Popularity of Waterford Institute of Technology raises its course points

MORE students than ever want to study at Waterford Institute of Technology, pushing up the points for its key courses.

There are more than 2,000 first-year places available at Waterford Institute of Technology in the 2005-‘06 academic year across over 20 higher degree and 22 ordinary degree and certificate courses.

Points for most courses are in line with previous years with demand in some areas rising noticeably.

The highest CAO requirements at the institute this year are for the higher degree courses in General Nursing (410 points, up 15 on equivalent figures in 2004), Intellectual Disability Nursing (385, up 60), Electronic Engineering (375, up 20), Psychiatric Nursing (355, same as 2004) and Business Studies with German (355, up five).

Institute director, Professor Kieran R Byrne, said it is great to see so many students making Waterford their number one choice.

“It is encouraging that the Waterford Institute continues to attract Leaving Certificate students and non-traditional applicants of the very highest calibre from our traditional catchment area in the south-east of Ireland and also far beyond. It is clear from the CAO points published today and the demand for places at the institute that our programmes are well positioned to achieve maximum participation, something that is set to continue with the introduction of new courses this year including our new undergraduate degrees in architecture and physics with computing,” he said.

“It is evident from the pattern of first preferences recorded by 2005 CAO applicants that the record and past achievement of this institute are making it a keenly sought destination for thousands of students from throughout the State as well as from Europe, Asia and North America.

“I would urge those students who have received first round offers for courses at the institute to consider their options very carefully between now and August 30 by when their reply must have reached the CAO who will make a second round of offers on September 2.”

Mr Byrne said appeal applications for those dissatisfied with their Leaving Certificate results must be with the State Examinations Commission by September 7, with the outcome available by early October.