some exceptions, there is very little movement in the overall picture. To date, 29 ,000 applicants have accepted a higher degree offer from the CAO, a record level of acceptances at this stage in the CAO process.

One of the striking features of the CAO figures this year is the sharp increase in the number of total acceptances at level 8 - higher degree level. It is clear that many students have abandoned plans to take a gap year.

The media furore about the possible return of fees appears to be a key factor here. While opening a debate on the issue, the Minister for Education, Batt O'Keeffe has ruled out the immediate return of fees. The issue will be considered in about 18 months time when a new national strategy on higher education is rolled out. But the Leaving Cert class of 2008 - and more particularly their parents - are taking no chances. Even the remote prospect of fees averaging over €5,000 per annum is already concentrating minds.

For those prepared to pay fees to attend private colleges, there are hundreds of places available. These range right across the spectrum including arts, law and business but the fees are expensive. In most cases they are in excess of €5,000 a year.

Overall, the second round of CAO offers is something of a non-event at higher degree level for most students. But there is one disturbing trend - the only higher degree courses still readily available are in the key areas of computing and engineering. Colleges report they have offered places to all applicants who have met the minimum entry requirements. There are also hundreds of other vacant places in these areas on the CAO website - but few takers. There is a real prospect of half-empty lecture halls for computing and engineering degree programmes in many leading colleges.

The pattern for ordinary degrees and higher certificates (level 7/6 ) is also worrying. Colleges have found it increasingly difficult to attract acceptances at these levels, even though applicants who receive awards can almost always progress onwards to a higher qualification. The CAO received 11,000 acceptances at level 7/6 to date and are hoping to fill a further 1,500 places in this round of offers. These courses are in a position to offer places to almost all applicants who meet the minimum entry requirements.

This article appears in the print edition of the Irish Times