The CAO is now open for applications. The Central Applications Office processes applications for undergraduate courses in Irish Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). Decisions on admissions to undergraduate courses are made by the HEIs who instruct CAO to make offers to successful candidates. When it comes to Making Your CAO Application, you should carefully read the CAO Handbook.
You must register with CAO before 5pm on 1st February. It is important to register on the CAO system in advance of the closing date to obtain your CAO application number.
It’s always a good idea to avoid leaving things until the last minute and apply early. In fact you are rewarded for early application with Early Bird rate of €30 (normal rate is €45) if you apply before January 20th. The normal closing date is February 1st and anything after this date is regarded as “a late application”.
Keep in mind that any course choices you make in your application can always be changed up to 1st July. Making an application does not commit you to any of your course choices. You can make as many changes as you like up to 1st July. Unless you are applying to any of the Restricted Courses which must be finalised before February 1st.
Making Your CAO Application
- Go to www.cao.ie
- Click on Apply
- Enter the required details – such as your name, address, date of birth, schools attended, examination information, etc.
- Make sure you inform CAO about all relevant qualifications and any exemptions – select the relevant section(s) on the application form.
- When you apply online your application number will appear on screen. You will also receive an email containing your CAO application number and an email verification code.
- When you have applied, you will then need to log in to your account via the ‘My Application’ facility. For this you require your CAO application number, date of birth and password.
- Complete the Qualifications and Assessments section(s) that is relevant to you.
- At this stage of the process you can begin entering your course choices.
- There are two course choice lists (Level 8 and Level 7/6) and applicants you can make up to 10 course choices on each list.
Always remember to make your choices in order of preference!
A course search facility is available at
www.cao.ie/courses
The Change of Mind opens in early May and closes on the 1st of July at 5pm. You may use this facility to change the order of your course choices and/or to introduce
new courses, subject to the restrictions detailed in the handbook.
Make sure to regularly check the e-mail account that you used when registering with CAO for new emails from CAO containing important information and instructions.
Following the release of the Leaving Certificate results CAO will send a communication to all applicants.
Important Dates
| 4th November 2022 (12:00) | CAO online application facility opens. CAO Change of Course choices facility opens |
| 20th January 2023 (17:00) | Apply online by this date to avail of the discounted application fee of €30. |
| 1st February (17:00) | Normal closing date for applications. |
| 3rd February (12:00) | Online facility to amend course choices becomes available (€10 Fee) |
| Before 15th February | Paper Applicants will be sent a Statement of Course Choices (Contact CAO if you do not receive it) |
| Test Window: 17th-20th February |
HPAT Test – Undergraduate Entry to Medicine |
| Test centre sitting: 25th February |
HPAT Test – Undergraduate Entry to Medicine |
| 1st March (17:00) | Closing date for amending course choices Closing date for completion of mature section of application form Closing date for final completion of online HEAR/DARE forms |
| March 2023 | MSAP exam – For mature applicants to certain courses in UCD, UCC, UL and NUI Galway |
| 4th March (12:00) | Late application facility opens. |
| 15th March (17:00) | Latest date for HEAR/DARE supporting documentation to arrive in CAO |
| Test window: 18th-22nd March |
GAMSAT Test – Graduate Entry to Medicine |
| Registration window: TBC |
Mature Nursing Test – register for the tests at www.nmbi.ie |
| Test window: TBC |
Mature Nursing Test |
| 1st May (17:00) | Closing date for late applications |
| 5th May (12:00) | Online Change of Mind facility becomes available (Free) |
| Before 15th May | Late Paper Applicants will be sent a Statement of Course Choices (Contact CAO if you do not receive it) |
| Before End of May | Statement of Application Record sent to all applicants (Contact CAO if you do not receive it) |
| 1st July (17:00) | Change of Mind closes |
| TBC | Round A offers for certain Non-Standard categories of applicants – applicants receive an offer by e-mail and SMS text |
| TBC | Round A acceptances closing date. |
| 22nd July (17:00) | Exceptional closing date for late applications for those already attending a participating HEI |
| TBC | Round 0 offers for certain Non-Standard categories of applicant – applicants receive an offer by e-mail and SMS text |
| TBC | Round 0 acceptances closing date. |
| TBC | Current year Leaving Certificate results issued |
| TBC | Round 1 offers available from 14:00 online – also issued by e-mail and SMS text. Applicants who have not received an offer will receive a `Statement of Application` e-mail. |
| TBC | Available Place facility opens |
| TBC | Round 1 acceptances closing date. |
| TBC | Round 2 offers available online. |
| TBC | Round 2 acceptances closing date. |
| TBC | Round 3 offers available online – applicants will also receive an offer notification by e-mail and SMS text. |
| TBC | Round 3 acceptances closing date. |
| TBC | Round 4 offers available online – applicants will also receive an offer notification by e-mail and SMS text. |
| TBC | Round 4 acceptances closing date. |
| TBC | Round 5 offers available online – applicants will also receive an offer notification by e-mail and SMS text. |
| TBC | Round 5 acceptances closing date. |
| TBC | HEIs begin registration |
| TBC | Results of Leaving Certificate appeals released |
| TBC | Offer Season Ends. |
| 6th November 2023 | CAO application facility opens for 2024 applications |
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