Uni or College?
When choosing a course, think about the type of qualification you want, which style of studying suits you best, and what the teaching standards are like. You can search for a course online.
Choosing a subject
Far more subjects are available in higher education than at school. Many are vocational, and lead straight into a career, such as nursing or accountancy. Others are academic, ranging from subjects you may have studied  before such as French or Geography, to less familiar ones like Social Policy.
- Decide what type of course you wish to take
- Choose a mode of study
- Choose a subject
- Choose an institution
Choosing a course to suit you
Think about the style of learning that best suits your needs and commitments – options include learning full time, part time or through flexible learning routes such as e-learning or distance learning courses.
Also think about which qualification is best for you. Many people take degrees, such as a Bachelor of Science (BSc) or Bachelor of Arts (BA) qualification. Other options include studying for a Foundation Degree,
How do I apply to go to college?
Application for almost all full-time undergraduate courses is made through the Central Applications Office.
The CAO provide an applications pack with a handbook which lists all the courses on offer and gives information on how to apply. The closing date for applications from Irish and other EU nationals is normally the 1st of February.
Decisions on offers of places are normally taken in August and September following receipt of the results of the Leaving Certificate Examination. When a Leaving Certificate student meets the minimum qualifications for a third level course and there are more applications than places on the courses, each student’s examination results (based on a single sitting of the Leaving Certificate) are reduced to a single points score.
This is calculated by giving a set number of points for each grade and then adding the six best values to get a points total. Students are then ranked according to their points scores. The points level for any specific course is determined by the number of applications for the course, the points received by the applicants and the number of places available on the course.
The address is: CAO, Tower House,
Eglinton Street, Galway.
Tel.: 091-509800; fax: 091-562344;
As a mature student, how do I apply to college?
A candidate who is at least 23 years of age on 1 January in the year of their entry or re-entry to an approved course may be considered a mature student.
However, local regulations can vary and you are again advised to check with the institution in which you are interested.
Each college has an Admissions Office and, generally, a person responsible for mature students.
Some institutions require application to be made directly to the institutions and some require application to be made through the CAO. An application fee is payable to the CAO or to the institution where application is made directly.
The institutions use the CAO as a matter of administrative convenience. However, it is the institution which decides whether to offer a place or not; CAO has no function in that decision.
Additional information is available from the Department of Education and Science, through its booklet Guide for Mature Students.
Search for a course online
Use our online directory to search for a course of your choice
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CAO
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