But the pressures of selection do not end when the student enters his or her first day at college - there are rigorous selection procedures for postgraduate programmes which follow different, but equally valid, selection criteria than simply obtaining grades in examinations.

"The competition for places on good postgraduate programmes can be very stiff, " said Eoin Geraghty, Director of Student Recruitment and Publications at National College of Ireland (NCI). "We have a limit of twenty five places on each of our own postgraduate programmes. This is to ensure each of the participants get the maximum out of their learning experience. We expect the prospective students to have a clear idea of where they want to go with their postgraduate qualification, and we usually work with the prospective students on their motivations and expectations before they are accepted by having one to one meetings. This ensures the postgraduate classes are focused on making the learning environment as productive as possible."

NCI operates the usual minimum entry requirements for its postgraduate programmes - a Level 8 degree qualification. But, in addition, for its masters programmes it expects a number of years relevant work experience in the field. For Higher Diplomas, which are designed as conversion programmes, it expects the prospective student to have a strong desire to learn about the given subject.

"We look for people who have done some background research on the subject that they want to study, and into the potential career path that they want the programme to bring them, " said Geraghty.

"Though if people are not sure about the subject and career potential, if they apply early enough with us we will help the prospective student with that research to ensure they are making the right decision."

Obviously, some people will be entering programmes looking to enhance their existing knowledge in a subject, while others will be looking to add another area of study to their overall learning, having come from an entirely different discipline - so are there different selection criteria for these distinct cases?

"Our Masters are designed to help people enhance their existing knowledge in a subject area, " explained Geraghty. "They are designed to allow people to become an expert and to facilitate their career progression into senior management. The prospective learner is expected to have considerable knowledge in the area, while our Higher Diplomas are designed for people moving from one discipline into another, or people who do not have sufficient experience in that discipline. If we get people that are borderline and there is sufficient time, we work with those applicants to prepare them for Masters programmes, by providing an assignment or workplace project."

Selection for a Masters programme is not simply about trying to accommodate as many interested people as possible, and the selection process is rigorous to ensure the applicant is committed to postgraduate study and will benefit from the programme.

"The process allows us to prepare the applicant for postgraduate study so they get the maximum return for their time in class."

For further information on NCI programmes, prospective candidates can come to the college's information evenings where they can talk one-to-one with a postgraduate team. Dates for information evenings are March 28, April 18, May 3 and 23, and June 20.