School leavers feel squeeze from mature students

INCREASED competition for third-level places has seen points rise across almost half of all courses offering entry to just under 48,500 people today.

Despite a 4% rise in overall applications, mostly accounted for by mature students and further education graduates, the numbers getting an offer are only 3.4% more than at this stage in the Central Applications Office (CAO) process last year.

The majority of almost 47,000 applicants receiving their first offer of a place this morning got Leaving Certificate results five days ago, with roughly one-in-six offers going to people with further education qualifications or with A-levels or school-leaving exam results from other countries.

The pressure for places has been stoked by a 17% spike in mature applicants, aged 23 or over, who account for most of a 12% rise in places filled in earlier CAO rounds over the past six weeks. They have taken up 7,280 undergraduate positions before today, up from 6,479 a year ago.

These figures, combined with record Leaving Certificate points scores, have fuelled a rise of 15 or more points on almost 30% of around 850 level 8 (honours bachelor degree) programmes filled through the CAO. Points are also up on almost half the 380 level 7/6 (ordinary degree/higher certificate) courses.

Of 35,422 people being offered entry to a level 8 course, 16,548 are getting the chance to study on the top course from their list, and almost 10,000 more are getting a place on their second or third preference. At level 7/6, 34,580 offers include 25,500 for the applicants’ first choice and 32,122 have a place on one of their top three choices.

Institute of Guidance Counsellors president Eilis Coakley said the 21,322 applicants without an offer – or awaiting a higher preference course – should remember they could be successful in the second round.

“If somebody has been offered a place on a course that’s not their first choice, they should consider it carefully and remember that accepting it will not preclude them from being offered a course higher on their list in subsequent rounds from the CAO.

“If a course was on their list in the first place, it must be something they were interested in, and they can find out more from the college or by consulting with the guidance counsellor at their school,” Ms Coakley said.

Those getting good news today have until next Monday evening to accept a place and second round offers will issue the following Thursday, September 2. The CAO will open applications for courses with vacancies on its website from midday tomorrow to anybody who has already submitted an application or those registering for the first time.

Teachers’ Union of Ireland president Bernie Ruane said hundreds of courses in the further education sector, particularly Post Leaving Certificate (PLC) courses, facilitate the first steps of a different access route to higher education.

Disappointed students can also consider other options such as training opportunities with Teagasc, Bord Iascaigh Mhara or Fáilte Ireland, which are also provided outside the CAO system.