Cao Handbook Form – Fill Out and Use This PDF

Reference List of Participating Higher Education Institutions (HEIs)

	INSTITUTION/ADDRESS		HEI		PAGE		TELEPHONE		WEBSITE		EMAIL
			CODE
	ATHLONE
	Athlone Institute of Technology, Dublin Road, Athlone		AL	26/27		(090)6468000			ait.ie		admissions@ait.ie
	CARLOW
	Carlow College, College Street, Carlow		PC	31		(059)9153200			carlowcollege.ie		admissionscc@carlowcollege.ie
	Institute of Technology, Carlow, Kilkenny Road, Carlow		CW	28-30		(059)9175170			itcarlow.ie		admissions@itcarlow.ie
	CORK
	Cork Institute of Technology, Bishopstown, Cork		CR	32/33		(021)4326100			cit.ie		admissions@cit.ie
	University College Cork (NUI), Western Road, Cork		CK	34/35		(021)4903571			ucc.ie		admissions@ucc.ie
	Griffith College Cork, Wellington Road, Cork		GC	36		(021)4507027			griffith.ie		admissions@gcc.ie
	DUBLIN
	American College Dublin, 2 Merrion Square, Dublin 2		AC	37		(01)676 8939			amcd.ie		degree@amcd.ie
	College of Computing Technology,30-34 Westmoreland Street, Dublin 2		CT	37		(01)633 3444			cct.ie		info@cct.ie
	Marino Institute of Education, Griffith Avenue, Dublin 9		CM	38		(01)805 7752			mie.ie		admissions@mie.ie
	Dorset College, 7/8 Belvedere Place, Dublin 1		DS	38		(01)8611 111			dorset-college.ie		admissions@dorset-college.ie
	Dublin Business School, 13/14 Aungier Street, Dublin 2		DB	39		(01)417 7500			dbs.ie		admissions@dbs.ie
	Dublin City University, Dublin 9
	- Church of Ireland College of Education, Upper Rathmines Road, Dublin 6		DC	40/41		(01)700 5338			dcu.ie		registry@dcu.ie
	- Mater Dei Institute of Education, Clonliffe Road, Dublin 3
	- St Patrick's College, Drumcondra, Dublin 9
	Dublin Institute of Technology, 143 Rathmines Road, Dublin 6		DT	42-44		(01)402 3445			dit.ie		admissions@dit.ie
	Dún Laoghaire Institute of Art, Design and Technology		DL	45		(01)239 4600			iadt.ie		admissions@iadt.ie
	Grafton College of Management Sciences,7 Gardiner Row, Dublin 1		GF	46		(01)872 6597			graftoncollege.ie		info@graftoncollege.ie
	Griffith College Dublin, South Circular Road, Dublin 8		GC	47		(01)415 0415			griffith.ie		admissions@gcd.ie
	IBAT College Dublin ,IBAT House,16-19 Wellington Quay, Dublin 2		BY	48		(01)807 5055			ibat.ie		enquiry@ibat.ie
	ICD Business School, 84-88 South Great George’s Street, Dublin 2		ID	48		(01)633 3222			icd.ie		admin@icd.ie
	Institute of Technology, Blanchardstown, Dublin 15		BN	49		(01)885 1000			itb.ie		info@itb.ie
	Institute of Technology, Tallaght, Dublin 24		TA	50/51		(01)404 2000			ittdublin.ie		admissions@ittdublin.ie
	National College of Art and Design, 100 Thomas Street, Dublin 8		AD	52		(01)636 4200			ncad.ie		admissions@ncad.ie
	National College of Ireland, IFSC, Mayor Street, Dublin 1		NC	52		1850-221721			ncirl.ie		admissions@ncirl.ie
	Portobello Institute, 43 Dominick Street Lower, Dublin 1		PI	53		(01)892 0000			portobelloinstitute.ie		info@portobelloinstitute.ie
	Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin 2		RC	54		(01)402 2100			rcsi.ie		admissions@rcsi.ie
	St Nicholas Montessori College Ireland, 16 Adelaide Street, Dun Laoghaire		NM	55		(01)280 6064			snmci.ie		admissions@snmci.ie
	Trinity College Dublin, College Green, Dublin 2		TR	56-58		(01)896 4500			tcd.ie		academic.registry@tcd.ie
	University College Dublin (NUI), Belfield, Dublin 4		DN	60-63		(01)716 1608			ucd.ie		admissions@ucd.ie
	DUNDALK
	Dundalk Institute of Technology, Dublin Road, Dundalk		DK	64/65		(042)9370200			dkit.ie		admissions@dkit.ie
	GALWAY
	Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology, Dublin Road, Galway		GA	66/67		(091)753161			gmit.ie		admissions@gmit.ie
	National University of Ireland, Galway		GY	68/69		(091)495999			nuigalway.ie		admissions@nuigalway.ie
											admissions@
	Galway Business School, The Prom, Salthill, Galway		GB	69		(091)529000			galwaybusinessschool.ie		galwaybusinessschool.ie
	LETTERKENNY
	Letterkenny Institute of Technology, Port Road, Letterkenny		LY	70/71		(074)9186000			lyit.ie		irene.heavey@lyit.ie
	LIMERICK
	Mary Immaculate College, Limerick		MI	72		(061)204300			mic.ul.ie		admissions@mic.ul.ie
	Griffith College Limerick, 3 O'Connell Avenue, Limerick City, Limerick		GC	72		(061)310031			griffith.ie		admissions@gcl.ie
	Irish College of Humanities and Applied Sciences, Limerick		CI	73		(061)216288			ichas.ie		info@ichas.ie
	Limerick Institute of Technology, Moylish Park, Limerick		LC	74/75		(061)293000			lit.ie		admissions@lit.ie
	University of Limerick, Limerick		LM	76-78		(061)202015			ul.ie		admissions@ul.ie
	MAYNOOTH
	Pontifical University, St Patrick’s College, Maynooth, Co. Kildare		MU	79		(01)708 4772			maynoothcollege.ie		admissions@spcm.ie
	Maynooth University, National University of Ireland Maynooth, Co. Kildare		MH	80-82		(01)708 3822			maynoothuniversity.ie		admissions@nuim.ie
	SHANNON
	Shannon College of Hotel Management, Co. Clare		GY	83		(061)712590			shannoncollege.com		admissions@
											shannoncollege.com
	SLIGO
	St Angela's College, Lough Gill, Sligo		AS	84		(071)9143580			stangelas.nuigalway.ie		admin@stangelas.nuigalway.ie
	Institute of Technology, Sligo, Ash Lane, Sligo		SG	86/87		(071)9318510			itsligo.ie		admissions@itsligo.ie
	TIPPERARY
	Limerick Institute of Technology(Tipperary), Thurles, Co. Tipperary		LC	88/89		(0504)28000			lit.ie		tippadmissions@lit.ie
	TRALEE
	Institute of Technology, Tralee, Co. Kerry		TL	90/91		(066)7145638			ittralee.ie		info@ittralee.ie
	WATERFORD
	Waterford Institute of Technology, Waterford		WD	92/93		(051)845555			wit.ie		admissions@wit.ie

CAO - Central Applications Office, Tower House, Eglinton Street, Galway, Ireland

Phone - 091 509800 Fax - 091 562344 Website - www.cao.ie

		CAO Timetable of Events – 2015
September	-	CAO 2016 application packs delivered to schools
October
November	-	CAO online application facility opens on 5th November at 12:00 noon
	- Change of Course Choices (free) facility opens on 5th November at 12:00 noon
December
		CAO Timetable of Events – 2016
January	-	Discounted application fee € fee available up to 20th January at 5:15pm
	- Online Change of Course Choices (free) facility closes 31st January at 5:15pm
February	-	Normal closing date for applications € fee is 1st February at 5:15pm
	-	Online facility to amend course choices becomes available € fee on 5th February at
		noon
March	-	Closing date for amending course choices is 1st March at 5:15pm
	- Most tests and interviews for Restricted Courses are held in March and April
	- Closing date for final completion of online HEAR/DARE forms is 1st March at 5:15pm
	- Late application facility opens on 5th March at 12:00 noon
April	-	Most tests and interviews for Restricted Courses are held in March and April
	- HEAR/DARE supporting documentation to arrive in CAO before 5:15pm on 1st April
May	-	Closing date for late applications is 1st May at 5:15pm
	- Online Change of Mind (free) facility becomes available on 5th 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	-	Leaving Certificate examinations
July	-	Change of Mind Closes on 1st July at 5:15pm
	- Round A offers for certain categories of applicant e.g. Mature, Deferral, etc. are issued
		in early July
	- Exceptional closing date for late applications for those already attending a
		participating HEI is 22nd July at 5:15pm
August	-	Round 0 offers for certain non-standard categories of applicant issued in early August
	- Current year Leaving Certificate results issued in mid-August
	- Round One offers issued 22nd August (expected date)
	- Round One acceptances closing date 29th August (expected date) at 5:15pm
	- Round Two offers issued 31st August (expected date)
September	-	HEIs begin registration
	- Round Two acceptances closing date 7th September at 5:15pm (expected date)
October	-	Results of Leaving Certificate appeals released in early October
	- Offer season ends 19th October at 5:15pm

Tá leagan Gaeilge den Lámhleabhar seo ar fail.

Updates to the handbook, such as new courses and cancelled courses, may be viewed on the CAO website. Go

to www.cao.ie, click on CAO (andbook and see the table with the title )mportant Changes .

INTRODUCTION

The purpose of the Central Applications Office (CAO) is to process centrally applications for undergraduate courses in Irish Higher Education Institutions (HEIs), and to deal with them in an efficient and fair manner. The HEIs retain the function of making decisions on admissions.

This handbook has been prepared to provide information about the CAO application process. By reading this handbook carefully you will find out the information that you need to assist you with your application.

There are many avenues to be explored when you decide to make the journey into higher education. For the majority, that journey will involve a CAO application. It is important to note, however, that there are alternative access routes to higher education, other institutions offering further and higher education, and situations where you may have to apply to an institution directly.

You should allow ample time to research your course choices carefully, and check for matriculation and minimum entry requirements - you will not receive an offer of a place on your chosen course if you do not meet the minimum entry requirements. You can find out more information from the prospectuses and websites of the institutions, at Open Days, and from your Guidance Counsellor.

For some institutions, fees or a student contribution may be payable – you should refer to the HEI website for fees information and go to www.studentfinance.ie or www.susi.ie for information about finance and grants.

If you have questions for CAO that are not answered in CAO literature or on the CAO website, or if you do not understand any instruction you receive from CAO, please contact us using the Contact form on the website

www.cao.ie.

APPL)CANT S RESPONS)BILITY

Before applying to CAO it is important that you note the following information:

You, the applicant, are responsible for ensuring that an application is submitted complete, correct and on time.

In any one year, you may not present more than one application.

You must examine the contents of this handbook carefully.

CAO and HEIs may assume that anyone who is able to quote your CAO application number is authorised to make changes to your application or act on your behalf.

Certain minimum computing facilities are required for online applications (e.g. the latest version of Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox and Google Chrome) and we advise applicants to avoid the use of smartphones or tablets when submitting an online application to prevent errors or issues of device compatibility.

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APPLYING TO CAO

Step 1 – Register on the CAO system in advance of the closing date to obtain your CAO application number

1.Go online at www.cao.ie and click on Apply .

2.Enter your personal details.

3.Select the qualifications and assessments section(s) that are relevant to you (there may be more than one relevant section – see page 5 for more information).

4.Enter your payment details.

5.Create a password. If you forget your password you can use the forgotten password facility. You will need your CAO application number, date of birth and the registered email address for your account to

be able to automatically reset your password. If you experience difficulty resetting your password contact CAO using the Contact facility.

6.Supply a valid email address. Please note that the HEIs to which you apply may wish to communicate with you about your application, and they may contact you by email, post or SMS text.

7.You must then click on Proceed with application to obtain your CAO application number. Your application details will appear on screen and you will also receive an email containing your CAO application number. If you do not receive an email with your application number, your application has

not been processed successfully.

Please note: You should enter your name as it appears on your Birth Certificate or your Passport. The name you enter on your application will be used subsequently for registration and graduation documents. You may face complications in future if the name on your application does not match the name on one of these documents.

APPLICATION DATES AND FEES

				FEE		CLOSING DATE
		Early online application (discounted)		€		20th January 2016 at 5:15pm
		Normal online application		€		1st February 2016 at 5:15pm
		Late online application – restrictions apply		€		1st May 2016 at 5:15pm
		Change of Mind		Nil		1st July 2016 at 5:15pm
		Exceptional online late application – see page 14		€ 0		22nd July 2016 at 5:15pm
	Table 1.1 Application dates and fees

You should avoid submitting an application close to a closing date. No extensions to closing dates will be allowed and all application fees are non-refundable.

LATE APPLICATIONS

Late Applications are those which are received after 5:15pm on 1st February 2016 and will be accepted up to 5:15pm on 1st May 2016, subject to the restrictions listed on page 3 of this handbook.

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Step 2 – Provide details of your qualifications and assessments

Go to www.cao.ie and click on My Application . In order to login you will be asked to enter your CAO

application number, your date of birth and the password that you created at the application stage. If you enter this information correctly, you will be brought to the Qualifications and Assessments screen where you will be asked to provide additional information about the Qualifications and Assessments section s that you

selected when you registered on the CAO system.

CATEGORIES OF QUALIFICATIONS AND ASSESSMENTS

Some applicants may select one or more of the sections below and it is important that applicants inform CAO of all qualifications in order to be credited for them at the offer stage. Please follow the instructions for the sections that are relevant to you. Unless these instructions are followed precisely, it may be necessary to suspend processing of your application and to contact you to seek compliance with the requirements. In such cases, an additional processing fee of € will be imposed.

When sending copies of supporting documents please write your CAO application number on the front of each page and refer to page 12 of this handbook for further information.

IRISH LEAVING CERTIFICATE EXAMS (1985-2016) If you are applying on the basis of Leaving Certificate results you will be asked to enter the name and address of your second-level school(s) and the years attended. If you are a current year Leaving Certificate candidate you must tick the box provided – usually, you

will not have your Leaving Certificate examination number when you first make your CAO application, but at a later date you will be asked to verify your Leaving Certificate examination number on your Statement of Application Record which you will receive in May. If you have previously sat the Leaving Certificate you must

provide your examination number(s) and the year(s) in which you sat your examination(s).

QQI FET/FETAC LEVEL 5/6 EXAMS (2002-2016) If you are taking and/or have completed a QQI FET/FETAC Level 5/6 award between 2002 and 2016, please enter your assigned PPS Number in the box provided. Certificates will need to be provided for QQI FET/FETAC exams taken in conjunction with other bodies e.g. FÁS/Teagasc. NOTE: Specific QQI FET/FETAC Level 5/6 awards may be required for entry to particular courses. You should check the appropriate HEI literature to ensure that your QQI FET/FETAC Level 5/6 course is acceptable. A full QQI FET/FETAC Level 5/6 Award is required; a QQI FET/FETAC Level 5/6 Record of Achievement is not sufficient.

FETAC LEVEL 5/6 (NCVA LEVEL 2/3) EXAMS (2001 OR EARLIER) Mention any pre-2002 examinations which have been fully completed, showing the year taken. Describe the exams briefly on additional pages and submit certified A4 photocopies of certificates for any pre-2002 NCVA Level 2/3 examinations which have been fully completed, and show the year the qualification was certified.

If you require previous FETAC Level 5/6 examinations to be combined with your current year QQI FET/FETAC Level 5/6 examinations, you should contact QQI FET/FETAC to ensure that CAO receives the combined results in the current year examination results file. NOTE: Specific QQI FET/FETAC Level 5/6 awards may be required for entry to particular courses. You should check the appropriate HEI literature to ensure that your QQI FET/FETAC Level 5/6 course is acceptable. A full QQI FET/FETAC Level 5/6 Award is required; a QQI FET/FETAC Level 5/6 Record of Achievement is not sufficient.

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GCE/GCSE (ENGLAND, WALES, AND NORTHERN IRELAND EXAMS) If you are applying on the basis of GCE/GCSE exams to be taken this year you must provide the Exam Board, Centre number, Candidate number, Subject(s) and Level in the spaces provided. For any GCE/GCSE examinations which you have already completed, and for which a certificate has been issued, you must post certified A4 photocopies (certified by school stamp) of the appropriate certificates to CAO. These will form part of your eligibility for consideration for entry to courses. If you are presenting previous years GCE/GCSE examinations you must tick the box provided on the application form. Please Note: Certificates or statements of results must be issued by the exam boards (containing the exam board logo). Documents produced by schools will not be sufficient.

Boards other than CIE, CCEA, UCLES, WJEC, OCR, EDEXCEL, AQA, and AEB must be entered under "Other School Leaving Exams".

OTHER SCHOOL LEAVING EXAMS (e.g. Baccalaureate, Scottish Exams, pre-1985 Irish & UK exams, Leaving Exams outside of UK & Ireland, Leaving Cert Applied, Level 3 BTEC, GNVQs, VCEs, Irish Matric Exams, etc.) Please provide details of other school leaving exams and the years they were completed. Describe the examinations briefly, including details of the National or European framework level where relevant, and submit certified A4 photocopies of any certificates with translations if the certificate is not in English or Irish. If you are sitting your examinations in 2016, please submit certified photocopies of your results to CAO as soon as they become available.

FURTHER EDUCATION (OTHER THAN QQI FET/FETAC LEVEL 5/6 AND NCVA LEVEL 2/3)

Please provide information about any other Further Education courses that you have undertaken that do not fall into one of the other sections on this application form, e.g. City & Guild awards, FÁS awards, BTEC level 4 or higher etc. Mention any Post-Leaving Certificate Courses (Republic of Ireland), and describe briefly on additional pages any special experience and/or qualification stipulated in HEI literature as being relevant for admission process. You can send certified A4 photocopies of certificates to support your application. If relevant, state on additional pages the dates, locations, subjects and (if known) results. Mention any other relevant Further Education/Training qualifications.

THIRD-LEVEL HIGHER EDUCATION This information is required regardless of whether you passed or failed or did not take examinations. Failure to disclose the appropriate information may result in the cancellation of your application. Checks are made to ensure that this information has not been omitted.

1.If you have completed a course, you should include a copy of an academic transcript with your postal documents.

2.If you have withdrawn from a course before completing it, you should enclose a certificate of attendance (with your postal documents) showing the relevant dates of entry and withdrawal.

3.If you are still attending an institution of higher education, give full details stating institution(s) attended, course(s) taken, dates of attendance, current status and results obtained. Attach these details to your postal documents. You do not need to supply the documentation mentioned in points 1 & 2 above.

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