CAO APPLICANTS HAVE until 5pm on Wednesday 1 July to make their final changes to their college course choices.

Higher Education Minister James Lawless issued a reminder today that the CAO change of mind facility is due to close, after which applicants can no longer add, remove, or re-order their course choices.

Students and other applicants are urged to review their CAO form, even if they don’t intend to make any changes, to ensure that all personal details and their order of preference is correct.

Lawless said that as well as the CAO, there are many other routes available for young people as they finish school.

“There are also excellent options in further education, apprenticeships and other pathways,” the minister said. “Every student’s journey is different, so it’s important to choose the path that’s right for you.”

He highlighted the Tertiary Degree Programme as one of these options, which allow students to begin their studies in local further education and training colleges before progressing to higher education to complete a degree.

The success of Post-Leaving Certificate courses (PLCs) was also pointed to as another option for some students.