Pupils in Irish schools have been told that it may be a good idea to pick higher maths when choosing their Leaving Certificate subjects.

According to Mark Rogers, dean of science at the University College Dublin, taking the subject at this level will "equip them to succeed at university and in life".

Writing for the Irish Independent, Mr Rogers noted that pupils often find it difficult to decide whether to pick higher maths or ordinary level mathematics, as they have to weigh the risk of failure, as well as the effort involved in achieving good grades.

However, he used research highlighted in the Higher Education Authority report on non-progression of first-year students in higher education as evidence to show that people who take higher level maths are more likely to progress to their second year in university than those who do not.

Mr Rogers went on to say that anyone considering studying a subject in the area of science, technology, engineering or mathematics at degree level will find that the topic is "always beneficial".

Dr Derek O'Byrne, registrar at the Waterford Institute of Technology, previously highlighted the importance of mathematics, telling the newspaper that it is a valuable subject for the future of the country's economy.

Written by Donal Walsh 

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