August 2015 NUI Galway Popularity Continues as CAO Offers Released

The continuing popularity of NUI Galway was reflected by CAO offers issued today, with the vast majority of courses maintaining or increasing points from 2014.

Across all five colleges, points have risen. Arts (Psychology), Commerce (International) with French, Biomedical Science, Financial Mathematics and Economics, Biopharmaceutical Chemistry, Energy Systems Engineering, Electrical and Electronic Engineering and Occupational Therapy all requiring greater than 500 points for entry with Commerce (International) with Spanish, Biotechnology and Biomedical Engineering in the high 400s.

Courses on the rise

Prospective students have shown particular interest in Commerce programmes, especially those with an international language, reflecting awareness of the need for language mobility in a global jobs market. NUI Galway’s three International Commerce programmes (French German, and Spanish) all rose in points, with the French course reaching 500 points.

Business Information Systems, Commerce with Irish and Commerce (Accounting) all rose by 10 points to 430, 430 and 460 respectively.

The popularity of NUI Galway’s two Law programmes continues to rise with increases in points for the third consecutive year (20 points to 390 for Corporate Law and 15 points to 440 for Civil Law).

Engineering programmes have shown a strong points performance across the board. The points for the undenominated programme increased by 50 to 450, showing a significant rise in interest in this subject area, reflecting the growing demand for employment in this arena. Civil, Mechanical, Electronic and Computer, and Biomedical Engineering have all risen by at least 35 points to over 450 points, with Energy Systems and Electrical Engineering reaching 500 points and above. Computer Science and IT also increased from 420 points to 440.

Demand for Science courses is equally robust, with entry to General Science up 10 points to 410. Recognising NUI Galway’s national and international leadership in biomedical science programmes, Biomedical Science remained the course with the second highest points for the University, at 530. Biopharmaceutical Chemistry remains a 500 points plus programme while Biotechnology increased 10 points to 475.

Interest in Financial Mathematics and Economics has grown significantly over the last year, with entry onto this programme now requiring 505 points.

Entry onto the medical programme requires 723 points (including HPAT), an increase on the 2014 requirement, and Nursing is up 15 points to 460, while Psychiatric Nursing rose 35 points to 440.

Both of NUI Galway’s Therapy programmes, Occupational and Speech and Language, are up 20 points each to 535 and 530 respectively.

In Arts, NUI Galway’s popular Film Studies degree continues to attract a great deal of interest with the points increasing by 15 to 400 points this year. Journalism and Creative writing also continue to be popular at 420 and 425 points respectively.

The BA with Drama, Theatre and Performance Studies has increased in demand with a 30 point rise to 435.

NUI Galway’s Admission Officer, Stephen O’Dea, said: ‘For the third year running, NUI Galway’s courses in Commerce and Law have seen a steady increase in their points indicating a continued growth in interest in these areas. International Commerce programmes continue to be a popular choice for students with a global outlook. Engineering courses have performed especially well this year, with significant increases in the points requirement across all programmes, students recognising the value of an Engineering degree from NUI Galway in today’s increasingly competitive job market.

NUI Galway’s strength and reputation in Biosciences is also reflected with Biomedical Science continuing to perform well (530 points) and Biopharmaceutical Chemistry at 500 points. There has been a notable increase in the points for the Financial Mathematics and Economics programme to above 500 points (505). This is reflective of a growing confidence in the national and international economies and financial markets, and growth in employment opportunities therein, both at home and abroad.

The B.A. Connect suite of courses provides an attractive learning experience for students as recognised by an increase in the points for Film Studies and for Drama, Theatre and Performance Studies. Psychology also finished at a high 515 points. Occupational Therapy and Speech & Language Therapy maintain their popularity with students, both courses requiring more than 500 points.”

He concluded, “Incoming students will be well placed to benefit from NUI Galway’s significant capital investment programme in embracing innovation, entrepreneurship and research.”

With NUI Galway anticipating an intake of over 3,000 new students in September, a hotline is in place for students, parents and teachers. The First Year Student Hotline number is 091 493999 or visit http://www.nuigalway.ie/new-students/. A team of specially-trained students will service the hotline Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm, and also on Saturday, 22 August, 9am to 1pm.

-ENDS-