Points for most college courses have increased significantly compared to last year as over 53,000 people have received a round one CAO offer in the last few minutes.
An expected increase in point requirements for many courses has been seen following the adoption of a calculated grading system which saw the Leaving Cert class of 2020 achieve record results.
Grade inflation in this year’s results has seen CAO points rise up to 70 or 80 points at the top end, according to the Irish Times.
The CAO points jump comes despite Government effort to alleviate grade inflation by introducing thousands of extra third-level places this year.
According to the Irish Universities Association, the highest ever level of first round offers for students' top three preferences have been seen this year as the overall number of third level places has risen by an unprecedented 12 per cent compared to 2019.
Over half of those who applied for a level eight course through the CAO system were offered their first preference this year, while 90 per cent of those who applied for level six and seven courses were offered their first choice.
Increases
Several university courses have climbed above the 600-point mark in 2020, including at Trinity College Dublin (TCD) and University College Dublin (UCD). TCD has recorded an average points increase of 27, such as its Law course jumping from 533 points last year to 566 in 2020.
Nursing courses have also seen an increase in points, with General Nursing at DCU jumping 40 points from 414 last year to 454 in 2020. The course has risen from 398 last year to 429 at UCD, from 410 to 442 at AIT and from 444 to 454 at UCC.
Meanwhile, primary teaching courses have also seen increased points, with the course at St Pats now 26 points higher than last year at 488, while at Mary Immaculate it has increased from 473 to 495. At DCU it has risen from 462 to 488 while at Maynooth it has increased from 499 to 507.
For science courses, substantial jumps in points have also been seen. Computer Science and Business at TCD has risen from 510 last year to 555 this year, while Science at UCD is up from 521 last year to 533 this year. Science in NUI Galway has jumped 33 points to 433 this year while Chemical Sciences at UCC is up 20 points to 485 this year.
Criticism
The Sinn Féin spokesperson for Further and Higher Education has said today that the Government failed in its management of third-level offers and did not ensure “a level playing field” for students.
“Points for many courses have skyrocketed, with some in-demand courses increasing by 80 plus points,” Mayo TD Rose Conway-Walsh said.
“Many hard-working students have been badly let down by the government. Substantial increases in entrance points will mean many students will not get the courses that they want. Prior Leaving Cert students will be particularly disadvantaged.”
It comes as a survey by Ireland’s largest study website Studyclix.ie found a majority, or almost 70 per cent, of private school students reported not being offered their first-choice course today.
Of the 1,015 students who responded to the survey, half of public school students (48 per cent) said they did not get their first choice while 42 per cent of Deis school attendees reported the same.
Higher Education Minister Simon Harris has defended the Government's approach: “I don’t want to see anybody disadvantaged, but it’s not lost on me that we’re now actually having a conversation where we’ve put measures in place to protect those who are usually the most disadvantaged.
“As a result perhaps we’re getting asked questions about fee-paying schools that perhaps wouldn’t normally be asked during a Leaving Cert year. So, it’s my view that this system is as fair and robust as it can be.”
It comes as the Government decision was made to remove a school’s previous academic performance as a factor in the standardisation of calculated grades.
Reaction
Director of the National Association of Principals and Deputy Principals (NAPD) Clive Byrne congratulated students: “In an unprecedented year, our Leaving Cert class of 2020 has shown great reserve and determination in getting to this point. Today represents an important milestone in the transition from secondary to third level education and beyond."
The NAPD noted that options remain for students who are unhappy with their results or offers: “It is important to note that others may be disappointed to not receive their first choice college course. For those who find themselves in this position, thankfully there are a multitude of routes into further education and I encourage all students and their parents to research and consider these options.
"Critically, your education and career prospects will not be defined by this outcome. This year, as a written exam was not completed in June, students can also avail of the option of sitting an exam paper in their subject of choice in November."
The NAPD has advised any student in need of advice over the coming days to contact the Department of Education's helpline on 1800 265 165.
CAO offers must be accepted by 3pm on Wednesday, September 16th.
