Central Applications Office (CAO)
You apply for almost all full-time undergraduate courses through the Central Applications Office (CAO). The undergraduate courses in the universities and institutes of technology include Higher Certificates – Level 6, Ordinary Bachelor degrees – Level 7 and Honours Bachelor degrees – Level 8. You can find more information about these qualifications in our document on third-level education in Ireland. There is no central applications body for Post-Leaving Certificate (PLC) courses. Students must apply directly to the individual colleges.
The CAO provides a handbook that lists all the courses on offer and gives information on how to apply. The closing date for 2026 applications from Irish and other European Union nationals is 5.15 pm on 1 February 2026. Late applications are allowed up to 5.15 pm on 1 May 2026.
Decisions on offers of places are normally made in August and September, after the results of the Leaving Certificate have come out. A detailed schedule of the offer rounds is in the CAO handbook.
Key dates for CAO applications for 2026
November 2025 – Online applications open
20 January 2026 – Closing date for online applications at discounted fee.
1 February – Normal closing date for applications
1 March – Closing date for final completion of online HEAR/DARE forms
10 March – Latest date for HEAR/DARE supporting documentation to arrive in CAO
April – Interviews and portfolio presentations for most of restricted courses*
1 May – Closing date for late applications
5 May – Online change of mind facility opens
1 July – Final date for changing your mind about course selections on your previously submitted CAO form