Dublin City University (DCU) has received a surge in applications for its engineering degree courses according to CAO first preference data, as more than 220 students have selected one of its engineering undergraduate programmes as a first choice in the CAO application process representing a 7.8 per cent increase on last year’s figures.
Reflecting the university’s strong pedigree in the area of STEM education (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics), and the high levels of employability associated with these qualifications, mechanical and manufacturing engineering is up 46 per cent on last year, with common entry engineering up 32 per cent. Data science is also up 46 per cent year on year.
Significant increases have also been recorded in programmes across all five DCU faculties.
Science and health
The interest in STEM is reflected in the faculty of Science and Health, where science education, an undergraduate course which enables students to specialise in any two subjects from chemistry, physics or maths and teach up to Leaving Certificate level, is up 48 per cent.
Demand for the faculty’s BSc in Environmental Science and Health and Psychology courses, both up 85 per cent and 38 per cent respectively.
Professor Daire Keogh, DCU deputy president, said: "DCU continues to develop a range of undergraduate programmes to address key skill gaps within the Irish economy, and inspire the learning goals of prospective students to higher education.
"We are seeing strong growth in first preference applications to our STEM-based subjects, and high demand for new and innovative programme offerings."