70% of UL courses up entry points standards
UL president, Prof Don Barry, said: “Against a backdrop of a national decrease in points in particular areas, we are particularly pleased with the very strong performance of our healthcare and education programmes at UL. A number of our new programmes have been very well received, including Psychology (505), BSc Energy (435) and Health Informatics (340).
“UL is committed to supporting learning and stimulating interest in science and mathematics at all levels of the educational systems through our Maths and Science Learning Centres and the newly opened National Centre Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching & Learning. This will be a key enabler of Ireland’s future knowledge economy.”
UL has been awarding bonus points for honours mathematics to encourage uptake of the subject for Leaving Certificate.
Prof Barry said: “Despite the difficulties in stimulating interest in science and mathematics a number of our engineering courses are continuing to be popular — Electronic Engineering at 410, Biomedical Engineering at 425.
Despite the challenges in the construction industry our Civil Engineering programme is still in demand at 460 points, making it one of the most popular courses of its type in the country.” .
Prof Barry said: “We are particularly pleased with the interest in our wide range of healthcare programmes at UL, as Nursing, Graduate Medicine and Physiotherapy have all seen increased points requirements.
“Nursing courses are experiencing a surge in demand with our four courses increasing in points requirements and limited availability as not all students reaching the points quota will be guaranteed places.
General Nursing is 450 (up 25 points), Mental Health Nursing 410 (up 65 points), Intellectual Disability Nursing 390 (up 40 points) and Midwifery 425 (up 20 points).
Cut-off points for the university’s physiotherapy programme increased to 565 points, the highest requirement for any physiotherapy course in the country.
Arts and humanities still prove to be a popular choice at UL, with points rising for courses including English and History and English & New Media.
The Irish World Academy of Music & Dance, Ireland’s centre for academic and performance excellence in traditional Irish Music & Dance, has seen a big increase in demand for the BA Irish Music & Dance (up 70 points to 370) —& the first course of its kind in the world.
A recent survey of UL graduates showed 65% entering employment (significantly above the national average) with another 20% going on to further study.
