Welcome to The Irish Times CAO Helpdesk for 2026. Using the form below, you can submit any questions you have about this year’s process, from points and Leaving Cert results, to appeals, deferrals and more.
Our education experts Deirdre Garrett and Brian Howard will be answering your questions from 11am today to give you quick and clear feedback as you navigate college offers, choices and deciding your next steps over the coming days. You can read their answers below.
That’s a wrap on another day of The Irish Times CAO Helpdesk. Our education experts will return on Wednesday August 26th at 1pm to answer more of your questions as the CAO issues Round 1 offers to candidates. Thanks to all for your queries over the weekend.
What are the chances of points for Law in UCC going down? She got 531 — a point off from last year. - Louise
There is every chance of this happening. Remain positive and hope the reduction in PMA will work in her favour. - Brian
The system is too hard on students
I reluctantly have to study abroad because, even after getting above 500 points, it’s still not enough to study in my home country. The system is too hard on hard working students. - Emily
Yes, I agree, although the government do finally seem to be making an effort to increase the number of places on courses which require high points, which have forced students to go abroad to pursue such courses at their own expense. The good news is that many students who have studied abroad have really enjoyed their time there and have received very good qualifications leading to great careers. - Brian
What are the chances of getting a Round 5 offer after appeals and getting into college that year? - Joshua
Generally, I would say good. It does happen for many people, but it very much depends on the course. - Brian
I really want to be a paramedic in University of Limerick. I only got 307 points but I have a full driver’s license. Is there anything I can do that would get me through to be a paramedic? - Meabh
LM103 has some places reserved for PLC applicants; any one of these programmes are acceptable:
- 5M2181
- 5M3782
- 5M4339
- 5M4349
- 5M4468
- 5M4732
You could consider applying for one of these and reapplying through the CAO next year. There is also a new apprenticeship to be a paramedic. Have a look at this link to read the details.
My daughter would like to pursue a career in physiotherapy. However, she thinks she did not get enough points to do it. What are the other pathways into this area of study/career? Thank you. - Emma
There are a few pathways into physiotherapy.
- Get an undergraduate degree through the CAO.
- Do a related degree in something like athletic therapy or sports science and follow this with a masters in Physiotherapy in Ireland or UK.
- Do a degree in a Physiotherapy undergraduate programme in a university in the UK or EU. These would be the main routes.
- Brian
How quickly are appeals and checks done to secure a college spot? - Erin
The hope is that appeal results will be out on September 25th. This depends on the number of appeal applications, with a final round of CAO offers very shortly after this date. - Brian
Law in Dublin on Available Places?
Are there usually many Law courses in Dublin available on the Available Places page after offers are out? - Luka
If there are law courses they tend to be in private colleges and in the past I have seen Level 6 legal courses. - Brian
Will Veterinary Medicine UCD points go up? Percentage increase applications? - Grainne
Based on the February 1st stats from the CAO, the number of first preference applications in the Veterinary area was up by 53 per cent. This is a remarkable jump, probably fuelled by all the talk about the two new Veterinary Medicine courses. This may have changed by the July 1st closing date for changes to the CAO. How all of this will impact the points for Veterinary Medicine in UCD, no one can tell yet. There is extra demand but there is also extra supply of places for Veterinary in Ireland. How it will impact the existing single course, we are not sure. The hope is that the points will at the least stay as they are and not increase. - Brian
I got 468 points in my Leaving Cert. I didn’t get enough for my first choice in Trinity, but I did get enough for my second choice in UCD (DN530 at 462 points). However, I’ve realised now that I actually want my third choice of MH101 Arts in Maynooth. I want the points to go up in UCD so I don’t have to go. If the points don’t go up and I get in, do I have any option besides rejecting the offer and reapplying to Maynooth next year? Thanks. - Molly
I’m afraid not. If you are offered your second choice in UCD then you will not be offered anything below this and you are correct, the only way to get an offer for MH101 is to reapply next year with that as your higher preference. - Brian
My daughter got 577 points in the Leaving Cert. She had UCD Veterinary Medicine down as her number one, but will miss out. Her number two is medicine which she is four points off based on last year’s CAO results. She is appealing two subjects — if successful will she get a place this year or have to wait until next September? How likely would it be to get medicine on Round 2? - Karen
In a clinical high demand course like Medicine, I think it would be safer to assume that a college may not be able to offer extra places after the appeal results. That is not to say it would never happen, but probably you are looking at a deferred place the following year. It is not unheard of to see Round 2 offers in Medicine so I wouldn’t rule it out, but whether it would drop by four points could be a big ask. - Brian
Student feels let down by marking of French oral
I always got a H1 in French but got a H2 in the Leaving Cert. I felt the oral corrector didn’t listen properly. Some people were crying coming out. How can I be guaranteed it will be looked at properly? Can the school make a collective complaint? It affected the top four students - they all got H2s but the next batch got higher results than usual. Can the school do something? - Katie
I think the best course of action in the first instance is to apply to have your paper recorrected, which will be done by a different examiner and supervised by an advising examiner, and see what the outcome is. Maybe raise your concerns with your school also, but in the first instance having the paper and oral corrected again is the best next step. - Brian
Hi, I got 480 points last year. I really wanted to study Aviation Business management in DCU but I was short by 20 points. I completed a PLC course and got offered MINT in DCU in Round Zero. I have reapplied through the CAO for Aviation again. What are my chances, or should I accept this course? - Tim
Presuming you would be ok to do this course as you have it on your CAO, I would consider accepting the MINT course so you know you have something and remain in the running for an offer on the Aviation Management course in successive rounds on the basis of your PLC and LC results. There is a chance you may be offered it, albeit a significant climb from 480. - Brian
How likely is it for a course’s requirements to drop by six points?
My daughter got her results on Friday. She is short six points. Is there any chance she will get her first course? - Maria
If you have a read over some of the Q&As over the last few days, you will see there are many variables at play at the moment which will determine where points land this year for courses. There is no way of telling what way they will go for specific courses. Six points, depending on the course, could be a significant shortfall, but for others it could be a momentary blip for a year and this year that could be corrected and your daughter could get an offer. So, unfortunately to know for sure we must wait until Wednesday at 2pm. Stay positive, hope for the best, but do some homework as to what might happen if she doesn’t get her first preference. - Brian
Hello! I have 448 CAO points and I meet all the subject requirements for the General Nursing Bachelor’s at UL, which is my first choice. I heard that the government is increasing the places for healthcare courses this year. If this is true, are the points more likely to rise or fall? Thank you in advance! - Emily
Good morning. Yes, the Minister has announced extra places in nursing for this year — 268 places in Nursing and Midwifery — so this is welcome news. There is increased demand in the system in general this year, and how much of that is for nursing we don’t know for sure. The hope is that these extra places and the reduction in PMA in the exams will mean the points remain the same or certainly don’t increase. Hopefully this means you should be okay with 448; you have a few points to spare. - Brian
My son is most likely not going to get his first choice. He wants to do Maths and PE in DCU - he got 465 points but the course is 499. He had applied to Dunboyne College of Further Education for a PLC in Maths and Coaching; how does he navigate the offer he will get on August 26th? He may get offered Maths and Physics; does he defer that and reapply next year for Maths and PE, or would he get it on a second round offer? We don’t know what to do now. - Jennifer
If he gets offered Maths and Physics in Round 1 and defers it, then he can only apply for that course next year to pick up the deferred place. Once he puts down any other course on his new CAO application he will lose the deferred place. So if he is planning to do the PLC course and reapply for Maths and PE next year on the basis of his scores in the PLC, then deferring Maths and Physics would be pointless. If he intends to do the PLC, maybe he should consider not accepting his offer on the 26th, remain in the running for his first preference in the next rounds and, if he is offered nothing else, continuing with the PLC. - Brian
I received four H4s and I would like to appeal and get them rechecked. I have 423 points and my preference is Business in UL, which was 444 last year. How successful are the appeals in general and should I accept the offer I now expect from ATU Galway, even though I don’t want it, while I’m waiting for the appeals? Is there any other entry route to UL as their Business degree is really the only one I want. I’m so disappointed and surprised with my results. The option of repeating is a hard no; couldn’t manage the stress again. - Aoife
I’m sorry you are disappointed. You did a great Leaving Certificate. So, in the first instance, yes, go ahead and get those subjects rechecked and see how that goes. 19 per cent of grades appealed last year were increased so it’s not a small amount by any account. While that is going on you have to decide what you are going to do. You should make decisions based on the belief that there will be no change to your points. If you absolutely do not want to go to Galway, having really thought about it and researched the course, then it may be best not to accept the place. However, remember it may be the only place you are going to be offered and if you don’t accept it you may be left with no course at all. You could accept it for the moment and give yourself a little bit of breathing space to make your decision. The other option you could look at for Business in UL is to do a PLC course and reapply next year on the basis of your results from that PLC. - Brian
I’m so nervous and anxious. I did a good Leaving Cert; however, from Fridays results, I’m only eligible for two courses on my CAO, and maybe not [even that] if their points go up. Is there any way of getting into other courses that are not on my CAO? - Kokie
The only way of adding courses to your CAO is through the Available or Vacant Places facility. This is a facility where any places that have not been filled by colleges, or places they feel they are not going to fill in the normal rounds process, will be advertised. If students feel they would now like to make an application for them, they can add them to their CAO listings to be considered for a place in the next round. Remember there are some courses still available in the NTO at www.nto.ie, which might also be worth checking out. - Brian
If I accept my second choice and do first year, can I apply to the CAO for my first choice again while in college? I understand that I would have to pay the fees for first year if I got it. I have DARE. Would I have to reapply for DARE? Thanks. - Kate
Yes, there is nothing stopping you from applying next year again. The only negative is the fees issue which you are aware of. Your DARE eligibility can carry over for one year. You would have to indicate your disability again on your new CAO application and fill in Section A of your DARE application again, but you would not have to fill in Sections B and C. - Brian
The CAO Helpdesk is back open and our education experts are online to answer your questions. Please submit any relevant queries via the form at the top of this live blog.
That’s a wrap on the CAO Helpdesk for today. We will be back with our education experts tomorrow morning from 10am. Thank you to all that submitted queries.
My daughter got 367 points. She wants to do Mental Health Nursing in DCU. Points last year were 359. Points are rising for this course. What are her chances? - Maire
Stay confident. No one knows until the CAO releases offers as well as cut-off points at 2pm on Wednesday. - Deirdre
I’m unsure until Tuesday, but I might appeal some of my results. I don’t want to accept the course I’m offered on Wednesday, so am I still in the running for my preferred course if I get the correct points? - Lindsay
CAO will continue to make offers right up until the end of September. Round 4 closes on Thursday September 24th. Appeals results are released on Friday September 25th. The final round of offers will be made on September 29th. Accepting or rejecting Wednesday’s offer will have no effect or influence on what the CAO might offer you in future rounds. Accepting Wednesday’s offer will still mean that the CAO will offer you a higher preference course in future rounds if you meet entry requirements and cut-off points. The best of luck. - Deirdre
I got a H5 in Maths in my LC. Can I retake only Maths next year and apply for the CAO? What risk I may have? - Kamal
Yes. You can only count your best 6 subjects from one Leaving Cert sitting. But you can repeat and use this grade for minimum entry purposes. - Deirdre
If you accept a course through UCAS in the North and then get offered your preferred course on second round offers, can you then just reject the course offered from UCAS? - Jessica
Yes. Round 2 offers are available from 2pm on Monday September 7th. - Deirdre
If I do a Business PLC course in Rathmines to try to get into BESS or Commerce in UCD, and I don’t get good enough grades in my modules to get into university, what are my options then? - Luke
Thinking of this option: open course pathway. You could look into programmes offered by other colleges that offer similar modules to BESS? - Deirdre
My first choice is DC292 (Joint Honours in Law at DCU) at 398 points. I fell short in a couple grades and ended up getting 347 points. I have got DARE and am wondering how likely I am to get into that course although I’m quite short of points. The course is first on my CAO and I feel it might not be many other people’s first choice due to it being an Arts in Law. Do you have any predictions of points decline or incline for this course? - Cillian
DCU reserves 5 per cent of places on programmes for eligible DARE applicants. You must achieve a minimum of 300 points and get within 75 CAO points to be considered for DARE in DCU, as DCU applies a maximum point reduction of 75 points for DARE applicants. Please note: a student will typically get a DARE point reduction in DCU of between 5-30 points. If you are eligible for DARE you should note that due to the high demand and limited places in DCU you are not guaranteed entry. Available places are offered to those students ranked highest by the points scale and points reduction is impacted by a demand for a programme and also how many DARE places we have on a course. This is taken from the DCU website and seems to suggest that 51 points of a gap is quite large. A lot will depend on the number of DARE-eligible applicants for that course and the number of places for DARE. We have no way of knowing this until Wednesday, I’m afraid. By 2pm on Wednesday, we will know more. - Brian
My son is aiming for Mechanical or Undenominated Engineering at University of Galway with 540 CAO points. Last year’s points jumped to 566 (Mechanical) and 542 (Undenominated). He is incredibly close to the general entry. With today’s confirmed drop in top Leaving Cert grades, what are the realistic chances of a points decrease in Round 1 offers next Wednesday? - Mike
I can’t say. Although points have dropped, demand for CAO courses has increased. It is a waiting game, unfortunately. - Deirdre
What happens if my son accepts a Level 8 course offer and then a preferred course appears in the available places facility - can he choose that instead? - Suzanne
Having accepted a Level 8 course and then seen something in vacant places he prefers, he will then essentially follow the change of mind procedure, where he will insert the new preferred above the course he accepted, be assessed for eligibility for this course and, if eligible, will be offered the course in the next round. - Brian
If I get offered my third choice in Round 1 offers and I accept it, can I later accept my first choice if I get offered it in a later round? - April
Absolutely, accepting your third choice means in the next rounds you will still remain in the running for a higher preference course and will be offered it regardless of whether you accepted an earlier offer or not. - Brian
My daughter has Science in Galway down above TUD Level 8 science. She doesn’t want Galway now, and may well be offered it as a Level 8 option. Is it possible to reject it and hope the TUD course will then be offered? If not, should she accept and defer or what? She would prefer TUD and has Level 7 Science down as her top Level 7 course. - Patricia
TUD will become obsolete if CAO offers your daughter Science in Galway. Please view this link. If that happens, then your daughter has to make a decision as to whether to accept or decline with a view to reapplying in 2027. - Deirdre
I got 440 points. However, all the courses I put down are above 500. What are my options? - Emily
Did you put down any Level 6/7 courses that, using the add on system, could bring you up to a Level 8 degree? Did you consider appealing some papers to get more points? There are other options such as Vacant Places on the CAO system that will go live next week, and you can add these to your CAO. There are courses in the UK in the UCAS clearing system, PLC courses, and competing for a quota place on a Level 8 with this qualification next year. There are tertiary courses that still have vacancies, courses in private colleges outside the CAO system, etc. Now is the time to research some of these options in advance of next Wednesday. - Brian
My daughter got 488 points and needs 500; what should she do? - Anna
Best thing is to wait until Wednesday. No one knows what way the points will go. Other routes in could be via PLC, level 6 or 7. Have you looked into these, or the same course in a different college? - Deirdre
I have a place on a Nursing PLC as I don’t have a science subject that’s needed. I was wondering if I could sit an ordinary level science subject in next year’s Leaving Cert to meet the minimum requirement and apply through CAO with my points from this year, along with applying for courses using my PLC? Can I use CAO for both PLC and my Leaving Cert with an added science subject at the same time? Thank you! - Mark
Absolutely. When you apply next year through the CAO, you will enter your PLC exam number and your LC exam number for this year, and your LC exam number for next year for your science subject. All of this will be taken into account in working out your eligibility for 2027 entry course choices. - Brian
I am the legal guardian of a Ukrainian student who has international protection. She has been offered a PLC course in Design and Illustration. Next year we hope that she can do a course at IADT or NCAD. Would the PLC and her Ukrainian NFO4 level results be enough to get her into college? - Damian
Yes, she will be able to use her results from either or - whichever one is best. You might benefit from reading this article. Get back in touch if you need more information. Best of luck. - Deirdre
I would like to do Commerce International but am disappointed with my 532 points - lower than expected and my mocks. I plan to look at the percentages and appeal a couple. But will the appeal results come back too late to start in UCD this year? I will accept whatever is offered on Wednesday. - Cian
If you get upgraded in September, essentially what happens is the system will go back to round one and ask what would you have been entitled to at that stage with your increased grades. Whatever the answer to this is, it must be offered to you either as an offer there and then or, if the college cannot facilitate this, then it must be offered to you as a deferred place the following year. In the meantime, while the appeal process is going on in the background, you should proceed as if you are not going to get an upgrade and make decisions on that basis. - Brian
Hello, I don’t think I am going to get a Level 8 offer but will more than likely get my Level 7. If I reject that offer to do a PLC instead, can I still be offered a Level 8 in a later round? Thank you so much. - Tom
Yes, you can. You will always be included in future rounds for courses that lie above offers made in Round 1. CAO will only make an offer if you meet entry requirements and the required cut-off points. Accepting or rejecting Wednesday’s offer will have no impact on future rounds. But you will not get any offers for courses that lie below Wednesday’s offer. Hope that makes sense. - Deirdre
My daughter got 347 points and her first choice course was 300 last year. Her third choice was 400 last year - might she be eligible for her third choice course, considering her DARE application was successful? - M
The system will work out your daughter’s entitlement to all her 10 choices including her first and third choice with DARE, and then it will offer her the highest choice she is entitled to. So if she is entitled to her first choice, she will be offered this and nothing else; she will not be offered her fourth choice. - Brian
If I request to defer a CAO offer and my request is granted but I change my mind next year and wish to apply for a different course, how do I do that? - Ruth
If you wish to take up your deferral, you will complete a CAO application listing only one course - that is the course you deferred. If you wish to change your mind and add any other course onto your 2027 CAO then you lose the deferral and go into the points competition. You will be competing for places with all CAO applicants from 2027. Read more here.
My son has Law and Political Science in Trinity down as his first choice; would he be able to switch to Law and Business if he gets an offer? - Hugo
I would advise you to contact the admissions office at Trinity. All colleges have their own internal transfer policy. - Deirdre
Can you defer a course in Scotland and does that have any effect on your CAO offers? - Tom
The system is different in the UK. You usually apply for entry the following year if you want to defer your place until then, so this is done at the time of application. I would suggest you contact the admissions team for your course and seek their guidance on it at this stage. This would not impact your CAO application as they are completely separate systems. - Deirdre
I got 591 points and was hoping to do Business and Law in UCD. Now I am thinking of switching to Law and History, or Law and Economics. Is it possible to switch courses and will I have enough points? - Sarah
I would advise you to contact the admissions office at UCD. All colleges have their own internal transfer policy. - Deirdre
My daughter got enough points for Mental Health Nursing at Trinity but they ask for O6/H6 in one science subject and she got H7 in Biology. Is O6 not the same as H7? Does she have a chance for an offer in this case? - Adela
Unfortunately the science requirement for TR095 is an O6/H6 in Biology, which means she will not be eligible for this course. The entry requirement laid down by TCD is a minimum grade 6 on either the ordinary or higher level paper. Unfortunately, the H7 does not meet the O6 requirement. Maybe give TCD admissions a call on Monday to clarify. - Brian
I did okay in my Leaving Cert and have enough points to at least do a Bachelor’s in my chosen field. However, I have failed Physics and am concerned that a fail will look very bad for me. My course doesn’t require any specific grades in science, but I am still concerned about failing a subject; will this affect me? - Eve
My advice would be to move on. It won’t affect you going forward and is not an entry requirement. It may not have been an area that you enjoyed. Good luck with your Bachelor’s and well done. - Deirdre
Repeating the LC under the new curriculum
Can I repeat my Leaving Cert in school even though the curriculum is changing? - Rachel
This is very much up to the school and their policy around repeat Leaving Cert students. Repeating this year could be a little more challenging depending on the subjects you are doing. Remember there are a number of subjects that will be different as new subject specifications were introduced last year and will be examined for the first time in 2027. If you are doing any of them, you will have to get your head around new courses. Among those subjects are Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Business. A few other smaller subjects are also included. - Brian
If my daughter accepts a Level 6/7 offer, but receives an offer afterwards in Level 8, can she still accept this? - Susan
Yes. So for example, if she is offered her second choice on her Level 6/7 list and nothing on her Level 8 in Round 1, she can accept this offer and she will still remain in the running in Round 2 for her first Level 6/7 choice and all her Level 8s, even though she has accepted her Level 6/7 second choice. - Brian
I have enough points for my first choice compared to last year. I plan to study Mental Health Nursing at Trinity. The course-specific requirements say an O6/H6 in Mathematics and one science subject. I got an O6 in Maths and a H7 in Biology. Will I still be considered for an offer if my points are sufficient, as I meet all the other criteria? Thank you. - Lulia
Unfortunately the science requirement for TR095 is a O6/H6 in Biology, which means you will not be eligible for this course. You will not be made an offer for this course no matter what points you have achieved. - Brian
How can we tell we are at the top of a H-band if we want to appeal a mark to maybe creep into the next band? (But avoid going down a mark if we are near the bottom of a H-band) - Liam
You will be able to see your exact marks in all subjects on Tuesday via your CSSP. You will get a clearer picture then. Hope that I have answered your question. - Deirdre
My child got 510 points and is hoping for Social Science in UCD. What are the chances of it jumping above 510 points this year? - Ellie
I cannot say, but she is in a comfortable position. I would remain confident. No way of knowing what the points will be until CAO issue offers after 2pm on Wednesday. This course was 490 last year. The best of luck. - Deirdre
My daughter got 509 points and would like to study Psychology in Maynooth. The points were 509 last year. What are the chances of the points staying the same? - Barbara
She is in with a good chance if the points stay in this area. The points for this course were a lot higher in previous years so hopefully they don’t go back up to that level of the 530s again. - Brian
My son didn’t do [as well as he’d hoped] and scored 349 points. He won’t get any CAO offer as all his choices are too high. He didn’t put down Level 6 & 7. What options does he have now? PLC route or any other advice. Thank you. - Cak
Yes, PLC seems to be the most obvious route. There are private colleges but they do come with fees. Over 90 apprenticeships are now available. This is a hybrid model where the student learns onsite and spends some time at college. - Deirdre
Is it too late to start a course if I get it on a second or third round offer? - Jane
No it shouldn’t be, providing that there is still space on that programme. CAO may offer you a deferred place for Sept 2027 if that particular course is at full capacity after Round 1. - Deirdre
My son got 565 in his Leaving Cert last year, and after doing a year of Science at UCD, he has applied to do Law & History in UCD which was 567 last year. What is the chance of him getting a place in this in 2026? - John
Looking at the history of the points for this course you could definitely be in with a chance, as it has been at 565 and below. It all depends on the demand for places this year and the standard of grades those applicants have. - Brian
I selected DN520 with Music and Art History. Is it possible for me to switch to Music and English instead? Also, I got 510 points and I have DARE priority. What are the chances I get into the course (DN520)? - Faye
I would advise you to contact the admissions office at UCD. All colleges have their own internal transfer rules. You seem to be in a comfortable position points-wise, compared to last year’s cut-off point. It is a waiting game until Wednesday. The best of luck. - Deirdre
Hi I got 578 points in the LC yesterday. Will this be enough to get History & Political Science in Trinity do you think? - Karen
No one will know for definite until Wednesday after 2pm. Stay positive. You have a lot of points. Best of luck. - Deirdre
Belgian student seeking advice on the Irish system
I’m writing after seeing your video yesterday about the Leaving Certificate results and would really appreciate some advice about my situation. My name is Hugo, I’m Belgian and currently live in Belgium. My dream is to study at university in Ireland, so I decided several months ago to sit the Leaving Certificate as an external candidate. I prepared from Belgium using online resources and travelled to Ireland for two weeks in June to sit seven exams. I received my results yesterday: 3 H8s, 2 H7s, 1 H6 and 1 H3, giving me 197 CAO points. I’m not very familiar with the Irish system, so I’m unsure what my options are. I understand that I’ll receive a breakdown of my results on Monday and my CAO offer on Wednesday. My main concern is that, although I have 197 points, I don’t have the five H7s required by many courses. For example, I found an Architecture and Interior Design course at Maynooth University with a points range of 130–171, but the entry requirements also state that I need five H7s, which I don’t have. I’m therefore unsure what I should do next. If my Mathematics result appears incorrect after receiving the breakdown, could I request a viewing of my script and potentially appeal the result? Could an H8 potentially be raised to an H7 following an appeal? I would also like to know whether there are other university courses I could still apply for with 197 points, despite not having five H7s. I’ve worked extremely hard towards this goal and would really love to have the opportunity to study in Ireland, but I’m currently quite stressed and unsure about what options are available to me. - Hugo
CAO will only make an offer once the candidate meets all entry requirements and cut-off points for that course. You could try private colleges? Would you be interested in doing a PLC? This involves one year of study. You can then use the grades achieved from that course and apply to colleges. - Deirdre
CAO will only make an offer once the candidate meets all entry requirements and cut off points for that course. You could try private colleges? Would you be interested in doing a PLC? This involves one year of study. You can then use the grades achieved from that course and apply to colleges. A lot of colleges reserve places for students coming from PLCs. Here is a link to explain. Is there anything else that I can help you with? - Deirdre
My daughter got 498 points which means she will miss out on her first choice of Speech & Language Therapy. However, UL have a new degree course this year but we don’t know the points requirement. Is there a chance she could still get the course? - Martina
They tend to be close enough to each other points-wise. So I would expect that it might be similiar, maybe a few points less. But that is just my opinion. No one will know for definite until 2pm on Wednesday. UL also offer postgrads in this area. - Deirdre
When should my daughter get her place confirmed on her UCAS course in England? She has got more than the required UCAS Tariff points and has a Conditional Offer on receiving the points. - Jane
It should be happening very quickly. I would advise you to contact the university to make sure that they have received her results. Best of luck. - Deirdre
My son is interested in becoming a vet… He got 490 points which won’t be enough; what are his best alternative options? - Mary
There isn’t a PLC progression route into Veterinary. Would you look to go abroad? There are many English-taught programs for Veterinary across Europe. Here is a website that might be useful. - Deirdre
Are the offers through DARE made available on Wednesday? - Anne-Marie
Yes but it won’t specify that it’s a DARE offer. You will know it’s DARE if you receive an offer but didn’t get the required cut-off points. - Deirdre
If an appeal is awarded resulting in a student reaching the threshold for a course supported by DARE, and all the DARE places on that course were allocated on Wednesday, will the student be offered a place? - Emma
Generally speaking, if the college can offer a place at all at the time of appeal results, it will. It will look at all eventualities. However, if all places are gone, DARE or otherwise, the best the college can do is offer a deferred for the following year. - Brian
Advice for rechecking results? - Alexandra
State exams will release the appeal results to students via their CSSP on Friday September 25th. CAO will make offers to successful candidates in Round 5 on Tuesday September 29th. One must make an application for an appeal. This is done through CSSP from 10am on Sunday August 30th to 5pm on Monday August 31st. - Brian
I got 476 points. Just wondering will I get into the Primary Teaching course in DCU? - Mary
It could be a long shot on 476 as it hasn’t gone below 480 in a while. I’m not sure if you have applied to Marino; they were 473* last year so you might have a better chance there and also remember you now have primary teaching in Mary I Limerick through the NTO. Applications closed for his year but it is another option if you need it for next year. - Brian
Illness prevented completion of six Leaving Cert subjects.
The course I want has a mandatory audition which I passed months ago, and asks for six subjects minimum. I got 420 points from five subjects and I have DARE. I was limited to five subjects as I had treatment for a serious illness during fifth and sixth year, and could only attend school part-time. My points are much higher than what is likely to be required. Is there any way I can get offered a place with my five subjects? - Ellen
Generally, meeting minimum entry requirements for a course is non-negotiable and if you don’t meet them you don’t proceed with your application. Given your circumstances, I would contact the admissions office immediately and discuss your application. Based on normal rules around entry requirements, I’m not sure how successful you might be, but it is worth trying over a phone call. Best of luck. - Brian
Is a PLC a better option than repeating?
My son wants to do Physiotherapy but will not get the required points. He has been offered a place on a PLC course (Sports Therapy and Physiotherapy Assistant) in Cavan which runs for one or two years (Level 5/6). Are these realistic routes into physiotherapy degrees in Northern Ireland and the UK? Or is repeating a better option (where in this case two subjects went badly wrong)? - Shane
Yes, they are definitely a realistic route into Physiotherapy in Northern Ireland and the UK. I am aware of Republic of Ireland students in the UK and Northern Ireland who completed similar PLC courses. In the north, an aptitude test must also be taken for Physiotherapy called the MSAT. Details on the UU website. Repeating should involve a lot of soul searching and discussion to really tease out if it would be worthwhile and meet your son’s needs for Physiotherapy courses here in Ireland. - Brian
My daughter got 531 points. She wants to study Law in UCC which was 532 points last year; do you think she still has a chance of being offered the course? - Claire
Points for this course at Round 2 last year were 529. I would stay confident. No one will know for definite until the CAO release cut-off points after 2pm on Wednesday. - Deirdre
I have 444 points and I am DARE accepted. What are my chances of getting either Landscape Architecture or Sports and Exercise Management in UCD? - Macus
It wlll depend on the competiton he faces from other DARE applicants. Priority is given to DARE applicants with sensory and/or physical disabilities. You won’t be able to get an answer to this until CAO release offers on Wednesday. Cut-off points should be issued soon after this. The very best of luck. - Deirdre
Where to repeat the Leaving Cert?
My son would like to repeat his Leaving Certificate. Are there places he can do this in Dublin? We are encouraging him to do a PLC or Level 6 but he is not interested. Any advice appreciated. Thank you. - Robert
Rathmines College offers a repeat Leaving Certificate course specifically and has been doing this for a long time. Repeating this year could be a little more challenging depending on the subjects your son is doing. Remember there are a number of subjects that will be different as new subject specifications were introduced last year and will be examined for the first time in 2027 next year. If your son is doing some of them, he will have to get his head around new courses. Amoung those subjects are Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Business. A few other smaller subjects are also included. Doing a PLC or a Level 6 vs repeating would depend on what area he is interested in studying at third level, and some other variables. - Brian
Did reasonably well in my LC, but got an 07 in Irish. Is there an alternative way in to NUI Universities as I meet all the requirements except the Irish grade? Thanks. - Dave
I am afraid not. The CAO will only offer you the course if and when you meet entry requirements and the cut-off points. You can repeat Irish in 2027 and use this new grade to satisfy minimum entry requirements. Another option is to look into a PLC and progress to third level on their requirements. Please get back if you need more support. - Deirdre
Hi, I received 554 points, one short of last year’s 555 points entry requirement for Commerce in UCD. Could you post the points history for this course and would it be likely to drop? - Darren
Commerce | Qualifax - there you go. The very best of luck. - Deirdre
Will I know when I look at scripts if my grade was inflated? - Holly
Yes, you will see your marks and then the post-mark adjustment (PMA). - Deirdre
I heard there was a big increase in applications for Medicine this year and I’m worried the points will go up, especially if I’m competing with people who did their LC in 2024 or 2025. I got 601 in the LC and 191 in the HPAT and have Trinity as my first choice. What are my chances? - George
Stay positive. You are in a good position. But nothing is definite until the CAO release course cut-off points for 2026 on Wednesday. Yes, there has been an increase in demand but so too in supply. Minister Lawless announced 78 extra places on Medicine undergraduate course for 2026. Enjoy your success. Well done. - Deirdre
Do points requirements decrease in later rounds?
When the points are set next week for a course, and they have increased on the previous year, do they stay at that level or could they could down during other rounds of offers? - Angela
Points will continue to fall until all places on that course are full. Courses that don’t reach maximum capacity tend to appear on available/vacant places. Vacant places opens on August 27th.
- Wednesday Aug 26th - Round 1 offers
- Monday September 7th - Round 2 offers
- Tuesday September 15th - Round 3 offers
- Tuesday September 22nd - Round 4 offers
- Deirdre
Can DARE eligibility make up a gap of 20 points?
My son is about 20 points shy of his favoured UCD course. He has been accepted by DARE. Can any points be clawed back via this scheme? - Niamh
Yes, this is possible. Through the DARE scheme, students can gain a place on a course with reduced points. Click this link to find information about the DARE scheme in UCD. - Brian
My kid got 488 points; how likely is to get a Food Science offer in UCD? - Bob
Based on last year’s cut-off points of 466, I would like to think you should get an offer with that buffer of over 20 points. - Brian
My son is going to appeal four subjects. If successful, will his course be available on September 25th as he is just under the points required? - Sharon
If you get upgraded, essentially what happens is the system will go back to Round 1 and ask what would you have been entitled to with your increased grades. Whatever the answer to this is must be offered to you, either as an offer there and then (hopefully on September 25th, although this is a fluid deadline depending on numbers applying for appeals) or, if the college cannot facilitate this, then you must be offered it as a deferred place the following year. In the meantime, while the appeal process is going on in the background, you should proceed as if you are not going to get an upgrade and make decisions on that basis. - Deirdre
Scholarships for strong results?
My child was delighted with an incredible set of results. Are there any scholarships open to them with all H1s including an additional subject? - Anon
That’s an amazing result. There are many academic excellence scholarships in various universities with varying names for the top academic scholars accepting a place and in many cases you don’t have to apply; they are awarded academically. Check in with the university your child may be heading to and they can inform you about their scholarships. There are some national awards for high achievers from lower socioeconomic backgrounds such as the All Ireland Scholarship. - Brian
If grades are down due to the end of post-marking adjustments, will CAO points likely go down or stay the same this year? - Anne Marie
Not sure. Many different variables are at play. Demand for college courses is up this year from last year. This could affect points, but grades can affect points too. Which factor/variable will influence points more? No one will know until after 2pm on Wednesday. - Deirdre
Are the points for Arts at NUIG likely to decrease? - Sam
It’s too hard to say. We don’t have the stats to make that call. No one will know until 2pm on Wednesday. - Deirdre
My daughter received 411 points. Will this be enough for a place in UCC Mental Health? - Peter
Stay positive. You are in a good position, but nothing is definite until CAO release course cut-off points for 2026 on Wednesday.
How do universities view internal transfers to another course if the student did not get the CAO points but did well in their first-year course? - Cathy
Some offer this option, but course modules have to be very similar. You would need to contact the Admissions Office of the college in question. - Deirdre
I got a H4 in English but scored H2 in school exams and the mock. How could I have fallen two full grades? Was English marked exceptionally hard this year? Were there changes to the scoring rules? I have missed out on my course due to this. - Terese
View your exact grade on Tuesday. You can view your script and appeal. The number of H1s in English fell from 5 per cent last year to 4.3 per cent this year. - Deirdre
Not sure you chose the right course?
How common is it to transfer course into Secondary Teaching at UL? Not sure I chose the right course. - Dave
Transfers are not straightforward. Different universities have different policies around them and very often they are treated on a case by case basis. Maybe make contact with the registry office in UL and seek their advice. - Brian
When can I get results checked? - Eda
Applications for subject appeals open online on Sunday August 30th at 10am, and close on the following day, Monday August 31st, at 5pm. This is all done through the Candidate Self Service Portal (CSSP) on www.examinations.ie. It might also be a good idea to view the scripts beforehand. Details are at the same location. - Brian
My son is interested in Dentistry but is concerned his 613 points may not be enough. From what we have seen, Trinity has 32 places and RCSI 28 places, up eight from last year. When are the 25 new dentistry places being rolled out? Is it this year? - Tanya
I believe that 35 additional Dentistry places have been sanctioned by the Minister annually. These are due to appear on Wednesday. - Deirdre
Will points go down for Secondary Teaching with PE and English (LM090)? - Michelle
This is a popular course. Here is the points history for the last few years. PE teaching is now offered in more higher education institutions. Best of luck. - Deirdre
Hi, I got 443 points for my LC. For Business Studies in UL, 444 points were required in 2025. Is there any chance this can go down this year? - Leo
Here is the points history for this course. Stay confident and remember that more offers continue to be made after Round 1. - Deirdre
If you ask for a paper to be rechecked, is there a danger you could get a lower grade? - Anne-Marie
Yes this can happen, albeit very unlikely. - Deirdre
What if you don’t meet the points requirement for anything on your CAO list?
What if no course is offered, as all of the student’s choices are higher than their obtained points in the LC? How can we apply to another course that needs fewer points? - A
You can apply for a course of your choice that appears on vacant places This facility opens on August 27th here. - Deirdre
What if you appeal and your grade drops?
If l appeal and my marks drop how does this affect my CAO offer? Will my first offer be no longer valid? Thank you. - Jessica
I don’t think that this would happen. I cannot see a college asking you to leave once you have regostered. Please read this article. It might be best to look at your exact marks on Tuesday. You can decide and apply to view your script/appeal. The choice will be yours. - Deirdre
My son did not do as well as expected in his LC and there is a chance he will not get any offers in his CAO. Are there options that are not in the CAO? - Anin
Some CAO courses will appear on vacant places on August 27th. Private colleges and colleges of Further Education can offer a one-year course that can be used as a scenic route into a Level 6, 7 or 8. - Deirdre
I got 356 points in the LC and I’m hoping to get Health Science and Physical Activity in ATU Sligo. Points were 338 last year. Do you think points for this course will increase by much? - Sandra
No one will know until after 2pm on Wednesday. You are in a good position so stay confident. - Deirdre
My daughter will not have the points for Optometry in Dublin. She was interested in the course in Coleraine but didn’t apply this year. She doesn’t actually have two sciences with a H2, as she only did Biology and didn’t get a H2 in maths. They will accept an access course with 120 credits but I am not sure what the equivalent of that is in the Republic. There are a few science-based PLCs in Galway, one in particular in lab-based sciences. I will obviously check with admissions in Coleraine but just wondering if any of your team have any thoughts on this? Kind regards. - Esther
This is a very specific question that even general admissions would not be able to answer in Ulster University (UU). I would imagine it would be a case of you presenting a course to the head of Optometry in Coleraine, and she would examine the content and qualification for suitability. Does your daughter have physics? If not, it would be worth discussing this with the team in Coleraine also. - Brian
Does DARE eligibility carry over if you reapply to the CAO?
If I reapply next year on the CAO, will my DARE approval carry over or will I need to do the whole DARE process again? Given how reliant I was on the school to provide the input how would that work? - Sara
Yes, your DARE eligibility will carry over to next year. You must apply through the CAO next year, tick the box for a disability and fill in Section A giving your CAO number from this year. You do not need to complete sections B and C. - Brian
Are CAO points expected to go down this year for Computer Science? - Matthieu
Again, quoting stats from February 1st applications, even though it has to be stated these are only one of many insights into points cut-offs, the mentions for IT were down 7 per cent in general. I have not heard of any major surge in interest in computing, so I would imagine they will generally stay the same or in some cases may drop a little. - Brian
Can you decline a CAO offer and receive another further down your list?
I listed DC123 (a BSc in Data Science at DCU) as my first preference, where the minimum CAO points requirement is 500. However, my score is 499 points. My preferred course is DN700 (Social Sciences at UCD), which has a minimum points requirement of 490, and I placed it below DC123 on my CAO application. If I receive an offer for DC123, but I would prefer to study DN700, what options would be available to me? Would I be able to decline the DC123 offer and accept DN700 instead, or would the CAO preference system prevent this since DN700 is listed lower on my application? I would appreciate clarification on how the CAO offer process works in this situation. - Kevin
The CAO will offer you the highest preference course that you are eligible for. Then all courses below this become obsolete, i.e. you will never get offered these in future rounds. If you meet the minimum requirements and cut-off points for DC123 then you won’t get offered DN700, regardless of whether you accept or reject the DC123 offer for Round 1. If you get offered your second choice, DN700, you can still get offered higher preference courses that lie above this on your CAO list. - Deirdre
Hi. I got 475 points. Do you think this will be enough for History & Politics (DN530) in UCD? - Stephen
No one will know until after 2pm on Wednesday. You are in a good position so stay confident. - Deirdre
Is it too late to apply for a PLC?
Is it too late to apply for PLC courses? - Anna
Absolutely not, contact the colleges immediately as there are places available. - Brian
What is the consensus on UL Engineering point requirements remaining the same or decreasing? - Delia
We have no evidence of any major changes in Engineering so this would point to similar points to last year. Engineering mentions on the CAO by February 1st were up 13 per cent, but this could have changed by July 1st and does not mean Engineering across the board will see points increases. - Brian
My son has applied for Biomedical Science in Trinity but he forgot to fill out the language exemption form. He has a language exemption from the State and has DARE. How can he solve this problem or is he too late? Regards. - Jonathon
Ok, I would get on to the registry office in TCD immediately to see if they can do anything for you. They do have a deadline of July 1st for language exemption applications, however. The NUI are somewhat flexible on this but I’m not sure if TCD are the same. Make contact immediately. - Brian
How likely is it for an appeal to result in a higher grade?
What is the percentage of applicants’ grades that get an increase after appeal? - Mary
In 2025, 19 per cent of grades were upgraded and none were downgraded. - Brian
I received 402 points in my Leaving Cert. Do I have any hope of getting into SETU Waterford or Adelaide for General Nursing? Thank you. - Erica
As you can see from recent press announcements, there are extra nursing places going into the system. You are quite close based on last year’s points so I think you should have a good chance. Good luck. - Brian
Hi. My daughter got seven points lower than last year’s requirements for Marino Primary Teaching. What are the chances of it dropping and her getting it? - Debbie
Sorry, there is no way of knowing until Wednesday.
If I accept my first CAO offer, will I still get other offers? - Linda
CAO will make offers higher up on your list of preferences in future rounds if and when you meet minimum requirements and cut-off points for courses higher up on your CAO list. - Deirdre
How many subjects would you have to repeat to get high grades? - Rita
At least six, as your best six are required for points purposes. - Brian
I got 302 points and meet other criteria for Arts in Maynooth, but I’m worried the 300 points required will increase. Do I have a chance of an offer? - Killian
Yes, you have a chance. Stay positive. It’s a waiting game until Wednesday. - Deirdre
Our education experts Deirdre Garrett and Brian Howard are back online to answer your questions. Please submit your queries via the CAO Helpdesk form at the top of this live blog.
That’s all from our CAO Helpdesk for today. Our education experts Deirdre Garrett and Brian Howard will be back at 10am tomorrow to answer more of your questions. Thank you to all that submitted queries.
H2s rechecked for H1s? Very happy with exams on the days. Your thoughts please. Thank you. - Michelle
Best to view your exact marks via CSSP at 12 noon on Tuesday. Read about last year’s upgrades here. - Deirdre
My daughter already has a place on a one-year non-CAO course and hopes that if she gets her course of choice offered next Wednesday that she can defer taking up the offer until next year. What is the deferral process? If she changes her mind on that course over the next year, will that deferral preclude her from making a fresh CAO application next year? - Mary
Please read this link on the guidelines for seeking a referral as well as taking up a deferral: Seeking a deferral, deferring a place and taking up a deferral - Deirdre
UCD Social Science DN700 - it was 490 last year and I got 487 points. How likely is it to drop this year? I know UCD demand is up but points are also down? Very nervous until Wednesday. Thanks. - Gemma
It’s a very close call, too close to know really. What gives good hope is that last year, there seemed to be a big jump on previous years, so if it settles back to the same level as in previous years you will be offered a place. Good luck. - Brian
How do I submit an appeal and/or a recheck? - Jill
An appeal will mean that a different examiner will review/recheck your exam script. You make an appeal application via your CSSP. You can apply to view your scripts as well. Applications to appeal open at 10am on Sunday August 30th and close at 5pm on Monday August 31st. - Deirdre
If you appeal your results, and have to wait a month to see if your points go up, should you take another offer if you don’t get your first choice? And if you do, can you transfer into your preferred course if you hit the criteria? - Dave
If you get upgraded, essentially what happens is the system will go back to round one and ask what would you have been entitled to then with your increased grades. Whatever the answer to this is, must be offered to you, either as an offer there and then or, if the college cannot facilitate this, then you must be offered it as a deferred place the following year. In the meantime, while the appeal process is going on in the background you should proceed as if you are not going to get an upgrade and make decisions on that basis. - Brian
I want to study Arts in Maynooth. My points are 283 and I can avail of DARE; am I excluded as Maynooth have a minimum 300 points rule for entry (regardless of course points requirement)? - Oscar
Looking up Access College, when I look at Maynooth University, it seems to be suggesting you need a minimum of 300 points to be eligible for DARE. I would suggest contacting the admissions office in Maynooth and checking your eligibility. - Brian
Do you lose your DARE status if you appeal your results?
Someone has told me that if you appeal a grade you lose your DARE status. Is this correct? - Anne-Marie
This is incorrect information and is not true. - Deirdre
My son got 445 in the LC. His first choice is General Science in Galway, GY301. The course was 440 points last year which was a jump of 40 points from 2025. Is it likely that he will get his first choice, or what is the likelihood of points going up again? - Mary
It’s back to 2022 since the points went above 440 to 462, so I would be very hopeful that you should get your offer on 445. - Brian
Our son has autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attended little school in sixth year. He missed all practical portions of geography, construction and physics. He failed four out of eight [subjects] and doesn’t have enough passes for QQI Level 5. He is a bright young man, but hampered by ASD. He is open to repeating but not at his old school. - Gerry
I would advise you to contact a College of Further Education. To my knowledge, one doesn’t have to obtain five passes to enter into a QQI. Definitely worth making a phonecall. Some PLC courses can be done over more than one year, spreading modules across a longer duration. - Deirdre
My daughter got 520 points and wants to do General Science in UCD. Is it possible to get a place? - Suzy
Your daughter would have to meet minimum entry requirements along with the CAO 2026 cut off points for this course. Last year’s points were 544. I feel that such a drop would be unlikely. However, we will have to wait to see what happens on Wednesday. - Deirdre
I got 421 points and my first and second choices are Irish and Religion Teaching (407) and Irish and Business Teaching (397). What are my chances? Both are in Mary Immaculate College. - Conall
No one can know until the CAO makes offers at 2pm on Wednesday. You are in a good position. I would be confident. - Deirdre
I got 271 points but need 300 for Arts in Maynooth. I was accepted for DARE .... Is it possible to get that course? Thanks so much. - Martin
Just looking up Access College there, and when I look at Maynooth University it seems to be suggesting you need a minimum of 300 points to be elligible for DARE. I would suggest contacting the admissions office in Maynooth and checking your eligibility. - Brian
I don’t have the points for my top three Level 8s but comfortably meet my first-choice Level 7. If I accept my Level 7 and get no offer of a Level 8 at all, am I forced to do that course? Could I withdraw acceptance and re-apply next year? - C
If you accept your Level 7 and get no further offer from your Level 6,7 or 8, then yes you have a place on that Level 7 only. If, having thought about it, you decide you don’t want to do the course you can withdraw and re-apply next year. - Deirdre
If I appeal three subjects and two go up a grade, will I receive a refund? - Amelia
You will get a refund for the two subjects that went up. - Deirdre
Can you sit the HPAT next year and keep your LC points total from 2026?
I received 589 points in my Leaving Cert. I didn’t sit the HPAT and think I would like to do medicine now. Can I sit the HPAT next year and hold my leaving cert points from this year? - John
Yes you can. There are some changes to the HPAT scoring system next year. Click here for details. - Brian
How does the DARE system work for Galway Medicine? I am a few points below the cut off from last year of 728, but I’m wondering on average how much lower would get you in? And how do they prioritise certain people? Thank you. - Anon
In Galway there are 10 places set aside for DARE. For most courses, admission is competitive as there are more eligible DARE/HEAR applicants than places available. Places are allocated to eligible applicants in order of points merit and the reduction allowed is determined by the points required for the course: the higher the points requirement for the course, the greater the potential reduction, with a maximum reduction of 18 per cent. Priority will be given to applicants with physical and sensory disabilities (“sensory disabilities” refers to applicants who have a visual impairment or are deaf/hard of hearing) and those who are both DARE and HEAR eligible. Any places remaining are assigned on points ranking. - Brian
Short one point for a course going by last year’s CAO for UCC. Do I still have a chance? - Ita
Yes, there is always hope that you might still get an offer this year. - Brian
If I chose a Level 7 course in the first round, will I have opportunity to get a Level 8 course in the second round? - Liju
Yes. If you accept a Level 7 in round one you will still remain in the running for all Higher Level 6/7 courses and all your Level 8 courses, and if you become entitled to one of these in the next rounds you will be offered it and you can decide if you want to take it. - Deirdre
My son has got DARE and got 465 CAO points. What are his chances of getting a Civil Law course? Civil Law in DCU was 496 last year. What are the chances of getting this?
DCU reserves 5 per cent of places on programmes for DARE candidates. You must get within 75 points of the course cut off points. If the cut off points stay very similar to last year, then he should be in the running for a place, but it will depend on the points of other DARE applicants also. We will know this on Wednesday. - Brian
If I am already enrolled in a course that I’ve completed two years of, and I get an offer from a new course I’ve applied to, in terms of switching do I accept the new offer then contact my current college? If so, am I just asking to leave the course, and then I’ll automatically be put in the new one in a different place? - Ellie
I am assuming you have followed all the procedures in your new CAO application for existing third level students. After this, I would contact the registrar’s office in your existing college and seek their advice on that college’s procedures. - Brian
My son got 531 points and is hoping for Engineering Common Entry in University of Galway (UG). What do you think his chances are? - John
Based on last year, he looks as if he could be short on points for an offer. However, the previous years were lower and in 2022 he would have got an offer with 531. We just have to hang in there until next Wednesday to know for sure. Best of luck. - Brian
Are there many courses available in UCD for around 405 points?
As we have alluded to in a lot of answers today, there are a lot of variables in determining the cut off points for courses - demand for places, supply of places, standard of applicants, LC grades among them. So overall, we know grades are dropping, but we don’t know about changes to demand and supply of places for specific courses. It is very hard to know which courses will have a points drop and which will see an increase. - Brian
My daughter got 557 points and 171 (80th percentile) in the HPAT. Is she in with a chance for Medicine? - Dan
557 goes to 552 HPAT points and add 171 gives 723. The lowest last year was 728* so it is not looking too promising. 5/6 points for Medicine is a big difference. Hopefully it will fall but we will have to wait and see. - Brian
What courses are available in UCD with 405 points? - Fergie
We don’t know yet for this year until next Wednesday. However, if you click on this link you will see a web page of last year’s points, and in particular UCD. Have a look and this might give you a rough idea for this year. - Brian
I got a H4 in both English and Spanish. My total points came to 431 and I’m a bit disappointed as I thought I would get more. Is it worth appealing these subjects? I’ve always had higher grades in school and mocks. - Amy
Yes, in the first instance you should view the scripts and then this will inform whether you should appeal or not. If you feel there is any issue, I would go ahead and appeal. - Brian
With University of Limerick opening for medicine, what would be a rough estimation of points for medicine there this year? - Grace
I would imagine it is going to be broadly in line with existing medical schools. - Brian
My son did his leaving cert in 2024 and got 365 points approximately. He has applied to DCU Arts this year and I wonder if he is in with a chance? - John
It depends somewhat on which Arts programme. DC291 and DC293 were below 365 last year and if they stay the same he is in with a chance. DC292 was above this at 398, so that would have to drop to give your son a chance. - Brian
I’m looking at a course that last year was 498 points, with a second round of 476. Which would be more likely this year? - Emer
The likelihood is that the same pattern might emerge this year, but unfortunately we will have to wait and see next Wednesday. - Brian
My son got 348 points today and his first choice is Business Information Systems (BIS) at Munster Technological University (MTU). Last year’s points were 351, which is only 3 points higher than his [total]. Any chances to be offered a place or, if not, could he accept his second choice and hope to move in the next round? - Madlen
I recommend that you accept the offer received on Wednesday. He can still be offered higher preference courses in future rounds. Hopefully BIS at MTU will come to you in round 1 but if not remain patient. It could come in future rounds. - Deirdre
Points for Dentistry set to fall?
Do you expect points for Dentistry to fall? Are there more places for Dentistry this year than previously? - Louise
Yes. Please read article in link attached - read here.
My son got 625 points. He listed Science in UCD as his first choice but now wants to do Engineering (his second choice). Does he have any way of getting into Engineering? - Alice
Not through CAO 2026 round offers. Sounds as if your son will get his first choice. All courses that lie below this offer become obsolete. I would advise you to contact UCD admissions and ask about internal transfer options. Otherwise he would need to reapply to CAO 2027 placing Engineering at the top of his list. - Deirdre
My son received 487 points and last year, Engineering in TUD was 490. Is there any likelihood that he will get an offer? Thank you. - Fiona
Given the points history for this course - 490 in 2025, 443 in 2024, 454 in 2023, 454 in 2022 - it would be lovely to see the points dropping back to previous levels and your son being offered a place. It is possible that this could happen if interest in Engineering goes back to previous levels of interest. - Brian
How do you enter the CAO points? How does it work with the result and points? When do you apply for universities? - Sadia
CAO Handbook 2026 - The State Examination Commission liaises all results to the CAO. The CAO are responsible for making offers. All information is contained in the handbook linked above. - Deirdre
I have 554 points and want to do Speech and Language in Trinity. Are the points likely to increase by over 13 points in any given year? - Anne
Cannot say. No one will know until after 2pm on Wednesday. Stay confident. - Deirdre
I missed my course by 11 points and I feel like one of my grades doesn’t fit how I felt it went. If I appeal, does this mean I won’t get the course this year and will have to wait until next year if the appeal goes through and I manage to get the points? - Jane
If you get upgraded, essentially what happens is the system will go back to round one and ask what would you have been entitled to then with your increased grades. Whatever the answer to this is, it must be offered to you either as an offer there and then, or, if the college cannot facilitate this, then you must be offered it as a deferred place the following year. - Brian
My son was 12 points short of his first choice. What should he do? - Sharon
Have you looked into PLC courses yet? Apprenticeships? Available/Vacant places? Private colleges? Get back on if you need more support. - Deirdre
Refund for campus accommodation
Hi, my son has enough points for commerce in Galway, but will be checking his papers. If he gets the course with appealed points in DCU, and he moves course, can I get a refund on campus accommodation in Galway? - Brigid
This is something that you would need to check with Galway.
How do I defer a course? And does UCD allow a deferral for a gap year abroad? - Darren
CAO Handbook - Deferring a Place - it is not always possible to defer entry. There maybe a limit on the number of deferrals which can be granted in any course in any college. I would advise you to contact the UCD admissions office. Remember that a CAO application must be completed by February 1st the following year (if your deferral was granted). - Deirdre
What is the likely combined points total for UCD Medicine this year? Will there be a slight downward shift? - John
No way of knowing really. On the one hand, the minister has announced extra Medicine places, but on the other you have much bigger numbers of applicants and also applicants who did the LC prior to 2026. How the points end up, taking these variables into consideration, is impossible to call I’m afraid. - Brian
When can my son access his actual results from each exam? - Noreen
Candidates will see their marks at 12 noon on Tuesday August 25th. This can be done via your CSSP. - Deirdre
My son will not have enough points for Marketing, Innovation and Technology (MInT) at DCU. Would it better if he did a Level 7 or 8 and applied for advanced entry into DCU, or should he do a Level 6 in a PLC and apply via the QQI route? - Natalia
There is a link from Level 5 PLC courses and five distinctions are necessary to apply for one of a quota of places on this course for PLC graduates. This could be a great route. If I were you, I would try to get through to the admissions office or head of the course and quiz them about advanced entry routes vs this QQI route. They will have specific information to help you make up your mind. - Brian
How to tell if scripts are marked online or on paper
Reviewing the scripts - what do you mean when you talk about scripts being marked online or on paper? How do you know how your script was marked? - Mary
Most scripts of subjects are now corrected or marked online by teachers during the summer. All of these subject papers or scripts will be viewed online as pdfs. The full list of subjects that were corrected online are in the Candidate Information Guide 2 which is on www.examinations.ie. - Brian
I got 289 points and needed 280 for my course. Do you think that will be enough? - Deirdre
Unfortunately, no way of knowing the answer to this. Best of luck next week. - Brian
DARE student - is it known what the lowest points total for primary teaching in the past was for DARE students? - Mary
I won’t have access to this info. Sorry that I cannot help. Not even sure that you will get an answer on this but try to contact the Access Office of the relevant college. - Deirdre
If I get offered a course and accept, will I be offered any further course? - Ann
You may still be offered higher preference courses in future rounds. This will happen regardless of accepting or not accepting Wednesday’s offer. I would recommend that you accept a round 1 offer. You can always move if you get another offer in future rounds. - Deirdre
Hey, just a quick question. For the course TU851, do you think a score of 319 is enough? I have the boundary met of maths and biology and chemistry. I also have DARE, so I’m wondering do you think this course will go up or down and what do you think my overall chances are of getting this course as I would really like to receive a spot. - Kyle
It was in the 300s for the last two years but the previous years it was in the 400s. I am hopeful it will stay in the 300s and with DARE that you would be offered a place. - Brian
If you receive a first round offer but you are appealing some grades, should you accept the first round offer? And if you are later entitled to a course higher up your list, can you accept that? - Tessa
Exactly. Accept Wednesday’s offer. You can move to new courses if you get offers in future rounds. Best of luck. - Deirdre
My son achieved 388 points and wants to do LM039 (a BA in Journalism and Digital Communication) which was 371 last year and 420 in 2024. He is also a DARE applicant. How likely is it that he will get a place? Thanks. - Mary
Too hard to say as too many unknown variables. No one will know until 2pm on Wednesday. Stay positive. It’s a waiting game until Wednesday. - Deirdre
What will the points be for Clinical Speech and Language Therapy at TCD?
Looking at Clinical Speech and Language Therapy in Trinity, the points in 2025 were 541. I have 554 points; is it likely to increase above this? - Miriam
My sense is that you hopefully should be ok at 554. They seemed to have increased their numbers last year and if they keep to those numbers the points should not go back up to the 560s as in previous years. - Brian
My son is five points off Primary School Teaching. Do you think this course could drop from last year’s requirement of 485 approximately? - Paul
Too hard to perdict. Stay confident. Marino offered primary teaching from 473* last year. Hope this is further down on your CAO list. - Deirdre
My daughter is hoping for vet medicine in UCD. She got 625 points and she has been offered a place in the UK - can she wait to decline the UK offer once she’s sure she has been accepted to UCD? - Lorraine
This will depend on the deadline set by UCAS? You will find out about CAO offers on Wednesday. I would advise you to contact the UK college and ask them this exact question. - Deirdre
Do you know what points are likely to be for TCD Drama joint honours, with, say, film or art history? Will they be higher than last year? - Rita
The best guide for points this year are last year’s points, unless there is a significant change in demand or supply, or the standard of applicants applying. We have no real evidence that any of these are changing for these courses so have no reason to suggest the points will vary enormously from last year. - Brian
Looking for 2026 statistics on the number of candidates scoring 625, and the number of candidates with 7, 8 or 9 H1s. I have all the other years. - John
Can’t find them either. Doesn’t seem to be on the CAO website yet. - Deirdre
Can you accept your second choice now but accept a new offer down the line if you successfully appeal your results?
If an appeal is lodged and is successful on September 25th, how do I go about securing my course if it is already filled? Or do I automatically get my place once I have the extra points from my appeal? If I have accepted a lower course pending the appeal result, can I transfer over or how does it work? Thanks. - Lisa
CAO will make you an offer providing that there is space on this course. Otherwise you will be offered a deferred place for September 2027. You can transfer over to your new course on the result of a successful appeal. - Deirdre
I got more than enough points to secure my first choice on CAO Level 8, but I really want my second choice now. I am DARE-approved; could I contact the DARE officer in my second choice college and request a place based on my complete u-turn? - Nessa
If the CAO offer you your first choice, then all courses below this will become obsolete. You will not be offered lower preference courses in future CAO rounds. Only courses that lie above round 1 may be offered. - Deirdre
Will primary teaching points go down? I got 477. - Sean
I cannot say. It will depend on the demand for these courses and the points gained by interested candidates. Points for Marino College in 2025 were 473*. We won’t know for certain until 2pm on Wednesday. - Deirdre
Law in Trinity was 577 last year on the website, but on all other websites it says 578. I got 576, do you think i have a chance? UCD Law is my backup but I can’t find the exact points and am wondering if it could go down. - Patrick
Law | Qualifax - this link will show you the points history for this course. Law at Trinity was 578 last year. It has been 578 for last three consecutive years. Cut-off points can fluctuate and are mainly caused by demand. Stay positive. - Deirdre
I received 532 points and was hoping for Business and Law in UCD but would be happy with International Commerce - is that likely? - Sinead
Would need a bit of a drop. UCD is a popular college so it’s hard to call. 542 is the lowest cut-off points for this course since 2022. - Deirdre
Will points drop for Actuarial & Financial Studies at UCD?
Could grade deflation significantly reduce the UCD Actuarial & Financial Studies points requirement? My son has achieved A* in A-level Mathematics, A* in Physics and A in Psychology — exceptionally strong results which would comfortably meet the entry requirements for Actuarial Science/Actuarial Mathematics at a number of prestigious UK universities. However, because of the way UK A-level grades translate into the Irish CAO points system, his CAO score currently falls approximately 30 points short of the 2026 UCD Actuarial & Financial Studies cut-off, despite the strength of his actual grades. Given the significant reduction in grade inflation/deflation this year, is there a realistic possibility that points for a high-demand course such as Actuarial & Financial Studies could fall by around 30 points in subsequent CAO rounds? Or is the fact that his results are from A-levels, rather than the Leaving Certificate, likely to make such a movement less relevant? He is very keen to study at UCD and has Mathematics at UCD within his current points range, but Actuarial & Financial Studies is his preferred course. How would you assess his chances of receiving an offer in a later round? - Joan
My sense is that the requirements for this high demand course are unlikely to fall by 30 points, even with the grade deflation. They have been consistently 613 for the past number of years, even with reductions in PMA, so I don’t expect a 30-point drop this year. - Brian
How long does the appeal process take and what is the correct procedure? - Francesca
The State Examinations Commission will release results of appeals to students via their CSSP on Friday September 25th. CAO will make offers to successful candidates in round 5 on Tuesday September 29th. One must make an application for an appeal. This is done through CSSP from 10am on Sunday August 30th to 5pm on August 31st. - Deirdre
Will the CAO points for courses be reduced in line with the grading system? - Clare
If you mean in line with the reduced PMA, then logic would lead you to believe that the points will drop. However, there are other variables at play also, e.g. increased numbers applying through the CAO, applicants with points from previous years, etc. So, we are hoping for a move downwards but this is not guaranteed across the board. - Brian
How much of an indicator are last year’s points requirements?
If you achieved the points that meet the CAO points for last year, is there a strong chance you will be offered your course next week?
Yes, on average I would say yes, but there will always be exceptions and we don’t know where they will arise. I do think however you are in a good position. - Brian
444 points. Hoping for Home Economics and Biology teaching in St Angela’s. Last year points were 453. Do I have any chance? - Margret
This is a popular course. No way of knowing until CAO release round 1 offers on Wednesday. PLC entry route onto this programme and other Home Ec degree courses might be an option if the above doesn’t go your way. Wishing you the best of luck. - Deirdre
What are points expected to be for primary teaching in St Pat’s? - Olive
We have no information to suggest there will be any major changes from last year. It varied from 473 to 506 last year.
My son got more than enough points for his third choice but not his first two. If he gets a place in round 1 of his third choice and accepts it, but in round 2 or round 3 gets offered either of the higher preferences, can he still accept them? - Clare
The answer is yes. So go ahead and accept this offer on Wednesday. He can move to a new course if he gets offers in further rounds. - Deirdre
I have primary teaching in Mary Immaculate College as first choice but only got 456 points. I put arts as my second choice. Is it still possible I might get teaching in other rounds or should I just come to terms with the fact I’ll have to go the long route? - Michelle
You may if points come down. But you would be looking for quite a drop. I am not convinced that this will happen as primary teaching is always a popular choice. However, no one will know points for CAO 2026 courses until Wednesday. The best of luck and well done on doing so well. - Deirdre
My son got 531 points and is hoping for Engineering in TCD. It jumped points massively last year; any indications it might drop this year? - Mary
Will depend on the demand and the points gained by interested parties. This is a very popular course and I can’t imagine that points will drop that much. However, no one will know points for CAO 2026 courses until Wednesday. The best of luck and well done on doing so well. - Deirdre
625 points and 171 HPAT, what are the chances of Medicine? - Anon
For HPAT, 625 LC points converts to 565 points, and adding 171 from HPAT gives 736, which would give you a very good chance for Galway, Cork and RCSI. - Brian
My daughter made the CAO list and didn’t consider the distance to the college. She will probably get an offer for Limerick instead of Dún Laoghaire, because Limerick is first on her list. Is there any chance to decline Limerick offer and get an offer on the second round for IADT? - Rhiannon
CAO will make you an offer of the highest preference course on your list that you meet requirements and cut off points for. All courses that lie below this offer will become obsolete. Hence if Limerick is above Dún Laoghaire, your daughter getting offered Limerick will result in Dún Laoghaire becoming obsolete. Only courses that lie above offers made in round one can be offered in future rounds. - Deirdre
What to do if you no longer want to take your first choice?
I have gotten the points for my first choice but I no longer want to do that course. Is there anything I could do to get my second choice? - Ella
The only way you can get at the second choice is if it appears in vacant places and you can insert it higher than your first preference. If it does not appear here then you will not be able to move down below your first preference. - Brian
Hi, my son got 444 LC points today. He is hoping to be offered his eighth CAO option on the Level 8 list, which is 436 points in TUD. Do you think he will get the offer as he’s eight points above the requirement currently? Thanks for the great insight. - Robert
I would be confident. However, no one will know until after 2pm on Wednesday. But remain positive. - Deirdre
How long is a CAO appeal? - Paula
Results of the appeal process are expected to be out on September 25th if at all possible. This will depend on the number of appeal applications. - Brian
I got 665 points and would like to do Radiation Therapy in TCD. Will this be enough? - Kevin
How did you get 665 points? Points for Radiation Therapy last year was 534 so if that was a typo and you got 565 you should be well clear for an offer. - Brian
I want to check the result of my Maths exam before I appeal. How would I get my script back to check how close I was to getting a higher grade? - Filip
Results will be available on Tuesday via your CSSP. You can then apply to review your script. Written scirpts marked on paper can be viewed at your school. Scripts marked online cn be assessed on your portal. You can then decide on whether to appeal your results or not. - Deirdre
Will I get a course since I got 30 points less than my last CAO option? Can I apply for a PLC after results? - Niranjan
No way of knowing until points are released on Wednesday after 2pm. You can apply for a PLC now. Go online to the relevant college. There should be an online application option. Get back on if you need further help. - Deirdre
My points are 464 and the course I want last year was 474. Do I have any chance? Thurles Home Economics and Business teaching degree. - Jessica
Not sure it will go down that far considering it was 531 in 2024 and 509 in 2023. We will have to wait and see but it might be a long shot. - Brian
If I am looking to have two of my results reassessed, that cannot happen until Tuesday and the [offers] are out Wednesday. if there is a change to my actual points received as a result of the recheck how will that work with CAO offers? Thank you. - Orla
The State Examinations Commission will notify the CAO. The CAO will then make you an offer in the next round, e.g. if exam marks were added up incorrectly, this would be rectified by round 2, Monday 7th September. If it was from a successful appeal, the CAO will make offers on Tuesday, Sept 29th. - Deirdre
With 462 points, how likely is it to get a primary teaching course? - Sally
I would say unlikely but cannot say for definite. You seem to be a good few points short depending on where you have applied. - Brian
I cleared my first choice course by 38 points based on last year’s offers. Is it likely that my course will jump to more than 38 points compared to last year? - Aibas
I would say it is unlikely but cannot say for definite. It can happen but not very often. - Brian
My son would ultimately like to do Dentistry but there are very few places for older students. Does it matter what undergraduate course he does and what do they look for in students applying as older students? - Brenda
I would encourage a course that is heavy in Science, Chemistry and either Physics or Biology. There is no graduate dentistry programme in Ireland. You may have to look abroad for this option. Read here. - Deirdre
My son might appeal some of his results. If he was successful, I know he would get amended results at the end of September. Would he then have to wait to apply next year? Or could he secure a place this year? Thanks. - Ros
If he gets upgraded, essentially what happens is the system will go back to round one and ask what would he have been entitled to then with his increased grades. Whatever the answer to this is must be offered to him, either as an offer there and then, or, if the college cannot facilitate this, then he must be offered it as a deferred place the following year. - Brian
What PLC courses are available to students who want to do CK402 (Biological and Chemical Sciences at UCC) or CK406 (Chemical Sciences at UCC), and what are the chances of getting on these courses from there as I see some students got all distinctions in PLC and still did not get a university place as there are so few for PLC courses? - Brenda
Click here - when you click on this link you will notice that there are a few PLC courses compatible with entry into CK 402. CK406 compatible courses are here. PLC places may come down to random selection. - Deirdre
I hope to do a BA in Criminal Justice in Limerick LM028 which was 387 points last year. I got 393 points. I have no accommodation booked - what are my chances of getting a CAO offer? - Colin
You have a realistic chance of getting an offer. Nobody will know the points for CAO 2026 courses until Wednesday. - Deirdre
How do I view my scripts? - C
You log in to the Candidate Self Service Portal (CSSP) on www.examinations.ie and apply to view your scripts by 5pm on Tuesday August 26th. Full details on the viewing and appeals procedure are in the Candidate Information Guide 2 on the SEC website. - Brian
If I got shortlisted for a CAO points scholarship scheme, it says it will be finalised at round 1 CAO offers. Will I know before or after the options? Will I accept my 3rd/4th choice first? - Sean
If you get an offer for a course, yet don’t have the necessary CAO points, then you obviously got it via scholarship. CAO 2026 points will be issued after 2pm on Wednesday. I recommend that you accept an offer on Wednesday. You may get higher preference courses in future rounds. You would then have the choice to stay with your original (first offer) or move to your newest offer (in later rounds). - Deirdre
Appealing a result in Music
My daughter is really disappointed with a H3 result in Music as she is a talented musician and expected a H1. How does the appeal process work for music, as there is not a recording of her practical exam which covers 50 per cent of her overall grade? She was very happy with her practical exam. - Mary
Music is the only subject where the practical component cannot and does not go through the appeal process. This mark will not be changed. - Deirdre
I got 522 points with seven honours subjects. I want Commerce in UCD or an arts course in economics and social science. What are my chances in CAO? - Pat
You can only use six subjects when calculating CAO points. Commerce is a popular course so I can’t see it dropping that much. Points for 2026 will not be known for any course until 2 pm on Wednesday. Unfortunately it is a waiting game until then. - Deirdre
I got 399 points but wanted 400 points for Maynooth’s Marketing course. How likely is it that the 400 points required will come down? - Ruth
I would suggest you have a good chance it might come down by one point given the drop in Post-Marking Adjustment (PMA), but we have no way of knowing for definite. I presume you have MH101 down in which you can do Marketing as a subject and transfer to MH404 if you are successful in your first year exams. - Brian
Are the English paper results below what they were last year?
According to today’s Irish Times, the percent of H1 results in English has fallen from 5 per cent last year to 4.3 per cent this year.
Can you transfer to your first-choice, third-level course after studying for a year elsewhere?
Hi, I got 452 points which is not enough for DC117 (BSc in Aviation Management at DCU) but should be enough for TU903 (Business & Management at TU Dublin). Would there be an option of completing one year in the TUD course and jumping across to the DCU course? How does it work with changing courses in college? - Evan
Transfers are not very straightforward and don’t happen a huge amount. If you are talking about transferring at the end of year one in TU903 into year two of DC117, I think this could be a long shot. First of all there would need to be space in DC117, and if there is, there would have to be a huge overlap in the content of both courses in first year. Then it would be up to the head of the course DC117 to make a call on whether they felt it were possible, and if you were successful in your application. I would never say never but in my opinion there would only be a very slim chance of this. - Brian
I got 498 points. I am hoping for DC206 (Physical Education with Mathematics) which was 499 points last year. With grade inflation decreasing and increased CAO applications, do you think I’ll get the course? - Frankie
It’s too hard to say. This won’t be known by anyone until offers are out at 2pm on Wednesday. Stay positive and enjoy having done so well. - Deirdre
Can you accept a Level 7 course and subsequently be offered a place on a Level 8?
If my daughter only gets offered a Level 7 course in round 1 and she accepts it, can she still be offered a level 8 in subsequent rounds? Thank you! - Anon
Yes. An offer of a level 8 will be made if your daughter meets entry requirements and has the necessary points in future rounds, regardless of whether she accepts a course from her Level 6/7 list. - Deirdre
How to proceed with a deferral
I didn’t get the results I wanted. I think I have enough for one Level 8 course that I have on my CAO. If I get that offer, can I defer it and do a PLC for the year? Also, if I defer and want to change to another course next year, will I be able to do that on the CAO? - Niamh
So, deferrals are not definite. You must contact the college when you get your offer and ask for a deferral. One of the conditions of the deferral is that you only apply for that course the following year, and you pick up the course. However, if you put any other course on the new CAO application, then you are in open competition again and you loose your deferred place, so be careful how you proceed with this. - Brian
Hello, my son got 251 points. He will be doing a PLC course but he feels this is a very low point score. Are there courses that do take points at the lower end of the scale? - Lucy
Yes. Level 6 and Level 7 courses tend to require lower cut off points for entry. Level 8 is the highest qualification level that one can enter after Leaving Cert. Level 6/7 tend to be shorter in duration, requiring less points. They are often used as a scenic route/back door into a level 8. - Deirdre
Can you miss out on CAO offers altogether?
Hi, what if all the courses in the CAO list require higher points than I obtained? Will I still have offers? - Anissa
CAO will only make offers to candidates who meet the necessary entry requirements and CAO cut off points. One may not receive a level 8 offer but could receive an offer from their level 6/7 list. Many other options exist, such as a Post Leaving Cert course (PLC), apprenticeship, tertiary course, etc. Have a listen to this. - Deirdre
I cleared my course in Trinity College Dublin (TCD) by two points based on last year’s CAO offers. Is there a good chance that I will get it this year? - Siobhan
Yes, I would say you are in with a good chance, but as you know, until you get that offer there is no way of knowing for definite. - Brian
My son got an O6 in maths, but it says unsuccessful in the explanations code, but it is 40-49%. Did he pass Maths for the LC? - Colette
An O6 in Maths is a pass grade. I don’t have enough information about this to know what the ‘unsuccessful’ is about. Did your son sit both papers? Could he have received all his marks from one paper? Ultimately, he has an O6 which is a pass grade in Maths. I would suggest next Tuesday logging into the student portal and looking at the breakdown of marks in his Maths and this might shed light on what is going on. - Brian
How do you appeal a result? - Carol Ann
Applying to view a script is optional. Applications to appeal results open at 10am on Sunday 30th August. This can be done online through your CSSP. Applications to appeal results will close at 5pm on Monday August 31st.
I got 433 points today, but I want to do teaching in Mary Immaculate College which is 444. Will I get it? - Eleanor
My opinion would be that it won’t drop that much. However, we won’t know until CAO offers are made at 2pm on Wednesday. - Deirdre
I got 601 points and want to do Pharmacy at University College Cork (UCC), which was 602 last year. Do you think I will get it? - Lucy
There is no way of knowing for sure, however there are a lot of new pharmacy courses in the system this year, so that might help alleviate the points required in the existing courses. Fingers crossed you’ll make it. - Brian
Will CAO points for medicine go down? - Pal
There’s no way of knowing I’m afraid, it’s just wait and see next Wednesday. Best of luck. - Brian
Accessing CAO points for students that completed their exams abroad
My daughter is waiting for CAO offers as a student who completed her exams in Italy. We submitted all necessary documentation, but we can’t seem to find out how many CAO points her results translate to. She has applied to IADT Dunlaoghaire for a portfolio combined points course. Can you give me an idea of where to find this information? - Geraldine
Would this be useful to you? International entry requirements guidelines. Get back in touch if you need more information. I would advise you to contact the college. - Deirdre
I’m just slightly under the points for Business, Economics and Social Studies (BESS) in Trinity, and Commerce in UCD. Should I go to DCU or just get comfortable on the dole while I still have time? - Alastair
If you get offered a Business course in DCU, that is a very good offer and you should definitively carefully consider accepting this. Go online and do a bit of research into the course at this stage. - Brian
Lower points for a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Galway?
Will Arts in University of Galway (UG) come down in points this year? - Louise
It is too hard to know. It is a popular course; for example, GY101 saw a big jump in 2025. We will have to be patient and wait until Wednesday at 2pm. - Deirdre
My son is very keen on studying law. He had DCU on his list which is about 496 points, and he has received 476 points. He is eligible for DARE because of ADHD and dyspraxia- how much does DARE generally compensate? - Meadhbh
DCU reserves 5 per cent of places on programmes for eligible DARE applicants. Some programmes with *Restricted Entry are excluded from DARE. DARE operates on a priority system, generally giving priority to those with sensory or physical needs. Available places are offered to those students ranked highest by the points scale and points reduction is impacted by a demand for a programme and also by how many DARE places they have on a course. - Deirdre
How likely is a significant rise in points requirements?
Hi, my son got about 25 points more than last year’s requirement for his first choice course. How likely do you think he is to get it? Would points rise by more than 25 points? It seems like it would be a very large increase. - Fiadh
I cannot say for definite as CAO course points will not be known until 2pm on Wednesday. Stay confident. I would be confident. A rise of 25 points could happen, but it is more unlikely than likely. - Deirdre
Is it worthwhile appealing results?
How does the appeals process work? I want to appeal some results but I’m not sure if it’s worth going through all that trouble… - Joshua
View your script first. This will help you make your mind up regarding as to whether to appeal or not. Please make yourself aware of important dates for viewing of scripts and appeals here - Deirdre
Difficulty accessing PLC website
The plc website is down. How can I sign up for some courses? - Oscar
Search colleges of further education that are near you. You should be able to make an online application to one that interests you. Try look to see what the PLC requirement is for your desired third level course. - Deirdre
Hi, my son was 10 points short of the predicted points for architecture. What can he do? - Fiona
Architecture is on offer at six colleges of higher education. Some of these take students from PLC/QQI courses. I would advise you to review CAO Architectural level 8 courses and PLC options. - Deirdre
Will 489 points get me marketing in DCU? - Brid
2025 final round points for this course were 487. We have no indication of points for CAO courses in 2026. We won’t know until 2pm on Wednesday. - Deirdre
I know it’s hard to tell, but do you think points for primary school teaching will fall even a small bit? - Karen
Unfortunately not, we have no indication that primary points are going to change one way or the other, it’s just a waiting game until next Wednesday. - Brian
I got 414 points and applied for DN520 Arts in UCD. What are the chances of getting this course? Last year it was 420 points. - Liam
This course saw a one-point increase in 2025. It is a popular course and UCD is a demanded location. Points can fall. Nobody will know CAO 2026 points until 2pm on Wednesday. - Deirdre
Will points for Veterinary Medicine drop?
I am hoping to study Veterinary Medicine and have applied to the available programmes at UCD, ATU and SETU. Considering the lower overall Leaving Certificate results this year, and the introduction of new veterinary programmes, do you have any indication of the likely 2026 CAO points for these courses? - Anna
Unfortunately not. We are all anxiously waiting to see the effect of the two new veterinary courses on Veterinary Medicine in general this year, what the points will be in the new courses, and whether will this have an effect on the existing UCD course. - Brian
My son got 544 points, and is Disability Access Route to Education (DARE) eligible. Realistically, could he get a place on the Business, Economics and Social Studies (BESS) course in Trinity College Dublin? - Rachel
Trinity College Dublin reserves 25 per cent of places on every course for students with disabilities (DARE), students from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds (HEAR), and mature students. On courses with a quota of more than 40 places, approximately 8 per cent are DARE places, on smaller courses there may be only one or two places. Your son will be competing with other DARE students for these places. It will very much depend on the demand for DARE places and the points obtained by other DARE candidates. - Deirdre
How do I know which papers are going to be available online and which ones in original format? Does it vary per subject? - Sara
All subjects that were marked online will generally be available to view online in the CSSP. A list of these subjects is available in Appendix 2 at the back of the Candidate Information Guide 2 on www.examinations.ie. - Brian
On average, what is the highest that points for any particular course could rise by? - Jessie
There is no way of knowing this really. - Brian
Leaving Cert appeals process explained
My daughter would like to have two subjects rechecked. If she gets upgraded, how does this work in terms of CAO offers? - Elaine
The CAO will make an offer once the candidate satisfies the minimum entry requirements and the necessary cut off points. The State Examinations Commission will liaise with the CAO on appeal results. The CAO will then update offers, if eligible, via CAO account. This will be in round 5. Round 5 offers will be available from 10am on Tuesday, 29th Sept. - Deirdre
How can I see my results? - Philip
You can log into the Candidate Self Service Portal (CSSP) - 2026 using your exam number and password on www.examinations.ie. Or, if you were in a school last year, you can go into your school to pick up a provisional copy of your results there. - Brian
What happens if grades are upgraded on appeal?
If grades are upgraded on appeal and the student then reaches the points criteria for a course, will they automatically be offered the place for the current year post appeal? - Claire
CAO will make an offer if places are still available on the course in question. The candidate can choose to enter into this course subject to availability or defer their place to September 2027. - Deirdre
How and when can I review my marked paper and see how it was graded? - Adam
The breakdown of results of oral/aural/practical components and exact marks are available from 12 noon on Tuesday Aug 25th. One can access this using their Candidate Self Service Portal (CSSP). - Deirdre
My son has Primary School Teaching down for St Pat’s in DCU, and is four points over last years requirements. Do you feel points are likely to go up, and if so, by how much? - Joanne
The overall sense is that points should maybe drop a little since the Post-Marking Adjustment (PMA) has dropped from 5.8 per cent last year to 4 per cent this year, so that is positive. However, the overall numbers sitting the LC this year are up considerably, and there are 20,000 CAO applicants this year who sat their LC in a previous year, so there is a lot of competition. Unfortunately, there is no way of saying definitively what courses will go up or down, but having four points over last year is a good position to be in, so fingers crossed. - Brian
Hi, my child got way lower points than expected. He got much higher in mocks and all of his exams - how can this happen? - Jan
Your child may still get offered a course of interest on Wednesday. Breakdown of results and exact marks are available at 12 noon on Tuesday, Aug 25th. I reccommend that you apply to view your scripts. You can appeal results if you are still not happy. - Deirdre
Is it too late to apply for an apprenticeship?
Looks like my daughter has missed out on most of her CAO course choices; is it too late to apply for a PLC or apprenticeship?
Oh, I’m sorry to hear that. The good news is it is certainly not too late to apply for other options such as PLC courses, Tertiary Courses and Apprenticeships. Not all will still be available, so if you have an idea of what you want to apply for, make contact with the institution or apprenticeship.ie as soon as possible to find out if they still have vacancies. - Brian
Primary school teaching points query
Hello, I received 488 points in my Leaving Certificate today and I want to do primary school teaching in Mary Immaculate College (MIC). This is only two points over the minimum from last year. How likely am I to secure a place? Please, I am so worried. - Christina
Congratulations on doing so well. Points won’t be made public until after 2pm on Wed 26th August. MIC was 484 pts last year. Points can continue fluctuate from round 1 right until the final round 5. Round 5 happens after appeal results have been released. The best of luck. - Deirdre
Percentage breakdown of Leaving Cert results
When do percentages become available? - Barry
At 12 noon on Tuesday August 25th, you will be able to access a full percentage breakdown of your results. - Deirdre
