NUI Galway has seen a substantial increase in demand for its courses this year, with more than 5,000 students making it their university of choice for the 2019-2020 academic year. This marked a year-on-year increase of five per cent in first preference applications, against a national picture which saw the number of applications received by the CAO by February 1 grow by 0.5 per cent on last year’s levels.
The increased demand for places was experienced across traditionally popular subject areas including business, law, engineering, biomedical science, nursing, and medicine, and also resulted from applications to three new arts degrees and a new law degree enrolling in September 2019 for the first time.
The much anticipated law and human rights degree will be the first of its kind in Ireland. Building on the Irish Centre for Human Rights’ global reputation, graduates will be well positioned for work in international human rights law, policy, or legal practice and can also pursue professional legal training as solicitors or barristers.
The College of Arts, Social Sciences, and Celtic Studies is launching three new degrees in 2019. The BA (history and globalisation studies ) and the BA Government (politics, economics and law ) are new interdisciplinary degrees that will give graduates knowledge and understanding across a range of related subjects, while the BA Education (computer science, and mathematical studies ) is a four-year concurrent initial teacher education programme which will prepare graduates for eligibility to teach computer science and mathematics.
“Our young people are socially conscious and looking to tackle the most pressing issues facing society, from climate change to social justice,” said NUI Galway registrar and deputy president, Professor Pól Ó Dochartaigh. “We can see this in the course choices of CAO applicants, who are opting for courses and preparing for fulfilling careers where they can have a powerful and positive impact on the world around them. The new law and human rights degree has attracted strong interest from Ireland and Europe from students who are choosing NUI Galway for its global reputation for excellence in the field. We look forward to supporting this next generation as they further develop their skills and make their mark in the world.
“Employability prospects remain an important consideration for students choosing a course and the current buoyant graduate jobs market is giving confidence to students to choose courses which will allow them to follow their passions, develop expertise and transferable skills, gain experience abroad and in the workplace, and prepare for highly flexible and rewarding careers.”
