DCU News
News at DCU

Surge in points for Business and STEM programmes 2013

DCU – Ireland’s University of Enterprise - has seen a significant increase in demand for places across the board this year, and especially for business-focused and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Maths) based degree programmes.

Today, DCU has made its highest ever number of first round offers to CAO applicants, but despite this increase in the number of places available, points for most degree programmes have risen and many have increased significantly; a clear reflection of the increasing popularity of DCU as a University of first preference for students.
Significant changes include:

  • A wide range of DCU Business School programmes are up significantly this year, with increases of 10-40 points across the different programme streams (e.g. Global Business with Spanish up 40 points).  The DCU suite of business programmes provides students with either a paid work placement as core to their studies, or an opportunity for a significant international experience in one of our partner universities in France, Germany, Spain, USA and China.
  •  CAO points for Engineering programmes have increased significantly, continuing the upward trend from last year:
  • Common Entry to Engineering has risen to 390 points this year, an overall increase of 90 points from 2011.
  • Both Manufacturing Engineering with Business and Mechanical & Manufacturing Engineering have increased by 45 points year on year.
  •  A number of Science programmes have also performed strongly. Environmental Science & Health is up 30 points to 435, and Common Entry to Science is up 15 points to 450. Genetics & Cell Biology is also up 15 points to 495.
  • DCU’s new degree programme in Computational Problem Solving & Software Development, which targets key skills deficits in the ICT sector, has proved extremely popular and requires 430 points.
  •  Points for DCU’s flagship program in Journalism increased by 25 points up to 435.
  • DCU’s highest points programmes are Global Business with Transatlantic Studies (545 points); Actuarial Mathematics (515 points); Athletic Training & Therapy (510 points); Psychology (500 points) and Genetics & Cell Biology (495 points)

 

The new BA (Hons) Arts programme, launched by DCU in 2012/13 has proven very popular, with almost 100 places offered today in its first intake.
Welcoming today’s announcements, DCU President, Professor Brian MacCraith said, “The significant increase in CAO entry points for DCU programmes this year reflects both the strong demand and high level of competition for places on programmes dedicated to developing enterprise and career focused graduates. The clear trends indicate that degree choices are being made by students with career ambitions in mind. DCU is a natural home for ambitious students keen for a high quality educational experience with a focus on developing the critical thinking skills and expertise that will enable them to flourish in their future careers. I am also glad to see an increasing demand for common entry programmes. As we move– along with our University partners – to “take the heat” out of the Points Race, there will be an increasing focus on broader entry routes which will reduce the pressure on students and provide enhanced flexibility for them.”