The number of students applying to college has hit a record high, according to figures from the Central Applications Office.

The CAO says more than 68,000 third-level applications were received this year, an increase of almost 3,000 on the figure for last year.

Around 40,000 of those applications were from students sitting their Leaving Cert this year, while around 10,000 were mature students.

The overall demand for healthcare courses is down amid fears of poor job prospects in the sector.