Applications to Irish third-level colleges have increased by 6.5% this year, continuing a trend of rising demand. The Central Applications Office (CAO) received 88,817 applications by February 1st, representing a 5,393 increase over the previous year.
CAO Application Surge Driven by Population Growth and Popular Courses
The increase follows an 8.5% rise in applications in 2025. Population growth is identified as a key factor driving the surge in applications.
The CAO has provided a breakdown of applications by discipline, revealing significant interest in health-related courses. First preference applications for health degrees have risen by 17% overall.
Veterinary medicine courses saw a particularly large increase, with applications up 75% due to the opening of new schools at the SETU and ATU technological universities and the addition of 80 places. Pharmacy applications also increased by 41% following the addition of places.
Arts Course Applications Rebound
Applications to arts degree courses have risen by 7% this year, reversing a slight decline experienced last year. This comes after a University of Galway report considered discontinuing its general arts degree, citing a broader trend away from arts subjects.
Despite the concerns raised by University of Galway, arts remains the third most popular field of study at level 8, after health and business and administration. Health remains the most popular choice, with almost 16,700 first preference applications, compared to 9,500 for business and administration, and just under 7,600 for arts.
Applications to education courses have increased by 7%, with a 12% rise in first preference applications for secondary teaching. Courses related to the environment have also seen a 17% increase in first preference applications.
Increased Applications Under Special Access Routes
There has been a 15% rise in applications under the Disability Access Route to Education (DARE), with an additional 1,814 students applying. Applications from students seeking special entry routes for disadvantaged backgrounds have fallen slightly.
These figures are provisional. The CAO’s change of mind facility will open on May 5th, and late applications will be accepted until May 1st.
CAO General Manager Joseph O’Grady stated the organization provides “a high degree of convenience to applicants and their advisors”, and “considerable economies and efficiencies to Higher Education Institutions”. He emphasized that “fairness and transparency are the foundations of the system, as well as equality of treatment for both applicants and participating Higher Education Institutions.”
Criticism of Points System Persists
The college admissions process, particularly the points system, continues to face criticism from second-level educators. Post-primary school leaders are scheduled to warn that reforms to senior cycle education will be ineffective without changes to the admissions process.
The National Association of Principals and Deputy Principals (NAPD) will meet to discuss the issue, stating that current university admissions practices “fail to sufficiently consider students’ aptitudes, interests, and abilities.”
NAPD President Brian Doran said students are often left feeling like failures despite achieving high Leaving Certificate results, and that universities make offers “without meaningful insight into the individual person.” He added that students often accept courses based on available points rather than genuine interest, leading to course changes and dropouts.
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