FIRST-ROUND CAO applications have fallen from a record of almost 78,000 in 2010 to 75,874 this year, but there has been a noticeable growth in the numbers applying for third-level science courses.
CAO statistics reveal that the number of applications for science course, engineering and technology subjects and nursing all rose at degree level, known as level 8.
Science applications also rose at ordinary degrees and higher certificate, or level 7/6, while architecture and art and design courses also experienced increases at this level.
Science subjects and engineering and technology courses attracted 17,000 applications across the third-level sector this year. Science accounted for the first preferences of 12 per cent of degree applicants and 17.5 per cent of ordinary degree/higher cert applicants.
Meanwhile, engineering and technology subjects made up a 9.3 per cent share of first preferences at higher level and 21 per cent of first preferences at ordinary degree/higher cert level.
The most popular courses remain in the arts and social science fields, with 27 per cent of all first preferences at degree level and one in five first preferences at ordinary degree/higher cert level falling into this category.
The next most popular subject area is administration and business, which makes up 15 per cent of first preferences at degree level and 27 per cent of first preferences at ordinary degree/higher cert.
Although the CAO deadline for third-level applications fell in February, applicants had until July 1st to submit change-of-mind forms, a facility of which 53 per cent of this year’s applicants availed.
The CAO has already sent 8,661 round A offers to 7,374 applicants.
Those issued offers at this stage include those who deferred college places last year and those who require visas to take up Irish third-level places.