Website reviews all degree courses

THE high numbers dropping out of college every year has prompted an innovative business student to set up a website to give them insights into every college degree in the country.

Unlike college prospectuses which she says often offer a very rosy picture of all their programmes, Georgie Smithwick says the positive and negative reviews from students past and present will give those considering any course the most independent information available.

“Anyone who has gone through the painstaking decision-making process in sixth year will know how difficult it can be to sync your academic strengths and capabilities with your genuine interests and passions,” she said.

“We all know people who have dropped out or have been unhappy in their chosen course and we hope this website will be used as a resource for students to ensure they can be confident in their course selection,” said Ms Smithwick.

The Dubliner who is about to enter the third year of a degree in French and business at Trinity College, Dublin, believes it can be of assistance to those deciding whether or not to accept an offer this week, as well as those second level students considering a CAO application for next year.

A study for the Higher Education Authority last year found that nearly one-in-six students do not make it to the second year of their chosen course, with dropout rates between one-fifth and one-third of all entrants to some of the institutes of technology.

The issue of access to proper information on courses has also been raised in a number of studies by the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI).

The informative website — www.coursehub.ie — has attracted more than 10,000 reviews, after an Apple iPad was offered for the author of the best review from each college.

The venture is being operated on a commercial basis and an exclusive sponsor is being sought to help fund the site’s management.