Universities Set to Use Random Selection Again for Popular Courses

The random selection system used by universities to allocate places in high-demand courses is expected to be implemented again this year. This approach, described as “painful” by some educational officials, is necessary to resolve competition among top candidates for limited spots in popular programs.

The recent decline in grade inflation and the addition of more spaces in fields like medicine and dentistry may mitigate some concerns. Nevertheless, universities across the country are preparing to employ lottery systems to make selections among candidates with the highest scores. This year marks the initial phase of a gradual reduction in post-marking upward adjustments that were introduced during the pandemic to maintain artificially high grades due to predicted results and exam modifications.

Despite these adjustments, Leaving Certificate results continue to significantly exceed pre-pandemic levels. As a result, students who achieved maximum points on the results day face uncertainty regarding their first-choice courses. Last year saw random selection applied in over 20 programs, including five at Trinity College Dublin, four at University College Dublin (UCD), and three at University College Cork (UCC).

In 2024, courses such as economics and finance at UCD and dental science at Trinity required the highest score of 625 points for admission, both resorting to random selection. This led to unfortunate outcomes for some applicants who, despite achieving maximum points, were excluded due to an unlucky draw. “Everyone understands the heartbreak for the individual, but there’s no way around it,” said an official from a Dublin university, characterizing the random selection as “painful.”

As universities brace for the impending results, there is a collective hope to minimize reliance on the lottery system. “Everyone hates the lottery system; if there’s any way at all that we can stop it, we will,” an official stated. However, they acknowledged that random selection will likely be necessary for a small number of courses this year.

The looming lottery system poses risks for many students, especially those competing against 19,700 applicants from previous years who also took the Leaving Certificate. The majority of these applicants experienced a higher level of grade inflation, with approximately 52 percent of grades artificially inflated this year, a decrease from 68 percent last year. On average, marks were increased by 6.8 percent, down from 7.5 percent in 2023.

The Department of Education has not committed to a timeline for returning grades to pre-pandemic levels. However, it emphasized that any adjustments would be made “carefully” and in stages over the coming years. “Minister for Education Helen McEntee has asked officials to work with the State Examinations Commission (SEC) to consider the approach for future years,” a spokesperson noted. This includes evaluating the level of adjustments to examinations and the timeline for phasing out the current post-marking adjustment system.

The decision regarding these changes will be made in a timely manner to provide certainty for students as they navigate their educational paths. As universities prepare for another year of heightened competition, the emotional toll on individual students remains a significant concern.