Demand for college places in Ireland on the rise

By: IrishCentral Columnists | Published Monday, January 10, 2011, 11:00 AM | Updated Friday, September 9, 2011, 10:01 PM

Trinity College

The demand for college place in Ireland has increased dramatically from last year. The Central Applications Office of Ireland (CAO) recorded 16,000 applications last week, that is 14 percent more that during the same week in 2010.

Experts are now predicting a 1980s-style points race and points could be increased by up to five percent due to the huge demand for places. An increase in mature learners, unemployed and students applying from England are thought to be the reasons.

It was believed that the increase of the $2,580 student contribution fee might dampen the number of applications. As yet colleges and the CAO have seen no evidence of this.