Ireland: CAO & Leaving Cert
Ireland: CAO & Leaving Cert In Depth
Applying to Irish universities — how CAO points work, the Leaving Certificate, the HPAT for medicine, the QQI/FET route and mature/international applicants.
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Tests this hub covers
What this hub covers
- How CAO Points Are Calculated from Leaving Cert ResultsWhat the CAO points system actually measures · The grade scale: Higher (H) and Ordinary (O) levels · Counting your best six subjects
- The QQI/FET Further-Education Route into Irish UniversitiesAn alternative to the Leaving Cert · What award you need · How QQI awards are scored for the CAO
- Applying to Irish Universities as a Mature StudentWho counts as a mature applicant · A separate, non-points assessment · Supplementary forms and earlier deadlines
- EU vs Non-EU Applicant Routes to Irish UniversitiesTwo different application routes · How fee status is determined · EU-status applicants: the CAO route
Guides for United Kingdom & Ireland
4 of 4 guides in this hub are for the UK & Ireland.
How CAO Points Are Calculated from Leaving Cert Results
How the CAO turns your Leaving Cert grades into points: the H/O grade scale, your best six subjects, and the Higher Level maths bonus. Verify on cao.ie.
Read guideApplying to Irish Universities as a Mature Student
The CAO mature-applicant route for those aged 23+: eligibility, the separate non-points assessment, supplementary forms and earlier deadlines. Verify on cao.ie.
Read guideStudying in the UK & Ireland
Continue exploring the UK & Ireland
Universities, entrance tests, costs and visa facts for the UK & Ireland — all in one place, each linked to its official source.
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