As 2026 begins, Leaving Certificate students and other applicants look ahead to third-level education beginning in autumn. Understanding the Central Applications Office (CAO ) timetable is more important than ever – missing a deadline can mean paying higher fees, or worse, missing out on the chance to be considered for your preferred courses.
Here is a clear breakdown of the key dates for the 2025/26 CAO cycle.
Early Bird deadline — January 20, 2026
Applicants who submit their completed online application by 5pm on Tuesday, January 20 benefit from the discounted application fee of €35. Applying by this date is highly recommended, especially for students targeting restricted courses such as medicine, architecture, or some art and performance programmes, which may require earlier processing.
Normal application deadline — February 1, 2026
The standard closing date for CAO applications is 5pm on Saturday, February 1. After this point, students who have not applied risk losing places on popular courses and may be limited in their options.
Online facility to amend course changes – February 5, 2026
After the normal deadline, some facilities briefly reopen to allow restricted-category applicants to add or correct choices, at an extra cost of €10. This window runs from February 5 until March 1 at 5pm.
March 1 is also the closing date for completion of the mature section of the application, and for the final applications through HEAR (Higher Education Access Route ) and DARE (Disability Access Route to Education ). March 10 is the latest date for supporting HEAR and DARE documentation to arrive in CAO.
Late application deadline — May 1, 2026
If you miss the February deadline, there is still a chance to submit a late application — but at a higher fee of €50 — up until 5pm on Friday, May 1. Late applications are accepted subject to restrictions and may not grant access to all courses, so students are advised not to rely on this option unless necessary.
Change of Mind — May 5 until July 1, 2026
One of the most important periods in the CAO calendar is the Change of Mind facility which opens on May 5. This allows applicants to re-order, add, or delete course preferences without charge and runs until 5pm on Wednesday, July 1 2026.
This phase is especially useful after Leaving Cert mock exams, open days, and career discussions, giving applicants the flexibility to refine their choices based on evolving goals.
Offers and results
Following the closing of the Change of Mind period, applicants await Leaving Certificate results before the CAO begins issuing offers. First round offers and subsequent rounds are then released.
Keeping these dates firmly in mind will help applicants navigate the CAO process with confidence and maximise their chances of securing a place at their preferred college. Remember — careful planning and attention to deadlines can make all the difference.
