Half of 52,000 college offers already accepted, says CAO

Half of the 52,000 students offered a college course have already accepted places, according to the Central Applications Office (CAO).

More than half of the 43,114 applicants offered an honours (level 8) degree by CAO yesterday morning got their first-preference course, meaning there was little to think about. The figure was 86% for those who received an offer to take up an ordinary degree or higher certificate (level 7 or 6 course), but many of these might also have received a level 8 course.

By 11am yesterday, nearly 19,500 people had accepted an offer from the CAO, rising to 24,500 by mid-afternoon and nearly 26,000 last evening.