Irish Times CAO 2022 helpdesk

Leaving Cert and CAO questions answered by our specialist guidance counsellors

Submit your questions through the form below or via email at caohelpdesk@irishtimes.com.
Submit your questions through the form below or via email at caohelpdesk@irishtimes.com.

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Q: Can I accept a course that is lower on my CAO list even though I have enough points for a course higher on the list? Basically, can I select the lower listed course?

A: You will get an offer of the highest CAO course preference where you meet the minimum requirements and cut off points for. Once you receive this offer all course choices below this offer become obsolete. So, no is the answer to your question.


824 days ago

Q: I’ve been offered my second place. Do I have to accept this to be offered an option on second round or do I refuse it?

A: Whether you accept your second preference place or not you will still be in the running for an offer on your 1st preference course place in round 2. But all your course preferences below your 2nd preference are gone.


824 days ago

Q: My son has been offered his second choice in Tallaght but doesnt want it now.. he did not get enough points for his first choice in UCD - short by about 30 points. He would like his 3rd choice in UCD now and has enough points for that. What should he do?

A: Unfortunately, once he was offered his second choice his third choice is no longer available to him even though he has the points for it. The only place he can now be offered is his first choice if he became entitle to it with his points. The only way he can get his third preference in UCD unfortunately is to reapply next year putting that course higher up his preferences and hope the points don’t go above what he has.


824 days ago

Q: If I defer an arts offer for next year can I still reply to cao next year for more options

A: If you defer an Arts degree, this means you apply on the CAO form for just that course next year and you are guaranteed your place on that specific course. Internally on the course you will have the same options as you would have this year if you took up a place on the course. (unless the course has been modified in some way in the mean time).


824 days ago

Q: I’m just short of the points for sustainability in ucd my options are at this stage to take a ok. Course or repeat if I repeat I could still apply on this years points next year, however there has been some discussion on line that the extra per cent age we got this year may be taken off next year to level the playing field for next years leaving certificate students do you know if this could happen?

A: It is likely that the post marking adjustment next year will be less than this year as the Department of Education commence the glide back to the normal Leaving Certificate process so I don’t see too many people repeating next year for this reason.


824 days ago

Q: I’ve been offered my second place. Do i have to accept this to be offered an option on second round or do i refuse it

A: Whether you accept your second preference place or not you will still be in the running for an offer on your 1st preference course place in round 2. But all your course preferences below your 2nd preference are gone.


824 days ago

Q: My son has been offered his second choice in Tallaght but dosnt want it now.. he did not get enough points for his first choice in UCD - short by about 30 points. he would like his 3rd choice in UCD now and has enough points for it. What should he do?

A: Unfortunately, once he was offered his second choice his third choice is no longer available to him even though he has the points for it. The only place he can now be offered is his first choice if he became entitle to it with his points. The only way he can get his third preference in UCD unfortunately is to reapply next year putting that course higher up his preferences and hope the points don’t go above what he has.


824 days ago

Q: If I defer an arts offer for next year can I still reply to cao next year for more options

A: If you defer an Arts degree, this means you apply on the CAO form for just that course next year and you are guaranteed your place on that specific course. Internally on the course you will have the same options as you would have this year if you took up a place on the course. (unless the course has been modified in some way in the mean time).


824 days ago

Q: I’m just short of the points for sustainability in ucd my options are at this stage to take a ok. Course or repeat if I repeat I could still apply on this years points next year, however there has been some discussion on line that the extra per cent age we got this year may be taken off next year to level the playing field for next years leaving certificate students do you know if this could happen?

A: It is likely that the post marking adjustment next year will be less than this year as the Department of Education commence the glide back to the normal Leaving Certificate process so I don’t see too many people repeating next year for this reason.


824 days ago

Q: Can an accepted CAO offer be withdrawn if a paper appeal results in a lower grade?

A: The colleges retain the right to remove a place from someone who is deemed not entitled to a place on a course. I have rarely heard of this happening. If in doubt of dropping a grade in a subject I would err on the side of not getting it rechecked.


824 days ago

Q: What degree is required to do a Hibernian course for primary school teachinge?

A: Any undergraduate level 8 degree. The grade and subject are not relevant for the purposes of meeting the entry requirements. You must still meet the Department of Education LC requirements also.


824 days ago

Q: I applied for economics/mathematics TR207. The points appear to be 613 without a * which means everyone who met the requirements was offered a place. I have met the requirements but was not offered a place and instead offered a lower preference course, why is this?

A: Yes, points are showing 613 which means everyone who got 613 points or above and met the course entry requirements are entitled to a place. If you are in this category and were not offered a place, I would contact CAO immediately with all your details and seek clarification.


824 days ago

Q: I didn’t get offered one of my choices on cao even though I got 401 points and the course points were 347 Arts in UL. If I accept the level 8 course offered to me in round 1 of cao offers will I loose out on being offered the level 8 course I really wanted.

A: This very much depends where these courses were on your list of preferences. If Arts in UL was below the course you have been offered then even though you have the points for it, you have been offered a higher preference course and now Arts in UL is not available to you. If Arts in UL is above course you have been offered and you have the points for it then there is an issue. You may not have met the subject entry requirements for the college or the course. It might be worth checking these. If you feel you have met these then I would contact CAO through their website and seek clarification. If you are happy to take up the course you have been offered I would accept this while clarifying the situation above.


824 days ago

Q: I didnt get enough points for radiography in UCD, is there any chance I can get an offer in the 2nd Round? If not is there any other route into the course ie PLC or transfer from another course?

A: Yes there is a chance but by no means guaranteed as it is a high demand course. The points did drop on both UCD and TCD courses last year from Round One points so that is positive news for you. Unfortunately there is no FETAC route to Radiography but there is however a graduate pathway. Details are available here.


824 days ago

Q: I have deferred my 3rd choice course, I am wondering if I get a higher preference in round 2, am I still able to defer it? What would happen to the first defered course. Would it automatically be cancelled? Thanks!

A: Yes, if having deferred your 3rd choice, you get offered your 2nd choice you can seek a deferral for this choice. If you decide to defer this one your 3rd choice will be cancelled.


824 days ago

Q: Do the courses with high points (Chemical Science Trinity) normally fill by round 2 or can you still be offered a place up to final rounds. Do you know what round it filled last year. I have 544 LC points

A: With TCD invariably round 2 would have most places filled. Of courses there are odd exceptions but generally round two most places are allocated. In the final round when the appeal results come out there might be a few places fill at that stage. All we can tell you is that it started in round one on 558 and by the end of the offer season the final cut off points were 542.


824 days ago

Q: Can you ask to have a paper checked if you have not viewed it?

A: Yes, there is no requirement to view a paper first to appeal a paper. it is advisable to do so but not essential.


824 days ago

Q: Hi. I am from Italy. I have a diploma from an “ISTITUTO TECNICO”. My final grades are 95/100. What would CAO points equivalent be of my final grades?

A: There is a document on the CAO website at (see here) which discusses entry requirements from EU candidates. On page 51 the requirements for Italy are listed. I would advise having a look at this document and if you have further questions contact CAO by email to seek further clarification.


824 days ago

Q: Can I deny my first choice course and choose the second choice?

A: I’m afraid not, once you are offered your first choice then all lower choices are effectively gone from your application.


824 days ago

Q: I omited exam number from my cao applicaton, didnt get an offer , i was 20 points above international business at ucc , i have been onto cao , adjusted my application, How likely am i to get my course in second round offers l

A: Cautiously I would say quite likely as you are above the cut off points and entitled to a place on the basis of your points, but it really depends on how many others are in the same situation and how many places UCC have to offer in round 2. Best of luck.


825 days ago

Q: Do the courses with high points (Chemical Science Trinity) normally fill by round 2 or can you still be offered a place up to final rounds. Do you know what round it filled last year. I have 544 LC points

A: With TCD invariably round 2 would have most places filled. Of courses there are odd exceptions but generally round two most places are allocated. In the final round when the appeal results come out there might be a few places fill at that stage. All we can tell you is that it started in round one on 558 and by the end of the offer season the final cut off points were 542.


825 days ago

Q: Can you seek a college place if you have enough points but did not put it on the CAO form by contacting the college directly if they have unfilled places on that course?

A: Any unfilled places on CAO courses are listed in what is called Available/Vacant places. The list of these courses are on the CAO website. Applying for a vacant place is very similar to using the change of mind procedure, with slightly different rules. These are the only courses you can add to your CAO form this year. This is the link to the courses and instructions: http://www.cao.ie/index.php?page=aboutVPL


825 days ago

Q: My son feels he was downgraded in x2 subjects and would like to appeal if he does and get upgraded to higher point and decides later on throughout the year that he doesn’t want the course he’s doing and drops out. If he applies through the cao again next year will it be on the new grades he gets, if he’s upgraded ?

A: If your son applies to the CAO next year it will be with the LC scores he has at the end of the appeal process as these will be his definitive LC scores.


825 days ago

Q: So I got my first choice to DKIT and I haven’t been wanting to go there for a while but the CAO change of mind was closed by the time I could change my first choice to UCD. can I transfer when college starts? i have enough points for UCD and it was second on my CAO

A: I don’t think this is going to be as easy as you might think. CAO is responsible for all entry to 1st year in CAO courses, so to go to first year in UCD you would have to reapply to CAO again next year. If the courses are similar and you want to try transfer to 2nd year in UCD this would be at the discretion of the department head of the course you want to transfer into. They would look at similarity of course material in year one, numbers of places available, etc. I don’t think is going to be possible in the short term.


825 days ago

Q: My son suspects that a supplementary booklet may have gone missing for one of his exams. Do you know what the process is where this happens?

A: You should make contact with the SEC Helpline 1800 111 135 or 1800 111 136 who will advise you.


825 days ago

Q: I’m wondering if I decide to start my course that I was offered now, how long would my leaving cert points be valid if I was to do the HPAT in two to three years if I decide to do medicine.

A: Your LC points are yours forever and you can use them whenever you need to. In a few years time if you want to apply for Med as an undergraduate you can use your LC points with the HPAT you achieve (assuming the HPAT is still with us).


825 days ago

Q: If I accept my 2nd offer if commerce in UCD and check my papers, could I still choose my first choice if I had enough points on recount? I got 565, engineering 577, very close to 2H1s in maths and physics

A: Yes, if you accept your 2nd choice of Commerce you still remain in the running for your 1st choice. If you get rechecks done and you increase your points and subequently become entitled to Engineering then you will be offered this in October and it is up to you if you want to stay with Commerce or move to Engineering.


825 days ago

Q: My daughter didn’t get the course but was offered her 2nd choice and has a plc course line up. If she defers her college place for a year to do a plc course does she have to take up this course next year or can she apply for a different course?

A: If she defers her college course - she must apply to the CAO by the 1st Feb 2023 to secure her deferred course offer at this year’s points. If she does not want to undertake this course next year she can apply for a different course.


825 days ago

Q: I was offered my first choice course in WIT. However, I have changed my mind about my CAO preferences and really want my third choice which is also in WIT. I have enough points for it but I know I won’t get another CAO offer. Is there anyway that I can transfer between courses in WIT if there is spaces in the course left? Thanks!

A: My advice is to email admissions at WIT and check if such a transfer is possible.


825 days ago

Q: I was offered my 2nd choice of Industrial Physics in UCC. I am 1 grade off of my first choice of Astrophysics in UCC and I got 89% in Business and hope to appeal. If I am brought up and they offer me a deferred place, is it possible to complete my first year in Industrial Physics and then go into the 2nd year of Astrophysics next year as the first year of both courses are extremely similar?

A: This would be a question to ask the head of department in UCC. If the first year of both courses are very similar then it would make sense. Before the results of the appeals come out in October, I would make it my business to speak with the head of department in UCC and run this by him/her. Then if the situation arises you will have answers to your questions before you make your decisions.


825 days ago

Q: Hi, at this point I’m aware that * next to a course denotes - Not all on this points score were offered places. It is Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) themselves who determine how the applicants are accepted, not the CAO. It may well be that all applicants at the same points score where not subject to a random selection process to arrive at the remaining places offered or not offered. As the CAO has no insight into this selection, who provides transparency and oversight of this process other than the university/college themselves? Secondly, if the university/college refuses to give insight into positions on waiting lists for future rounds of offers what can be done, and does this mean the waiting list for round one offers may be binned and a new random selection created for each new round?

A: This is from the CAO handbook: For some courses random number selection may also be a factor. Before applicants are placed on the Order of Merit lists for courses they are assigned a random number for each course choice. If there are five applicants with an identical points score competing for one remaining place, random number selection applies and the place will be offered to the applicant with the highest random number. It is the CAO that oversees this random number and maintenance of the academic merit lists for the courses. It is not the colleges who determine any of this process.


825 days ago

Q: My son received 544 points in LC22, he was offered Chemical Science in DCU and has accepted but is hoping for Chemical Science in Trinity which was 555 in Round 1. Realistically will the points drop by the 11 he needs (he has DARE too).

A: Chemical sciences dropped from 558 to 542 last year so there is a precedent for this course that points can drop considerably. The fact that he qualified for DARE also could also make a difference here as there are 7 places for DARE candidates. He definitely has a chance but unfortunately we won’t know until round 2 offers emerge.


825 days ago

Q: My son is still TY stage & he aims to either Trinity business school or UCD’s similar major in international business. So based on Y2022′s result, how is the CAO points for both options?

A: Business in TCD (also known as BESS) is 576 points this year and Commerce in UCD is 554* and Commerce International is 544.


825 days ago

Q: My daughter has been offered her 1st choice, but is unsure whether she is ready for college at this time. Could she accept her course now rather than deferring and, if she dropped out in year one, could she reapply for the same course at a later time by making an application through the CAO

A: Yes she can accept her offer rather than deferring. If she drops out she can re-apply to CAO using the 2023 online application process.


825 days ago

Q: I got an offer I am very happy with. However there are 3 results that i am disappointed with. Have scored 69, 69 & 66 in them. I was going to appeal them. If my appeal is successful it won’t affect my course as I got my 1st offer. Should I appeal or just leave it. My parents feel that there is no reason to now as I got what I wanted & are worried in case I get downgraded & put my offer in jepoardy. I would just like to know what to do

A: It’s totally your own choice whether you appeal or not. There is no benefit in terms of your offer. It is unlikely that a 66 will be upgraded unless there was a clerical error.


825 days ago

Q: My son was hoping to get medicine in any of the 5 colleges but did not get an offer. He had taken a year out last year to repeat the HPAT and while he did very well he did not get an offer. He is contemplating starting the course he was offered and resitting the hpat again. Its hard to know whether this is a good idea - ie accept that Undergrad medicine is not an option, or keep trying. What is the downside of trying it again?

A: If your son really wants medicine, which he clearly does, I think if he is very close he should keep trying as he might regret not trying later. Would he consider applying for Medicine in Italy, Poland or Bulgaria. There are many Irish students now doing Medicine in these countries through English. Yes there are greater fees but in the long run with a career in Medicine ahead of him they could be paid back quite quickly. During his first year he could repeat the HPAT also if he wished.


825 days ago

Q: My niece has got her first choice course that she now doesn’t want. ( She had no guidance in the process.) Can she just let this offer lapse and reapply next year through the cao?

A: That’s unfortunate. Yes, if she doesn’t want the place, just do nothing and the place will lapse on the reply date. She can submit a new CAO application next year and it will be completely independent of this year’s application.


825 days ago

Q: My son didn’t get his first choice due to an increase in points, he received an offer for a college he doesn’t want to attend, the is a course in his preferred college but for some reason it was further down his CAO list, can he approach the college directly to see if they will accept him as he has the points for the other course.

A: No your son cannot approach the college directly even though he has the points for the other course. His choices are to accept what he has been offered and maybe in a subsequent round he may be offered a course above this one on his list of college course choices. Any courses below his current offer are now gone.


825 days ago

Q: I have been offered intellectual disability nursing in TCD, but really want midwifery - is there scope to move courses after year 1? Thanks.

A: My advice is to email admissions at TCD and check if such a transfer is possible.


825 days ago

Q: I got 488 points in my leaving cert. I am 8 points short of teaching in Marino and 18 points short of teaching in pats. I am appealing 3 of my exams. If I get enough points for either of these courses but all the places are filled up how is this fair??. Marino take on very little students so these places are sure to be full. What should I do?

A: There is nothing you can do other than submit your subjects for appeal and await the outcome. If you become entitled to a place in a higher preference course after the results of the appeals, then the colleges will try their utmost to create a place for you in October. In the event that they cannot then at the very least they must offer you a deferred place in 2023. For now you need to make decisions based on what you have at the moment as there is no guarantee you will be upgraded.


825 days ago

Q: I have got my 3rd choice (Primary Teaching DCU) if I defer the course until next year and appeal my results, if my points increase will I get Mary I (1st choice) and will I no longer have the option of going to DCU next year, as I now want DCU and don’t want to go to Mary I any longer.

A: If you decide to defer your DCU course now, then you must contact the admissions office at DCU (not the CAO) and follow their instructions. If you get the points for Mary I following the appeal of your results you should get an offer at which point you can decide accept or not. If you decide you do not want Mary I and want to do the DCU place it is necessary to apply for this through the CAO by the 1st Feb 2023.


825 days ago

Q: Is it an option to reject my first choice offer (I want to take a gap year and do a different course then), I don’t want to accept or defer the course but I don’t know how to reject either.

A: You don’t have to do either.


825 days ago

Q: I can’t find the points for the Business with Law joint honors course in Trinity, course code TR580

A: The points for TR580 Business and Law are 613*


825 days ago

Q: My son is interested in a Trinity course,TR188,computer science and business for next year but cannot find any information on points for this year, many thanks

A: The points for this joint honours programme combination is 578.


825 days ago

Q: I want to do primary school teaching i received an offer for early childhood education if i accept this what can other routes do I have?

A: You can apply to undertake a Post Graduate Qualification in Primary Teaching after your degree. A H4 in LC Irish will still be a requirement.


825 days ago

Q: My son got his 4th choice and may now be regretting it. His 5th choice is much better. What does he do? Defer and apply next year, or reject the offer and seek his 5th choice? Is there any option?

A: Now that your son has been offered his 4th preference his 5th preference is no longer available on his preferences, it is gone. The only way he could possibly get his 5th preference is to reapply next year and put his 5th preference higher up on his list of preferences. There is no point in deferring his 4th preference as this means he can only apply for this course next year.


825 days ago

Q: If I accept general nursing in trinity is there any way I can apply next year to transfer to childrens nursing ie with high marks in my first year exams

A: My advice is to email admissions at TCD and check if such a transfer is possible.


825 days ago

Q: TCD’s joint honours points grid seems to be missing the points for a number of possible combinations that are listed in the CAO handbook. Have trinity removed these courses or was there a mistake when they made the grid?

A: You are correct, there are gaps. The reason for the gaps is that on some of the combinations places were not offered. This can happen from year to year as there is a quota on the number of places on each subject. The chart will be updated by TCD admissions to show n/a for the combinations where places were not offered.


825 days ago

Q: Is it possible to repeat the leaving cert a second time and are there any conditions

A: Yes it is possible to repeat the leaving cert a second time. In terms of points it is the points from the best leaving cert that are counted and not a combination of your best 6 subjects from both.


825 days ago

Q: I received 466 pts, my preferred choice TR005 philosophy went up 70 pts to 526. I’m hoping to win appeals to get to 499pts. I have accommodation in Dublin and would have to accept a lower offer of a course which I don’t want to do in the hopes of getting it in a later round. I also have a backup in Ulster University but accepting Ulster University now means I would lose out on Dublin accommodation if I was offered philosophy in a later round. Should I take the lower offer and hope to get upgraded?

A: TR005 started in round one in 2021 at 510 and by the end of the offer season it finished at 456. A 54 points drop from round one to end of season. If you have any interest in the lower preference offer you might be wise to accept this and hope that in the next rounds or indeed after the appeal results are issued you might get your place. If it doesn’t work out and you don’t get an offer then you need to focus on the course you have accepted to see if this is a course that meets your needs and you like. If not you have the option of dropping out and submitting a new CAO application next year. Could you look at deferring your place in UU until next year as a security blanket?


825 days ago

Q: Can you defer a college place for a year to do a plc year course

A: In most cases yes. It is the ultimate decision of the individual colleges, but my sense is that most would be amenable to this.


825 days ago

Q: Can you defer a college place for a year to do a plc year course

A: In most cases yes. It is the ultimate decision of the individual colleges, but my sense is that most would be amenable to this.


825 days ago

Q: My son lost out on his first offer by 1 point. He has appealed 3 subjects. If his points go up, surely he should be offered course & not a place in 2023.

A: There is no guarantee that his points will go up. If they do he may be offered a place - depends on the course.


825 days ago

Q: My daughter got offered teaching in Limerick and also business studies in Athlone, she has decided to defer this year but is undecided yet what she wants to do, how does she defer the college places and can she defer the level 8 offer- teaching and the level 7 offer -business studies?

A: Decide which course you want to defer. Then make contact with the Admissions Office of college in question (not the CAO) and follow their instructions. If you defer your college place a CAO Application must be made for the course by the ist Feb 2023.


825 days ago

Q: I know this is a long way away but would happen if you were to accept a higher preference course in round 3 even though college for 1st years starts on 26th Sep. and you have already registered for a college?

A: If this happens, the college you have registered with would deregister you leaving you free to register with your round 3 offer college. Fees paid would be refunded.


825 days ago

Q: My son was offered primary school teaching in Marino. Mary I was his first preference. He is appealing some exams grades and only needs one exam to be upgraded to achieve Mary I requirements. As the appeal process is later than the college year start. Can he do the first year in Marino and if offered a place in Mary I can he switch next year 2023 and start second year in Mary I? Thank you

A: This would seem to be a logical thing to do, but life is not always that straight forward. Firstly, if he becomes entitiled to a place in Mary I, they may be in a position to offer him a place in October in which case he would have to take up the place. If they offer him a deferred place for the following year he would be looking at starting in September 2023. If this option arises you could have a chat with both colleges to see would your sugestion be a runner. There are a lot of issues behind the scene in terms of funding of places that might not allow this to happen but it would be worth a try.


825 days ago

Q: I am viewing a paper tomorrow. If i spot a clerical error in adding up points which lifts me up a grade, do I have to go through the appeals and wait until October; wait until R2 offers for my correct course, or will the fact that it is a clerical error move me through the system quicker? I am 1 point short of my 1st choice and 0.4% away from a H1 on the paper im checking tomorrow.

A: In the event that you believe there is a discrepancey between the mark awarded and the grade awarded in a script that was marked online you should contact the Candidate Helpline at 1800 111 135 or 1800 111 136 or by email to candidateportal@examinations.ie for their advice.


825 days ago

Q: My son got 589 points in LC and his first choice was Engineering in UCD DN150 - the point this year are 577. He did not get any offers and when we checked with CAO it was because he hadnt included his LC number on application. They reopened it so he could add it today and we have done so. They advised he would get an offer in Round 2. Is he guaranteed to get his first choice because he has more than the points for this or does it depend on if others reject it. Is there anything else we can do at this stage?

A: He will get an offer in Round 2. He is not guaranteed his first choice as the all the places may have been accepted. There is nothing else you can do at this stage.


825 days ago

Q: I just missed my preferred course by a few points and am appealing 2 subject that will hopefully bring me up to the required points. If my appeals are unsuccessful and I do year 1 in the course I was offered can I still apply for my preferred course in CAO 2023 with my 2022 points?

A: Yes you can still apply for your preferred course in 2023 with your 2022 points. If you are successful be mindful that higher fees will apply for year one.


825 days ago

Q: I applied for a new software course in UL called ‘Immersive Software Engineering’. I was not offered a place on the course as the cut off points for the course ended up at 803 points. This included a score out of 300 from a mandatory portfolio submission. I thought with having achieved 556 points in my leaving cert in 2021 I would have had no problem getting onto this course but as 803 is the requirement, I would have needed 247 points for the portfolio. The cut off rate to the portfolio seemed to be between 200 and 220 points. I have acquired the SUSI grand and have been offered my second choice but am unsure if would enjoy it. It looks as though if I do even reapply for the course next year I won’t be able to achieve the portfolio requirement as it so high and above the cap for this year. The points for this course are ridiculous and I have no idea what to do. Should I wait for next year or should I just go with my second offer? If I do wait, will the points even come down that much?

A: You will have to consider your options carefully over the coming days. There is no guarantee that the points will fall next year.


825 days ago

Q: My first choice Computer Science & Linguistics at Trinity went up by 100 points, is this the highest points increase this year across all courses? Do you think it might drop by a significant amount too for the second round offers?

A: We have no way of knowing. It’s unllikely to drop for the second round offers.


825 days ago

Q: My son has applied to defer his course - do you know how long this process takes and if all deferrals are granted. Thank you.

A: It should happen very quickly as admissions offices are expecting deferral applications over these few days and generally make decisions without delay. I wouldn’t say all deferrals are granted but the vast majority would seem to be.


825 days ago

Q: Does a person who was granted a HEAR spot have to decline their offer for another person who was granted HEAR to obtain it in Round 2 offers? There are only 2 HEAR spots for my top course and wondering if one of these has to decline or defer for me to be offered a potential spot?

A: While there are different policies in different colleges around HEAR and HEAR places, what you have described is the most lightly situation as there are only limited places set aside for HEAR candidates.


825 days ago

Q: I just want to know my points if I have a score in Ordinary Level two 6, three 5 and one 7? I’m confused? Will I get my points to do Early childhood care in TUD Tallaght?

A: My interpretation of your LC Results is 2O6, 3O5 and 1O7 in which case you will be have awarded 84 points in the LC. The points for TU 790 Early Childhood in Tallaght is 205 which means you will not be offered a place.


825 days ago

Q: My son got an offer in TUD in the first round and this is his 3rd choice but now that we are moving in the country side. It is better for him to study in Maynooth which is his 4th choice . I know that you can’t go down base on CAO offer but can he personally contact Maynooth ?

A: No he must accept his 3rd Choice Offer. All other courses not open for consideration. There is no point in contacting Maynooth.


825 days ago

Q: What is the points requirement for DARE places for veterinary medicine in UCD this year? Where are DARE points published?

A: Points for Veterinary Medicine are 601*. Random selection was used so not all candidates on 601 got an offer. DARE points are never published by CAO colleges.


825 days ago

Q: Do you know what points were required for Law and Business in Trinity this year, TR580, I can’t find it anywhere. It was 625* last year. Thanks

A: Please check the course code - there is no such code in the CAO Handbook.


825 days ago

Q: I have been offered my 3rd Choice course through the HEAR scheme for UCC, I prefer my 1st and 2nd choice courses, if I don’t accept the offer for UCC, am i still eligible to get a round 2 offer, through HEAR in NUIG for either of my preferred courses?

A: Yes you are.


825 days ago

Q: If a student accepts their offer from the first round (she received her 2nd choice course), does that preclude them from being offeted a course in the second round if their first choice course is not filled. She is 2 points short of the cut off point for her 1st choice course.

A: If a student accepts their 2nd choice in round one then they stay in contention for their first preference in the next rounds and if they become entitled to a place on the 1st preference they they will be offered it regardless if they accepted their 2nd preference or not.


825 days ago

Q: My son mixed up his choices and got his higher choice of a Level 8 degree but he wanted a course lower down on his list. he had meant to change his preferences but forgot to. Can we appeal to get the course he wants?

A: No. Once he is offered a course, everything below that is now not available. He can hope to move up the list of preferences but not down unfortunately.


825 days ago

Q: I am a EU student with international A level qualification applying for medicine in Ireland. I got 790 points from my A level and HPAT but I did not get any offers. I do not know how to check what has gone wrong with my application and how can I appeal.

A: I would advise sending an email to CAO through their website with all your details and seek clarification. It might also be a good idea to contact the admissions office of the colleges you have applied to, with the same details and seek clarification from them also.


825 days ago

Q: I have received my number 1 choice, but now prefer my 2nd choice, 1 was in nursing Scully’s and the 2nd choice is trinity - nursing. What are my options.

A: You will not be offered your Number 2 Choice. You can review any Level 7/6 offer you have received and accept this instead.


825 days ago

Q: My daughter applied through CAO and Dare for a college place. She was eligiblefor a dare place. She received an offer on her chosen course. How do we know whether its a Dare offer or not. Her points were above the required entry.

A: As she received the required points in the LC, the DARE Scheme was not needed.


825 days ago

Q: Our son had the following choices with on his CAO 1st Choice : Veterinary UCD 2nd Choice: Engineering UCD He got 601 points in his LC. 601 meets the requirements for Vet but not all candidates on 601 will receive an offer for veterinary - it is a lotto system. He was disappointed that he got a H2 (88%) in his Irish and has asked for a recheck - the paper will be available in his school to review this coming weekend. Yesterday he was offered his 2nd choice Engineering in UCD which he accepted (note: he accepted only because he needs to accept now asap, in order to qualify for student campus accommodation at UCD). Our questions: If his Irish paper grade is elevated to a H1 he will then have 613 points. Does 613 points automatically guarantee he will be offered a place in Vet? How does the lotto system for Vet work? i.e. how is the choice made for people who sit between the range of 601 - 625 points? When will a recheck of LC Irish be available, so that he will be able to have his final points confirmed? Are places held open by UCD Vet for people like him who are getting papers rechecked?

A: The cut off points for Veterinary Med were 604*. Everyone above this is entitled to a place so yes if he is upgraded to 613 he is now entitled to a place as a late entrant for this year or a deferred offer for next year if they cannot create a place for this year. The results for rechecks will not be availabe until October so any offer which takes into account any upgrades will not be made until October also.


825 days ago

Q: Our son did not include his Leaving Cert number on his CAO application therefore no offer. His 1st choice is LM050 Business in Limerick he has acheived 499 points which is the requirement, he has resubmitted his application & send a mail to UL which they have responded to, after Round 1 they review the waiting list, try to accommodate students where they can in Round 2, am sure he is not the only one in this position! I presume there is nothing more he can do except wait? Would you be hopeful?

A: Yes, you have done everything you can do at this stage, you will just have to wait for round 2 to see what happens. It will all depend on whether UL have places to allocate at that stage. This has happened in the past and I know colleges will make every effort to offer the place in round 2, if they can at all.


825 days ago

Q: My son plans to request a deferral of round 1 offer. Can he still be considered for round 2 offers. Will deferring R1 impact R2?

A: If your son defers his round one offer, he will still remain in contention for any higher preferences in round 2 if he becomes entitled to them.


826 days ago

Q: How do you know if a course is fully subscribed at round 1 time.

A: You don’t know until round 2. College won’t know until all the replies are in.


826 days ago

Q: Appeals apparently can move your grade down. What happens if this happened and my points went down lower than the offer I got today? Is place taken off me?

A: Thecollege can ask you to leave but I have never heard of this happening. But they do have the final say. The percentage of upgrades are much greater than downgrades.


826 days ago