Guidance, education and careers news

  1. Outdoor Education in Coláiste Dhúlaigh
  2. New Funding for AI-driven Digital Content Technology 
  3. BBC microbit workshop for primary teachers
  4. CAO Applications Feb 2021
  5. Art Courses now Open for Enrolment in Kinsale
  6. Guest Lectures in IT Carlow
  7. Thinking of a Career in Data?
  8. UCC Virtual Postgrad Expo
  9. 110 New Jobs to be Created by Huawei in Ireland

Guidance, education & careers news

  1. News from NCIRL
  2. OECD Education and Skills Newsletter
  3. Career in Law
  4. Virtual Recruitment Expo
  5. Postgrad Courses – Online
  6. Regional Skills Mid West Newsletter
  7. NUI Galway and LIFT Ireland to announce partnership on leadership programme
  8. Online Portfolio Submission in TU Dublin
  9. Maynooth University Live Talks and Q&A  – MU Live
  10. GMIT language lecturer awarded the French Government
  11. Try Horticulture Online Event
  12. Digital Teaching and Learning Seminar
  13. Updates from LYIT

Guidance, education & careers news

  1. Choosing Subjects for 3rd & 4th Year Students
  2. Dunboyne College Updates
  3. Regional Skills News from Mid West
  4. Scholarship opportunities at upcoming SME’s Virtual Open Days
  5. Changes to DARE Application Process
  6. South East Regional Skills Newsletter
  7. Further Education and Training – The many paths for Leaving Certs
  8. Sallynoggin College of Further Education Virtual Open Day
  9. We are losing Ice at a record rate

Guidance, careers & education news

  1. MTU Cork Live Q&A Webinar for CAO Applicants
  2. Software Developer Apprenticeship
  3. NCAD CEAD Open Day 2021
  4. Trinity receives funding to help students with disabilities
  5. Some Technology Trends for 2021
  6. News Items from WIT
  7. LIT Limerick School of Art & Design Digital Portfolio Guidelines
  8. LIT supports for CAO applicants
  9. Science Unmasked: Covid, Science and Policy
  10. Some Popular Shakespearean Phrases
  11. Synergy Careers launch of Memberships plans
  12. Coláiste Dhúlaigh CFE Showcase video
  13. Tools for Teaching About Climate Change
  14. Leaving Certificate Economics Teacher and Student Resource

Guidance, education & careers news

  1. Generation Apprenticeship Presentation
  2. WIT takes one-to-one approach
  3. Defence Forces Recruitment
  4. Goethe Institut News
  5. Guide to Working From Home
  6. Agricultural Science at UCD expands offering and choice
  7. Leaving Cert Guidance podcast for CAO Applicants
  8. University of Limerick receives quality stamp of approval
  9. Lake heatwaves to increase due to climate change
  10. New Student Testimonials from WIT
  11. Video Guide to Modules in 3rd Level for Guidance Counsellors & 6th Years
  12. CAO Scholarships in WIT
  13. WIT BA (Hons) in Music – Audition Dates

Guidance, education and careers news

  1. Virtual Recruitment Expo
  2. AHEAD are Hiring
  3. CAO Application’s to date
  4. DkIT’s Digital Pizza Parlour
  5. Scientific Exploration for Students at Home
  6. B.Sc. in Sport studies now on CAO
  7. CAO Contact Page for Guidance Counsellors
  8. CAO Video for 2021 Leaving Certificate Applicants
  9. Enhancing Digital Capacity in Teaching and Learning in Irish Universities
  10. Renewable Energy Summit 2021
  11. Studying in a European capital
  12. Event for Students of FE Colleges
  13. News items from WIT

What is the CAO?

By your final year in school, you will have experienced open days, assessments, psychometric tests, careers focussed classes and individual appointments. Hopefully you have narrowed down your course choices and are ready to begin the process of selecting course and putting them in order on the basis of preference, content, points, location and duration.

1. What is the CAO?

The CAO is a centralised applications system that processes all course applications into courses at universities and institutes of technology in the Republic of Ireland.

  • A demonstration on how to complete the CAO form is available here.
  • Note – there are a small number of similar courses available through private colleges (fee paying) which can be applied to directly – see Non CAO Courses.
  • Courses in the CAO system are funded by the state, although there is a substantial registration fee which all students must pay. This is also known as a ‘student contribution’ – it covers student services and examinations.
  • The amount of the contribution varies from one institution to another. The maximum rate of the student contribution for the academic year is currently €3,000.

Video Presentation of the CAO System

The CAO does not deal with FET / PLC applications or college applications outside the Republic of Ireland. It is just one of several options available to your child after 6th year. The other options are:

  • College in the UK
  • College in Europe or further afield
  • Post Leaving Cert Course
  • Repeat Leaving Cert
  • Apprenticeship
  • Job

What is a CAO Application Number? The CAO application number is the number assigned to candidates when they submit an application.

The number is unique to each individual and it is important to keep it safe and secure from interference by anyone.

Students often store the number on their phone along with PPSN and other important information. 

If everyone is agreeable it is useful for a parent of guardian to have a record of the number also.

Guidance, education & careers news

  1. Art Teachers Event in IADT
  2. Women in Medicine at NUI Galway
  3. Interested in a Career in the IT Industry?
  4. Time Management and Online Teaching
  5. Let’s Talk Equine webinars
  6. GMIT Launches Four New Phd Research Scholarships
  7. Drogheda Institute of Further Education Virtual Open Day
  8. Maynooth University Live Talks This Week
  9. News Items from Dunboyne College
  10. UCAS Extends January Deadline for all Applicants
  11. Inchicore College of Further Education Open Day
  12. Inchicore College of Further Education Online Open Day
  13. UCC Live Q&A