CAO acceptance deadline this evening

This evening marks the deadline for acceptance of CAO first round offers.

Students apply to the Central Applications Office for positions in third level education rather than to colleges and universities directly.

Round two offers are expected to arrive by post on August 29.

"The quicker that you respond and have made a decision, the easier it is for colleges to get in touch with people further down the line," said Ian Power of student youth website Spunout-.ie.

"But really it's important to just take stock of where you are, look at the options that you've got, and deicide on each course on its own merits."