Trinity applications hit by Brexit fears

Trinity College Dublin (Stock picture)

Katherine Donnelly Email

August 20 2018 06:01 AM

A Brexit-linked drop in demand among students from Northern Ireland and Britain is likely a factor in some significant falls in the CAO points needed for entry to Trinity College Dublin.

The country's oldest university, created by royal charter in 1592, has a proud tradition of attracting significant numbers of UK applicants, particularly from the North.

But this year there was a big dent in demand, with a 20pc decline in applications from across the Border - down from 958 to 763 - while there was an 11pc fall-off in figures for Britain, from 624 to 552.

While there is no official explanation for the trend, Trinity acknowledged in a statement that Brexit has had an impact on course choices and applications.

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Overall demand for its two-subject arts course was down 16pc, and it is likely UK students contributed to that.

The uncertainty created by Brexit in the UK and the less favourable sterling-euro exchange rate are likely to be weighing on the minds of students and their parents.

Traditionally law has been a popular choice for Northern Irish students coming to Trinity. While total CAO applications for law were up this year, at least two Trinity courses have seen a big points drop, with law from 542 to 533 while law and business went from 589 to 577.