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The CAO opened for applications on 6 November 2023. A huge amount of information is available via the CAO website. It is laid out under several headings and is very user friendly. There is specific information for parents/ guardians and applicants. CAO also have a facility allowing users to create a personalised CAO handbook.
General CAO advice for applicants is to:
•Apply early
•Research courses
•List course choice in genuine order of preference
•Know the key dates/ deadlines
•Review all CAO correspondence
Cost to Apply
Apply by 20 January to avail of the €30 early bird rate. Applying up to 1 February 2024 costs €45.
I’m not sure what I want to study. Do I need to include courses by 1 February?
Applicants do not need to have the course choices finalised by 1 February, unless applying for a restricted course. A Change of Mind facility opens in May which allows applicants to remove, add and change the order of their courses up until 1 July. No further changes can be made after this date.
It is common for applicants not to know what course to choose. Start with your favourite subject in school – are there courses offered in this subject? Remember many degrees are very broad and may offer a general entry option in first year. This allows students the opportunity to sample topics prior to finalising subjects in subsequent years e.g General Entry Engineering, Arts Degrees, Business Degrees.
What is a restricted course?
Restricted courses have an extra assessment, audition or portfolio element as part of their application. Examples include Medicine, Art or Performance related courses. Restricted courses must be listed on CAO applications by 1 February.
The ‘Do’s’ of CAO applications
•Do understand that entry requirements are important – applicants must meet the minimum entry requirements and any specific subject requirements (as well as the points) to secure an offer. For example, you must have a minimum of two H5 grades to get an offer for almost every Level 8 course.
Some courses will require a specific grade in a certain subject to gain a place e.g H4 in Irish for primary school teaching. It is the applicant’s responsibility to check that they meet the minimum entry requirements for the courses that on their application.
•Do place/rank your courses in genuine order of preference. This means putting your dream course in first place, your second favourite in second place, and so on. CAO try to offer applicants the highest up course on their list, that they are entitled to based on meeting basic entry requirements, specific entry requirements and then points.
•Do research - look at the college prospectuses, websites and attend open days. Look at the course content you will study. Find out if there is work experience/ travel abroad as part of the course. This research will help you decide if the course is right for you.
•Do attend open days / events where you can find out more about the college, courses, clubs and societies. Explore the college facilities and talk to current students and lecturers. This will give you a general feel for the college. Attending open days can help you decide if you can commute or if you will need to live away from home.
•Do apply for both Level 8 and Level 7/6 courses. Many Level 7/6 courses allow you to progress on to Level 8 degrees.
•Do make an appointment to see the school guidance counsellor. They will help you with your application and answer many of the questions you may have.
The ‘Don’ts’ of CAO applications
•Don’t ignore emails from CAO. They are contacting you for a reason. Make sure you have supplied them with all the information they are requesting. Make sure to provide an email address and phone number.
•Don’t list courses based on how you think you will do in your exams or based on what you think the points will be. Points can change each year, based on demand. Use the CAO guideline of ‘genuine order of preference’ to help you rank your courses.
•Don’t list a course on your application higher up than the course you really want. If you get the higher preference offer, you will not be offered anything lower. Forget the idea that you should do a high points course just because you may get high points. Do a course you are genuinely interested in regardless of points. You’ll be happier in the long run and you’ll do better at something you’re interested in.
•Don’t leave your Level 7/6 list blank. Spend time researching Level 7/6 courses to give yourself options. Remember most Level 7/6 courses offer progression pathways into Level 8 courses.
For more information, visit cao.ie; careersportal.ie; qualifax.ie
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