School leavers claim two thirds of college places

SCHOOL leavers claimed two-thirds of college places last autumn despite a sharp rise in mature students and other applicants seeking entry.

Of more than 78,000 people who sought places through the Central Applications Office (CAO) in 2010, almost 15,000, or just under one-in-five, applied as mature students, being 23 or older.

Almost the same number cited a further education qualification on their applications, and 45,757, or 58.5%, of applicants were doing the Leaving Certificate last June.

But despite the rise in mature students and those with further education (up from 13.5% and 10.7%, respectively, of 2007 CAO applications), last year’s school leavers still took 66% of places in more than 40 colleges.

In 2007, Leaving Certificate students made up 62.5% of applicants and secured 70% of almost 40,000 college places.

While some applicants come under more than one category, such as mature students who have a further education qualification, the figures reflect the fast-changing profile of third level campuses, once dominated by students straight from school.

The number of mature students starting college has risen by 70% to over 7,100 in just three years, while the same period has seen 88% more further education graduates being admitted to third level.

Around one-in-10 new entrants last autumn had previously graduated from or started a higher education programme and the proportion of Northern Ireland and British students has fallen to below 1% since 2007.

Ahead of next Thursday’s deadline for a reduced CAO application fee, almost 25,000 people have submitted course choices, with the main deadline falling on February 1.

A CAO spokesperson said additional security has been installed on its website to defend any repeat of last August’s attack, which denied access to thousands of school leavers checking for offers after their Leaving Certificate results.

Meanwhile, the Institute of Guidance Counsellors (IGC) has called for extra guidance resources in schools, which must have 500 students to employ a full-time counsellor, compared to 250 students 30 years ago.

An Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) report on parental views of second level education yesterday showed a shortage of guidance provision was one of parents’ biggest concerns.