How to apply: timeline for September 2027 entry

The core problem

Students usually need to secure accommodation before they hold a CAO offer. College housing application windows are set by each college and are covered in the campus guides. This file covers the national dates. Budget 2027 is on Tuesday 6 October 2026 (Citizens Information); SUSI and student-contribution figures referred to here are pre-Budget.

CAO dates for 2027 (published by CAO)

The 2027 Leaving Cert results date and Round One date are not on the CAO 2027 dates sheet and are not stated here.

For comparison, 2026 cycle (Citizens Information): Leaving Cert results 21 August 2026, Round 1 on 26 August 2026, Round 2 on 7 September, Round 3 on 15 September. The late application window in 2026 ran 5 March to 1 May with a EUR 65 fee; late applicants cannot be considered for HEAR, DARE or mature-student assessment.

SUSI timeline (2026/27 cycle, latest published)

• Applications opened 1 April 2026.
• SUSI: applicants "do not need to have your Leaving Cert results or to have accepted a course to apply"; you can give the course you hope to study and update it later.
• SUSI advises applying early.
• 2027/28 dates are not yet published.

Steps by route

1. On-campus: each college runs its own application and allocation (lottery, timed booking or other); deposit and contract length differ by college. Use the college accommodation page. Licences are SSA, so the national SSA rules in file 04 apply.
2. Purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA): book direct with the operator or through the college's listed partners. SSA rules apply: deposit up to 1 month's rent, advance rent up to 1 month, agreement should not exceed 41 weeks unless the student asks.
3. Digs / Rent-a-Room: see file 07. Use the college's accommodation office or students' union listings.
4. Private rental: confirm the tenancy is RTB-registered before paying; see file 04.

Before you sign anything

• Get the agreement in writing.
• Confirm whether it is a tenancy, an SSA licence or a digs licence.
• Check the deposit and advance rent do not exceed the caps.
• Check the RTB register (registration must be within one month of the start).
• Check a letting agent is on the PSRA register.
• View in person.

If you do not get accommodation

Commuting from home: SUSI pays the adjacent rate when the college is less than 30km from your normal residence and the non-adjacent rate at 30km or more. The college accommodation office and students' union can advise. The Student Assistance Fund (apply via your college access or student services office) can cover rent and other utility bills. For emergencies: Threshold 1800 454 454.

Official sources

• https://www2.cao.ie/downloads/documents/2027/dates_and_tips_2027.pdf (fetched and read as PDF text)
• https://www2.cao.ie/downloads/documents/2026/dates_and_tips_2026.pdf
• https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/education/third-level-education/applying-to-college/application-procedures-and-entry-requirements/
• https://www.susi.ie/news/susi-is-now-open-for-new-applications-for-academic-year-202627/
• https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-further-and-higher-education-research-innovation-and-science/press-releases/minister-lawless-announces-major-expansion-of-student-grant-supports-as-susi-opens-for-202627-applications/
• https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/money-and-tax/budgets/budget-2027/
• https://rtb.ie/renting/types-of-tenancies/student-specific-accommodation/
• https://www.psr.ie/psra-advises-college-students-to-be-cautious-of-bogus-letting-agents-during-accommodation-search/
• https://www.susi.ie/eligibility-criteria/income/adjacency/
• https://hea.ie/funding-governance-performance/funding/student-finance/student-assistance-fund/