Demand surges for third-level science and computer courses
20.05.12
SEÁN FLYNN, Education Editor
STUDENT demand for science courses at third level has surged to record levels as school leavers target jobs in the booming information and communication technology sector.
In a striking trend, applications for computer science courses at NUI Maynooth and UCD are up 60 per cent and 44 per cent respectively. New Central Applications Office figures also confirm that students are deserting courses linked to the property sector, opting instead for areas such as agriculture and medicine, where job prospects are strong.
While Government and business will welcome the 18 per cent increase in applications for science courses, this will be tempered by the continuing sluggish demand from students for courses in the key areas of engineering and technology, which have increased only marginally. Career experts say this reflects a fall-off in demand for engineering courses linked to the property sector; those linked to the high-tech sector registered much more impressive growth.
[ Via: Irish Times | Read more... ]