According to the Old Cratloe Road based instituion 1381 Leaving Certificate and mature students chose LIT for their third-level education placing LIT in a very firm 4th position amongst Institutes of Technology nationwide, with a 5% increase in market share.

This year, given the increased interest in LIT’s Higher Certificate (Level 6), Degree (Level 7), and most specifically, its Honours Degree (Level 8) programmes, the Institute was in a unique position to offer a larger number of places to first year students consequently opening a door of opportunity to many more students who have the skills and academic requirements, and who wish to access third-level.

Dr Maria Hinfelaar, President of LIT, said it is very encouraging news for the Institute, “Amongst some of the programmes recruiting very strongly this year are Pharmaceutical and Forensic Analysis, Art and Design, Music Technology and Renewable Energy Control Systems; representing a healthy cross-section of our discipline areas.” Dr Hinfelaar said.

“It is noteworthy that, in spite of the decline in the construction sector, some of the established courses such as Quantity Surveying and Civil Engineering Management are holding their student numbers very well,” she sdded. Dr Fergal Barry, Head of Development said: “Given the increased first preference interest in LIT courses, we felt it pertinent to ensure that as many places as possible were provided to those students who have achieved the course entry requirements at the Leaving Certificate level, and who wish to continue their education at LIT.”

This year, LIT has seen a significant increase in its ab-initio four-year degree programmes.

In 2007, LIT offered 942 first round places in their ab-initio degree programmes; this year, 1017 first round offers were made–with only WIT outnumbering LIT’s offers.

Terry Twomey, Registrar, says this is a significant advance for the overall first-year student numbers anticipated at LIT this year.

“LIT’s overall target intake of students this year is set at a record high since 2005 of 1350; and with 1381 already having accepted places in our programmes by the first round cut-off date, we have successfully met and exceeded our target,”added the LIT statement.

“Limerick Institute of Technology aims to prepare learners for a fulfilling and challenging futures byway of its educational philosophy of active learning through a fusion of theory and practice; that is, learning by doing: laboratory work, studio work, case studies, work placements and more,” it added.

LIT will offer 41 programmes on the 2009 CAO–the largest number of programmes ever offered by the Institute.

It has over 5500 students on a range of full-time and lifelong learning programmes including craft apprenticeship, certificate, ordinary degree, honours degree and post graduate programmes.