The CAO recently announced (in its Strategic Plan 2013-2017) aims to extend its services to cover applications to all courses in further and higher education, including all post-secondary part-time programmes.
The aim of the expansion is to make it easier for to students to navigate the options that are available to them. It seems an ambitious goal, but the aim is to achieve this through establishing a centralised application system that will provide lists for different course categories, at appropriate times of the year, and process applications based on criteria set by the various institutions. The agency also intends to cater for those examining their postgraduate options.
According to the Chairman of the CAO Strategic Planning Committee, Dr Michael Mulvey, the CAO would act as something of a ‘one-stop shop’ for students wishing to apply for courses in Ireland in the future.
With close to 80,000 students applying for first-year undergraduate places across the various universities, ITs and private colleges each year – and a further 300,000 applying for places in further education – any restructuring that will effect a more streamlined and effective application process will be much welcomed by students, educators and parents alike.
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