#CAO Offers

CAO Offers

A COMPREHENSIVE SERIES OF ARTICLES ON THIS TOPIC

Addicted teen girl using smartphone outdoors
CAO 2026: Making a calm assessment of your offers
Education Correspondent Jess Casey talks with guidance counsellors who say that students' attitudes towards these non-traditional pathways continue to change

Thu, 27 Aug, 2026

Young woman renting a book in a school library
CAO offers: What to do to smooth the way through college
Navigating this transition can be tricky as students go from being surrounded by adults tp being on their own 

Thu, 27 Aug, 2026

Leaving Certificate results
Irish Examiner view: Leaving Cert is now effectively an entrance test for college
If students’ school experience is oriented towards exams to stream them for third-level, it is long-term cramming, not an education

Thu, 27 Aug, 2026

Jess Casey: Are we any nearer to fixing the Leaving Cert's fundamental flaws?
Jess Casey: Are we any nearer to fixing the Leaving Cert's fundamental flaws?
Five years after the ombudsman's warning, students, parents, teachers, principals and third-level academics are still calling for reform 

Wed, 26 Aug, 2026

Leaving Cert adjustment effect on college admissions will persist for years, academics warn
Leaving Cert adjustment effect on college admissions will persist for years, academics warn
Random selection was used in determining entry to most of Ireland's medicine and dentistry courses 

Wed, 26 Aug, 2026

Education money concept
Tips on how to count and cut the costs of going to college
Current costs for students living away from home range from €10,950 per year in Dundalk up to €20,401 per year in Dublin

Wed, 26 Aug, 2026

student counsellor
Guidance gurus advise what to do if you miss your top CAO choice
Jess Casey, Education Correspondent, talks with career guidance experts Marian Roche and David Drury

Wed, 26 Aug, 2026

White Collar and Manual Job Professions, Trades, Occupations and Employment
Surge in student demand for health and business courses
The CAO has reported a 17% rise overall in first preferences for health-related degree courses

Wed, 26 Aug, 2026

Multiracial students walking in university campus during break
Higher education minister pledges to do 'a lot more' on financial supports for students
James Lawless said it was his intention to make college as affordable as possible so cost was not a barrier to higher education

Wed, 26 Aug, 2026

Indoor shot of young European Caucasian girl looking at financia
CAO offers: Answers to students' most frequently asked questions
Laurie O’Flynn gives answers to the most frequently asked questions posed by those applying to the Central Applications Office

Wed, 26 Aug, 2026

CAO offers: Did the points for your course go up? See all the first-round cut-offs
CAO offers: Did the points for your course go up? See all the first-round cut-offs
More than 90,000 college offers have been issued, with applicants now able to compare this year's points and course changes

Wed, 26 Aug, 2026

CAO 2026: More than half of students miss out on first-choice course
CAO 2026: More than half of students miss out on first-choice course
More than 90,000 college offers were issued as academics warn Leaving Cert grading changes will continue affecting admissions

Wed, 26 Aug, 2026

Groups call for end to 'archaic' Leaving Cert points system as CAO offers due later today
Groups call for end to 'archaic' Leaving Cert points system as CAO offers due later today
"For thousands of teenagers, the Leaving Cert and the CAO process is a time of stomach-curdling dread," said Tanya Ward of the Children’s Rights Alliance, ahead of Round One CAO college offers today.

Wed, 26 Aug, 2026

'Manic!' Leaving Cert students share their hopes and dreams as Class of 2026 get their results
'Manic!' Leaving Cert students share their hopes and dreams as Class of 2026 get their results
Education Correspondent Jess Casey chats with Leaving Certificate students who started their secondary school journey just as covid hit

Fri, 21 Aug, 2026

‘Clear the head’: Cork students reveal secrets behind eight H1 Leaving Cert results
‘Clear the head’: Cork students reveal secrets behind eight H1 Leaving Cert results
Ethan Wyse and Peter Creagh are hoping to study engineering and medicine after achieving top marks in eight Leaving Cert subjects

Fri, 21 Aug, 2026

As it happened: Record number of students receive Leaving Cert results as thousands plan next steps
As it happened: Record number of students receive Leaving Cert results as thousands plan next steps
Updates, reaction and analysis as students received their Leaving Cert results and looked ahead to CAO offers, appeals and college decisions

Fri, 21 Aug, 2026

Jess Casey: Covid still in play as record 70,400 Leaving Cert students get their results
Jess Casey: Covid still in play as record 70,400 Leaving Cert students get their results
Most LC students receiving their results today started secondary school at the height of covid. And along with that disruption came grade inflation which is still being addressed

Fri, 21 Aug, 2026

ieExplains: Leaving Certificate results — your grades, CAO points, and what comes next
ieExplains: Leaving Certificate results — your grades, CAO points, and what comes next
From 10am, students will be able to access their results online

Fri, 21 Aug, 2026

Leaving Certificate results
Third of this year’s Leaving Certificate grades bumped up
More than 70,000 students receive their results, with adjustments falling sharply as exam authorities target a return to normal grading

Fri, 21 Aug, 2026

Student girl feeling stressed during exam at secondary school
Gen Z Diary: We were taught the Leaving Cert was the single most significant thing — it's not
Taking grades off the pedestal that we’re taught to put them on is one of the most valuable things I learned in college

Fri, 21 Aug, 2026

Learning and Studying from Home: a Diligent College Student Attending an Online Course by Using his Laptop Computer
CAO 2026: Life skills key to preparing for college
It’s a big leap from school to third level, relieve the stress of the transition, have skills in place beforehand, advises guidance expert

Fri, 16 Jan, 2026

Diverse College Students Walking on Campus
Students hedging their bets with college courses offering multiple career pathways
CAO 2026: “The Change of Mind facility will open later in the year, so use that time wisely to try and have your preparation done," advises a leading guidance counsellor

Fri, 16 Jan, 2026

Students learning
Dos and Don’ts for your CAO 2026 applications
CAO application process for 2026: Your guide to what to do, the pitfalls to avoid, and a list of the Key Dates

Fri, 16 Jan, 2026

Students savings
CAO 2026: A detailed plan is key to managing college costs
Managing finances is a critical skill that students need to thrive in college, says Michelle O’Hara of MABS

Thu, 15 Jan, 2026

HEAR and DARE focused on access opportunities for all students
HEAR and DARE focused on access opportunities for all students
CAO 2026: Important changes to access programmes aim to encourage more disadvantaged young people to attend higher education

Thu, 15 Jan, 2026

College Student Has Individual Tuition From Teacher In Library
Navigating college in increasingly autism-friendly Ireland
DCU, NCI, ATU Sligo, IT Dundalk and RCSI have taken a lead with autism-friendly student supports, with more colleges in the pipeline

Thu, 15 Jan, 2026

Women in Street Maintenance
CAO Choices 2026: Alternative routes to consider
Students who are not offered a place on their preferred CAO course should not panic; there are plenty of alternative paths towards rewarding careers

Thu, 15 Jan, 2026

Little patient at dentist office.
Dental outreach centre plan will deliver 'limited increases in domestic student places'
Discussions are ongoing to progress the proposal by University College Cork

Sat, 15 Nov, 2025

CAO Round Two offers over 1,200 students college places for first time
CAO Round Two offers over 1,200 students college places for first time
Students who received an offer in this round will have until 3pm on Wednesday, September 10, to accept

Mon, 08 Sep, 2025

Stacked Coins And Piggy Bank
Your financial plan starts now: How to make most of your money when paying for college
Financial planner Karen Doyle offers valuable advice to students ahead of their entry to third-level education. She talks with Laurie O’Flynn

Fri, 29 Aug, 2025

Smiling dentist treating a patient
Irish Dental Association calls for cap on international dentistry students amid workforce crisis
The Irish Dental Association has warned that almost half of Irish dentistry places go to overseas students as waiting lists grow

Thu, 28 Aug, 2025

ieExplains: How does the CAO's random selection process work?
ieExplains: How does the CAO's random selection process work?
Admission for the vast amount of college courses is based on exam results and CAO points that are awarded for different Leaving Cert grades.

Thu, 28 Aug, 2025

A quick guide to navigating CAO offers
A quick guide to navigating CAO offers
Laurie O’Flynn offers answers to the most frequently asked questions by applicants to the Central Applications Office every year

Thu, 28 Aug, 2025

eating apple
CAO: Important dates for offers, appeals and rechecks
Students are advised to note that there are only two days to accept offers from Round Two onwards

Thu, 28 Aug, 2025

Irish Examiner view: Rights of school secretaries and caretakers must be recognised 
Irish Examiner view: Rights of school secretaries and caretakers must be recognised 
A clear inequality has not been addressed

Thu, 28 Aug, 2025

Jess Casey: It goes without saying that the CAO process can be cruel
Jess Casey: It goes without saying that the CAO process can be cruel
Despite lower grade inflation, demand for college places pushed CAO points higher in 2025, leaving many students disappointed

Wed, 27 Aug, 2025

Students, take time to fully assess CAO round one offers 
Students, take time to fully assess CAO round one offers 
Career guidance experts outline the choices open to students in relation to this year’s CAO first round offers

Wed, 27 Aug, 2025

CAO offers: Did the points for your course go up? See all the first-round cut-offs
CAO offers: Did the points for your course go up? See all the first-round cut-offs
Here, you can use the Irish Examiner's CAO interactive to find the latest points information for both Level 8 and Level 7/6 courses

Wed, 27 Aug, 2025

CAO offers: Almost half of students miss out on first choice as course points rise
CAO offers: Almost half of students miss out on first choice as course points rise
CAO data shows that entry to 25 courses has been determined by random selection

Wed, 27 Aug, 2025

CAO offers: What to do if you miss out on your top choice
CAO offers: What to do if you miss out on your top choice
Guidance counsellor David Drury advises students that now is the right time to stop and reflect on their choices. He talks to Jess Casey, Education Correspondent

Wed, 27 Aug, 2025

CAO offers: Be ready to consider Plan B if things don’t go your way
CAO offers: Be ready to consider Plan B if things don’t go your way
Guidance counsellors advise that many people have enjoyed hugely success careers having taken up courses further down their CAO list of preferences  

Wed, 27 Aug, 2025

Group of cheerful students
Your CAO questions answered: What students and parents need to know
Over 83,000 students applied to the CAO this year as Leaving Cert results and college offers collide in a record-breaking admissions season

Wed, 27 Aug, 2025

Girl Pointing At Test Result While Standing With Students
'The Leaving Cert is one of those things that always works out'
Students urged to 'logically process' exam results

Fri, 22 Aug, 2025

Leaving Certificate results
CAO 2025: Key dates to remember for college applications
Applicants have until January 20 to apply online to the CAO

Fri, 17 Jan, 2025

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Mick Clifford
Mick Clifford

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