Welcome to The Irish Times CAO Helpdesk for 2026. Using the form below, you can submit any questions you have about this year’s process, from CAO points and Leaving Cert results, to appeals, offers, deferrals and more.
Our education experts, Deirdre Garrett and Brian Howard, are online now to answer your questions before the CAO issues the first round of offers to candidates at 2pm. Please submit your queries throughout the day in the form below.
My daughter missed her 1st choice by 1 point, we are thinking of requesting a recheck on one of her subjects which could give her an extra 10 points. If successful how do we go about trying to access her 1st choice course? - Marie
CAO will do a final round after appeal results are out. CAO will make an offer to all candidates who satisfy entry requirements and cut off points. Candidates can start and switch over straight away if course has room. Some candidates may be offered entry in Sept 2027 if the course of interest is full by end of Sept 2026. - Deirdre
I applied via QQI and was offered my second choice during round zero. I was 40 points above the 2025 requirement for my first choice, so was disappointed not to get it. Have I no chance now of getting it, given that I’m competing with other QQIs and our offers came in round zero? - Deb
Whether you get an offer for your first choice course depends on what decisions the people who have been made an offer already on that course make. If some people don’t take up their offered places then the next people most entitled will be offered those places, so if you are one of these people, you could be offered a place. I don’t know what your 1st preference is but this is the situation for all courses whether quota places or not. - Brian
I wasn’t offered medicine in round one, could I get it in round two? I got 613 points and fulfilled the entry requirements. - Daisy
Medicine points are a combination of LC points and HPAT points. I am not sure how you did in your HPAT so hard to advise. Round two offers are possible in Medicine so if you are quite close it could happen, but you will have to wait until 7th September to find out.- Brian
My son is 11 points off the required points of 485 for his number 1 choice. He is in the border for one subject - 1% off the higher grade. If an appeal was to win, that would only give him 10 more points so he would still be one short off the round one required points. Is there any merit in appealing? - Anne
Yes, I would still appeal, if he feels he is entitled to a higher mark. If he wanted to apply next year again he would have the extra points if he got upgraded. He will not have an opportunity again. - Brian
My daughter wants to study medicine and received four H1s, two H2’s (one of which was one mark off a H1, the other 2 marks off). Her HPAT score was 172, giving a total score of 732. Her order of preference was UCD, RCSI, Trinity and Galway. If she accepts Galway now and is upgraded on appeal later and is offered RCSI but not UCD, does she have to accept? - M
No. She can chose to stay with her first offer or her new offer. The choice will be hers. Round 5 offers come out 29th September. - Deirdre
I had the points for a course in DKIT , but I’ve received no offer for it. - Thomas
I would make sure you have met the entry requirements and if you have met them, you need to check your CAO account to make sure all your details are correct. After this send CAO an email through your application account with the details and see what they advise. - Brian
If you get offered your third choice today and accept it, can you still accept your first or second choice if you get them in later rounds? - Magella
Yes, absolutely. - Brian
I got an offer for B&L in UCD but I wanted Business and Law in Trinity. Are the points likely to drop below 600 in round 2/3? - Sara
Round one points in 2026 are 602 for Business and Law in Trinity. Points will drop if course isn’t at full capacity after round 1. - Deirdre
A DARE student didn’t get their preferred course. Do DARE offers come up in second and third round or are they all utilised in round one offers. I’m trying to establish if any hope of offer in further rounds - Carol
Most DARE offers are made in Round 1, although some are made in round 2. However, no DARE offers in other rounds. - Deirdre
I missed my number one course by 2 points, will I have an opportunity to get in through available places? -Elle
If the course appears under vacant places then you enter into a new competition for those places. Available places opens up on Thurs 27th August. - Deirdre
My son was offered his first choice and wants to defer for a year to work and travel. How likely is it that his request for deferral will be approved? - Patrick
It depends on the number of candidates seeking a deferral and their reasons. I would send an email seeking a deferral https://handbook.cao.ie/page/deferring-a-place and https://handbook.cao.ie/page/taking-up-a-deferral - Deirdre
I’m from the North and should have had the correct amount of points to get into my courses, but only got into a level 6 course, I don’t know if I made a mistake with my application or what went wrong but I don’t know who to contact to ask. Can you provide any help or advice? - Aoibheann
If there is a course on which you feel you should have been entitled to an offer, but didn’t get one, then I would give the appropriate admissions office a call and discuss your application with them. - Brian
International Commerce is 543* points. I got 543 but did not get an offer, I got Sustainability instead. What are chances of getting into Commerce in a subsequent round? - Tom
Sorry to hear that. CAO will make more offers in round 2 if there are places still available on this course. - Deirdre
I have enough points for a course but didn’t get an offer - James
Check the minimum entry requirements for the course. CAO will only make an offer once you meet the entry requirements and the cut off points. - Deirdre
I applied for the CAO using my Leaving Cert results from last year since I did a PLC. I had TR455, the Arts/Modern Language course in Trinity, as my first choice which I didn’t receive an offer for. According to careersportal, the minimum points is 380. I got 421 points in my leaving cert last year and I meet all the entry requirements. On careersportal the graph for the course is incomplete and I can’t find much information about it on the Trinity website, does course actually exist this year? - Robin
Check this link for the minimum entry requirements and get back on if you need further assistance. Good luck. - Deirdre chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://www.tcd.ie/study/assets/pdfs/2026-cao-minimum-entry-points-round-one.pdf
My daughter received her 4th option in round one. She over achieved on the points requirement for it and she qualifies under DARE. Could she get a DARE offer in round two for choices 1-3? She will need DARE to make up the points. - Helena
It is possible, however, most DARE places tend to be offered in round one. You could call the admissions offices of colleges where choices 1 to 3 are run and ask about eligibility for DARE and possibility of an offer in the next rounds. - Brian
As an international student from Romania, I received an offer for my sixth option, although I considered my Leaving Cert grades quite high (9,83/10). Could there have been an error in calculating my CAO points? - Mara
I would deem it to be unlikely. Email CAO via your CAO account and query this. Best of luck. - Deirdre
I put RCSI as my first choice. I have 739 points and the records are showing 734 points only were required, yet I got an offer for my second choice which is showing 741 points. How do I rectify this as 734 points was sufficient? - John
Are you a HEAR or DARE candidate? Can you check to ensure that you have satisfied the minimum entry requirement for your first choice? Come back to us if you need more assistance. CAO will make you an offer once you satisfy both the minimum entry requirements and cut off points. - Deirdre
I have not received a round 1 CAO offer for agriculture in MTU. When I checked my statements of application, I can find no results. Can you advise me on what I need to do? - Denis
You need to send CAO an email giving them all the details from the send email facility in your CAO account and await their response. There may be a problem with your exam number, but get in touch immediately. - Brian
My son got 542 points, 12 points short of his first choice of Commerce in UCD which was 554*. He got 89.75 per cent in his French exam and will appeal it. If he goes to a H1, he will have the points for commerce. My question is: as Commerce in UCD is random selection, will he be offered it if upgraded? I guess this will change their obligation to offer it. His luck doesn’t seem to be in for this course. - Mary
A successful appeal would lead to a CAO offer in round 5 on Tuesday 29th Sept. CAO will make him an offer if the course still has space. Otherwise they will make him an offer for Sept 2027. - Deirdre
I missed Medicine in UCD due to random selection. What are the chances of a second round offer? - John
I’m afraid we have no way of knowing how many people are in the random pool and what your position is in that pool. I’m afraid its just a case of waiting for round two and hope more places are offered in the pool and you are at the top of the list. You could give admissions a call in UCD and they may or may not talk to you about the random place pool and your position in it. Best of luck. - Brian
My niece got 613 points. What are her chances of getting Law and Business in Trinity (TR580) in the second and subsequent CAO rounds? - Susie
From what I am reading, the points for Law and Business TR580 are 602 for this year. - Brian
My son has been offered his first choice but isn’t sure now if he wants to accept it. What options does he have? - Penny
He should research all the modules on this course. He could opt to enter this year or look to defer the course for a year? Please read these documents regrading deferrals https://handbook.cao.ie/page/deferring-a-place https://handbook.cao.ie/page/taking-up-a-deferral - Deirdre
My daughter got 1 point less than one of her (preferred) choices, is it likely that she will be offered a 2nd round place? - Peter
Sorry to hear that. I cannot say. I will depend on the number of people who defer or reject their offer on that course. Points will go down in round 2 if there are still places available on this course. - Deirdre
I got 543 points and have received my second choice choice at 422 points. If I decline this offer, does that prevent me from being offered my first choice in subsequent rounds if the points for this first choice course go down later? - Anne
Accepting or rejecting today’s offer will have no affect on offers in future rounds. CAO will make offers once the candidate meets the minimum entry requirements and cut off points. Only courses that lie above todays offer can be offered in future rounds. - Deirdre
Where can I see my final CAO points as an international student, from the Netherlands? - Fé
Here is a link to show you the CAO cut off points for 2026 https://coursefinder.careersportal.ie/pointsfinder/index.html https://www2.cao.ie/downloads/documents/2026/Guidelines-EU-EFTA-UK-2026.pdf - Deirdre
If you receive your first offer and don’t defer it, can you start again another CAO for next year? If so, what are the ‘cons’ of this?- Margaret
Yes, if you don’t defer, then your new application is entirely a new application and you will get your offers based on your current points and the points requirements of courses determined next year. If points go up next year, you may not be entitled to courses next year that you were this year. - Brian
My daughter got her first choice in UCG but wants to defer starting college for a year to go travelling. Is this possible and, if so, what is the process? - Aoife
It is possible, but it is the decision of the college. You must contact the admission’s office by email. Please read this regarding seeking a deferral and taking up a deferral. https://handbook.cao.ie/page/deferring-a-place https://handbook.cao.ie/page/taking-up-a-deferral - Deirdre
My son was offered his 10th choice on the CAO - he also has DARE but, looking at the points, he achieved the offer without DARE. Is there a chance he may be offered a choice higher up on his CAO list with DARE in round 2 or are all DARE places taken in round 1? - Mat
The majority of DARE offers are made in round one. They can appear in round two but most offers are made in round one. - Deirdre
I got my second choice on CAO, but I am only 6 points away from my first choice and from precious years, I would get in second round. What should I do? - Tilly
Accept your second choice and at least you have a course for next year. If you become entitled to you first choice in the next rounds, you will be offered it even though you accepted your second choice. - Brian
My PPS number was wrong on my CAO application and I have just realized, however I’m applying through a QII course. Is there any way I can try to get a place before round 2?
No. This is not possible. CAO do not make offers in between rounds. I wouldn’t think that your PPS would impede /influence an offer. I would advise you to send an email to CAO via your CAO account. - Deirdre
I got 509 point in the Leaving Cert and was awarded Dare. How can I check the Dare points for a course? - Fiona
You cannot check DARE points for a course. - Brian
I’ve gotten a text offering a certain course but I don’t have the points for it. Has the CAO made mistakes ? - Brendan
Are you a HEAR or DARE candidate? Maybe you got in on a reduced points basis? - Deirdre
My daughter was offered Early Childhood Education in Setu. If places become available in Mary Immaculate College for the same course, should she apply to transfer? She put Mary Immaculate down as her sixth option and Setu as her fourth. - Niamh
No, this is not possible. You will have to wait until CAO 2027 and place MIC ahead of SETU. CAO will only make offers of courses that lie above today’s offer on your CAO account. All courses that lie below today’s offer become obsolete. Look at this for more info: https://www2.cao.ie/downloads/documents/course_choices_list.pdf - Deirdre
If I have just been offered my first choice but now would prefer my 2nd choice, what should I do? Should I defer it? Will I get and offer then again this year for my 2nd choice. - Katherine
If you defer your first choice, then you can only apply for that course next year to pick up that deferred place. If you put your 2nd choice down on your new CAO application next year you will loose your deferred place. So you need to think carefully. If there is any chance you might like your first choice then consider accepting it to give yourself some time to see what it is like. If not, then you can do a whole new application next year applying for your second choice and hoping you are entitled to a place again next year. - Brian
I got 430 points. I will be entitled to DARE assistance next year as I missed the deadline to apply this year due to late diagnosis. My first choice was MInT in DCU (DC240) which was around 480 points and I was offered my second choice DC161 Comms, which was around 360 points. Should I reject this and hope I get a second round offer on MInT ? - Esme
That would all depend on what you are most interested in. DARE entry into MINT is not a guarantee. Only a certain number of DARE places on each programme. - Deirdre
My child applied for product design in TUD. He had 40 points over last year’s cut off but did not receive the course in first round. This seems like a mistake. When do the points get published? Is it possible there is a mistake? - Molly
There is always the possibility of mistakes. They are rare, but possible. Points will be published online shortly after 2pm and are now available on the Irish Times website. Regardless of how many CAO points he received, he would still have to meet the Maths entry requirement of O6/H7. - Brian
I missed International Commerce and it looks like by only one point. Is there any chance that I get it on second or third round? - Tom
There is every chance. It depends if any applicants who were offered places on it today decide not to proceed with the offer and if you are next in line you might become eligible for one of these places in the next rounds. - Brian
Public health science in UCC was 414 CAO point in 2025 and my daughter got 431. Why would that be ? - Jean
I am assuming you mean she did not get an offer yet? The first thing to check is did she meet the course entry requirements? If you feel she did, then check that all your daughters details are correct in her CAO account. - Brian
I am using my Lithuanian results for CAO points calculation. It is not clear how the points will be calculated exactly from available information - will the CAO inform me of my exact points calculation within any offer made to me for my application so I can see if I am near the round 2 offers if needed? - Una
No. The calculation of points would be your responsibility. CAO will only make offers when you meet minimum requirements and cut off points. You could contact CAO if you are struggling with converting. Page 94 of this document should help you: https://www2.cao.ie/downloads/documents/2026/Guidelines-EU-EFTA-UK-2026.pdf - Deirdre
My daughter commenced Ag Science in UCD last year, but left it before Christmas and decided to apply for a new CAO course this year. She’s now got her first choice arts in UCG. Will her annual college fees be the same? - B
You will be charged tuition fees this as well as student contribution. Fees vary so I recommend that you contact the fees office. Here is a link that will give you more information: https://www.universityofgalway.ie/student-fees/how-much/undergraduate-fees/ - Deirdre
I got 531 points in my Leaving Cert, which I know isn’t enough for TCD Engineering which was my first choice. I am a DARE applicant – how do I know if they applied DARE boost to my points as I have been offered DCU Engineering? - Alfie
Your eligibility for each of your courses is worked out by the CAO in conjunction with admissions officers of the colleges offering your chosen courses, in line with their DARE policies. When this is done, you will then be offered your highest preference choice you are entitled to. - Brian
If I accept my CAO offer, is it possible to change to a different course at the University of Limerick at some stage if I have the points? - Anna Marie
In some colleges, if you have the points for another course in that college and they have space they may allow you to transfer. This is completely up to the college in question, so I would recommend contacting the admissions office in UL and discuss if transfers are possible with them and when. - Brian
If my son is offered his second choice today, could he be offered his number 1 over the coming weeks if there is availability on the course? We think he is just shy of the required points. - Mary
Yes, if he becomes entitled to it, he will be offered it, regardless of what else he have been offered. - Brian
I didn’t receive a level 8 offer, what should I do? - David
Did you get offered a level 6/7? Many level 6/7 courses can lead you to a level 8 qualification through the add on system, so look carefully at any level 6/7s you might have received. Remember you may still get a level 8 in the next rounds, so don’t give up hope yet. - Brian
If you decide to appeal a few of your subjects and your overall points, go down post the appeal. Does that impact your current course offer? Or does the offer still stand for the current year? - Alan
If your points go down, which is very rare, and you are no longer entitled to a place, technically the colleges I presume would reserve the right to give that place to someone more entitled to it than you. Whether they would do this is up to them. - Brian
Can I get my first choice in round 2? - Oisin
Yes, if you become entitled to it, you will be offered it, regardless of what else you have been offered. - Brian
I have gotten an offer for my 3rd choice. I am considering letting it lapse but then in round 2, am I just considered for my 1st and 2nd choices or will I be considered for 1st, 2nd and then 4th to 7th? - Niamh
Yes, once you are offered your 3rd choice all lower choices will essentially disappear from your application and you will never be offered them. You can only hope to move up your preference list but never go down. - Brian
I got my 8th choice on the first round of offers. I’mm planning to appeal two subjects, how likely am I to get a higher offer in round 2? - Monica
Whether you get another offer in round 2 will have nothing to do with your appeal as results will not be out until the end of September 25th. If applicants who have been offered places on the courses above your 8th preference decide not to take up some of those places, then those places are offered to the next people down the course merit lists. If you are next in line for some of those places you will be offered them in round 2. - Brian
I have DARE and I’ve applied to Physiotherapy with my 550 points. What are my chances of getting an offer with DARE and what benefits does DARE give me? - Andrew
It depends where you have applied to for Physiotherapy, the points and DARE places vary from college to college. - Brian
Some people are saying offers can come out at 12pm instead of 2pm and that if you don’t receive a text at 12 you’re not offered a course… - Ella
Bulk emails will begin at noon. They will arrive with applicants at different stages. If you haven’t received a test or email by 2pm login to your account and you will see any offers you may have received there. - Brian
If I get offered and accept my second place option. Can I still get offered my first place if spaces open up, or an appeal improves my overall points? - Bob
Yes, absolutely. When offered and you accept your second choice you will still remain in the running for a higher choice, which in this case is your first choice. - Brian
I got an offer for my third choice but I’m thinking of letting it lapse. If I don’t accept this offer does that mean that anything below my third choice is cancelled or will it still be available in the subsequent round offers? - Niamh.
Yes, once you are offered your 3rd choice all lower choices will essentially disappear from your application and you will never be offered them. You can only hope to move up your preference list but never go down. - Brian
