The Central Applications Office (CAO) normal application deadline closed at 5pm on Thursday, 1 February 2024. The application figure to this deadline was 77,049.
This figure does not represent the total number of expected CAO applicants for 2024, as a late application facility opens on 5 March and closes on the 1 May at 5pm.
A Change of Course Choices facility will become available on the CAO website on 6 February for all registered applicants. This facility can be used by mature applicants to add course choices and for applicants who have forgotten to include a restricted course on their CAO application – a fee of €10 applies.
Most applicants will use the free Change of Mind facility which opens on 7 May and closes on 1 July at 5pm.
Speaking about the application process, Head of Communications for CAO, Eileen Keleghan, commented, “Most applicants who have already applied to CAO will have opportunities to change their course choices in May or June for no extra charge. If an applicant has forgotten to apply for a restricted course, or if they are a mature applicant wishing to make changes to their courses, they should avail of our Change of Course Choices facility which opens on the 6 February and is available until 5pm on 1 March for a fee of 10 euro”.
“The Late Application facility can be used by most applicants, however restrictions apply in the case of mature applicants. This facility becomes available on the 5 March and closes on the 1 May at 5pm. The Late Application fee is €60 for online applications,” she said.
Mature applicants are required to complete the Mature Applicant section of the CAO form by 1 March at 5pm.
Applicants for the DARE and/or HEAR schemes should have applied by the 1 February deadline, and must complete the online forms by the 1 March at 5pm. The deadline for submission of supporting documents for the DARE/HEAR schemes is 15 March at 5pm, and CAO advises such applicants to allow sufficient time to gather and submit the relevant documentation.
The CAO website contains a number of resources for CAO applicants including CAO Video Guides, a copy of the CAO Handbook, and resources for parents and guardians. Visit www.cao.ie for more information.
CAO Application Figures 2024
Applications to the early online closing date 20 Jan at 17:00 = 64,013
Applications to 1 February at 17:00 = 77,049
CAO Application Figures 2023
Applications to the early online closing date 20 Jan at 17:00 = 65,063
Applications to 1 February at 17:00 = 78,184
CAO Application Figures 2022
Applications to the early online closing date 20 Jan at 17:00 = 65,535
Applications to 1 February at 17:00 = 78,162
CAO Application Figures 2021
Applications to the early online closing date 20 Jan at 17:15 = 66,457
Applications to 1 February at 17:15 = 79,303
CAO Application Figures 2020
Applications to the early online closing date 20 Jan at 17:15 = 61,387
Applications to 1 February at 17:15 = 73,035
CAO Application Figures 2019
Applications to the early online closing date 20 Jan at 17:15 = 59,671
Applications to 1 February at 17:15 = 73,157
Important Dates
CAO Change of Course Choices facility for registered applicants opens on 6 February and closes on 1 March at 5pm – a fee of €10 applies.
HEAR and/or DARE applicants must have applied to CAO by 1 February at 5pm. HEAR or DARE applicants have until 1 March at 5pm to complete their online HEAR or DARE form. HEAR or DARE applicants must submit their supporting documentation to CAO by 15 March at 5pm.
Mature applicants who have registered on the system by the 1 of February at 5pm have until the 1 March at 5pm to complete the mature applicant section of the application form.
The CAO Late Application facility opens on 5 March at noon and closes on 1 May at 5pm – restrictions apply.
The CAO Change of Mind Facility opens on 7 May and closes at 5pm on 1 July. This facility is free of charge – restrictions apply.
