For thousands of the almost 57,000 students who sat the Leaving Cert exams this year, many of these offers will come from the UK.
While results were poor in Math and Science subjects there were still a high number of students achieving those sought after A's.
With competition high for college places it can become a case that there are too many students for too few course places. The alternative for Irish students is to move and study abroad, an option, which is becoming increasingly popular and possible.
While the idea of uprooting and moving to a different country to study for your degree may sounding daunting to some it is also looked at in a positive light by many employers.
One of the obvious places to move to study for Irish students is the UK. Our nearest neighbour and with good transport links between both countries many Irish students make the UK their home for the three or four years of their degree.
Two problems that hinder the possible move to the UK are the fees for courses in the UK. However Irish students can apply for assistance in the form of loans, which they only start paying back once they are in employment. Also the poor Euro-Sterling rate means it can be a costly decision for many to move and study for several years in the UK.
Ireland has the CAO system for applying for college places while if Irish students wish to study in the UK they must apply through UCAS (University and College Admissions Service).
The latest figures published by UCAS at the end of July 2008 show that the number of applicants overall to UK Universities and Colleges are up 9.1% on the same time last year.
By the end of June of this year 5,205 Irish students applied through UCAS for courses in the UK. Of these 5,205 students, 3,580 applied to study in a English institution, 1,023 applied to a college in Wales while 2,659 applied to Scottish institutes.
A UCAS spokesperson said: "It is hugely encouraging to see that application figures are maintaining the strong growth that we saw at the start of the year."
Over the past five years 2005 saw 7,403 Irish students apply to UCAS while the largest amount successful and accepted stood at 3,384 in 2004. Last years statistics saw 5,841 wanting to study for their degree in the UK with 2,572 of those being successful in receiving a place on the course of their choice.
The Department of Education are aware of the trend to study abroad and point to the fact thousands of Irish students choose this option every year. The vast majority choosing to study in EU member states, which in turn can make them eligible to apply for support under the Department’s students’ maintenance grants scheme.
A spokesperson for the Department of Education did admit that: “Competition is tight for under-graduate students in Ireland. Irish students may also go to overseas institution to pursue graduate courses to broaden their horizons. It is up to the individual autonomous educational institutions to compete in this market, including with colleges abroad.
“It is also worth noting that many students choose to study abroad as the course of study the wish to pursue might not be available here in Ireland. This might be due to economies of scale (driven by student numbers) or the increasingly strategic focus of Irish higher education institutions.”
The Department also notes that the provision of education is a two-way street and highlights that:
“In 2005/2006 there was an estimated 25,000 international students in higher education institutions here. The government has also stated targets for the internationalisation of higher education. Internationalisation is not a one-way street though; Ireland must expect a two-way flow of students in and out, which enriches the education experience for all and make a contribution to a vibrant society.”
“In 2005/2006 there was an estimated 25,000 international students in higher education institutions here. The government has also stated targets for the internationalisation of higher education. Internationalisation is not a one-way street though; Ireland must expect a two-way flow of students in and out, which enriches the education experience for all and make a contribution to a vibrant society.”
In Ireland it is the National Qualifications Authority who facilitate the recognition of foreign qualifications in Ireland and advise applicants of the comparability of their award in the Irish education system.
