Demand for places at DCU has increased significantly despite the fall-off in numbers taking the Leaving Cert - according to new figures.

The total number of undergraduates increased by 7 per cent to 5,564.

The number of full-time postgraduates is up by 6 per cent at 689, while part-time postgrads are up 14.5 per cent at 1,171.

Full-time research postgraduate are up 5.2 per cent at 408, while the part- time figure (81) is up 72 per cent.

Including others, such as foundation and non-award visitors, total full-time student numbers are up 6.3 per cent to 6,922 and part time up 21 per cent to 1,579.