College applicants favouring science over arts degrees

College applicants are favouring science courses and steering away from the traditional favourites of arts degrees.

Although arts and social science honours (level 8) degrees remain the most popular, the latest CAO data shows that 6% fewer people are making them their first preference.

After the final deadline on Sunday for applicants to revise their choices, the most significant swing has been in the direction of level 8 science degrees. They account for the first preference of almost 9,500 of the 67,172 who have listed an honours degree on their applications, a jump of almost 20% from this time last year.