Universities submit proposals to change CAO points system

A group of Irish universities has submitted a number of proposals to change the CAO points race.

The proposals, which have been sent to the Education Minister Ruairi Quinn, recommend simplifying the grade system to just eight levels.

The group of universities also recommends awarding bonus points to certain "strategically important" subjects.

President of Dublin City University, Brian McCraith said universities should consider reducing specialised courses in favour of more common entry courses, like general science or arts.

Mr McCraith said: "The competition for small numbers of places drives up the points artificially and there are two benefits here from the recommendations.

"One is you take some heat out of the system and number two, you have a situation where you are not enforcing early specialisation of students.

"It gives students a chance go into university and look around and make their decision about careers at a later stage."