The figures reflect increased pressure on college places due to demographic growth and are slightly lower than last year’s results. This year, 51% of students received a first-preference Level 8 offer, down from 56% in 2024, while 80% were offered one of their top three choices compared with 83% last year. At Level 6/7, 90% of applicants received their first preference, slightly below last year’s 92%.

The Central Applications Office has issued a total of 86,098 offers to just over 59,000 applicants, including 54,256 for Level 8 courses and 31,842 for Level 6/7. Successful candidates were notified by text and email this lunchtime. Students can check their status via the ‘My Application’ section at www.cao.ie.

Some applicants may receive simultaneous offers from both the Level 8 and the Level 6/7 lists. Only one offer can be accepted per round, with the deadline for acceptance set for 3pm on Tuesday, 2 September.

Points requirements have shifted this year, influenced by rising demographics and deflated Leaving Certificate results. Around 50% of courses have seen point increases, while 42% have experienced reductions, with 634 courses recording higher points than last year.

CAO Head of Communications Eileen Keleghan advised students to carefully consider any offers received. “Applicants who receive a lower-preference offer can accept it without affecting eligibility for a higher-preference course in a later round,” she said. “Those receiving an offer in this round should weigh it carefully, as it may be the only offer they receive.”

Students who have not received an offer will be issued a ‘Statement of Application’ email. Ms Keleghan stressed the importance of checking accounts for errors promptly to allow corrections before subsequent rounds.