Important dates for your CAO

Applying for a college course through the CAO is one of the many options you have when you are preparing to leave school. We’ve put together a few key dates if you are thinking of using the CAO to choose a college course for September.

Application deadlines

If you are making a CAO application this year, there are some important dates to be aware of.

20th January 2025 (5 pm)

Apply online by this date to avail of the discounted application fee of €30.

1st February 2025 (5 pm)

Normal closing date for applications.

Nov 23rd – 17th January 2025

Registration Window: HPAT – Undergraduate Entry to Medicine.

5th February 2025 (12pm)

Online facility to amend course choices becomes available (€10 Fee).

Before 15th February 2025

Paper Applicants will be sent a Statement of Course Choices. If you do not receive this statement you should contact the CAO.

14th – 23rd February 2025

Test sitting: HPAT – Undergraduate Entry to Medicine.

1st March 2025 (5pm)

Closing date for amending course choices.
Closing date for completion of the mature section of the application form.
Closing date for the final completion of online HEAR/DARE forms.

5th March 2025 (12pm)

Late application facility opens.

March 2025

MSAP Test – For mature applicants to certain courses in UCD, UCC, UL and NUI Galway.

15th March 2025 (5pm)

Latest date for HEAR/DARE supporting documentation to arrive in CAO.

March 2025

GAMSAT Test – Graduate Entry to Medicine.

Mid-March 2025

Mature Nursing Test (PAS) Registration Window

1st May 2025 (5pm)

Closing date for late applications.

April 2025

Mature Nursing Test (PAS) Test Window

Change of mind and statements of application

If you reconsider your options after filling out the CAO, it is possible to change your application.

6th May 2025 (12pm)

Online Change of Mind facility becomes available free of charge.

Before 15th May 2025

Late Paper Applicants will be sent a Statement of Course Choices. You should contact the CAO if you do not receive yours.

Before end of May 2025

Statement of Application Record will be sent to all applicants. You should contact the CAO if you do not receive yours.

1st July 2025 (5pm)

Change of Mind closes.

Non-Standard Category Applicants and HEI

If you are a Non-Standard applicant, there are some important CAO dates to keep in mind.

TBC (10:00)

Round A offers for certain Non-Standard categories of applicants. Applicants will receive an offer by post, by e-mail and text message.

TBC (5pm)

Exceptional closing date for late applications for those already attending a participating HEI.

TBC (10:00)

Round 0 offers for certain Non-Standard categories of applicant. Applicants will receive an offer by post, by e-mail and text message.

Leaving Cert results and offers

TBC

Leaving Cert results are released.

TBC (14:00)

Round 1 offers available from 14:00 online – also issued by e-mail and text.

Applicants who have not received an offer will receive a ‘Statement of Application’ e-mail.

TBC (12:00)

Available Places facility opens

TBC (15:00)

Round 1 Acceptances closing date

TBC (14:00)

Round 2 offers available

TBC (15:00)

Round 2 Acceptances closing date

TBC (10:00)

Round 3 offers available from 10:00 online.

TBC (15:00)

Round 3 Acceptances closing date

TBC (10:00)

Round 4 offers available from 10:00 online. Applicants will also receive an offer notification by e-mail and SMS text.

TBC (15:00)

Round 4 Acceptances closing date

TBC (10:00)

Round 5 offers available from 10:00 online. Applicants will also receive an offer notification by e-mail and SMS text.

TBC (15:00)

Round 5 Acceptances closing date

TBC

Results of Leaving Certificate appeals released

TBC

Offer Season Ends.

5th November 2025

CAO application facility opens for 2026 applications.

Please note that these dates may be amended.

For further help and advice about your CAO application form.

Need more information?

We are here to answer your questions and talk through your options. Our online chat service is for 16 to 25 year olds and is available Monday to Friday, 4pm to 8pm. Chat to us now about your situation.

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