Midlands producing less science degrees

STUDENTS in the midlands are least likely to take science and technology degree programmes at college, according to new figures.

The Higher Education Authority statistics show Cork has a higher percentage than any other county of science undergraduates with one in five taking up a course in the sector, followed by Kildare and Dublin where one in six third level students are on such courses.

At the other end of the table, students from Laois, Monaghan, Leitrim and Offaly were half as likely as those from Cork to begin an honours bachelor degree (level 8) study programme in science. Those in Laois and Offaly, constituency of Finance Minister Brian Cowen, were least likely to study science and technology and more likely to start courses in the humanities or business.