The number of students taking higher degree courses in the key areas of technology, computers and science has declined dramatically in the past six years, according to a major new report.
The report says the percentage of students taking Level 8 or higher degree courses in computing has halved since 2000.
The figures, from a Higher Education Authority (HEA) report, underline the continuing difficulty in attracting students to these areas - despite a concerted campaign by the Government, business and teachers.
The figures will revive calls for new incentives to boost student interest in these areas, including the allocation of extra CAO points for those taking maths and science subjects at Leaving Certificate level.
According to the report, the percentage of students taking higher degrees in technology and related areas is down from 32 per cent in 2000 to 21 per cent this year.
The percentage taking computer-related disciplines has declined from 9 per cent in 2000 to 3.5 per cent this year.
Overall, figures for science have also declined over the same period, attracting 9 per cent of students, compared with 12 per cent in 2000.
The biggest increase in student demand has been in the health and veterinary sectors and related areas; the percentage opting for courses in these areas is up from 6 per cent in 2000 to 15 per cent this year.
Overall, some 30 per cent of all higher degree students select a course in the arts and humanities area, a figure which has been largely unchanged since 2000.
About 22 per cent opt for a business-related course, also broadly unchanged since 2000.
In its report, the HEA takes issue with the widely-held belief that the traditional points race has ended as the supply of courses exceeds demand from students in all but a small elite group of areas.
It acknowledges that the number of school leavers has now stabilised but says an upward trend will begin in 2012. Other main findings include:
n Engineering disciplines are also struggling to attract students.
n Courses related to construction are doing well across the higher education sector.
n Participation rates in third- level education are increasing despite the fall in the number of school leavers.
n Participation rates for mature learners are increasing, though much progress is required.
n CAO applications declined in 2006, but acceptances reached their highest level yet.
n A large number of offers are made that are not accepted, demonstrating that the third-level system has not yet reached capacity.
n Increasing numbers of school leavers are entering PLC and further education courses.
The report points out how student enrolment in higher education grew by about 25 per cent in the 1998 to 2005 period, despite a fall in the number of school leavers.
Undergraduate enrolments have increased by 19 per cent while postgraduate enrolments have increased by 46 per cent since 1998.
Part-time undergraduate enrolments have shown a greater increase (78 per cent) than full-time enrolments in the same period.
