The document provides information on applying to third level courses through the CAO (Central Applications Office) system in Ireland. It outlines the application procedures and requirements, including choosing courses, filling out the application form, deadlines, accepting offers, and details specific to certain courses like Medicine, Nursing, and options for deferred entry or vacant places. Key dates mentioned are February 1st as the main application deadline and August 18th for first round offers.

1. Application Procedures
2015

2. Introduction
• Important that research of the course
content, basic entry requirements plus any
additional faculty requirements that may
be required by the College is done prior to
application
• Be familiar with the career opportunities
available from the course.
• Ask how suitable are the subjects
for you and your career plans.

3. Requirements summary.
• Age 17 on/before 15th Jan year following
entry.
• NUI colleges require Irish, English, Maths,
and a third Language except Nursing,
Engineering, Science
• www. ireland.com/education or qualifax.ie
• Points calculated on 1 sitting only and the 6
highest scoring subjects.

4. Six ways to help choose the
course
• Assess yourself and your interests
i.e. Career Decision Making System,
DATS (abilities), learning style,
(educational)
• Research, prospectus, career
directions, Library, www.qualifax.ie
• What careers appeal to you?
i.e. people, technical, practical,
office, science, enterprise.

5. Six ways to help choose the
course
• Realistically evaluate options, i.e. to
be a doctor you need to like science,
apprenticeships –practical, action.
• Select on basis of research and self-
evaluation.
• What do you hope to gain from going
to college, are you going for the right
reasons and making informed choices?

6. Points System
% Grade Higher Ordinary Foundation
Maths
90 – 100 A1 100 60 20
85 – 89 A2 90 50 15
80 – 84 B1 85 45 10
75 – 79 B2 80 40 5
70 – 74 B3 75 35
65 – 69 C1 70 30
60 – 64 C2 65 25
55 – 59 C3 60 20
50 – 54 D1 55 15
45 – 49 D2 50 10
40 – 44 D3 45 5
25 Bonus points for Grades A1-D3 in Higher
Level maths.

7. L.C.V.P. Points
Result I.T. Points University/
D.I.T Points
Distinction 70 70
Merit 50 50
Pass 30 30
All HEI’s award points for LCVP in place of a
sixth subject but not all HEI’s count LCVP as
meeting eligibility requirements in regard to
passing subjects.

8. Filling the form page 1
• Use block letters and black ink.
• Surname and Christian names should
be identical with those on your birth
certificate. No need for birth cert.
• Title ….option. State male or female.
• Date of birth is essential.
i.e. 09/07/1993.

9. Page 1 - continued
• Home Address….Tel No.
• Address for correspondence ….same.
• Country of birth .. Ireland.
• Nationality -- Irish ….Irish
exemption if outside Ireland.
• Mobile phone and email.

10. Page 1 - continued
• School or schools attended. Latest
first if more than 1.
• Signed and date I.E. 20th
Jan 2014.
• If first time Leaving Certificate tick
box of ’10’.

11. Dare Application
• For individuals with disabilities
including Specific learning
difficulties, most HEIs have reserved
a small number of places at lower
points entry provided minimum course
requirements are met.
• Apply online, 1st
Feb.
• Indicate disability online
• Access college with lesser points with
some assistance in mentoring and
study skills, etc.
• A Supplementary Information Form

12. Dare Application
• Section A – completed online which
indicates nature of your disability,
supports received at 2nd
level, supports
likely to be needed at 3rd
level and a
personal statement indicating how you
perceive your disability impacts on your
education.
• Section B - Academic Reference (download
it and give it to Special Needs Teacher,
Guidance Counsellor or Principal)

13. Dare Application
Section C – (a) Evidence of physical
disability, give Consultant’s report,
(b) Evidence of learning
difficulty, Give Psycho-educational
assessment from a qualified
Psychologist within the past 3 years.
If outdated must pay for current one.
Note: ensure your name and CAO
number is on all documents, keep
photocopies and proof of postage.

14. Dare Application
• Disability/Specific Learning Difficulty
(Medical, Physical or SLD requiring
reader, audio etc) Tick box
• Must then complete a Supplementary
Information Form (SIF)
Section A – complete online yourself
Section B – completed by Principal &
Guidance Counsellor
Section C – a completed psycho-educational
assessment from a qualified
Psychologist in place of section C
• Section A completed online by the 1st
February
and Sections B & C submitted to CAO by 1st
April

15. Hear Applications
• Higher Education Access Route,
• To support applicants from socio-
economically disadvantaged backgrounds,
certain HEIs have reserved a small
number of places at lower points entry
provided minimum course requirements
met.
• Financial/academic/personal support given.
• Apply online 1st
Feb
• Indicate if you want to be considered for
the HEAR scheme on page 1 of CAO form
and complete the section providing
information re family income, employment,

16. Hear Applications
• Assessment is based on meeting the
following criteria:
• Total family income below HEAR threshold
and any two of the following:
• Possession of a medical card
• Receiving means tested social assistance
• From socio-economic group under-
represented in higher education
• Attending a 2nd
level DEIS school.
• Living in area of rural/urban disadvantage

17. Hear Applications
• In order to be considered for the HEAR
scheme applicants must:
• Complete relevant section online by Feb 1st
• Submit relevant evidence of family financial
circumstances by April 1st
• All documentation submitted must have your
CAO and PPS number
• No late documents accepted
• Assessment results in late June
• Accept CAO & HEAR offers in August
• Attend mandatory Orientation Programme in
August
• Further details on www.accesscollege.ie.
• Advice Clinic at DIT 11th
Jan 2014 10-2pm

18. New Award System
The National Qualifications
Framework

19. Irish Awarding Bodies
• The Further Education and Training Awards Coun
• FETAC makes awards for learning in
programmes in training centres, in further
education colleges, in the community and in
the workplace.
• The Higher Education and Training Awards Counc
• HETAC is the qualifications awarding body
for higher education and training in Ireland
outside the university sector, making
awards for learning in a wide range of
institutions, including the Institutes of

20. Irish Awarding Bodies
• The State Examinations Commission (SEC)
SEC makes awards for Junior Certificate
and Leaving Certificate.
• The Irish universities and the
Dublin Institute of Technology make
awards for programmes provided under
their own aegis, and for some programmes
provided in other institutions. The
universities are:
UL, DCU, TCD, UCD, UCC, NUIG & NUIM

21. • An Bord Altranais
Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland
Law Society of Ireland
Council of the Honourable Society of King’s
Inns
Institute of Chartered Accountants in
Ireland
National Social Work Qualifications Board
Royal Institute of Architects in Ireland
Minister for Communications, Marine and
Natural Resources
Director of Telecommunications Regulation
Irish Aviation Authority
Royal College of Surgeons Ireland

22. Award System
Levels relevant to CAO
• Level 6 = Higher Certificate
• Level 7 = Ordinary Degree
• Level 8 = Honours Degree.

23. Level Choices
• Choose Max 10 Level 8 courses plus
10 level 7/6 courses.
• State your course choices in order of
genuine preference and career plans
and not on points.
• Courses are awarded in order of
preference provided you have the
points necessary.

24. Ladder System
Pr Course Code
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Pr Course Code
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Level 8 Level 7 & Level 6

25. Codes and levels
• Make sure you have correct course
code and course reference. (Research
Handbook).
• Do not mix level of courses
• Fill in the course you most want as
No. 1, your genuine preference, and 2nd
preference as No. 2 and so on to
choice No. 10
• Do not base you choices on points.

26. Ladder
• Do not include any course you have
not researched thoroughly. It is a
common mistake and may cause upset
in August when offers are issued.
• If you are given your 5th
choice then
all preferences below that are no
longer considered.

27. Moving up the ladder
• In the 2nd
or 3rd
round offers it is
possible you may be offered a course
of a higher preference.
• If no special category applies write
‘No’ in box.

28. Closing Dates
• The closing date is 5.15pm Feb 1st.
• Online discount up to January 20th
€25
• Essential that all restricted courses (R) (eg
Art, Music, Medicine) are included at this
time as they cannot be introduced later
with the “change of mind forms” i.e.
Portfolios in Art Music Design.
• The closing date for “change of mind
forms” is 1st
July.

29. Late Applications
• Late applications accepted up to 1st
May 2015 subject to restrictions i.e
restricted courses, research page 4
of handbook

30. Fees
Online application Fee Euro Closing Date
Normal online 40 (25, Jan 20) 1st
Feb 2015 5.15pm
Late online 50 1st
May 2015 5.15pm
Paper Application
Normal application 40 1st
Feb 2015 5.15pm
Late application 80 1st
May 2015 5.15pm
Change of mind Nil 1st
July 2015 5.15pm

31. Paper or online only
No Application by Fax.
• No Change of mind application by Fax.
• C.A.O. only accept a single application.
• You cannot apply on line and on paper.

32. Payment
• Pay the application fee by using the
application fee payment form part
one stamped by Bank or by credit
card/debit card(Laser) online
• Attach part one of the fee payment
form to your application.
• Enclose the acknowledgement card
(stamped) and address card in block
letters.

33. Register and photocopy
• Register posted applications
for proof of postage. Certificate of
postage at back of handbook.
• Photocopy page 2 as record of
courses applied for or enter choices
on back page of handbook.
• Sign and Date applications.

34. Acknowledgement
• By Feb 15th you will be notified of
your CAO application number and a
statement of courses. Keep record of
this number.
• If not received by Feb 15th write to
C.A.O before Feb 19th
at latest.
• By the end of May you will be sent a
statement of the Application Record
as final acknowledgement.
• If you have not received the
Statement by June 1st
contact the
CAO immediately by letter

35. Change of mind
• Courses maybe changed from May 5th
up to the 1st July of exam year.
• If changes are being made on one or
both lists then the full list must be
completed.
• With change of mind form you cancel
previous choices.

36. Confirmation of application
record
• NB. Check this record against your
retained photocopy. Online use ‘My
Application’ facility
• With record statement you will
receive a “change of mind form” to
register a change of course choice.

37. Acceptance
• After Leaving Certificate Results on
August 13th
the First Round Offers
will be made on August 18th
• If you are given an offer on both lists
you can accept 1 offer only online or
by post – closing date August 25th
.
• Each applicant will be offered a place
in the highest of his/her course
preferences, in respect to each of
the two lists of courses.

38. Acceptance
• This offer will expire unless accepted
by offer closing date- Usually 7 Days
• If you do not receive notification
within 3 days of the ‘Reply Date’ then
contact the CAO immediately. You
can also check if your acceptance
received online.

39. 2nd
Round offers
A second round of offers will be
issued on August 27th with closing
date of Sept 3rd
• The process of offers continues until
all available places offered
• Whether you applied/accepted or not
you can still apply for Available or
Vacant places that HEIs offer
through the CAO later in the process

40. Cancellations
• With cancellations you may be offered one
of your higher preference choices.
• On offer of your higher preference choice,
your lower preferences are no longer
considered.
• However if you already accepted an offer
and don’t want a higher preference then
you can keep your original offer

41. Deferred Entry
• If an applicant is offered a place it maybe
possible to defer entry to the course for
one year.
• Do not accept the offer in the manner
shown on the offer notice.
• Write to the admissions office, within the
allowed timeframe, of the College with your
request and conditions.
• Write DEFERRED ENTRY on the envelope.
• Attach part C of the offer notice to the
letter.

42. Letter to admissions office
• The letter must arrive in the
admissions office at least 2 days
before the reply date shown on the
offer notice.
• Write to the admissions office of
college not to the C.A.O.
• Short time given so be diligent.
• Enquiries at offer time by email to
help@cao.ie

43. Taking up a deferral
• You must re-apply in the succeeding
year through CAO
• Pay appropriate fee
• State deferred course as the only
preference on application
• If the deferral is not granted then
you may accept the offer for the
current year

44. Colleges offering Deferred
Entry
• The following allow deferred entry.
• U.C.C. U.C.D. T.C.D. D.C.U. N.U.I.G.
U.L. D.I.T. NUI Maynooth,
• Institutes of Technology. It is
strongly recommended that at the
time of offer you write seeking
deferral rather than telephone.
• The Institute will communicate the
result.

45. Vacant Places
• If after all offers have been made, and
Vacant places exist, they will be advertised
on the CAO website, persons who have not
applied already may make a vacant place
application on payment of a fee - €40
online.
• Address C.A.O. Tower House,
Eglington Street,
Galway. Tel 091 509800.
Fax 091 562344.
www.cao.ie Vacant places advertised

46. Medicine
• NUIG, 2HC’s 1 science, 3rd
language in
6 yrs and 2 sciences in 5 yrs.
• Max LC pts adjusted is 560 pts, Max
HPAT score is 300, Total 860pts,
• Min HPAT = 170 pts, Test 2.30 hrs,
• Apply online for HPAT, cost €115
• www.hpat-ireland.acer.edu.au

47. Medicine
• HPAT tests on 1st
March 2014 only
• HPAT results can be used for 1 yr
• Test centres Dublin, Cork, Galway,
Sligo and Waterford
• HPAT registration Mid Nov to
January, apply directly to ACER at
www.hpat-ireland.acer.edu.au to sit
the HPAT as well as applying to CAO
• HPAT results in June.
• HPAT + LC in Aug.

48. Nursing
• Requirements Irish or English
• Maths
• Lab Science
• 3 other subjects.
• Grade C3 in 2 higher level
• Grade D3 in in 4 ordinary level.

49. Private Colleges
• Require Fees, approx €4,500 - €6000
• American College,
• Galway Business School
• Griffith College,
• National Counselling College
• Portobello College,
• St Pats Thurles
• Dublin Business School
• IBAT Swords Institute
• Grafton college of Mgt
• Independent colleges Dublin

50. Private Colleges
• Points will be lower in the Colleges due to
fee payment.
• Courses accredited by HETAC & FETAC
are in the CAO handbook but these
colleges also offer many other options
validated by Universities in the UK for
which you apply directly to the college.
• Most are located in Dublin City centre
• They offer flexibility by providing
progression routes for students who
initially sign up for a level 6 or 7 and they
can then progress to a level 8 honours
degree in Ireland or the UK.

51. The UK Option
• Log on to the UCAS (Universities and
Colleges Admissions Service) website
www.ucas.co.uk and use the ‘Apply’
application service
• Closing date is January 15th
(except for
Medicine, Veterinary Science/Medicine and
Dentistry, which have the earlier closing
date of October 15th)
• Apply through your school and include a
Reference from a teacher and a Personal
Statement
• Widest Choice/Best Value -Fees Payable
but bursaries/scholarships/grants /loans

52. The UK Option
• You can apply for up to 5 different
courses/institutions (only 4 for Med., Vet.,
Dent., etc)
• UCAS forwards each application to the
various institutions to make a decision on it
• Decisions forwarded to UCAS who then
forward them to applicants
• Can be: (a) Unconditional Offer (already
has results to satisfy course demands),
(b) a Conditional Offer (pending results),
or (c) a Rejection, usually at end of March.
• If more than 2 conditional offers are
received you can make 1 firm acceptance
and 1 insurance acceptance

53. The UK Option
• Offers based on number of UCAS Points
HIGHER ORDINARY UCAS Points
A1 90
A2 77
B1 71
B2 64
B3 58
C1 52
C2 45
C3 A1 39
D1 33
D2 A2 26
D3 B1 20
B2 14
B3 7

54. The UK Option
• Irish students get same treatment as UK
students
• England & Wales – Fees up to €9,000 p.a.
N.I. £3,575 p.a. Tuition Fee Loan available
which is payable when earning > €15k
• Scotland – No fees for Irish students
• Same grants available from Irish
government if studying in UK
• Most UK institutions offer Bursaries based
on income or Scholarships which can be
based on any criteria.

55. Personal Statement
• Explain experience and life in relation
to application
• Final secondary level results
• Post secondary qualifications
• Current Studies
• Non- certificate courses, Voluntary
work,
• Employment, hobbies/interests

56. Sports Scholarships
• A wide variety of sports are recognised
across the various institutions for the
awarding of scholarships.
• Students benefit from funding, access to
top-class facilities, nutrition advice,
coaching and other supports.
• Apply to CAO in normal way and make a
separate, direct application to the
college(s) of choice for a scholarship.
• Deadlines for application vary, check
college websites frequently!

57. The PLC Option
• PLC courses are a flexible option
– Prepare students for the world of work
– Stepping stone to transfer to 3rd
level
• Interview based and not CAO points
• More than 1000 courses through local
VECs – 30,000 places and very broad
selection from acting to zoology etc
• Usually 1 year in duration, sometimes
2 years, offered at FETAC level 5 &
6.

58. The PLC Option
• Progression from Further to Higher
operates in 2 main ways;
– (1) HELS- Higher Education Links
Scheme links specific courses to
reserved higher education places, e.g.
Nursing, childcare, engineering
– (2) ITs and some HEIs award LC points
up to a max of 400 on an open
competition basis. ‘Distinctions to Points’
• Research preferred course, check
colleges for links/reserved places and
then decide on which PLC suits you.

59. You can apply again next
year if not successful this
time
• You can apply as a mature student at
age 23
• You can apply to The Open University
and still work
• Take evening qualifications
• Take a PLC course

60. Mature Application
• Over 23 on 1st
Jan 2015
• Must apply before 1st
Feb 2015
• Some accept late applications but not
nursing and midwifery
• Direct application to some HEI’S
listed on page 6 of handbook

61. Mature Application
• Contact HEI admissions office,
• Tick special category,
• Tick mature student,
• Include PPS no D.O.B.
• Wait for interview call

62. Useful Websites
• www.cao.ie & www.ucas.co.uk
- Appplication Services
• www.qualifax.ie
– Comprehensive info. on all CAO courses
– Points Calculator/Grants Calculator etc
• www.cereersportal.ie
• Self-assessment, explore careers, video
interviews in the workplace, labour
market trends, career matching/planning
• www.accesscollege.ie
• HEAR and DARE programmes
• www.susi.ie
– Grants

63. Other Non CAO Opportunities
• Apply directly to the Following:
• Gardai, Defense Forces, Montessori
Training, Music Drama & Performing
Arts, Hairdressing & Beauty, Failte
Ireland, Childcare Colleges, Royal
Irish Academy, Law Society of
Ireland, Irish Management Institute,
Art Craft & Design, Accounting
Business Law & Journalism,
Alternative Medicine, Independent
Colleges and FAS.

64. In conclusion………
• Do your research:
– On yourself
– On courses
– On colleges
– On careers
• Consult with parents, teachers etc
• Be 90% sure of your courses before 1st
Feb 2012.
Make minor changes, if any by 1st
July 2012
• GENUINE ORDER OF PREFERENCE !!!!!!

65. The World is your Oyster