Keeping track of CAO Application trends can provide valuable insights into students’ evolving interests. Here, we present a detailed analysis of various CAO application categories between the years 2022 and 2023. The types studied include Level 8 Applications, Levels 7/6 Applications, Indicated DARE Applications, and Indicated HEAR Applications.

Overall Trends

A bird’s eye view of the data reveals that the total number of applications has remained stable from 2022 to 2023 with a minuscule increase of just 13, indicating a consistent level of interest among applicants. However, digging deeper into individual categories uncovers more nuanced changes in trends.

A Closer Look at Application Levels

Level 8 Applications saw a slight decrease of 0.8% in 2023. This trend might be attributed to a variety of factors, including changes in academic interests or the availability of alternative educational pathways. A more significant decline of 3.7% was observed in Levels 7/6 Applications. This decline could point to a shift in educational preferences or alterations in admission criteria for these levels.

DARE and HEAR Applications

Contrasting the downward trend in Level 8 and Levels 7/6 Applications, Indicated DARE Applications showed a significant rise of 13.8%. This substantial increase suggests a growing interest or eligibility in DARE applications, indicating a positive trend towards inclusivity and support for students with disabilities.

On the other hand, Indicated HEAR Applications saw a decrease of 6.7%. The causes behind this decline could be multifaceted, ranging from changes in eligibility criteria to shifts in applicant demographics or needs.

CAO Application Trends

Analysing numbers and percentages can provide a wealth of information, but visual representations often make the trends and changes more apparent. When graphed, the changes in application numbers between 2022 and 2023 for each category highlight the significant increase in DARE applications, counterbalanced by the decreases in Levels 7/6 and HEAR applications. The total applications graph underscores the overall stability in applications, despite the shifts in individual categories.

In this image, the total amount of students enrolled in the school has increased by 0.0%, while the amount of students enrolled in Levels 8, 7/6, DARE, and HEAR have decreased by 0.8%, 3.7%, 13.8%, and 6.7%, respectively.

Source: https://www2.cao.ie/app_stats/pdf/appstats01feb2023.pdf

This table shows a comparison of various categories of applications for the years 2023 and 2022. The categories include:

  1. Total Applications
  2. Level 8 Applications
  3. Levels 7/6 Applications
  4. Indicated DARE applications
  5. Indicated HEAR applications

For each category, the table provides the number of applications in 2023, the number of applications in 2022, the difference between the two years, and the percentage change from 2022 to 2023.

Here is a breakdown of each category:

  • Total Applications

    The total number of applications marginally increased by 13 from 78,012 in 2022 to 78,025 in 2023, which indicates that the total number of applications is relatively stable

  • Level 8 Applications

    The number of Level 8 applications decreased by 559 from 68,480 in 2022 to 67,921 in 2023, representing a decrease of 0.8%. This suggests a slight decline in Level 8 applications.

  • Levels 7/6 Applications

    The number of Levels 7/6 applications saw a more notable decrease, dropping by 1,177 from 31,467 in 2022 to 30,290 in 2023. This represents a decrease of 3.7%, indicating a moderately significant decline in these applications.

  • Indicated DARE Applications

    The number of indicated DARE applications increased significantly, rising by 1,200 from 8,713 in 2022 to 9,913 in 2023. This represents an increase of 13.8%, suggesting a substantial growth in these types of applications.

  • Indicated HEAR Applications

    The number of indicated HEAR applications decreased by 623 from 9,247 in 2022 to 8,624 in 2023, representing a decrease of 6.7%. This suggests a relatively significant decline in these applications.

    The graph shows the number of applications for Levels 8, 7/6, DARE, and HEAR from 2022 to 2023.

    “Number of Applications by Category and Year” compares the number of applications in each category between the years 2022 and 2023.

    Here are some observations:

    1. The total number of applications in both years is almost the same, with a marginal increase in 2023.
    2. Both Level 8 and Level 7/6 Applications saw a decrease in 2023 compared to 2022.
    3. There was a significant increase in DARE applications in 2023 compared to 2022.
    4. The number of HEAR applications decreased in 2023 compared to the previous year.

    The graph shows a comparison of the percentage change in applications for Level 8, Level 7/6, DARE and HEAR programs from 2022 to 2023.

    “Percentage Change in Applications by Category from 2022 to 2023” depicts the percentage change in the number of applications from 2022 to 2023 in each category.

    Here are some observations:

    1. DARE applications saw a significant increase of 13.8%, while all other categories saw a decrease.
    2. The biggest decrease was seen in Levels 7/6 Applications, with a decrease of 3.7%, followed by HEAR applications, which decreased by 6.7%.
    3. Level 8 applications decreased by 0.8%.
    4. The total number of applications remained almost the same, with an insignificant increase of 0.0%.

    Overall, this suggests a shift in the types of applications from 2022 to 2023, with DARE applications seeing a surge while Levels 7/6 and HEAR applications decreased. The total number of applications remained stable, suggesting that the overall interest in applications did not change much, but the specific types of applications that people are interested in have shifted.

Interpreting the Changes

Understanding the reasons behind these shifts in application trends is as important as identifying the trends themselves. The significant rise in DARE applications could be indicative of improved accessibility or awareness about this program. Alternatively, it could signify that more students with disabilities are pursuing higher education, a truly encouraging trend.

The decrease in HEAR applications could point to changes in economic conditions or modifications in the program’s eligibility criteria. It is crucial to explore these potential reasons to address any barriers that might be discouraging students from applying.

The decline in Level 8 and Levels 7/6 Applications might indicate changing academic preferences among students or suggest that students are exploring alternative educational pathways.

Conclusion

Year-on-year CAO application trends reveal more than just numbers; they provide a snapshot of evolving educational interests and the effectiveness of programs designed to support diverse student populations. While the total number of applications remained stable from 2022 to 2023, the shift in individual categories warrants attention. Educational institutions and policymakers can utilise these insights to adapt to changing trends, ensuring that all students have the opportunity and support to pursue their academic goals. As we move forward, continued analysis of these trends will be invaluable in shaping the future of education.