CAO applications have held up this year, with a big rise in interest in medicine and other health-related professions, in what may be a direct effect of the coronavirus. Demand for medicine is up 6pc, while other health-related professions have seen double digit percentage increases compared to this time last year. Other professions that have seen a surge in applications include law and architecture. Final figures for college entry in September show a total of 77,831 applications, up from 77,415 this time last year. Overall applications for business are unchanged, but some colleges have seen a huge surge, including Maynooth University where demand is up 21pc.

Source: Irish Independent July 08, 2020 14:17 UTC