CAO 2026: More than half of students miss out on first-choice course

More than 95,710 applications were received by the CAO this year, an increase of more than 6,000 compared with 2025. Stock image

More than half (52%) of students have missed out on their top choice of degree course, as academics warn that the effects of the post-marking adjustment on the college admissions process will persist until 2032.

The Central Applications Office (CAO) issued 90,866 Round One offers to 62,166 CAO applicants on Wednesday.

More than 95,710 applications were received by the CAO this year, an increase of more than 6,000 compared with 2025.

The offers issued on Wednesday afternoon include 56,618 offers for Level 8 courses and 34,248 offers for Level 6 and Level 7 courses.

The cut-off points have increased for almost 500 Level 8 courses, representing more than 46% of all such courses.

Round One cut-off points have also dropped for more than 37% of Level 8 courses this year.

This compares with a similar trend last year.

Almost 48% of courses saw their cut-off points in Round One rise in 2025, while more than 38% of courses saw their points fall.

Of the Level 8 offers issued on Wednesday, 26,917 (48%) are for applicants' first-preference course.

In total, 76% of Level 8 offers issued are for one of applicants' top three preferences.

In 2025, almost half (49%) of students missed out on their top choice, while in 2024, just over half (56%) received their top-choice offer for degree courses.

Last year, 80% of the Level 8 offers issued through the CAO were for one of students' top three preferences. In 2024, this figure was 83%.

Entry to several high-point courses has been determined by random selection again this year.

This includes dental science at Trinity College Dublin and dentistry at University College Cork.

A further 29,812 Level 7 and Level 6 offers issued on Wednesday are for applicants' first preference, while 98% of the Level 7/6 offers issued are for one of their top three preferences.

Trinity points remain broadly unchanged

At Trinity College Dublin, cut-off points for Round One offers rose by an average of 0.5 points for single-honours Level 8 courses.

Higher-points courses, which had cut-off points above 500 in 2025, saw their points level fall by an average of 2.3 points, while lower-points courses rose by an average of 7.8 points.

The gradual reduction of the post-marking adjustment in Leaving Certificate results continues to “generate volatility” in the university admissions system, according to Orla Sheils, Trinity College Dublin vice-provost and chief academic officer.

The adjustment is set to be phased out in 2028, the State Examinations Commission (SEC) confirmed last week as it issued the 2026 Leaving Cert results.

This year, grades were adjusted more modestly than in previous years as exam authorities continue to take steps to address pandemic-era grade inflation.

“Although the adjustment is being phased out, its effects will persist for up to four years after its final removal, due to deferred entrants from earlier cohorts and the resulting turbulence in points attainment year on year,” Professor Sheils said.

The relationship between demand and CAO points remains less predictable than in a normal admissions cycle as a result, she added.

“The reduction in the post-marking adjustment has not led to a fall in points for Trinity courses. Average entry points remain broadly unchanged, with some compression of the range as the highest points courses ease slightly and lower points courses rise.”

Applicants urged to consider offers carefully

Offers must be accepted by 3pm on Tuesday, September 1.

Eileen Keleghan, head of communications for CAO, urged applicants to carefully consider any offers received in this round.

“If you have received a lower preference offer in this round, it is important to note that accepting this offer will not prevent you from being considered for a higher preference offer in a later round should a place become available, and you are deemed eligible," Ms Keleghan said.

“Those who have received an offer in this round should also consider the current offer carefully as it may be the only one they will receive.” If an applicant has not received an offer, they will receive a ‘Statement of Application’ email.

Round Two offers will be available from 2pm on September 7 on the CAO website.

Earlier today, students, parents and teachers called for urgent reform to the “archaic and anxiety-inducing” CAO points system and for an end to its “pressure-cooker effect” on education.

The Irish Second Level Students Union (ISSU), the National Parents Council, the Teachers' Union of Ireland (TUI), the National Association of Principals and Deputy Principals (NAPD) and the Children's Rights Alliance issued the joint call for urgent reform.