CAO celebrates its 50th anniversary, helping 1.5 million college students

By February 1, CAO had received 88,817 applications. That has since risen to 89,258 applicants for third level places this year

Since its launch, the CAO has helped 1.5 million students take up third-level colleges.

The system through which applications are processed for undergraduate courses in Irish education, the Central Applications Office (CAO), is celebrating a milestone this year.

Since its launch in January 1976, the CAO has helped more than 1.5 million students take up places in third-level colleges. This year, they are celebrating 50 years at the service of prospective students.