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CAO applications for 2022-2023

CAO applications for the academic year 2022-2023 open from 5 November 2021.

You can apply to participating higher education institutions though the CAO portal. You can also find information on your options for further education and apprenticeships.

Closing date and late applications

The closing date for CAO applications is 1 February 2022.

You can make a late application until 5pm on 1 May 2022.

You will not be considered for HEAR or DARE or assessed as a mature student, if you make a late application.

Applications for some restricted courses cannot be made after 1 February.

Applying to college

You apply for almost all full-time undergraduate courses through the Central Applications Office (CAO). The undergraduate courses in the universities and institutes of technology include Higher Certificates – Level 6, Ordinary Bachelor degrees – Level 7 and Honours Bachelor degrees – Level 8. You can find more information about these qualifications in our document on third-level education in Ireland.

The CAO provides a handbook that lists all the courses on offer and gives information on how to apply.

There is no central applications body for Post-Leaving Certificate (PLC) courses. Students must apply directly to the individual colleges.

The CAO application fees for 2022-2023:

ApplicationRate
Online discounted rate by 20 January€30
Online application by 1 February€45
Late online application by 1 May€60

You can change your course choices online up to 1 February, free of charge. Changes made from 5 February to 1 March cost €10.

The Change of Mind facility from 5 May to 1 July is free.

Key dates for CAO applications for 2022-2023

5 November 2021 – Online applications open at 12 noon

20 January 2022- Closing date for online applications at discounted fee.

1 February – Normal closing date for applications

March and April – Interviews and portfolio presentations for most of restricted courses*

1 May – Closing date for late applications

5 May – Online change of mind facility opens

1 July – Final date for changing your mind about course selections on your previously submitted CAO form

July (to be confirmed) – Round A offers are made by the CAO (for applicants who are not awaiting their grades for the 2021 Leaving Certificate for example mature students, candidates who deferred places, people who need visas and some others)

August (to be confirmed) – Round Zero offers are made by the CAO (for graduate entry medicine candidates and some other categories)

September (to be confirmed) – Leaving Certificate results come out

September (to be confirmed) – Round One offers are made by the CAO

September (to be confirmed) – Closing date for acceptance of Round One offers

September (to be confirmed) – Round Two offers are made by the CAO

September (to be confirmed) – Closing date for acceptance of Round Two offers

Offers will be issued as necessary to fill any vacancies

October (to be confirmed) – offers end

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