Preparing to Apply to CAO
Before you begin to fill in your CAO application form, make sure that you have completed your career research and listed the courses you wish to apply for.
Career Research
There are a number of websites such as CareersPortal which can help with your career research. CareersPortal provides information on an extensive range of careers. It also contains a Self- Assessment section which can assist in identifying personal interests and strengths.
Researching course options
Once you have identified your career interests, you can then begin researching course options.
Qualifax is Ireland’s national database providing information on a wide range of courses in further and higher education. It is one of the websites that will help you identify courses in your chosen area of interest. It is important not to rely on any one website, but rather to cross-reference the information from a variety of sources. Always contact the college directly if you require any information on your course.
You may use the Higher Education CAO tab to search for higher education courses in your chosen career area.
You may then explore each course in more detail. Qualifax provides brief information on entry requirements, duration of course, course content, opportunities for Erasmus+ placements, further study/ career opportunities from your course.
You should allow ample time to research your course choices carefully, and check for matriculation and minimum entry requirements - you will not receive an offer of a place on your chosen course if you do not meet the minimum entry requirements.
A link to the college website is provided by Qualifax. You will find more detailed information on the college website. You may email college admissions with any queries you may have about entry requirements, matriculation or conversion of European Baccalaureate scores to CAO points.
You may email the faculty with any queries you have about course content, career opportunities/ opportunities for further study from your degree programme.
Other websites such as https://unibrowse.ie/ also provide valuable information and allow you to search and compare CAO courses
Having completed your research, make a list of the courses you are interested in.
CAO codes
You may have noticed while researching your courses, that for the purpose of CAO application, all higher level courses have a specific CAO code.
In order to complete your CAO application you must know the CAO code for each of the courses you have selected.
To find the CAO code, simply go to the CAO Handbook. The CAO Handbook is available on the CAO website and provides all the information you need for making an application to CAO.
http://www.cao.ie/handbook.php
Each Higher Education Institute is listed in the CAO Handbook, together with the codes for each of the courses provided by the institution.
So, for example, if you turn to page of the CAO Handbook, you will find that the CAO code Arts in Maynooth University is MH101.
List the CAO code for each of the courses you have selected
Order of Preference
Having listed all the courses you are interested in and the corresponding CAO code, you must now order your chosen courses in order of preference, 1 being the course you are most interested in, the course that you most want to study in Ireland. 2 represents your second highest choice; 3 your third highest choice and so on.
CAO allows applicants to apply for 10 Honours degree programmes (NFQ Level 8) AND 10 Higher Certificate / Ordinary Degree programmes (NFQ Level 6/7)
It is vitally important that you carefully order your choices in order of preference, since CAO will offer you the highest choice to which you are entitled.
In the event that you have sufficient points to be offered your first choice, you will receive an offer for that place from CAO. CAO will not, in that case, consider you for any of your options listed at numbers 2 to 10. Remember CAO will offer you the highest choice to which you are entitled.
You may change the order of your preferences or add new choices, with the exception of restricted courses, up to 1 July, 2018. Restricted courses are courses which must be entered on your CAO application form before 1 February, 2018. They are generally courses which require a portfolio or additional entrance exam. If a course is restricted it is clearly labelled in your CAO Handbook.
For more information on how to change the order of your preferences or add new choices, see
http://www.cao.ie/index.php?page=video&bb=studentresources
Completing the CAO Application Form
The CAO form is a quite a short and straightforward form which is completed online.
Note: it is advisable to go to the ‘Demo’ Application Form on the CAO website. This allows you to practice filling out the CAO form, before you begin your actual application. The ‘Demo’ will be live once CAO application opens in early November.
The CAO form has 3 main sections:
· Personal Details
· Qualifications and Assessment
· List of Course Options.
Steps in filling out CAO Application Form
1. Begin by filling out your personal details. Use your name as it appears on your birth certificate
2. Next complete the qualifications and assessment section. You are taking the European Baccalaureate, therefore you will tick the option Other School Leaving Exams.
3. Complete your payment online, with your parents’/guardians’ assistance
4. Create a password. Store this password in a safe place. You will need it to log into your CAO account.
5. Provide a valid email address. If you change your email address, you must contact CAO. You may also wish to receive an SMS message from CAO. The initial SMS will contain your CAO number. It can be useful to store your CAO number on your phone.
6. Click on proceed with application
The system will now generate a CAO number for you.
Keep your CAO number and your password safely. You will need both to access your CAO account. You must quote your CAO number in all communication with CAO.
7. Having generated a CAO number for you, the system now requires you to log in again using your CAO number, date of birth and password.
8. Check all details are correct, edit if necessary.
The following video from CAO will help explain the steps above.
http://www.cao.ie/index.php?page=video
9. Fill out your course choices. Remember to use CAO codes only and order choices in order of preference.
The system will not allow you to enter an incorrect code, so do not worry.
In the rare event that a course code you have entered, using the CAO Handbook, is showing as incorrect in your online application, refer to the Alert List on the CAO website.
You do not have to use all 10 options. However, it is advisable to use as many options as possible.
You will notice that there are 2 lists on the course choice section:
One list is for Level 8 Honours degree programmes which are generally of 4 year duration.
The other list is for Level 6/7 degree programmes.
Universities offer Level 8 programmes only. Institutes of Technology offer Level 8, Honours Degree Programmes, but they also offer Level 6/7 programmes.
Level 6 or Higher Certificate programmes are generally of 2 year duration.
Level 7 or Ordinary Degree programmes are generally of 3 year duration in total.
There is the opportunity to progress from a Level6 Higher Certificate programme to a Level 7 Ordinary Degree programme and onwards to a Level 8 Honours Degree programme.
The following video will explain the 2 lists – Level 8 and Level 6/7 in more detail
http://www.cao.ie/index.php?page=video
10. Try filling out the Demo Form to familiarise yourself with CAO Application form
https://www.cao.ie/index.php?page=demo
11. To start your CAO application, go to the CAO homepage, click on Apply and begin filling out your CAO application. You may only submit one application in any one year.
When do I apply to CAO?
Applications for 2018 will open in late November, 2017.
If you apply before 20 January 2018, you can avail of the cheaper rate of €25
It is advisable to apply to CAO before 1 February, 2018.
Late applications can be made up to 1 May, 2018. However, late applicants cannot apply for restricted courses or for the DARE scheme.
Additional Information required by CAO
DARE – Disability Access Route to Education
The CAO application form allows you the opportunity to disclose if you have a disability which impacts on your learning. You are not obliged to disclose a disability. However, if a college is aware of particular needs you may have, they can ensure that you are provided with the supports you need while in college. Disclosing a disability does not impact negatively on your application.
You can learn more about DARE by watching the following video
https://vimeo.com/198831355?from=outro-embed
or by visiting:
http://www.cao.ie/index.php?page=dare
You must apply to CAO before 1 February if you want to be considered for the DARE scheme and supply the required documentation before 1 March, 2018.
DARE is not applicable to all colleges. This does not mean that these colleges do not provide supports for students. Contact the college directly to discuss the types of supports you require. The International Office of the university will help.
Information for parents
CAO provides a Guide for Parents:
http://www2.cao.ie/downloads/documents/CAOparentsguide.pdf
- Parents/ Guardians can find more information by following the link provided in the Frequently Asked Questions section of the website.
- CAO provides a very fair and transparent service in allocating places for higher education courses in Ireland.
- CAO reminds you the applicant, that you are responsible for ensuring that an application is submitted complete, correct and on time.
http://www.cao.ie/handbook.php?page=2Applicants_Responsibility
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How does CAO decide who to award a course to?
In order to gain entry to a higher education course in Ireland, an applicant must have the number of points required for the course they have chosen and the applicant must also meet the entry requirements/ matriculation requirements set down by the HEI.
What are Points?
Each course in a HEI has a points requirement for entry. Remember points are only one of the criteria you must meet for entry to your chosen course. The number of points required for a particular course may vary from year to year. So, for example, in 2017, all applicants for Computer Science in University College Cork (UCC) had to have a minimum of 419 points , in order to be offered a place in the first round of CAO offers. This means that anyone with below 419 points, was not offered a place in Computer Science in UCC in the first round of offers. For further examples , see https://www.irishtimes.com/polopoly_fs/1.3193044.1503290761!/menu/standard/file/CAO2017.pdf You can check the minimum entry points for any higher education course in 2017 on the CAO website http://www.cao.ie/index.php?page=points&bb=mediastats. Points decrease in the second and third round of offers .
How are students points calculated?
CAO converts the results from students’ final exams in upper secondary school to points. For students completing the European Baccalaureate (EB), the Admissions Office take your EB results and convert your scores to points. The student has no role to play in the conversion of EB results to points. The student must supply CAO with a certified translated copy of their results when they are published. The student must post a copy of their EB results to the Central Applications Office, Tower House, Eglinton Street, Galway, Co. Galway, Ireland as soon as they become available. Be careful to place your CAO number on each page of the documentation. Once posted, a student can check their CAO account to see if the copy of the EB has been uploaded to their CAO account.
For more information on how EB scores are converted to points, see:
http://www2.cao.ie/downloads/documents/Guidelines-EU-EFTA.pdf
You should also consult the Admissions Office of the colleges you are applying to through CAO . The contact details for the Admissions Office in each HEI is listed in the CAO Handbook and on the individual HEI website. Taking the earlier example of University College Cork (UCC) , the information on EB equivalences is available on the Admissions section of the website
https://www.ucc.ie/en/study/undergrad/entryreqs/eunonirish/ebrequirements/
How do I submit my EB results to CAO?
As soon as your EB results become available, send a translated certified photocopy of your results to CAO by post. CAO will not accept emailed/faxed copies of results.
Post a translated certified copy of your EB results to the Central Applications Office, Tower House, Eglinton Street, Galway, Co. Galway, Ireland
Your results must be with the CAO 10 days before an offer is made. Therefore, it is important to post results as soon as they become available. Do not send original copies.
How do I accept an offer of a place?
It is possible that you may get an offer from your Level 8 and Level6/7 list from CAO. You, therefore, may have 2 offers from CAO. You must accept one offer only, either from the Level 8 or from the Level 6/7 list.
You may accept your offer of place either online or by post. For most courses, the offer will be made in Round 1. Round 1 offers are usually made in mid- August. You must accept your course by the date specified, which is usually one week after the issue date. If you do not accept your offer by the date specified, you will lose your place on this course.
Accepting a lower preference offer, does not preclude you from being considered for higher preference courses on your list in subsequent rounds of offers.
So, for example if I am offered my second choice of Business in DIT and I accept, I will still be considered for my first choice of International Business in DIT. I may get offered my first choice in Round 2, even though I have accepted an earlier offer.
The following video will explain how to accept an offer.
http://www.cao.ie/index.php?page=video
I do not want the course I have been offered. Can I get a place in another course which is lower in my order of preference than the one offered, or in a course for which I have not applied at all?
Only if vacancies are advertised in those course(s) on the CAO website, www.cao.ie. See CAO Handbook page 20 or visit the ‘Available Places’ page on the CAO website.
I am away on holidays during the week that offers are to be made. What should I do?
You must accept your course by the date specified, which is usually one week after the issue date. If you do not accept your offer by the date specified, you will lose your place on the course offered. There are no exceptions to this rule.
When can I view my documents online?
If you have sent supporting documents to CAO you will have an opportunity to view these documents online via the 'My Application' facility of the CAO web site in the first two weeks of April (if you applied to CAO by 1st February and documents were received by mid-March) and the first two weeks of July (if you made a late application).
What is HPAT?
All students applying for medicine must complete the HPAT (Health Professions Admissions Test). It is also required for some Occupational Therapy and Speech and Language courses. The HPAT contains a series of multiple choice questions and takes two and a half hours to complete.
The exam is divided into 3 sections:
· Logical reasoning and Problem Solving
· Understanding People
· Non-verbal reasoning.
HPAT is administered by a company called Acer and costs €130 approx. Students must sit the HPAT in their final year of school or any year thereafter.
To register for the HPAT, log on to hpat-ireland.acer.org/register.
The scores from the HPAT test will be combined with EB results by CAO. The maximum score from the HPAT is 300.
Although ACER and the universities do not recommend taking a preparation course, some students use private companies to help them prepare for the HPAT test.
Important Dates for HPAT 2018
Registration opens November, 2017 – see hpat-ireland.acer.org/register.
Registration closes 20 January, 2018 but late applications will be accepted up to 1 February, 2018
HPAT Test takes place on 24 February, 2018
HPAT results available Late June 2018
Remember in addition to applying to Acer for the HPAT test, you must also apply to CAO before 1 February, 2018.
I am a parent/ guardian of a student applying to CAO. Is there any specific information for parents/guardians?
CAO has issued a Guide for Parents
http://www2.cao.ie/downloads/documents/CAOparentsguide.pdf
I have a disability which impacts on my learning. What supports are available in colleges in Ireland for students with disability.
You may be eligible for the Disability Access Route to Education (DARE) scheme.
http://www.cao.ie/index.php?page=dare
The DARE scheme does not apply to all higher education institutions.
However, all colleges have an Access office, which is there to support students. You can contact the Access office in the colleges you are applying for and talk with them about the types of support you may need while studying.
http://www.cao.ie/handbook.php?page=2Applicants_Responsibility
What is a Restricted Course?
Restricted courses are courses which require additional assessment procedures, e.g. the submission of a portfolio, an oral assessment or interview, or a written assessment. Generally, you must apply for a restricted course before 1 February. In the case that you forget to enter a restricted course before 1 February, CAO will allow you to add a restricted course to your application for a fee of €10, using the Change of Course Choices, up to 1 March.
The following video explains how:
http://www.cao.ie/index.php?page=video
Note: Restricted courses are identified in the handbook by the word “Restricted” on the same line as the course title. Please make sure to acquaint yourself with the additional requirements, if any, of the restricted course(s) that you have applied for. Read page 11 of the Handbook for more information about interviews and assessments.
Applying for a restricted course – you must have applied to CAO by 5:15pm on 1st February 2017 if you wish to apply for a restricted course. The restricted course must be included on your course choices list by that date, or added to your application using the ‘Change of Course Choices’ facility before 1st March at 5:15pm.
The CAO website provides answers to many FAQ’s.
Please consult CAO with any queries you have regarding your CAO application.