CINXE.COM
Central Applications Office
<!DOCTYPE html> <!--[if IE 7]> <html class="no-js lt-ie9" lang="en"> <![endif]--> <!--[if IE 8]> <html class="no-js lt-ie9" lang="en"> <![endif]--> <!--[if gt IE 8]><!--> <html class="no-js" lang="en"> <!--<![endif]--> <head> <meta charset="UTF-8" /> <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width" /> <meta name="description" content="The Central Applications Office (CAO) processes applications for undergraduate courses in Irish Higher Education Institutions." /> <title>Central Applications Office</title> <link rel="stylesheet" href="include/foundation/css/normalize.css" /> <link rel="stylesheet" href="include/foundation/css/foundation.min.css" /> <link rel="stylesheet" href="include/cao14.css"> <link rel="apple-touch-icon" href="icons/apple-touch-icon.png"> <link rel="apple-touch-icon-precomposed" sizes="57x57" href="icons/apple-touch-icon-57x57.png" /> <link rel="apple-touch-icon-precomposed" sizes="114x114" href="icons/apple-touch-icon-114x114.png" /> <link rel="apple-touch-icon-precomposed" sizes="72x72" href="icons/apple-touch-icon-72x72.png" /> <link rel="apple-touch-icon-precomposed" sizes="144x144" href="icons/apple-touch-icon-144x144.png" /> <link rel="apple-touch-icon-precomposed" sizes="60x60" href="icons/apple-touch-icon-60x60.png" /> <link rel="apple-touch-icon-precomposed" sizes="120x120" href="icons/apple-touch-icon-120x120.png" /> <link rel="apple-touch-icon-precomposed" sizes="76x76" href="icons/apple-touch-icon-76x76.png" /> <link rel="apple-touch-icon-precomposed" sizes="152x152" href="icons/apple-touch-icon-152x152.png" /> <link rel="icon" type="image/png" href="icons/favicon-196x196.png" sizes="196x196" /> <link rel="icon" type="image/png" href="icons/favicon-96x96.png" sizes="96x96" /> <link rel="icon" type="image/png" href="icons/favicon-32x32.png" sizes="32x32" /> <link rel="icon" type="image/png" href="icons/favicon-16x16.png" sizes="16x16" /> <link rel="icon" type="image/png" href="icons/favicon-128.png" sizes="128x128" /> <meta name="application-name" content="Central Applications Office"/> <meta name="msapplication-TileColor" content="#FFFFFF" /> <meta name="msapplication-TileImage" content="icons/mstile-144x144.png" /> <meta name="msapplication-square70x70logo" content="icons/mstile-70x70.png" /> <meta name="msapplication-square150x150logo" content="icons/mstile-150x150.png" /> <meta name="msapplication-wide310x150logo" content="icons/mstile-310x150.png" /> <meta name="msapplication-square310x310logo" content="icons/mstile-310x310.png" /> <link rel="image_src" href="icons/fblogo.png"> <script src="include/foundation/js/vendor/custom.modernizr.js"></script> <script src="include/foundation/js/vendor/jquery.js"></script> <script> function SetCookie(c_name,value,expiredays) { var exdate=new Date() exdate.setDate(exdate.getDate()+expiredays) document.cookie=c_name+ "=" +escape(value)+"; SameSite=Strict; path=/"+((expiredays==null) ? "" : ";expires="+exdate.toGMTString()) } </script></head> <body> <div id="caoModal" class="reveal-modal"></div> <div class="top-bar-div hide-for-print"> <nav class="top-bar hide-for-1000plus"> <ul class="title-area"> <!-- Title Area --> <li class="name"> <h1 class="long-title"><a href="#moremenu">Central Applications Office</a></h1> <h1 class="short-title"><a href="#moremenu">CAO</a></h1> </li> <!-- Remove the class "menu-icon" to get rid of menu icon. Take out "Menu" to just have icon alone --> <li class="toggle-topbar menu-icon"><a href="#"><span>Menu</span></a></li> </ul> <section class="top-bar-section"> <!-- Right Nav Section --> <ul class="right"><li class="blue"><a href="http://www.cao.ie/index.php"><i class="fi-home"></i> Home</a></li> <li class="red"><a href="https://www.cao.ie/apply.php?page=myapp"><i class="fi-star"></i> My Application</a></li> <li class="green"><a href="https://www.cao.ie/apply.php"><i class="fi-clipboard-pencil"></i> Apply</a></li> <li class="purple"><a href="http://www.cao.ie/courses.php"><i class="fi-page-search"></i> Courses</a></li> <li class="orange"><a href="http://www.cao.ie/handbook.php"><i class="fi-book"></i> Handbook</a></li> <li class="yellow"><a href="http://www.cao.ie/index.php?page=contact"><i class="fi-telephone"></i> Contact</a></li> <li class="show-for-small"><a href="#moremenu"><i class="fi-list"></i> More...</a></li> </ul> </section> </nav> </div> <a href="#moremenu" id="morelink" class="morelink button secondary">☰</a> <div class="row hide-for-1000plus"> <div class="small-12 columns centre"> <span id="logged-in-small"></span> </div> </div><div class="eucookielaw hide-for-print" id="eucookielaw"> <div class="row"> <div class="large-9 columns eucookietext"> <b>Cookie Consent:</b> We use necessary cookies to make our site work. In particular, secure encrypted session cookies are necessary to allow secure progression through the various elements of the online 'apply' and 'my application' services. Session cookies are deleted automatically when the browser is closed. <br><br> Additional cookies are required to use services from third parties such as Site Search 360 (site search), Prospectus Plus (interactive handbook) and IBM (Virtual Assistant). If you wish to use these services you must accept additional cookies. <br><br> For more details, please see our <a href="http://www2.cao.ie/privacy.php" target="_blank" title="Privacy Statement">privacy statement</a>. <br><br> </div> <div class="large-3 columns eucookietext"> <a class="button secondary" id="functcookie">Reject Additional Cookies</a> <a class="button" id="acceptcookie">Accept Additional Cookies</a> </div> </div> </div> <script> if( document.cookie.indexOf("cookie_consent") ===-1 ){ $("#eucookielaw").show(); } $("#functcookie").click(function () { SetCookie('cookie_consent','0',180); $("#eucookielaw").remove(); }); $("#acceptcookie").click(function () { SetCookie('cookie_consent','1',180); $("#eucookielaw").remove(); }); </script> <div class="menu border-blue show-for-1000plus hide-for-print"> <div class="row menu-bar"> <ul class="button-group desktop-menu "> <li><img src="images/cao.png" alt="CAO logo" /></li><li class="blue"><a href="http://www.cao.ie/index.php"><i class="fi-home"></i> Home</a></li> <li class="red"><a href="https://www.cao.ie/apply.php?page=myapp"><i class="fi-star"></i> My Application</a></li> <li class="green"><a href="https://www.cao.ie/apply.php"><i class="fi-clipboard-pencil"></i> Apply</a></li> <li class="purple"><a href="http://www.cao.ie/courses.php"><i class="fi-page-search"></i> Courses</a></li> <li class="orange"><a href="http://www.cao.ie/handbook.php"><i class="fi-book"></i> Handbook</a></li> <li class="yellow"><a href="http://www.cao.ie/index.php?page=contact"><i class="fi-telephone"></i> Contact</a></li> </ul> </div> <script> var currenttime = 'Sunday, 6 April 2025 23:34:23' var montharray=new Array("January","February","March","April","May","June","July","August","September","October","November","December") var dayarray=new Array("Sunday","Monday","Tuesday","Wednesday","Thursday","Friday","Saturday") var serverdate=new Date(currenttime) function padlength(what){ var output=(what.toString().length==1)? "0"+what : what return output } function displaytime(){ serverdate.setSeconds(serverdate.getSeconds()+1) var datestring=padlength(dayarray[serverdate.getDay()]+", "+serverdate.getDate())+" "+montharray[serverdate.getMonth()]+" "+serverdate.getFullYear() var timestring=padlength(serverdate.getHours())+":"+padlength(serverdate.getMinutes()) document.getElementById("servertime").textContent=datestring+" "+timestring } function printpage(){ alert('Please note that it is your responsibility to ensure your printer is in good working order.'); window.print(); } </script> <div class="row"> <div class="large-3 columns server-time"> <span id="servertime" class="smalltext">Sunday, 6 April 2025 23:34</span> </div> <div class="large-6 columns centre"> <span class="smalltext" id="logged-in"></span> </div> <div class="large-3 columns text-right"> <span class="smalltext"> <a href="http://www.cao.ie/index.php?ln=i">As Gaeilge</a> | <a href="javascript:printpage();">Print Page</a> </span> </div> </div> </div> <!-- End Header and Nav --> <section class="mainandsidebar"> <div class="row mainandsubmenu"> <div class="large-10 push-2 columns maincontent"><script> function changevideo(videoid, videotitle){ var videolink = "//player.vimeo.com/video/" + videoid + "?byline=0"; document.getElementById('caovideoframe').src=videolink; document.getElementById('caovideodiv').style.display="block"; document.getElementById('videolistbutton').style.display="inline"; document.getElementById('videolist').style.display="none"; document.getElementById('videotitle').innerHTML= videotitle; } function hidevideo(){ document.getElementById('caovideodiv').style.display="none"; document.getElementById('videolistbutton').style.display="none"; document.getElementById('videolist').style.display="inline"; document.getElementById('videotitle').innerHTML= "CAO Video Guides"; } </script> <div class="row"> <div class="large-10 columns"> <h2 id="videotitle">CAO Video Guides</h2> </div> <div class="large-2 columns left inline"> <button id="videolistbutton" onclick="hidevideo();" class="small" style="display: none;">Video List</button> </div> </div> Please watch and share these video resources about the CAO Application process. You must read the CAO Handbook and follow the instructions provided in the application form before submitting an application. <p></p> <div id="caovideodiv" class="flex-video widescreen" style="display: none;"> <iframe id="caovideoframe" src="" webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen allowfullscreen></iframe> </div> <table id="videolist" class="fullwidthtable tablepadding"> <tbody><tr> <td> <a href="javascript:changevideo('80052547', 'Applying to CAO')"> <b> Applying to CAO </b> </a><br>This video presentation describes how the CAO application, offer and acceptance processes work.</td> </tr><tr> <td> <a href="javascript:changevideo('151786032', 'Obtaining your CAO application number')"> <b> Obtaining your CAO application number </b> </a><br>If you are starting your CAO application, this short video guide will provide some advice to guide you through the first step of the CAO application process. Once you have obtained your CAO application number, you can then login to your CAO account using the 'My Application facility' to edit your account. Please take note of the relevant deadlines and read the CAO handbook for more information. </td> </tr><tr> <td> <a href="javascript:changevideo('152400281', 'Editing your CAO application')"> <b> Editing your CAO application </b> </a><br>Once you have obtained your CAO application number, you can login to your account to add your course choices, edit some of your personal information, provide details of your qualifications and assessments, apply for HEAR and/or DARE, and also indicate if you want CAO to send your ID and course offer and acceptance details to SUSI. For a step-by-step guide to editing your CAO account, watch this short video guide. Please take note of the relevant deadlines and read the CAO handbook for more information.</td> </tr><tr> <td> <a href="javascript:changevideo('868799006', 'Personalised CAO Handbook guide')"> <b> Personalised CAO Handbook guide </b> </a><br>A step-by-step guide to using the CAO Personalised Handbook.</td> </tr><tr> <td> <a href="javascript:changevideo('646104610', 'CAO Virtual Information Evening for Students and Parents')"> <b> CAO Virtual Information Evening for Students and Parents </b> </a><br>Recording of event on 19/10/2021</td> </tr><tr> <td> <a href="javascript:changevideo('154717972', 'February Change of Course Choices')"> <b> February Change of Course Choices </b> </a><br>The Change of Course Choices facility is available from 7th February to 1st March at 17:15. This facility can be used by all registered applicants to add restricted courses to an application, or by restricted-category applicants who may be required to apply to an institution by the 1st of February deadline - a fee of €10 applies.</td> </tr><tr> <td> <a href="javascript:changevideo('417724441', 'Statement of Application Record')"> <b> Statement of Application Record </b> </a><br>A video guide explaining how to check that your CAO account information is complete and correct, and how to make changes to your application information if something is missing or incorrect.</td> </tr><tr> <td> <a href="javascript:changevideo('84849240', 'QQI FET/FETAC Applicants')"> <b> QQI FET/FETAC Applicants </b> </a><br>A guide to the application process and the scoring scheme for QQI FET/FETAC Applicants</td> </tr><tr> <td> <a href="javascript:changevideo('113724370', 'Mature Applicants')"> <b> Mature Applicants </b> </a><br>A guide to the CAO for Mature Applicants</td> </tr><tr> <td> <a href="javascript:changevideo('86519317', 'CAO Change of Mind Facility')"> <b> CAO Change of Mind Facility </b> </a><br>A guide to the CAO Change of Mind facility.</td> </tr><tr> <td> <a href="javascript:changevideo('102134759', 'The CAO Offer Process')"> <b> The CAO Offer Process </b> </a><br>A short video guide to the CAO Offer and Acceptance Process.</td> </tr><tr> <td> <a href="javascript:changevideo('103645850', 'Available Places')"> <b> Available Places </b> </a><br>A short guide to the CAO Available Places facility.</td> </tr></tbody> </table> </div> <div class="large-2 pull-10 columns hide-for-print "> <ul class="side-nav"><li id="moremenu" class="show-for-small text-right"><a href="#"><i class="fi-arrow-up"></i> Top</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.cao.ie/index.php?page=hei">Contact a HEI</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.cao.ie/index.php?page=studentresources">Applicant Resources</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.cao.ie/index.php?page=downloads">Downloads</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.cao.ie/index.php?page=importantdates">Important Dates</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.cao.ie/index.php?page=haq">Have a Question?</a></li> <li class="divider"></li> <li><a href="http://www.cao.ie/index.php?page=mature">Mature Applicants</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.cao.ie/index.php?page=accessroutes">Access Routes<br>DARE / HEAR</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.cao.ie/index.php?page=scoring&s=fetac">QQI FET/FETAC</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.cao.ie/index.php?page=medentry">Entry to Medicine</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.cao.ie/index.php?page=restrictions">Restrictions</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.cao.ie/index.php?page=parents">Parents / Guardians</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.cao.ie/index.php?page=schools">Guidance / Schools</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.cao.ie/index.php?page=mediastats">Media and Statistics</a></li> <li class="divider"></li> <li><a href="http://www.cao.ie/index.php?page=weblinks">Useful Links</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.cao.ie/index.php?page=contact">Contact Us</a></li> <li class="show-for-small divider"></li> <li class="show-for-small"><a href="http://www.cao.ie/index.php?ln=i">As Gaeilge</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </section> <!-- Footer --> <div class="footer-container border-blue hide-for-print"> <footer class="row centre"> <div class="twelve columns"> <!-- <hr /> --> <div class="row"><script> function openCopyright(URL) { copyrightWindow=window.open(URL,"copyrightwindow","toolbar=no,width=650,height=420,status=no,scrollbars=yes,resize=yes,resizable=yes,menubar=no"); if (window.focus) { copyrightWindow.focus(); } } </script> <div> Central Applications Office Ltd. - Registered in Ireland Number 53983 - Registered Office: Tower House, Eglinton Street, Galway. <br><br><a href="javascript:openCopyright('http://www2.cao.ie/copyright.php');">Copyright © 2025</a> - All Rights Reserved - <a href="http://www2.cao.ie/privacy.php" target="_blank" title="Privacy Statement">CAO Privacy Statement</a> (c4) <br><br><a href="http://www.cao.ie/index.php?page=aboutCAO"><u>About CAO</u></a> | <a href="http://www.cao.ie/index.php?page=privacy"><u>Data Privacy</u></a> | <a href="http://www.cao.ie/index.php?page=mediastats"><u>Media and Statistics</u></a> </div> </div> </div> </footer> </div> <script src="include/foundation/js/vendor/jquery.js"></script> <script src="include/foundation/js/foundation.min.js"></script> <script> $(document).foundation(); </script> <script src="include/js/onscroll.js"></script> <script>window.onscroll = function() {scrollFunction()};</script> <script> setInterval("displaytime()", 1000); </script></body> </html>