The latest CAO figures (March 2014 ) show a bounce back in demand for construction and civil engineering programmes in GMIT. Applications for the honours degree in construction economics and quantity surveying are up 80 per cent this year on last, while applications for the honours degree in architectural technology are up 43 per cent.
Other discipline areas showing significant increase compared to last year are business and information system management, mechanical engineering, and film and documentary.
The new honours degree in outdoor education at GMIT’s Mayo campus is attracting significant interest, despite only being included on the CAO Level 8 list before Christmas. Prior to this, it was offered as a level 7 (ordinary degree ) programme.
Last year GMIT increased the number of its honours degree (Level 8 ) offerings through the CAO by 50 per cent. This year, the number of level 8 programmes has increased by 26 per cent. While the level 8 programmes are proving popular, GMIT continues to offer level 7 ordinary degrees which offer students an opportunity to progress to an honours degree through what is commonly known as the ‘ladder system’. Students who have successfully completed a three year Level 7 programme can progress to a one year add-on honours degree programme (Level 8 ).
According to GMIT registrar Michael Hannon, the latest CAO figures show there is a major shift towards level 8 honours degree applications.
“More and more students are showing greater maturity in the choices they are making,” Mr Hannon said. “Looking at the national picture I’d be concerned for the almost 5,000 students who applied to the CAO and made no course choice. We would urge students to consider making up their minds as soon as possible and to visit our website www.gmit.ie to find out about our programmes and student life.”
