Environmental courses pique students' interest, while agriculture and nursing dips

Cut-off points, the minimum number of points a student needs to obtain to be offered a place on a particular course, are largely determined by demand, and by how many places are available.

College applications for courses in nursing and agriculture appear to have dipped this year, while environmental, arts, humanities, and language courses have seen their applications increase.

In total, 83,803 people have applied to the Central Applications Office (CAO) this year for a college place, new data issued this week show. This figure is broadly in line with the record numbers that applied last year.