Points to rise as
recession sees increased demand for college place
by Kevin Kelly, Inishowen
Independent
INISHOWEN'S Leaving Certificate students have only
three weeks left to make their course selections for
next year.
The CAO process closes on February 1, 2010.
Applicants have until this date to register if they
wish to commence a course in September in any higher
education institute in the country.
The unstable financial outlook has left many
students uncertain as to what direction to take.
Moville Community College Career Guidance Councillor
Sinead McCarron explained: “Students this year are
very much undecided as to what courses to select due
to the recession. This has made things difficult for
some students especially those considering courses
in construction related areas like engineering.
“They seem to be doing lots of research and paying
attention to national job reports issued by the
likes of FAS. With many citing the possibility of
jobs coming on stream in renewable energy and other
green industries."
Many courses last year saw a dramatic
point-reduction of up to 50 points especially those
related to areas worst affected by the recession due
to a sharp fall in demand. This switch caused a
moderate increase in the points required for Arts
and Science programmes.
“It is hard to say whether or not points will
increase this year,” McCarron says. “Like last year
we may see an increase in the points required for
Arts and Science courses due to the high demand.”
“The recession may result in an increase in the
numbers of students who are choosing Arts degrees in
an attempt to leave as many opportunities open for
themselves in the hope that things improve in the
coming years.”
Apprenticeships are proving difficult to come by so
this is leaving some Leaving Cert Applied students
enrolling for PLC courses here in the Republic and
further education courses in Derry. Around 75% of
Moville Community college students who sat the
Leaving Certificate in 2009 continued in some type
of higher education.
Meanwhile any student intending to study in Northern
Ireland or in Britain have only until this Friday to
complete their UCAS application. According to
McCarron there has been no significant change in the
numbers of Moville students choosing to study in the
North since fees were introduced in 2004 totalling
£3,225 per year.
“With the increase in registration fees in the
Republic combined with travel and accommodation
costs encountered in Galway or Dublin, students are
still opting to continue their studies in places
like Coleraine and Magee despite the tuition fees,”
concluded the Moville teacher. |
