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Demand for higher education remains very strong with a record 71,843 people applying for third-level places this year, according to analysis of CAO applications.

A study carried out by Head of Statistics at the Higher Education Authority Dr Vivienne Patterson will be presented to the Authority today and will also be published on its website.

The analysis found the total number of applicants reached a record high of 71,843 this year, increasing 6.2% from 2009 in addition to a 6% increase in the previous year.


There continues to be a decline in applications for construction-related courses, but an increased interest in science and computing.

Almost 16,000 students have put arts/humanities degree courses as their first choice, which represents over a quarter of all students seeking to pursue a level eight degree programme.

First preference applications for medicine and other healthcare programmes are up while there has been a slight fall in the demand for law and business courses.

The HEA says the figures show the demand for higher education in Ireland remains very strong and anticipates that more third level places than ever before will be offered this autumn.

More than two out of three 18-year-olds in Ireland now go on to higher education compared to one in five 30 years ago, according to the HEA.

see more: http://www.rte.ie/news/2010/0330/education.html