1. Make sure to carefully check your application and ensure that all of the course codes are correct and listed in order of preference.
2. When entering new courses or editing existing course choices applicants must list ALL courses on the New Choices list.
3. Use the online Change of Mind facility – it is quicker, easier and helps to reduce the opportunity for applicant error.
4. Carefully read any correspondence from CAO, including the ‘Statement of Course Choices’ which is sent to applicants after amendments are made to CAO course choices. Applicants will also receive an e-mail showing these changes.

1. Read the CAO handbook, then go to www.cao.ie and click on ‘Apply’.
2. Enter your personal information in the spaces provided.
3. Select the ‘Qualifications and Assessments’ section that is relevant to you. You may select more than one section if necessary.
4. Enter your payment details.
5. Create a password for your CAO account – you will need this password and your date of birth to log in to your account in future, so keep the details safe.
6. Click on ‘Proceed with Application’.
7. Wait for your application to be processed. If successful, your CAO application number and personal information will appear on the screen – you will also receive an email and an SMS text if you have selected this option.

1. Correction of errors or omissions in course choices (this facility will close on 1st March at 17:15)
   • If you have omitted any restricted courses you now have an opportunity to introduce these courses.
   • If you are a restricted category of applicant (e.g. mature) you must ensure your course choices are correct and complete before 1st March at 17:15.
   If you need to change course choices at this time go to 'My Application', log in to your account and, in the course choices section click on 'change course choices' (or add course choices) and follow the instructions. There is a 10 Euro charge for this service. A video guide to the Change of Course Choices facility is available online: http://www.cao.ie/index.php?page=video (click on "February Change of Course Choices").
2. Applications for supplementary entry schemes for applicants with disabilities and from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds, e.g. HEAR and DARE
   • If you wish to be considered for these schemes you must complete the appropriate sections of the CAO application form no later than 1st March at 17:15.
   • Supporting documentation for these schemes must arrive in CAO no later than 1st April at 17:15.
   See www.accesscollege.ie, the CAO Handbook and the CAO website for more details. Instructions for submitting a HEAR or DARE application may be found in the 'My Application' facility on the CAO website.
3. Mature applicant section If you are a mature applicant and you have not yet completed the mature section of the application form you can do so up to 1st March at 17:15 log in to your account via the 'My Application' facility and click on "Modify Qualification and Assessment Details".
4. Mature applicant for nursing/midwifery If you are applying for entry to nursing/midwifery on the basis of mature years you should take the following steps:
   • Register with PAS (or log in if you have previously registered) at www.publicjobs.ie
   • Apply to PAS before 22nd February under the job category 'Medical' sub category Nurse/Nurse Management'. If you have not received a confirmation email from the PAS within two days of submitting your application you should contact them at maturecode17@publicjobs.ie or phone 01-8587730.
   The course codes for mature entry to nursing/midwifery are the same as those used by standard applicants.
5. If you intend to apply for a grant (www.susi.ie) you may indicate this on your CAO online application (the closing date for you to indicate this on your CAO Application is 8th August at 17:15). CAO will then provide your identification, contact and offer/acceptance details to the grant authority (SUSI). Other than providing these details to the grant authority, CAO plays no role in the processing of grant applications. Grant applications should be made on the grant authority website www.susi.ie.
6. You should ensure that you will meet the minimum entry requirements of the courses you are applying for. The Higher Education Institution websites and prospectuses have details of these. There may be some concessions, such as exemption from minimum age requirements, Irish language and other language requirements, etc. You should contact the relevant Admissions Office and/or the NUI (www.nui.ie) for information on applying for exemptions.
7. Statement of Application Record We will post a Statement of Application Record to all applicants in May. You must check the statement carefully and contact us if anything is incorrect or omitted.
8. We will also contact you by email and/or text, so please regularly check the email account that you provided on your application. Please read the 2017 CAO Handbook carefully - the Handbook is available on the CAO website.

• Certificates/transcripts should be supplied in their original language and should show dates, subjects and results. They should NOT be originals (except for Graduate Medicine where original transcripts of results for all years are required); they should be certified A4 photocopies – certified typically by a school stamp, a HEI stamp or a Notary’s stamp. (CAO will not return original documents.)
• A certified English translation is required in the case of qualifications not issued originally in English or Irish, in addition to the certified A4 photocopies of the documents themselves.
• If your documentation is in a different name, e.g. by marriage or deed poll, then a certified copy of your marriage certificate or deed poll must also be provided. CAO cannot check that the documents supplied meet with the requirements of the institutions.

1. Register with PAS (or log in if you have previously registered) at www.publicjobs.ie.
2. Apply to PAS between the 2nd February and 22nd February under the job category ‘Medical’ sub category ‘Nurse/Nurse Management’. If you have not received a confirmation email from the PAS within two days of submitting your application you should contact them at maturecode17@publicjobs.ie or phone 01-8587730.

Correction of errors or omissions in course choices - use the Change of Course Choices facility before 1st March at 17:15

The Change of Course Choices facility should be used:

• If you have omitted any restricted courses from your application.

• If you are a restricted-category of applicant (e.g. mature) -  you must ensure that your course choices are correct and complete at this time.

If  you need to change your course choices go to 'My Application', log in to your account and, in the course choices section, click on 'change course choices' and follow the instructions. There is a €10 charge for this service up 1st March at 17:15.

To watch a video about the Change of Course Choices facility click here

Applications for supplementary entry schemes for applicants with disabilities and from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds, e.g. HEAR and DARE

• If you wish to be considered for these schemes you must complete the appropriate sections of the CAO application form no later than 17:15 on 1st March. 

• Supporting documentation for these schemes must arrive in CAO no later than 1st April at 17:15. 

• See www.accesscollege.ie, the CAO Handbook and the CAO website for details. 

• Instructions for submitting a HEAR or DARE application may be found in the 'My Application' facility on the CAO website.

Mature applicant section

If you are a mature applicant and you have not yet completed the mature section of the application form, you can do so up to the 1st March at 5:15 pm - login to your account via the 'My Application' facility. 

If you intend to apply for a grant (www.susi.ie) you may indicate this on your CAO online application

CAO will then provide your Identification, Contact and Offer/Acceptance details to the grant authority (SUSI). Other than providing these details to the grant authority, CAO plays no role in the processing of grant applications. Grant applications should be made on the grant authority website www.susi.ie.

Check that you meet minimum entry requirements

You should ensure that you will meet the minimum entry requirements of the courses you are applying for.  The Higher Education Institution websites and prospectuses have details of these. There may be some concessions such as exemption from minimum age requirements, Irish language and other language requirements. You should contact the relevant Admissions Office and/or the NUI (www.nui.ie) for information on applying for exemptions.

Statement of Application Record 

We will send a Statement of Application Record to all applicants in May. You must check the statement carefully and contact us if anything is incorrect or amiss. We will also contact you by email and text, so please regularly check the email account that you provided on your application.

Please read the 2016 CAO Handbook carefully - the Handbook is available on the CAO website.

• That all of the course codes you have listed are correct and in your order of preference.
• When entering new courses, or editing existing course choices, you must list ALL courses on the new choices list - you should also check the minimum entry requirements and any restrictions that apply.
• Carefully read any correspondence from CAO.
• If you are returning the paper Change of Mind form please remember to make a photocopy of this form and obtain a certificate of postage.

• Check the information on the Statement of Application Record and follow the instructions on it.
• Do not assume course choices are correct – check course codes against CAO handbook and ensure they are in the desired order of preference.
• Ensure that you provide details of any exams being taken this year or any exams taken in previous years. All examinations must be shown.
• Is your Examination Number Correct – Do not assume that it is, check it against the numbers supplied by your school or other authority.
• If you are seeking exemption from minimum entry requirements such as Irish or a third or modern language you must contact the admissions office of the Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) you are applying to (in the case of NUI institutions contact the NUI, see www.nui.ie for details).
• If you have been granted exemption from the NUI Irish (and/or third language) requirement and there is no reference to it on the Statement of Application Record please notify us immediately.
• Please check that your personal details are correct.

1. Correction of errors or omissions in course choices (this facility will close on March 1st at 17:15):
   1. If you have omitted any restricted courses you now have an opportunity to introduce these courses.
   2. If you are a restricted category of applicant (e.g. mature) you must ensure your course choices are correct and complete at this time.
   If you need to change course choices at this time go to 'My Application', log in to your account and, in the course choices section, click on 'change course choices' and follow the instructions. There is a €10 charge for this service.
2. Applications for supplementary entry schemes for applicants with disabilities and from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds, e.g. HEAR and DARE.
   If you wish to be considered for these schemes you must complete the appropriate sections of the CAO application form no later than 17:15 on March 1st.
   Supporting documentation for these schemes must arrive in CAO no later than April 1st at 17:15.
   See www.accesscollege.ie, the CAO Handbook and the CAO website for details.
   Instructions for submitting a HEAR or DARE application may be found in the 'My Application' facility on the CAO website.
3. If you intend to apply for a grant (www.susi.ie), you may indicate this on your CAO online application (the closing date for you to indicate this on your CAO Application is August 8th at 17:15). CAO will then provide your Identification, Contact and Offer/Acceptance details to the grant authority (SUSI). Other than providing these details to the grant authority, CAO plays no role in the processing of grant applications. Grant applications should be made on the grant authority website www.susi.ie.
4. You should ensure that you will meet the minimum entry requirements of the courses you are applying for.
   The Higher Education Institution websites and prospectuses have details of these. There may be some concessions such as exemption from minimum age requirements, Irish language and other language requirements, etc. You should contact the relevant Admissions Office and/or the NUI (www.nui.ie) for information on applying for exemptions.
5. Statement of Application Record
   We will send a Statement of Application Record to all applicants in May. You must check the statement carefully and contact us if anything is incorrect or amiss. We will also contact you by email and text, so please regularly check the email account that you provided on your application.

• Certificates/transcripts should be supplied in their original language and should show dates, subjects and results.
• They should NOT be originals (except for Graduate Medicine where original transcripts of results for all years are required); they should be certified A4 photocopies – certified typically by a school stamp, a HEI stamp or a Notary’s stamp. (CAO will not return original documents.)
• A certified English translation is required in the case of qualifications not issued originally in English or Irish, in addition to the certified A4 photocopies of the documents themselves.
• If your documentation is in a different name, either by marriage or deed poll, then a certified copy of your marriage certificate or deed poll must also be provided. CAO cannot check that the documents supplied meet with the requirements of the institutions.

1. Complete all ten choices on the Level 8 and Level 7/6 list. This is not compulsory, but it will give you more options at offer season.
2. Place your course choices in genuine order of preference, with your preferred course as your number one, your second favourite as number two, and so on. Do not order your courses based on what you think the points will be, or how well you think you will do in your examinations.
3. Make sure that you fully understand the course content for the courses that you are applying for, and make sure that you meet the minimum entry requirements. It is important to note that even if you get the points for your chosen course you will not get offered a place if you don’t have the minimum entry requirements.

1. That all of the course codes you have listed are correct and in your order of preference.
2. When entering new courses or editing existing course choices you must list ALL courses on the new choices list - you should also check the minimum entry requirements and any restrictions that apply.
3. Carefully read any correspondence from CAO.
4. If you are returning the paper Change of Mind form please remember to make a photocopy of this form and obtain a certificate of postage.

1. Complete all ten choices on the Level 8 and Level 7/6 list. This is not compulsory, but it will give you more options at offer season.
2. Place your course choices in genuine order of preference, with your preferred course as your number one, your second favourite as number two, and so on. Do not order your courses based on what you think the points will be, or how well you think you will do in your examinations.
3. Make sure that you fully understand the course content for the courses that you are applying for, and make sure that you meet the minimum entry requirements. It is important to note that even if you get the points for your chosen course you will not get offered a place if you don’t have the minimum entry requirements.

** You may be able to apply for a restricted course after the 1st March Change of Course Choices deadline if you have already applied for a different restricted course with identical assessment procedures. You will need to consult the HEI directly to discuss if this is possible.