The CAO – Central Applications Office – is the system used in Ireland to apply for most full-time undergraduate courses. Instead of applying to each college separately, you submit one CAO application with your course choices, personal details and exam results. The CAO then sends this information to the colleges and manages all offers through a central points system.
Key CAO Dates & Fees
1
Early online application
mid-November → 20 January
€30
2
Standard online application
until 1 February
€45
3
Late application
until 1 May (limited)
€60
4
Change-of-Mind
early May → 1 July
How the CAO Process Works
1. Register & Create an Account
1. Go to cao.ie
2. Create an account
3. Add your personal details and exam information (Leaving Cert, QQI, etc.)
4. Save your login details — you will need them for all updates
2. Choose and Order Your Courses
1. Select up to 20 courses
2. Put them in genuine order of preference
3. Colleges do not see the order
4. The CAO uses your points to give you the highest course you qualify for
3. Submit, Edit & Wait for Offers
1. Submit your application
2. You can edit during the Change-of-Mind period
3. You receive one offer per round — the best available
4. You can accept or reject online
How the CAO Points System Works
- Points are calculated from your 6 best Leaving Cert subjects
- Higher grades = more points
- Each course has a minimum points requirement
- You receive only one offer, the highest preference you qualify for
CAO Entry Requirements
For EU Students
- 6 subjects in the Leaving Certificate
- Must include English and Mathematics
- Program-specific subjects may be required
For Non-EU Students
- Equivalent secondary qualification
- (A-Levels, IB, High School Diploma, etc.)
- English language requirement: IELTS 6.5 (typical entry level)
- Grade requirements vary depending on the course and college
Helpful Tools Before You Apply
National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ)
1. What Level 5, 6, 7 and 8 actually mean
2. How NFQ levels compare to each other
3. Which level leads to what kind of degree
4. Why NFQ is important for planning your study path
Explore Ireland’s Higher Education Data
1. Official college statistics and reports
2. Demand trends and popular courses
3. Graduate employment outcomes
4. Reliable data for comparing colleges
Student Path Navigator 