Kildare Leaving Cert students to receive CAO offers today as points fall although there is a surge in offers for 'boom-time' courses such as engineering and teaching
This morning, thousands of Leaving Certificate students living in Co Kildare will receive their first offers from the Central Applications Office (CAO) with a reported rise in points for over 40% of courses for students incoming for 2018/2019, as well as a surge in offers for engineering and teaching courses.
Some 52pc of those who applied for an honours degree programme have been offered their first preference, up from 51pc last year, while 80pc were offered their first, second or third choice.
At Levels 7 and 6, which lead to ordinary degrees and higher certificates, the success rate was higher again, with 88pc receiving their first choice and 98pc getting one of their top three.
The number of offers is down on last year, reflecting a drop in CAO applications, including from Northern Ireland and Britain
This year sees fluctuation in the points requirement for many courses, and while half of all courses have seen a points drop, points have risen for more than 40% of options.
It is understood that some of the biggest points increases are for engineering, indicating that many students have been listening to industry bodies who have warned of critical skills shortage in these areas.
Points for engineering at Trinity, UCD and NUI Galway are up by more than 20, with architecture and many construction-related courses also seeing points increase. Meanwhile, the influence of employment prospects on students’ choices is also reflected in the strong interest in degree programmes in areas such as teaching and nursing.
Primary teaching courses have risen by up to 14 points, while most secondary teaching courses have also seen their points rise.
However, this year there is a sharp drop in the number of arts offerings, with points having fallen by 46 to 300 at University College Cork (UCC), and by seven points to 320 at Maynooth University whose general entry Arts course is the largest in the country, catering to 1,400 students.
It has dramatically reduced places on some of its new arts offerings, which has led to a sharp increase in points in some courses.
Applicants now have until Friday at 5:15pm to accept their round one offers online or by post.
The CAO has advised that anyone who accepts an offer in this round may still receive an offer of a course higher up on their courses list, if a place becomes available and they are deemed eligible.
Several helplines have been set up to assist students and their parents as they receive their results and offers.
On August 15, the new IGC launched the NPCpp Leaving Cert Helpline 2018, hosted by the National Parents’ Council Post Primary (NPCpp), the Helpline offers advice, information and support to Leaving Certificate students receiving their exam results.
The National Parents Council Leaving Certificate Helpline 2018 is staffed by qualified and experienced guidance counsellors who will deliver one to one advice. So remember, if you are worried, anxious or have questions on CAO Round 1 Offers day, they are there to help.
The IGC / NPCpp HELPLINE number 2018 1800 265 165
The helpline will be open the next few days as follows:
Friday, August 17th: 10 am - 1 pm
Monday, August 20th: 8 am - 7 pm (CAO Round 1 Offers Day)
Tuesday, August 21st: 8 am - 7 pm
Wednesday, August 22nd: 10 am - 1 pm
For more information and advice visit http://www.cao.ie/