Making an application to CAO on the basis of Other School Leaving qualifications
You must tick category 4 in the Qualifications and Assessments Summary and supply the relevant supporting documents.
Please provide details of Other School Leaving exams and the years they were completed in the Qualifications and Assessment section of your CAO application.
Describe the examinations briefly, including details of the National or European framework level where relevant.
What are Other School Leaving Examinations?
The Other School Leaving Examinations category includes (but is not limited to) the following:
Leaving Cert Applied
School Leaving Exams outside of UK & Ireland
Baccalaureate
Scottish Exams
Pre 1985 Irish Leaving Certificate
Pre 2006 UK GCE/GCSEs
BTEC Levels 1-3
GNVQs
VCEs
Irish Matric Exams
ICCE, FSMQ, and Cambridge Technical Awards
Prior Year Trinity Matriculation Examinations
Non-Current year Pre-U
Qualifications not already included under categories 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, or 7
What supporting documents do I need to supply?
Other School Leaving applicants are required to submit final examination results, accompanying translations (if required), and evidence of proficiency in English (if required).
Please see Entry requirements criteria for EU/EFTA/UK applicants for specific requirements for your country: CAO EU/EFTA/UK entry requirements.
DO NOT submit predicted grades or a personal statement. Only certificates/statement of results produced by an examining authority will suffice.
You must retain original copies of your transcripts or certificates as you may be required to present these to HEIs in advance of registration. Failure to present the required documents upon request of a HEI may result in a HEI withdrawing an offer of a place or declining to register you as a student.
If you are an IB candidate for May 2027:
Ask your school’s IB Coordinator to add “Central Applications Office (CAO)” to the list of institutions allowed to access your results.
You will also need to provide your IB Candidate Number (3 letters + 3 numbers) so the CAO can match your results correctly.
An official translation is one which is carried out by a professional translation service provider.
What evidence of English language proficiency do I need to supply?
Applicants may also be required to provide evidence of English language proficiency. For further information on English Language proficiency please see the CAO EU/EFTA/UK entry requirements or contact the Admissions Office of the institution that you wish to apply to for more information: CAO HEI contact information.
When will I be notified of an offer?
Applicants applying on the basis of Other School Leaving qualifications (regardless of year completed) are considered in Round One and subsequent rounds.
What is the deadline for submitting my documents?
You are advised to supply your supporting documents to CAO as soon as possible. In respect of examinations already taken, evidence should be sent to CAO within 10 days of registering with CAO. Evidence of the results of examinations which are being taken in the current year must be sent to CAO as soon as they are available and must be with CAO a minimum of 12 days before the relevant offer round. HEIs may consider documentation received after this date, but there is a risk it may not be considered until a subsequent round.
How will my qualifications be assessed?
Other School Leaving qualifications are assessed by the Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). You will need to check with individual HEI Admissions Offices for information on how your qualifications will be assessed.
Please note: Candidates born and fully educated outside the Republic of Ireland who are presenting qualifications other than the Irish Leaving Certificate for matriculation are automatically exempt from Irish and do not need to make an application for an exemption.