The Institute of Technology Sligo has seen a dramatic increase in CAO applicants with an increase of 32% on last year.
That translates into an increase of 1,701 applicants this year compared to last year.
Although nationally there has been an increase in applicants of 8.6%, the institute has seen an increase of three and half times the national average.
Demand for Science courses increased by 24% over 2020 with forensic science, health sciences and environmental science performing strongly.
The recently established Yeats Academy of Arts, Design and Architecture (YAADA) in IT Sligo has seen a significant increase in demand, strengthening Sligo as a creative hub for talent within the north west region.
The institute has also seen a further 18% increase in applicants across all Level 8 programmes.
There is strong interest in several new courses to meet emerging demand, including electronics and self driving technologies, robotics and automation, mechanical engineering and electronics.
A new Law and Business degree has been a popular choice as the only three-year honours degree available in the field within the northwest and midland region.
Students commencing their studies in IT Sligo in 2021 will graduate from a Technological University when the institute joins with GMIT and Letterkenny IT in early 2022.
President of IT Sligo, Dr Brendan McCormack said the CAO figures show a growing confidence in the Institute:s
