CAO Applications FAQs

All EU/EEA/UK applicants for first year of undergraduate degree courses (excluding distance and online learning) should  (opens in a new window)apply via CAO. This is defined by fee status. If your fee status is non-EU, you should apply direct to UCD.

Generally, if you are eligible for EU fees* and applying for the first year of an undergraduate degree, you must apply via the Central Applications Office (CAO)(opens in a new window) online at www.cao.ie. The CAO handbook, which gives details of application procedures and closing dates, is available on the CAO website.

(opens in a new window)Central Applications Office
Tower House
Eglinton Street
Galway

Applications open in November each year for entry the following September. 

* Please see EU fee assessment criteria. Applicants not eligible for EU fees and transfer applicants (post-year 1) must apply directly to the University.

The normal closing date is 1 February, although there is a reduced application fee for applying before 20 January. Late applications are accepted up to 1 May except for categories of applicant (DARE,HEAR and Mature for most courses). 

A restricted application course is one for which you must apply by 1 February. This is usually because there is an additional test or assessment involved. 

There are currently no restricted application courses in UCD. However we recommend that you apply by 1 February for the following as there are additional requirements:

• DN300 Veterinary Medicine (practical experience required)
• DN301 Graduate Entry Veterinary Medicine (GAMSAT test)
• DN400 Medicine (HPAT-Ireland test)
• DN401 Graduate Entry Medicine (GAMSAT test)

Some categories of applicant (DARE, HEAR and most Mature applicants) must also apply by 1 February.

You can select up to 10 different level 8 (honours degree) courses on the CAO form. When entering your course choices it is extremely important that you list your courses based on your genuine order of preference and not on assumptions about examination performance or what you think the points will be for a course.

At the offer stage, you will receive an offer of the course highest up on your course choices list(s) that you are deemed eligible for, if any. For example, if you receive your first preference Level 8 course in Round One you will not receive an offer for a lower Level 8 preference in subsequent rounds. If you receive an offer of your third preference course you may still receive an offer of your second or first preference course in a subsequent round of offers, but you will not receive an offer of your fourth preference course or lower.

Please note: you cannot place a CAO code on your CAO form twice even if there are different options within the course.

Documents already available should be sent to CAO immediately following application. All remaining documents and exam results you are presenting for assessment for entry to UCD must be with CAO no later than the dates below:

For more information please see page on submitting results.

You should NOT send originals (except for Graduate Entry Medicine - DN401 where originals are required). For all others they should be certified copies (e.g. by a school stamp).

If you are admitted to UCD, we will need to see the original at time of registration.

A certified English translation is required for any results and qualifications not issued in Irish or English. You should still send a copy of the untranslated version.

If you are applying for any of the following there are additional steps:

• Veterinary Medicine (DN300) provide details of practical experience
• Medicine (DN400), apply for  HPAT-Ireland

Graduate Entry programmes
Send your transcripts to CAO and for the following to programmes apply for GAMSAT

• Graduate Entry Veterinary (DN300/DN301) 
• Graduate Entry Medicine (DN401) 

Mature Applicants

• Mature entry nursing (DN450-453), you must also apply to the  Public Appointments Service for the test.
• Mature Applicants, for all courses, make sure to submit a Statement of Interest

All applicants:

Send required documents to CAO (e.g. copies of EU exam results, DARE or HEAR supporting documents, etc) and don't forget to check your statement from CAO which you should be available on your CAO account in May.

Points won't be known until Round 1 offers issue. You should put down the courses you want in your genuine order of preference and not worry too much about the points as they can vary significantly from year to year. You should ensure that you will meet the subject requirements (e.g. there is no point applying for Engineering if you are not taking higher level maths).

No, all applicants apply for a place on the 6 year medical programme.

Applicants who accept a place in DN400 and who have previous third level credits may apply for Recognition of Prior Learning. Applicants may be granted exemption from some or all of stage 1.

Yes, if you are a school-leaver you can apply up to 1 May with a late application fee.

However, some categories of applicant (DARE, HEAR and most Mature applicants) must apply by 1 February and cannot be considered under these categories if they apply late.

The change of mind facility opens in early May (check  (opens in a new window)CAO website for exact date) and runs until 5pm on 1 July.

No, there is no charge for using the CAO change of mind facility from May - 1 July.