Posted 19 August 2013
CAO Points rise for two-thirds of UCD courses
After the sizeable shift in points last year when 25 bonus points for higher maths was introduced and 17 UCD courses increased by 25 or more points, the general rate of upward movement in points this year has been more modest. This year UCD first preferences rose to a record at almost 9,000 so some points were expected to increase.
For the courses: DN150 Engineering, DN250 Agriculture, DN200 Science, DN600 Law, DN650 Commerce, DN610 Business & Law, DN400 Medicine, and DN450 Nursing, points all rose from last year. Overall, points rose in 37 out of 56 UCD courses.
DN150 Engineering increased by 15 to 475, reflecting the impact of the 17% increase in first preferences. Last year points for this course increased by 30, largely as a consequence of the 25 bonus points for higher maths. Engineering has a requirement for a C3 in higher maths.
Ten years ago (2003), the points for agricultural science were 310. This year, points for DN250 Agricultural Science have climbed to 455. Given the 4-fold increase in first preferences over this period, this increase in points is unsurprising.
UCD takes in around 380 students onto its common entry science course. This year, first preferences for DN200 Science rose by 10% and points have increased by 5 to 505.
Points for science and computer science have risen over the past number of years, but this year UCD has placed a special emphasis on broadening access. By encouraging students to apply separately through FETAC level 5 and 6 entry routes, the number of students who have already accepted offers during round 0 has increased four-fold for science. “FETAC 5 and 6 entry routes provide alternative opportunities for students who don’t succeed in getting a place in UCD this year because points have climbed.” Deputy President of UCD, Professor Mark Rogers said. “Broadening the ways in which students can access UCD through the HEAR and DARE schemes, FETAC and our progression and transfer pathways is a core objective of the University. We hold a number of places open for these, and for HEAR and DARE students, and as people become more aware of them, we expect more students to come to university through these routes.”
In line with the need to reform the entry mechanism to university, UCD has been gradually reducing the number of denominated courses, replacing them with common entry CAO codes that offer routes into specialised subjects. This year Law at UCD, DN600, incorporated the previous subject combinations with economics, philosophy, politics and history as well as adding options in social justice this year and in Chinese studies from next year. Points for DN600 rose by 5 to 500.
“We already merged the Commerce with a language options in 2011 under a single DN660 Commerce International code and thereby cut out the annual see-saw of points shifting according to which language was popular in any particular year.” Professor Rogers said. “The outcome for the students is fairer.” Overall, there are now 56 entry codes for UCD and next year this will reduce further.
DN610 Business and Law experienced an increase of 15 points to 510 while DN671 Economics & Finance rose by 20 points to 560.
DN519 Psychology and DN550 Social Science both rose by 5 points to 520 and 410 respectively.
The courses showing the largest increase in points are the international Arts degrees with DN532 International BA German increasing by 40 points to 370, DN531 International BA French increasing by 35 points to 365, DN533 International BA Spanish rising by 25 to 415 points and DN541 International BA languages rising by 45 points to 465. Elsewhere within the denominated Arts courses, points shifted in both directions. The joint honours BA DN500, which has the highest intake of students of any course in the country, experienced a fall of 10 points, bringing it to 340. The last time the BA fell below 350 points was in 2007 when it was 345.
Other courses whose first round points fell were DN410 Radiography down to 535, DN420 Physiotherapy down 545, DN300 Veterinary Medicine down to 575 (random selection) and DN100 Architecture down to 465.
(Produced by UCD University Relations)
