More students opt for science courses

Students are pinning their hopes on scientific careers as college application figures show a surge in numbers listing a science course as their top choice.

The Central Applications Office has seen the numbers seeking entry to the 40 colleges it works with steady off, after years of growth, to 71,612 up to the Feb 1 deadline, just 146 more than a year ago.

But Irish students will be competing for 45,000 places with 27% more students from the North and Britain than in 2011.