Students encouraged to abandon arts for Stem subjects

Arts has long been the default degree of choice for many students. At the height of its popularity, arts at UCD demanded more than 400 CAO points. This year, they have hit a new low. Arts at UCD is still the largest degree course in the State, with an intake of almost 1,200 first-year students but, in today’s first round of CAO offers, the requirement is down to just 320 points.

What has changed? When the recession hit, policymakers and parents shifted attention towards science, technology, engineering and maths (Stem). Parents were beaten with a stick: Ireland’s competitiveness and future economic success were in jeopardy without more Stem graduates. Students were lured with a carrot – good wages and employment prospects. So they all took a second look at science and turned away from arts.

Higher Education Authority reports have highlighted the low starting wages for AHSS – arts, humanities and social sciences graduates – compared to those of Stem graduates. This does not tell the full story: anecdotal evidence suggests that the earning capacity of arts graduates increases significantly after five years, but we lack any reliable longitudinal data.

While the increased interest in Stem is to be welcomed, there is a real risk in undervaluing AHSS education. Victor Lazzarini, dean of arts at Maynooth University, said the humanities were central to the body of human knowledge and vital for creating and spreading new ideas and creativity.

Mike Jennings, general secretary of the Irish Federation of University Teachers, said the need for a workforce with research, analytical, communication and critical thinking skills who can adapt within an ever-changing economy was regularly highlighted. In other words: arts graduates.