Dublin City University (DCU) made its highest number of CAO offers – with more than 3,600 first round places offered to students across the country, and represents an increase of 5.7 per cent compared with last year.

Demand for DCU’s degree programmes continues to surge, and the student population has grown by more than 50 per cent in the past five years.

Reflecting the university’s strong pedigree in the area of STEM, and the high levels of employability associated with these qualifications, DCU has seen a significant uplift in demand for many of its STEM degrees and has made an additional 150 places available to students on these programmes.

Professor Brian MacCraith, DCU president, said: “It is very clear that students are becoming more and more discerning in their choice of degree programmes and that employment prospects and societal impact are major factors in that regard.

'Developing new or enhanced degree programmes'

"I am pleased that DCU has been able to respond once more to increasing demand not only by offering additional places but also by developing new or enhanced degree programmes in areas of national priority, across STEM, business, education and the humanities.”

The interest in STEM is also reflected in the popularity of degree programmes in the Faculty of Science and Health, with points for the BSc in Environmental Science and Technology rising by 41 to 412. Demand for psychology has also continued to grow with points rising by 21 to 509.

Despite the increase in places offered, points for most degree programmes in the Faculty of Engineering and Computing have remained steady with Common Entry Engineering at 381, Biomedical Engineering at 402, and Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering at 401.