Entry to the vast majority of higher-level education courses in Ireland is decided by the CAO points competition. These points are generated solely by performance in one sitting of the Irish Leaving Cert. The points range from 100 for a grade A1 in a higher-level subject, to 5 for a D3 in a pass subject – please see the Leaving Certificate Points Calculation Grid accompanying this article. Only the best six results are counted, making the highest total possible 600 – although a number of colleges offer bonus points for higher-level Maths (e.g. University of Limerick), and in other cases, higher-level science subjects (e.g. Electrical & Electronic Engineering in DIT). Check with the individual institution to see if the bonus points option applies to your chosen course.

Once the Leaving results are announced in mid-August, it takes a few days for the CAO and the colleges to calculate how many points will be required for acceptance onto each course in the CAO system. This is done on an anonymous supply-and-demand system. If there are 40 places available on a course, the top 40 people who put the course as their first choice are offered a place in the first round of offers.

From looking at the 2007 CAO points, most people have a fair idea of whether or not they will be offered a course as soon as they get their results, but there is still plenty of uncertainty until the offers actually arrive.

The CAO points tables (printed in the paper or online) state the lowest number of points required in order to be offered a place. If the CAO points for a course is 300, this means that if you get 300 or more points you will be offered a place (unless there are too many people who have exactly 300 points, in which case people are chosen at random – which is very unfortunate for those who miss out). The points required then decreases in the subsequent rounds of offers, as people decline their offer of a place, opening up opportunities for students with lower points totals.

Points are determined by the number of places on offer, the overall number of applicants, and their success rate. Each year the points for each course change so it can be impossible to know how many points are needed to get onto a given course. Perhaps the best guide for students is to look at the number of points needed for entry onto the course the previous year. The points needed for entry onto courses have been consistently lowering in recent years, with the exception of courses in the medical and paramedical areas. Click here for a full list of the required points for level 8 courses in 2007, and click here for a full list of the required points for level 6 and 7 courses in 2007.

In 2007, 65,883 students applied to the CAO for a place on a level 6, 7, or 8 course. At the end of the application process 39,915 students, making up over 60 percent of applicants, had accepted a place on a course offered to them. However, this doesn’t mean that 40 percent failed to get a place – some opted to study outside of Ireland, or at private colleges, or deferred places, or opted out of accepting their places.

Offers are sent through the post, and are also available to view on the CAO website. Some people will receive an offer from both lists on the CAO form (Level 8 and Levels 6 & 7). You should only accept one or the other. You accept an offer either by filling in the form that arrives by post, or by accessing the website. Accept either by post or online; if you use both methods it confuses the system. You should receive an acknowledgement of acceptance from the CAO within three working days of the ‘Reply Date’ stated on the offer. Anyone who doesn’t receive an offer in the first round remains in the running for round two and may receive an offer then

The second round of offers takes place about a week later – the expected date is August 29th. Some people who didn’t receive an offer first time round will now be offered a place, while others who have already accepted an offer will have the chance to move to a course which was higher up on their list of preferences. Once you accept a new offer, it automatically cancels any previous acceptance. The place you previously accepted is then offered to someone else. Further rounds continue until all available places are filled.

There are usually some vacant places left after all the rounds of offers have been completed. These are listed on the CAO website. Any students who have not been offered a course, or who have not yet accepted an offer, can then apply for these vacant places. It is also possible for students who have not applied through the CAO to enter the system at this stage and take a vacant place.
 
It is vitally important that you are in a position to accept an offer when it is made. There is a deadline attached to all offers, and if one passes without your acceptance, it is assumed you don’t want the place and you’ll have missed your chance. The CAO recommends you are either present at your correspondence address while the offer process is unfolding in late August/early September, or that you have a trusted person taking care of the correspondence for you. The whole acceptance/ rejection correspondence takes place over the course of only a few weeks, so you have to be on the ball. There is no comeback if you ignore course offers and find yourself left with nothing. It is important to be extra careful and refer to your CAO handbook or contact the CAO directly if you have any problems or confusion.

Deferring
Some people decide that they don’t immediately want to take the course place they are offered, wishing instead to defer. It can be possible to defer a course and take your place in 12 months’ time. If you decide to do this, you should contact the admissions office of the college or university you wish to attend as soon as you receive your offer of a place, and they will inform you if it is possible.  You must then write to the college immediately, outlining why you are taking the year off, and attach your CAO offer to the letter.

And that’s all there is to it. Hopefully by this stage you will have been offered a course that you wanted and are preparing for life at third level. Good luck!