This year’s CAO application process has seen a significant rise in first-preference applications, with notable increases in fields such as nursing, engineering, and architecture. Guidance Counsellor Gemma Lawlor from Tyndall College Carlow highlighted the growing interest, pointing out that applications for primary and secondary teaching have also risen by 9% and 5%, respectively, while medicine saw a 6% increase.
The CAO has received over 83,000 applications this year, marking a significant surge compared to previous years. This increase has led to concerns among students, particularly those applying for courses with limited places, about their chances of securing a spot.
Ms. Lawlor explained that while the demand for places has grown, it’s not possible to simply increase the number of spots available. “Courses like physiotherapy and pharmacy require specific planning and clinical space, and you can’t just decide to increase the number of spaces,” she said. “These courses have strict requirements, and additional places can’t be added without proper infrastructure and resources.”
With the rise in applications, students aiming for popular and limited-entry courses are now facing heightened uncertainty.
