Number of courses puts pressure on students

COLLEGES have been accused of increasing the number of specialised courses with limited places to push up points for entry — making them more attractive, but adding to pressure on Leaving Certificate students to get higher grades.

Professor Áine Hyland said these efforts by some third-level institutions strengthen the case for a smaller number of broader first-year entry courses, allowing students to specialise in their second or subsequent years and leading to lower points because of reduced competition for places.

This is just one of the revised college entry methods she has put forward.