New CAO figures are showing an increase in the popularity of agriculture as a third-level choice for school leavers. The numbers of those studying farming are up by almost seven per cent since last year.
Meanwhile, there has been a drop in those deciding to become teachers.
Applications for teaching courses have fallen by eight per cent since last year, largely due to ongoing cuts in education.
Numbers applying to study medicine are also down by six and a half per cent.
But there is welcome news for the government with a four per cent growth in the numbers of students choosing science, technology, engineering and maths courses.