Science trumps teaching at third level

Students are continuing to turn to science courses and are avoiding the uncertainties of teaching careers, latest college application figures suggest.

CAO analysis of the 71,151 third-level hopefuls for the autumn shows a 4% rise in those seeking entry to science degrees.

This brings to almost one in seven the number of level-8 degree applicants — almost 8,500 out of 60,747 — listing these as their first preference.