When it comes to filling in your CAO Application Form, it is completely normal to find the process overwhelming. You may find yourself asking “What course should I study”, “Which college should I choose?” or “I'm not sure what I want to do with my future!”.
But don’t worry. We’ve created a simple checklist to help you navigate through your CAO options and make decisions that are aligned with your ambitions. This list will help you stay focused, make informed choices, and ensure you’re ready to take the next step towards your dream career.
1. Reflect On Your Interests and Strengths
Start by thinking about what excites you and where you excel. Whether it’s problem-solving, working with people, or creativity, understanding your interests will help you narrow down courses that align with your passions. Consider the subjects you enjoy most in school and the areas where you perform well. If you're still uncertain, speaking with your school's guidance counsellor can help clarify your options and steer you toward the right direction.
2. Research Career Prospects
Take the time to explore the career paths associated with each course you’re considering. What industries are you interested in, and what are the job prospects in those fields? Many courses offer valuable work placement opportunities, giving you hands-on experience and a clearer picture of what a career in that area might look like. You can learn more about work placement stories by reading our blog "Benefits of Work Placement: Insights From NCI Students".
On the NCI website, each CAO course page has a "Career Prospects" section, where you can see companies where recent graduates have gone on to work. This can give you a better understanding of the career opportunities available to you once you graduate. Check out our CAO Programmes to learn more.
HEAR and DARE Applicants
If you are a school leaver with a disability or come ffom socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds, then you may be interested in learning more about Disability Access Route to Education (DARE) and Higher Education Access Route (HEAR), two initiatives designed to provide alternative routes to college education for eligible students.
3. Check Out the Prospectus
Every year, each college publishes a prospectus with detailed information about the courses they offer. This is a great resource to learn about the programmes available, as well as the facilities and amenities the college provides. It’s a useful tool for comparing different institutions and finding the best fit for you.
To download a copy of the NCI prospectus, please see Full-Time Prospectus.
4. Consider Location and Commute
When deciding on your CAO choices, think about the location of the colleges you’re considering. Is it easy for you to commute? Do you need to move closer to campus? If you do need to move, can you afford rent?
NCI is centrally located in Dublin’s IFSC, making it easily accessible by public transport, including trains, the Luas, and several bus routes. Further information on how to find us can be found on NCI Location.
To get a feel for the commute, attend an open day to see the transport options in action and gauge how long it will take you to get to campus.
5. Attend College Open Days
Speaking of Open Day’s, we highly recommend that you attend as many of these events as possible in the lead up to selecting your CAO choices.
Open Days are an invaluable opportunity to learn more about the courses you're interested in and get a real sense of campus life. You’ll have the chance to meet lecturers, ask questions about course content, and even experience sample lectures. At NCI, current students also attend Open Days, offering you insight into life at the college. It’s a great way to gather information to make a more informed decision. Check out the NCI Events page for more details on our next CAO Open Day.
To see when our next CAO Open Day is taking place, check out CAO Open Day Events.
6. Complete Your CAO List
Once you’ve narrowed down your options, it’s time to complete your CAO choices list. You can include up to 20 courses in total, 10 for Level 8 programmes and 10 for Level 6/7, ranked in order of preference. The course code for each programme will be listed in the prospectus or on the CAO website. For example, if you’re interested in the BA (Hons) in Marketing Practice at NCI, the course code is NC020.
While it's not mandatory to fill all 20 spots, it's a good idea to complete as many fields as possible. This way, if you don’t get your first or second choice, you still have other options you’re interested in. Don’t forget to carefully consider the order in which you rank your preferences, as this will determine how offers are made. Further information on the CAO choices list can be found on CAO.ie.
7. Keep Track of Deadlines!
Be aware of the key CAO deadlines! These include the initial application deadline (typically in early February) and deadlines for late applications and the Change of Mind option. Missing these deadlines could limit your options, so stay on top of the dates to ensure you don’t miss out on your preferred courses. A full list of deadlines can be found on CAO Timetable of Events.
For more details on CAO programmes, Open Days, and other helpful advice for Leaving Certificate students, be sure to check out the NCI CAO Hub. If you have any further queries regarding the CAO, please get in touch with us on Instagram or TikTok. We’re here to help you make the best decision for your future!
