CAO: Third-level course applications rise by 3%

ALMOST 64,000 people have applied for third-level college places this autumn, according to the Central Applications Office (CAO).

However, there has been a one-third drop in students seeking entry to courses related to the construction industry, in a possible reaction to the downturn in the building sector.

Up to the February 1 deadline, the CAO received course lists from 63,868 college hopefuls, a 3% increase on the 62,000 applications at the same stage last year.