CAO

The History of the CAO

  • 1977, 5 Colleges with 69 courses.
  • 2019, 47 colleges with approximately 600 degree and 400 cert/ordinary degree courses.

The Choosing a Course

  • Course Choice
  • Think about:
    • Skills
    • Interest
    • Career

Informed decisions ensure right results

Sources of Information

  • CAO Handbook warning.
  • Publications.
  • Guidance Counsellors/teachers.
  • Current students/graduates/people doing that job.
  • Open days - College visits.
  • Parents/older siblings.
  • Internet & General Media.

Schedule of College Talks

  • IT Sligo 16 th October
  • Accountancy Apprenticeships 23 rd October
  • University of Ulster 6 th November
  • UCD 13 th November
  • DCU 20 th November
  • Maynooth University 27 th November
  • TUD 4 th December
  • LKIT 11 th December
  • Arts Degrees and Teaching 15 th January

2019 Applications

  • Approximately 60,000 Irish students sat the Leaving Certificate.
  • Just over CAO Applications 80,000
  • The difference results from people reapplying to the CAO having sat the Leaving Certifiate previously and students applying though Colleges of Further Education

Points

  • Realistic Expectations
  • (13.3 % > 5 0 0 points, average = 3 50 359 points)

New Points System

CareersPortal

C.A.O.

  • CAO Application Timetable
  • Closing Date -20th January €30 - €45 1st February (paper or on-line). Demo on CAO web site - www.cao.ie
  • 2 lists of 10 choices - level 8 and level 6/7
  • Restricted Application courses
  • Strict order of preference
  • Study ALL preferences carefully
  • Late Closing Date - 1st May
  • Check Application Record
  • Change-of-Mind 1st July (on-line)
  • Leaving Cert Results Normally Middle Wednesday in August

Change in Results and Offers arrangements

cao offers

Making a CAO Application

CAO 

CAO2

Points to Note

  • Select in order of preference not points.
  • Once you have the points for a particular course all courses below are deleted.
  • You then have to pick between your level 8 or 6 and 7 courses.
  • You may move up your list if points drop in round two or your points increase on a re-check of papers

Other Applications Related to the CAO

  • SUSI Grant - Early April
  • Exemptions – (Irish and 3rd Language)
  • HEAR Scheme
  • DARE Scheme

HEAR Scheme

HEAR

DARE Scheme

DARE

dareandhear2020

DARE Timeline

dareandhear timeline

HEAR Timeline

hear timeline

Tips for Success!!

  • Research course choices well
  • Attendance and follow-up work
  • Active in clubs and/or societies - meet new friends
  • Seek support and advice early if necessary
  • Try to get the BALANCE right

Alternative Entry Routes

  • Within the CAO System
  • UCAS
  • PLC’s
  • Apprenticeships

CAO1

UCAS

  • The UK version of the CAO
  • Closing Dates: 15th January for the majority courses.
  • Differences from the CAO
  • Personal Statement
  • Subjects
  • Apply for 5 courses and then choose from successful applications.

European Applications

  • Courses taught through English
  • EUNICAS – Support Website
  • Lower Entry Requirements
  • Often Cheaper Fees
  • Lower Cost of Living
  • Guy Fouch – Coming in to support students.

PLC’s

  • Irish Colleges that don’t fall under the CAO umbrella.
  • You have to apply to each college directly.
  • Offer some very artistic courses:
  • Ballyfermot or Dun Laoghaire
  • Allows re-entry into the CAO system.
  • Courses vary in quality.

Questions to Ask

  • What does the average student do after they finish the course.
  • Does it have links in order to get me to degree level.
  • Does this take course me to where I want to go.

Types of Colleges of Further Education Courses

  • Media/Drama
  • Outdoor & Animals
  • Performing Arts
  • Social Care & Childcare
  • Travel & Tourism
  • Science & Technology
  • Art and Design
  • Adventure Sports
  • Beauty Therapy
  • Business
  • Computing
  • Engineering
  • Leisure and Recreation

National Qualifications Framework

Framework

 

  • Primary Certificate
  • Primary Certificate 
  • Junior Certificate
  • Leaving Certificate
  • Leaving Certificate and QQI Qualifications
  • Higher Certificate
  • Ordinary Batchelor Degree
  • Honours Batchelor Degree and Postgraduate Diplomas
  • Masters Degree
  • Doctoral Degree

Post Graduate Options

postgrad options

Apprenticeships

  • Many Apprenticeships Offered.
  • Seven Phases: Four “on the job” phases and three college phases.
  • The key to getting an apprenticeship is getting a contact.

Conclusion

  • Choose courses that accommodate:
  • Skills
  • Interest
  • Career
  • Research is the key to good course selection.