Skills shortages mean that software graduates are virtually guaranteed well-paid employment upon graduation. In fact, Ireland will need 5,000 extra software developers each year, more than the colleges are likely to turn out, predicts Mr Seamus Gallen of the National Software Directorate.
Starting salaries in 1999 ranged between £15,000 and £20,000, with most graduates earning in the region of £15,000 to £18,000. At present, there are about 22,000 people employed in the software industry, with a further 10,000 employed in software in banks, building societies, government departments and manufacturing industry.
The latest HEA figures (1997 graduates surveyed in April 1998) show that the vast majority of computer science graduates with primary degrees went directly into employment. It was found that 76.3 per cent were employed in Ireland, with 12.5 per cent employed abroad. A further 9 per cent were engaged in research or further study.
If you're interested in computing, there is a huge variety of courses, with varying titles: computer applications; computer engineering; computer science; computing in applications and support; information; and communications technology. Mr Gallen says: "The best way into the industry is through a third-level qualification - certificate, diploma or degree - but it can be bewildering trying to choose a course."
Students shouldn't be put off by the titles, he says. There are differences of emphasis, but most courses give a general grounding in software development. "If there is a college in your home town, you should think seriously before you go beyond it - the course is probably just as good as any other."
The usual advice holds: read the college prospectus and find out what subjects are offered each year. Don't choose a course simply by reading the title in the CAO handbook. There are lots of joint offerings, so you can combine your computing studies with subjects such as languages or business.
Computing is also offered in a variety of common-entry courses. So, you will find information technology among the subjects on offer in first arts in NUI Galway. You will also find computing in TCD's engineering programme and in UCD's science degree.
It's worth checking the subjects on offer in common-entry programmes - they may offer combinations that you will enjoy and they will also allow you time to make up your mind before you specialise.
While computing courses obviously translate quickly into well-paid jobs, this should not be the compelling reason for choosing it as your area of study. You will be spending from two to four years studying computing fulltime , so make sure you like it.
Certificates and diplomas
There are lots of offerings at certificate/diploma level - in the institutes of technology, the National College of Ireland and the private colleges. Almost all have add-on degrees available, so you can go from certificate to diploma to degree if you wish.
When you're reading the CAO handbook, look for +DG and/or +DP in the right-hand column, on the same line as the course title. This indicates that there is an add-on diploma (+DP) or an add-on degree (+DG) available.
Outside the CAO system, there are some very good post Leaving Certificate courses on offer. These are not awarded on the basis of points - you simply have to be of Leaving Cert standard. There may also be an interview as part of the selection process.
Griffith College
Students taking the computing science degree at Griffith College, Dublin (a private third-level college) will have their fees paid for the first two years. The funding is provided under the recent skills initiative.
The computing industry will usually fund these latter years, according to the college, on the assumption that the student obtains a successful placement in third year and completes fourth year on a part-time basis.
There are 71 places on offer in first year through the CAO. Last year's cutoff points were 270.
New courses
Dundalk IT
The college is introducing a national diploma in communications (creative multimedia) which aims to produce graduates with skills in "both conventional and new media through combining the traditional skills of research, information processing and presentation with high-level training in multimedia".
Course content includes communications theory and practice, computer applications and the Internet, audio, film and lighting studies, visual communications, multimedia tools and techniques.
It is expected that graduates will make careers in areas such as building web-based applications and the production of multimedia products which aggregate music, audio-visual and information services using digital delivery technology.
Computer applications at DCU:
A remodelling of DCU's computer applications degree (DC121) in effect transforms it into three degrees in one.
Prof Alan Smeaton says that, after the common first year, students will have the choice of branching into three streams in second year: software engineering (the current computer apps degree); information systems (more applications-oriented); or computer science (more mathematical).
There will not be any quotas, so there will be no competition for second-year places. The information systems may appeal to the less mathematical.
The first year will include core computing subjects and maths. It is expected that students will have a fair amount of choice when it comes to elective subjects: physics, chemistry, business, electronics, communications, languages, multimedia and accounting. This represents a significant broadening of the topics on offer.
The four-year programme includes a six-month industrial placement in third year, and a major computing project forms the foundation for the fourth year of study. Last year, you would have needed 385 points to secure a place. Special subject requirements include a minimum of a grade C3 in ordinary-level maths or a grade D3 in higher-level maths.
Website: http://www.compapp.dcu.ie
New engineering course at UL
Manufacturing engineering was first offered by UL last year (LM079). This course replaces two previous offerings - production engineering and industrial engineering. Dr Hugh Lewis, head of the department of manufacturing and operations engineering, says the motivation for this change was "feedback from industry, which increasingly wants graduate engineers with a broad set of skills ranging from technical to managerial".
The course includes a nine-month industrial placement. Starting salaries for graduate engineers who are employed in manufacturing are in the range of £18,000 plus, with experienced engineers earning salaries in the region of £40,000.
If you're not doing higher-level maths (higher-level C3 is a requirement for LM079) the college has two related bachelor of technology courses in manufacturing technology (LM081) and production technology (LM063)
UL offers a wide range of direct-entry engineering and computing courses - from aeronautical engineering to electronics to information technology and telecommunications.
Mineral engineering at Athlone IT
"Careers in the Rock Industry" is the title of a new brochure by Athlone IT detailing the delights of mineral engineering. Athlone IT provides a national diploma in mineral and environmental engineering. Links have been established with nine higher education colleges in Britain and this affords diploma holders the opportunity of progressing to honours degree level.
Graduates of Athlone IT's diploma have found work in exploration, mining, quarrying and mineral operations in Ireland, Britain, Europe, Africa, North America and Asia.
Website: www.ait.ie
Carlow IT's outreach centres
The Department of Education recently authorised the continuation of the outreach centres in Wexford and Kilkenny. National certificate courses in business studies, office information systems and computing are available in these centres through the CAO system. Course codes are as follows: CW048 business studies (Kilkenny); CW049 computing - computer applications and commercial programming (Kilkenny); CW096 business studies - office information systems) (Kilkenny); CW093 business studies (Wexford); CW094 computing - computer applications and commercial programming (Wexford); CW095 business studies - office information systems (Wexford).
Helpline
Students, parents and teachers with queries about colleges, courses and application procedures are invited to call the College Choice helpline between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. today. Tel: (01) 679 1915/6791919