Minister Lawless congratulates students on receiving their CAO offers
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From: Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science
- Published on: 27 August 2025
- Last updated on: 27 August 2025
Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science James Lawless TD has today congratulated students receiving their CAO Round One offers.
More than 59,000 applicants received an offer today. This represents more students than ever being offered a place in higher education on CAO Round One day.
There were 27,897 (51%) Level 8 first preference offers made today, this is broadly in line with pre-COVID trends, where 53% of Round One offers were for applicants’ first preference.
While most applicants received an offer, 80% of offers made today were for one of applicants’ top three preferred courses.
Speaking today, Minister Lawless said:
“I want to extend my congratulations to the record number of students receiving their first round CAO offers today. I also want to acknowledge and celebrate those who received offers in Round A and Round Zero earlier this summer. You should be proud of what you have achieved through hard work and commitment.
“For those who did not get the outcome they hoped for, remember education is a lifelong journey. There are more options than ever before, including further education, apprenticeships, and new tertiary degree courses outside the CAO points system. This may not have been the result you expected, but it is not the end of your journey. With the many supports and options available to you, your future is still yours to shape.
"I’d like to wish all continued success as you take the next steps toward your goals.”
More than 89,000 applications were made to the Central Applications Office, over 51,000 of which were from the Leaving Certificate class of 2025. These are the largest cohorts ever, with over 6,000 additional applications to the CAO compared to last year.
The remaining applications were from other groups, including mature applicants, those who received a qualification from a Further Education (FET) college, people with a previous attendance at a Higher Education Institution and people with other school leaving exams.
Those who have received an offer today have until 3.00pm on 2 September to accept their place.
Round two offers will be sent out to all qualified applicants on 8 September.
NOTES
In advance of Round One, CAO offers were issued in two earlier rounds to specific applicant groups.
Early Round/Round A
On 4 July 2025, offers were made to 5,846 applicants, who are in the following categories:
- those who need to make visa or other arrangements before taking a place;
- deferred applicants, mature applicants;
- mature nursing/midwifery applicants.
Round Zero
On 7 August 2025, 6,054 applicants received 7,921 offers of places which go to certain categories of applicants, such as mature, deferred, and Access applicants, as well as graduate entry medicine applicants and applicants presenting QQI FET/FETAC for courses with QQI FET/FETAC quotas.