LEAVING CERT students are deserting third-level courses linked to the embattled construction and property sectors in their droves, according to new Central Applications Office figures.
Demand for courses in property, civil engineering, architecture and the general built environment has virtually collapsed in many colleges.
Applications for ordinary level degree and diplomas for courses associated with the “built environments” have crashed by 48 per cent. Demand for higher level degree courses has dipped 35 per cent in this area.
Architecture – traditionally seen as a “blue chip” option for students – has seen a fall of over 21 per cent in applications. Demand for engin-eering and technology courses are down by 10 per cent, reflecting a steep decline in applications for civil engineering courses in all colleges.
The figure are based on applications made by more than 60,000 students for college courses in the autumn. Overall, the figures give a glimpse of where students – and more particularly – their parents – see the best job prospects.
The big winner this year is science where demand for higher level degree is up by 20 per cent. The Government and business leaders will be delighted with this trend, which reverses years of steep decline.
The bad news for Leaving Cert students is that CAO points for science courses are set to rise because of the increased demand.
The other big winner this year is agriculture where demand for courses is up by almost 50 per cent, reflecting confidence about the long term security of employment in the food industry and in agriculture.
The CAO figures also show some surprising trends.
Colleges were expecting unprecedented demand for jobs in teaching. In the event, applications for courses in education are up by only 3 per cent. Colleges say the negative publicity about 1,000 job losses and the difficulties facing students graduating from the teacher training colleges this year may explain the trend.
Demand for business degrees including accounting, banking and marketing has declined only marginally, despite the trauma experienced by the financial sector.
Law has also experienced only a small decline in interest, despite the slowdown in conveyancing work.
