CAO Application Process for Ireland Explained

What the CAO is

The Central Applications Office (CAO) is the body that processes most undergraduate applications to universities and colleges in the Republic of Ireland. Instead of applying to each institution separately, applicants submit a single online application through the CAO and list the courses they are interested in.

The CAO does not decide who gets a place — the universities set the entry requirements and make the offers. The CAO collects applications, processes the order of preference, and issues offers on behalf of the participating institutions.

How the points system works

For applicants using the Irish Leaving Certificate, offers are largely based on a points score calculated from the best results in a set number of subjects. Each course has a points level that reflects demand and the number of places available, and offers go to the applicants with the highest points who have listed that course.

The points required for a course are not fixed — they can rise or fall each year depending on how many people apply and how they perform. Because the cut-off is set by demand rather than published in advance, you should treat previous years' points only as a rough guide and check the official source for current information.

• Points are calculated from a defined number of subjects
• Each course has a points level set by demand and available places
• Cut-off points change year to year — never assume last year's figure

How offers and preferences work

On the CAO application you list courses in genuine order of preference. Offers are made in rounds, and you are offered the highest course on your list for which you meet the requirements and points. Accepting a place does not always remove you from consideration for a higher preference in a later round, so it is important to order your list carefully.

Key requirements, application steps, and the way preferences are handled are explained in detail on the official CAO website, and the rules can be updated each cycle.

International (non-EU) applicants

How you apply depends on your category and the institution. EU applicants generally apply through the CAO. Non-EU international applicants sometimes apply directly to the university's international admissions office and sometimes through the CAO, and this varies by institution and course.

Because the route differs, the most reliable step is to check the international admissions page of each university you are interested in, alongside the CAO website, to confirm exactly how to apply for your situation.

Deadlines, fees and qualifications

The CAO operates on an annual timeline with specific opening dates, application deadlines, change-of-mind windows, and an application fee. International qualifications (such as A-levels, the IB, or your national school-leaving certificate) are assessed for equivalence against Irish entry standards.

Exact dates, fees, late-application rules, and how a specific qualification is scored all change from year to year. Verify every one of these on the official CAO website and the relevant university page before you apply — rules change frequently, so check the official source.