For further CAO/Careers information please go to the Career news tab on our website and view the careers portal.

SUSI Grant Demonstration

The priority closing date for receipt of new applications for 2021/22 is 8th July 2021. While the online application system will remain open until late Autumn 2021 new applicants who submit their applications on or before this date will be given a priority assessment.  Please see the link below containing the demonstration form.
 

Career Path Expo.

Career Path Expo is Ireland’s new online education show for 2nd level students, school-leavers and guidance and will take place on Wednesday 20th and Thursday 21st January, 2021. The event will feature education, skills and careers – giving the full range of information about universities, colleges, 3rd level and PLC courses, apprenticeships and career opportunities with companies that employ school-leavers.

The virtual, 2-day event, will be of key interest to senior cycle students, their parents and guidance counsellors in schools nationwide and those seeking information about colleges, courses, study, further and higher education options available after Leaving Certificate 2021. It will feature two days of webinars, talks, live Q&A sessions with careers experts and free careers advice, meaning students will get information about the widest range of courses, apprenticeships and jobs on offer from the comfort of their own laptop, tablet or smartphone. The event takes place only a few days before the deadline for normal applications to the CAO, so comes at an ideal time for those seeking advice in advance of making their decisions.

Career Path Expo is free of charge to those who pre-register in advance. The time of the event – 3pm to 8pm each day – is chosen so as not to disrupt the school day but also so that parents can log in with students so that they may be part of the discussion process around options.

Please see link for further information Career Path Expo 2020 

 

UPDATE 4: HEAR & DARE ONLINE PRESENTATIONS – SATURDAY 9 JANUARY, 2021 

The DARE Application Information Online Presentation & Q&A Session will take place on January 9, 2021 at 10am. This provides an opportunity for students and parent(s)/ guardian(s) to meet members of the DARE team & find out how the scheme works. Register at 👉https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_YylsCAe8R3qw1Xp716atxg

 

The HEAR Application Information Online Presentation & Q&A Session will take place on January 9, 2021 at 12.30pm. This provides an opportunity for students & parent(s)/ guardian(s) to meet members of the HEAR team & find out how the scheme works. Register at 👉https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_2XHvJyM_Reyq4TDOu6YAdQ

     

 

CAO INFORMATION EVENING

The evening is currently under review.

The CAO System – Summary

  • The institutions in the CAO (handbook)
  • Entry requirements
  • The points system and new grading system
  • Order of preference of courses
  • The application fee
  • Important dates to remember
  • The change of mind process
  • The offers stage
  • Deferring an offer
  • CAO Parent’s Guide – online

CAO Requirements

A student may have to fulfill 3 types of requirements to be eligible for a college course

  1. The College matriculation requirements
  2. The specific course requirement
  3. The points requirement – calculated from a total of the best six Leaving Certificate results

(See www.qualifax.ie for all the above)

Important Dates – 2021

January 2021 
  • Discounted application fee (€30 fee) available up to 20th January at 5:15pm
February 2021
  • Normal closing date for applications (€45 fee) is 1 February at 5:15pm
  • Online Change of Course Choices (free) facility closes 1 February at 5:15pm
  • Online facility to amend course choices becomes available (€10 fee) on 5 February at noon
March 2021
  • Closing date for amending course choices is 1 March at 5:15pm
  • Most tests and interviews for restricted courses are held in March and April
  • Closing date for final completion of online DARE/HEAR forms is 1 March at 5:15pm
  • Closing date for completion of Mature Applicants section of CAO form is 1 March at 5:15pm
  • Late application facility opens on 
  • DARE/HEAR supporting documentation to arrive in CAO before 15 March at 5:15pm
April 2021
  • Most tests and interviews for restricted courses are held in March and April
May 2021
  • Closing date for late applications is 1 May at 5:15pm
  • Online Change of Mind (free) facility becomes available on 5 May at 12:00 noon (expected date)
  • Statement of Application Record sent to all applicants before end of May. Inform CAO if you do not receive it.
June 2021
  • Leaving Certificate examinations
July 2021
  • Change of Mind Closes on 1 July at 5:15pm
  • Round A offers for certain categories of applicant e.g. mature, deferral, etc. are issued in early July
August 2021
  • Round Zero offers for certain categories of applicant in early August
  • Current year Leaving Certificate results issued (date to be confirmed)
  • Round One offers (date to be confirmed)
  • HEIs begin registration
September 2021
  • HEIs begin registration
  • Results of Leaving Certificate appeals released (date to be confirmed)
  • Offer season ends (date to be confirmed)