Fewer degree courses and exam grades planned
The moves agreed by colleges, the State Examinations Commission (SEC), and others are part of continuing efforts to ease the pressure of the points race which many second and third-level leaders believe makes students ill-prepared for higher education.
The changes for those entering fifth year in 2014 will include having fewer level eight degrees on offer, as colleges make first-year programmes broader in their content. This should mean fewer specialist courses that, because they have limited numbers of places, often command high points in the CAO) system determined by Leaving Certificate results.
