Dear Parent(s) / Guardian(s),
The Guidance Counsellor would like to remind you all about the upcoming CAO deadlines. We have also reminded our 6th year students.
1) CAO DEADLINE :
The closing date for CAO applications is Sunday, the 1st February, 2026. Students need to ensure that they make their CAO application BEFORE 17:00 on Sunday, 1st February.
2) HEAR/DARE DEADLINES
HEAR (Higher Education Access Route) and DARE (Disability Access Route to Education) are Irish college admissions schemes for school leavers under 23, providing reduced points and extra supports.
1st March, 2026 (17:00): Closing date for final completion of online HEAR/DARE forms (Section A: completed online by the student)
10th March, 2026 (17:00): Latest date for HEAR/DARE supporting documentation to arrive for CAO (Sections B & C)
It is the student’s responsibility to ensure that all documentation (Sections B + C) are sent in to the CAO before 10th March.
3) PLC’s
We have encouraged students to consider applying for a PLC, as a potential course for next year or as a backup route for entry into third level. Most of the PLC’s are now open for applications, as are Traineeships and Tertiary degrees. A lot of the PLC’s are offering students a place on their chosen course, once an application has been made, without completing an interview. This makes it very easy for a student to have an offer in place before the summer.
*Please be aware that you cannot apply for a PLC course on your CAO. You must apply separately to each PLC college and a student can apply for as many PLC courses as they wish.
4) LANGUAGE EXEMPTIONS
Students who have an official exemption from studying Irish or a third language will also be exempt from presenting this requirement at third level. However students must submit an application to the relevant institutions in order to avail of this exemption. It is the student’s responsibility to ensure that the relevant documentation is sent in.
If applying to TCD (online application), University of Limerick or Mary Immaculate College you must contact the relevant Admissions Office directly.
In the case of NUI Institutions*, from 6th November 2023, NUI is only accepting online applications for exemptions. The form is accessible at https://exemptions.nui.ie/.
*Member institutions of the NUI (i.e. UCC, UCD, Maynooth University, University of Galway, RCSI and NCAD) have a matriculation requirement for Irish (ROI applicants only) and may also have a third language matriculation requirement for certain courses – check institution literature for exact requirements.
We have encouraged the 6th year students to contact the Guidance Counsellor if they require any further assistance or support in finalising their CAO application. We are available to help in any way.
