BUSINESS
Tech-based courses popular with students
04-07-2007
by Ciara O'Brien
High-achieving Irish students are increasingly turning to technology and science-based courses at third level, a new survey has revealed.
According to the Higher Education Authority's data, 23.7 percent of those achieving 450 points or more in the Leaving Cert, and who were going on to third level education, chose to accept places on technology courses in 2006. Technology courses include science, computing, engineering/construction and architecture.
Meanwhile, of those who scored 550 points or more, 62.5 percent opted for places on science-based courses, including medical and related, and technology courses.
The gender gap appears to still exist, with female students accounting for more than 70 percent of 2006's 450-plus acceptors in medical and related, education and arts and social science disciplines -- males accounted for more than 70 percent of engineering and construction disciplines. However, science courses showed more gender balance.
"It is encouraging to see that students with higher points are choosing science related subjects - countering the perception that science is not popular with students," said HEA Chief Executive Tom Boland.
The study also revealed that the trend of females outperforming their male counterparts is continuing, and these students subsequently accept high-point (450-plus) third level places. Some 61.4 percent of those who took up places on a 450-plus points course in 2006 were female.
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