CAO 2023: New further ed courses will lead to degrees

For the first time, from September, Ireland will have degree courses where no CAO points are needed in subjects like nursing, science, engineering, and business. Picture: iStock

The CAO ‘points race’ can be cruel, and sometimes sees students miss out on their dream course by small margins.

In recent years, the Department of Further and Higher Education has been working to offer students more alternative pathways to third-level, without the need to secure such high points.