Last updated: July 2026
The CAO (Central Applications Office) is how you apply to most Irish higher education courses. You apply online, listing up to 10 Level 8 and 10 Level 7/6 courses in order of preference. Offers are made each August based on your Leaving Certificate points and the number of places available.
- According to the CAO, applicants can list up to 10 Level 8 choices and 10 Level 7/6 choices in order of preference.
- According to CAO figures, the discounted application fee is €30 before 20 January, rising to €45 by the 1 February closing date.
- According to the CAO, the Change of Mind facility stays open until 1 July, letting you reorder your course choices free of charge.
Verify all dates on the official CAO website (cao.ie) as they may change.
What is the CAO and who applies through it?
The Central Applications Office (CAO) processes applications for undergraduate courses in Irish higher education institutions. Rather than applying directly to universities and colleges, students submit a single CAO application listing their course preferences.
The CAO is used by:
- All Irish universities (UCD, Trinity, DCU, UL, UCC, NUIG, Maynooth)
- Technological Universities (TU Dublin, MTU, ATU, SETU, TUS)
- Institutes of Technology
- Some private colleges and specialist institutions
How do you apply to the CAO, step by step?
Create Your CAO Account
Visit cao.ie and create an account using your email address. You'll receive a CAO number which you'll use throughout the application process.
Complete Personal Details
Enter your personal information, current school, and education history. If you're applying for HEAR or DARE, you'll need to indicate this and provide supporting documentation.
Add Your Course Choices
You can add up to 10 Level 8 (honours degree) courses and 10 Level 7/6 courses. List them in genuine order of preference - you'll only receive one offer from each list.
Tips for ordering courses:
- • Put your dream course first, even if it's high points
- • Include realistic options based on predicted points
- • Add safety options with lower points requirements
- • Research each course thoroughly before adding
Pay the Application Fee
Pay online using a debit/credit card. The fee is €30 if paid before 20 January, €45 before 1 February, or €60 for late applications.
Submit Your Application
Review all details carefully before submitting. Once submitted, you can still make changes using the Change of Mind facility until 1 July.
What do Level 6, 7 and 8 mean on your CAO form?
- 3-4 year duration
- Higher entry points
- Required for many professions
- Direct pathway to postgraduate study
- 2-3 year duration
- Lower entry points
- Can progress to Level 8
- Strong industry focus
What happens after you submit your CAO application?
Change of Mind (May - 1 July): You can reorder, add, or remove course choices at no extra cost. Use this time to research courses further and update your preferences.
Offers (August): Round 1 offers are released in mid-August after Leaving Certificate results. You'll receive your highest preference course for which you qualify.
Accepting Offers: You must accept or decline your offer within the specified timeframe. Accepting doesn't commit you - you can accept a later round offer instead.