The start of the 2009/10 academic year saw the largest jump ever in student numbers accepting places at Tipperary Institute.  This year 285 students accepted places on TI programmes through the Central Applications Office, compared with 178 in 2008 and 112 in 2007.  TI’s massive 50% increase compares with an increase of 8.3% across all Colleges in 2009.

 

The growth in demand for places at Tipperary Institute has led to an increase in full time student numbers from 338 last year to 499 in 2009.  Based on current trends full time student numbers will exceed 600 in 2010 and should rise to 750 in 2011. The TI Board has set a target of 1,000 full time students by 2014.

 

Growth in student numbers has been experienced across all courses offered by TI, but the highest demand has been for Honours degrees in Social and Community Studies, Creative Multimedia, Accounting and Finance, Environmental and Natural Resource Management, Games Design and Development and Business.

 

According to Gary Prosser, Director of Development and Academic Affairs at Tipperary Institute, the rapid growth in student numbers demonstrates the important role played by the College in providing third level places for many local people who would otherwise not have the opportunity to gain the benefits of higher education. “With the economic challenges facing the country, higher education has a central role to play in our national recovery. This Institute is playing its part by laying the foundations for a sustainable economic and social future for our local communities and the nation”.

 

“The Higher Education Authority expects demand for third level places will continue to grow and it is important that TI is provided with the resources that will enable it to continue to expand its range of courses and attract its share of future growth” according to Professor Prosser.