The 2026 timetable at a glance
| Date | What happens |
|---|---|
| 6 August, 10am | Round 0 offers — deferred, mature, Access and graduate-entry-medicine applicants |
| 11 August, 3pm | Round 0 acceptance deadline |
| 21 August | Leaving Cert results — to schools in the morning, online for students from midday |
| 26 August, 2pm | Round 1 offers — in your CAO account, plus email and SMS. Course points for every course published the same afternoon |
| 27 August | Available Places facility opens — courses with spare places, first come first served |
| 1 September, 3pm | Round 1 acceptance deadline |
| 7 September, 2pm | Round 2 offers |
| 9 September, 3pm | Round 2 acceptance deadline |
| Late September | Leaving Cert appeal results — upgraded students may receive a new offer |
What to do on results day (21 August)
- Get your grades from the SEC portal from midday — schools have them earlier, but the portal is the official copy.
- Add up your points. Our CAO points calculator applies the best-six rule and the Higher Maths bonus automatically, so you can’t miscount under pressure.
- Compare your total against last year’s cut-off for each course on your list. Cut-offs move a little every year, so treat them as a guide, not a promise.
- If a grade looks wrong, note the script-viewing dates — viewing is free and it’s the first step towards an appeal.
Offer day itself (26 August)
Offers appear in the “My Application” section of cao.ie from 2pm, and the CAO also sends an email and a text. You’ll be offered one course only: the highest preference on your list that your points reach. Accepting a lower-preference offer doesn’t lock you out — if a higher preference opens up in Round 2 or 3, the CAO offers it and the new acceptance replaces the old one automatically.
No offer? You’ll get a Statement of Application email instead. Check it carefully, then watch the Available Places list from 27 August — real courses with real spare places, open to anyone eligible.
Frequently asked questions
When do CAO Round 1 offers come out in 2026?
Round 1 offers are released on Wednesday 26 August 2026 from 2pm, online in your CAO account and by email and SMS. The acceptance deadline is Tuesday 1 September at 3pm.
When are Leaving Cert results 2026?
Friday 21 August 2026. Results go to schools in the morning and are available to students on the SEC online service from midday.
What happens if I miss the acceptance deadline?
An offer that isn’t accepted by the reply date lapses. If you’re still eligible you may receive the same or a lower-preference offer in a later round, but there’s no guarantee — set a reminder and reply on time.