NUI Maynooth surge in CAO first choice applications see points rise higher 

Demand increases for Science and Computer Science courses

 

NUI Maynooth has seen further growth in points for degree courses this year as the University continues to receive greater numbers of CAO first choice applications. Points for Computing, Science and Science Education in particular have risen sharply. New courses introduced by NUI Maynooth this year have proved particularly popular, with Computational Thinking registering at 500 points and Mathematics Education at 495 points.

Commenting on the CAO results, NUI Maynooth President, Professor Philip Nolan said “We look forward to welcoming more than 2,000 new undergraduates to NUI Maynooth this year and congratulate them on their hard work in achieving entry to their desired courses.  More than 3,500 applicants picked NUI Maynooth as their first choice this year – up from 2,000 five years ago.  This is recognition of the quality of teaching and research and the breadth of choice here at the University, as well as the dedication of our staff and the continued success of our graduates in the workplace and in further study”.

As expected science subjects have seen a strong growth in demand across the board, with the BSc in Science Education up 30 to 500 points, BSc in Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Chemistry up 45 points to 445 and BSc Science up 40 points to 415. Strong growth has also been seen in Computing Degrees, with the BSc in Computer Science & Software Engineering up 45 points, the BSc in Electronic Engineering with Computers up 45 points and the University’s new degree in Computational Thinking registering at 500 points. Degrees in Psychology, Social Science and Law have similarly proved popular to applicants.

“While points have risen across the vast majority of courses, the growth in demand for science-related courses is not unexpected and we have introduced a number of new degrees to facilitate students here.  We are particularly pleased with the demand for our new Computational Thinking degree and of course for Maths Education which is an important challenge for the country.  Equally important however is that students get time to grow, make connections and be inspired throughout their university experience and at NUI Maynooth our focus will be on ensuring all students make the most of their time here and are best equipped to meet the challenges and opportunities in their lives ahead” said Professor Nolan

In recent years NUI Maynooth has been Ireland’s fastest growing university and shows a cumulative growth in CAO first choice applications of 45% over the past five years.

 

Ends                                            20th August 2012

Further information

Deirdre Watters, Communications          086 803 5274

John McGinnity, Asst Registrar              087 237 6411