Application Process

The Central Applications Office (CAO)

The CAO processes applications for undergraduate courses in Irish Higher education Institutions (HEIs). 

Who applies through CAO?

• Typically EU applicants must apply through the CAO. International applicants apply directly to the university. UCD’s flowchart is a  helpful resource for student unsure about which application path to follow..

• Official CAO guidelines: For students who had their residence outside the EU: (past or present) If you have at any time resided, or are at present resident, outside the EU, then you may be required to apply direct to some HEIs. You must contact the Admissions Office of each HEI in which you are interested to enquire whether you should apply through CAO or direct to the HEI. Different HEIs may have different policies. You should make such enquiries well in advance of the closing date of 1 February.

Am I an EU applicant? 

**taken from Education Ireland Website**

An EU applicant is a person:

1. Who is ordinarily resident in the European Union AND who will have received full-time post primary education AND/OR who has worked full-time in the European Union for three of the five years immediately preceding admission to an Irish college

OR

2. Who holds a passport from a European Union state and has received all full-time post primary education in the European Union  

OR

3. Who has official refugee status OR has been granted humanitarian leave to remain in the State and who has been ordinarily resident in the European Union for three of the five years immediately before admission to Irish college.

A student’s registered status (EU/non-EU) cannot be changed during a programme for which he/she is registered.

For students aged under 23, the student's parent(s) must also live (that is - principal residence for the purpose of taxation) in an EU Member State for three of the five years prior to student’s entry to an Irish College; or EEA countries (Norway, Iceland and Lichtenstein) or Switzerland.

All other applications are considered to be non-EU applications. 

CAO timeline

• Students register with CAO by Febraury 1st.

• Students complete their application and provide supplementary information, and any documents required, by the deadlines stated in this handbook and/or the online application form.

• Students add their choices. Remember to place your course choices in genuine order of preference.

• Students should carefully check the Statement of Application Record when it is sent to them in May and inform CAO of any errors or omissions immediately.

• Round One Offers are issued the week following the release of the Leaving Certificate results (mid August). If you are accepting an offer you must do so by the reply date on the offer notice. Other categories of applicants may receive offer notifications before this time.

• After Round One offers are issued, any applicant who does not receive an offer in Round A, Round Zero or Round One will receive a Statement of Application email with instructions to check their CAO account and inform CAO immediately if there are any errors or omissions.

• Offers are issued to eligible applicants until the offer season closes, or until all of the places have been filled, whichever comes first.

• Any remaining course places still available after offers have been released can be found on the CAO website. Students can pick up a course by applying directly to the institution. 

CAO handbook and guides

• Students can access the handbook and guides here.

• If your applications don’t  go to plan on the Irish Leaving Certs results day, Ireland’s youth information website may be able to offer some guidance. This  is a free charity advice service: Spunout