Picture for representational purpose
CHENNAI : The demand for Science courses, particularly interdisciplinary or medical-related programmes such as Microbiology, Nutrition and Diet, are on the rise, said principals of Arts and Science colleges across the city. Commerce courses have the most number of applicants as usual, however, the demand has remained steady from last year.While there is an overall increase in total number of applicants to these colleges, there are more students who now opt for these courses as their first option without applying for Engineering or other professional courses, said Lilian Jasper, principal of Women’s Christian College (WCC). “Among Science courses, Psychology has become one of the most popular courses. More students have applied for courses like Nutrition, Chemistry and Biotechnology out of passion, this year,” she said.
Nearly 30,000 students applied to Ethiraj College for Women, according to sources. Over 20,000 students have applied to various courses this year to WCC and the college is still receiving applications. Last year, a little over 15,000 students had applied. “Apart from Psychology, the demand for medical-related courses such as Nutrition, Biochemistry and Microbiology has increased in the last two years as NEET aspirants who don’t get into Medicine, have started exploring other related options,” said the principal of an Arts and Science college, on condition of anonymity. Courses such as Mathematics, too, have more takers
this year.
“Students have started realising that placement options are poor for engineering courses in colleges that are not reputed. There is still a demand for Computer Science in top colleges because placement is guaranteed,” said Jayapraksh Gandhi, a city-based career consultant. With a drop in placement in Engineering courses, there is a rush to apply for civil service, he said. “Students believe that they would rather apply to a three-year course before writing group 1 exams instead of going through four years,” he said.
Among Commerce programmes, the general B Com courses received the highest number of applications, consistent with the trend from previous years. However, there is a sudden increase in the number of students who want to pursue Finance and Accounting, said DB Usha Rani, the Vice Principal of Ethiraj College. “For 70 seats, we have 4,700 applicants for B Com (general),” she said, adding that placement options for students from Commerce stream remain vibrant attracting students.
