Step by Step Guide to the CAO application
Main Steps of the CAO Application
1.Go the cao.ie
2.Click on Apply
3.Carefully enter details such as your name, address, date of birth, schools attended, examination information etc.
4.Make sure you inform CAO about relevant qualifications and any exemptions – select the relevant section(s) on the application form.
5.When you apply online, your application number will appear on screen. You will also receive an email containing your CAO application number and an email verification code.
NB: your application number is private and it will be used in every correspondence between you and the CAO for the rest of the year. Keep it and your password safe.
6.When you have applied, you will then need to log in to your account via the ‘My application’ facility. For this, you require your CAO application number, date of birth and passport.
7.Complete the Qualifications and Assessments section(s) that is relevant to you.
8.You are now ready to begin entering your course choices. It is so important that you do your research on the courses before committing to them. Make use of the career’s portals, the Guidance Counsellor, your family and friends etc
9.There are two course choice lists (level 8 and level 6/7) and applicants may make up to 10 course choices on each list.
You can consider each list as a separate application, just using the same form. It is possible to receive an offer on both lists and you can then decide between them.
10.Please note that is it crucial that you list your choices in your genuine order of preference, as you will get offered the course with the highest placing on the list that you have met the requirements for. All others below this are then discarded.
Ukrainian applicants may be considered under one of three different educational qualifications as follows:
(a) Ukrainians presenting with Ukrainian Leaving Certificate equivalent Qualifications and matriculation only
(b) Ukrainians presenting with Ukrainian and Irish Leaving Certificate or FETAC Qualifications
(c) Ukrainians presenting with Irish Leaving Certificate or FETAC qualifications only.
Category (a)
Ukrainians presenting with Ukrainian Leaving Certificate equivalent Qualifications and matriculation only
Ukrainians who are resident in Ireland (or elsewhere in the EU), who have completed their upper second level schooling and matriculation, and who wish to apply for a place in first year must apply via the CAO before May 1st.
When you make your CAO application, it is very important that you tick the OTHER SCHOOL box, to indicate that you are doing a qualification outside of Ireland
This is the information sheet CAO which advises you on the entry criteria for applicants from the Ukraine (Currently page 90 and 91 at FEBRUARY 2024).
Please note – If you are submitting a qualification from the Ukraine, you must submit a CERTIFIED Copy of both of the above in the original format and in English to CAO by post, with your Name and your unique CAO number on each page.
This is the address for CAO
Central Applications Office (CAO)
Tower house, Eglinton Street,
Galway.
While the CAO handbook requests that all documentation be sent to them within 10 days of the application, they understand that you will not have your Certificates until late June or early July.
You must mail this to CAO as soon as possible after receiving it. CAO will attach it to the information that you have already provided online. Then the MTU (and all Universities that you have applied for) will be able to review your application with all your details, including the documentation that you posted to CAO, in relation to your final award.
This is very important. Please include your name and your unique CAO number on the top of each document that you are sending to CAO.
Category (b)
Ukrainians presenting with Ukrainian and Irish Leaving Certificate or FETAC Qualifications:
If you have already completed the Secondary School Qualifications and Matriculation in the Ukraine, and are currently completing the Irish leaving Certificate or a FETAC Level 5 or Level 6 programme, you must apply via the CAO and tick both the Other School Box and Current Leaving Certificate box OR the FETAC Current year box. This is very important.
You must also follow the instructions also for category (a) above, i.e. you must submit certified copies of your Ukrainian Secondary School Certificate and your matriculation to CAO as soon as you receive them.
Please note – If you are submitting a qualification from the Ukraine, you must submit a CERTIFIED Copy of both of the above in the original format and in English to CAO by post, with your Name and your unique CAO number on each page.
Category (c)
Ukrainians presenting with Irish Leaving Certificate or FETAC qualifications only.
If you are currently completing the Irish leaving Certificate or a FETAC Level 5 or Level 6 programme, you must apply via the CAO and tick either the Current Leaving Certificate box OR the FETAC Current year box for the category that you are applying for.
If you are currently studying for the Irish Leaving Certificate, the results will be sent on via your Irish School Co-ordinator for processing. The state examination Department will issue you with a registration number for your Leaving Certificate which will be forwarded to CAO and will be attached to your application with CAO
If you are doing a FETAC- PLC course, your PPS number will be your Examination number. This should be included in the CAO application and this is an important part of the application. CAO will not be able to match your FETAC results (which will be provided by the ETB that you are studying at) if you do not provide this.
Information on the minimum English Language requirement and on acceptable Ukrainian or other EU school-leaving exams can be found on this link.
