Low rate of students choose science

LESS than half of students who accepted a science degree place last year had chosen the course as their first preference, according to figures from the Central Applications Office (CAO).

The 47% of net acceptances is the lowest ratio for 15 different subject areas listed in the CAO 2004 annual report. In contrast, more than 83% of places accepted on medicine and veterinary degrees were the applicants’ first choices.

More positively, almost two-thirds of science degree offers made by the CAO last year were accepted, compared to just half those on dentistry, pharmacy, art or agriculture courses.