DEMAND for equine-related university courses stayed relatively steady this year, according to the Central Application Office (CAO) points tables released on Monday.

Under the revamped marking system, which has changed how the grades are converted to points, the number of Leaving Certificate points needed to study Veterinary Medicine at UCD has fallen for the second year in a row.

It is down six points to #564 from the first round offer of 570 points in 2016. The # used in this instance denotes the new mandatory requirement for 60 hours animal handling experience which all applicants needed to submit evidence in support of their application.

UCD is home to the only Level 8 Veterinary Nursing course in the country and after a drop in 2016, this year’s points have increased slightly from 465 to 467.

The Level 7 Veterinary Nursing course at Dundalk IT is up 10 points to 400, while the Level 7 courses at Letterkenny IT and Athlone IT are both down for the second year in a row to 358 (from 360) and 401 (from 410), respectively.

There is an increase in demand for one of the most popular equine courses, the Level 8 Equine Science degree at the University of Limerick. At 360 points for the last two years, the entry requirement is up another six points to 366.

However, the Level 6 and 7 Equine Science course at UL has seen a massive drop of 39 points to 301, the lowest in three years.

The Equine Business degree at Maynooth makes a welcome return after being merged with general business in 2016. It is back on the CAO list with a requirement of 357 points.

Athlone IT’s Level 6 Business in Equine Studies course accepts all qualified applicants into the course.