Moves to slow down CAO points race

Most universities have reduced the number of courses available to Leaving Certificate students through the Central Applications Office (CAO) in a first significant move to help slow down the college points race.

The 562 university honours (level 8) degrees for which school leavers can apply through the CAO is down 17, from 579 a year ago.

The falls should not mean fewer places for prospective applicants as many courses have been merged for entry purposes, allowing students to specialise after first-year in, for example, a particular branch of engineering or science.