Leaving Cert results and CAO offers - Key dates for the Class of 2021

The senior cycle journey through secondary school for the Class of 2021 has been unprecedented but like so many other people you have shown yourselves to be resilient and committed in the face of adversity. That part of your journey is almost over and once Leaving Cert results are issued on September 3rd, the next stage begins. Over the coming weeks I will be covering the detailed information that you need around results day, in relation to CAO offers and all the options available you at this stage. There is a lot of media hype around the Leaving Cert results each year which can really increase stress levels for students while you await the results, make sense of how you have performed and see what you get offered. Much attention is focused around CAO points and this year students are concerned about a rise in points in lots of courses because on an increase in CAO applicants as well as the fact that students who have opted for a mixture of calculated grades and sitting the exam will be given the benefit of the best grade. All of that is out of your control and it is a waiting game to see how you get on. What is really important to remember is that there are several options open to you within and outside of CAO, many of which do not look at Leaving Cert points as a requirement for entry. These options will be covered in upcoming articles but for now the key dates which have been issued so far by the various departments and organisations are outlined here so just take note of them. Enjoy the last couple of weeks of the summer and remember that you have not just one pathway available to you but several options, including Colleges of Further Education which are still taking applications for PLCs (Post Leaving Cert Courses), apprenticeships, traineeships and study abroad options.

Key dates

3rd Sept - Leaving Cert results issued on the Candidate Self Service Portal (CSSP) at 10am

7th Sept – Round 1 CAO offers available from 2pm online. Students can access the results of written exams and Accredited Grades on the CSSP from 5pm. Applications to view scripts opens at 5pm.

8th Sept – Available Place facility opens for CAO places which have not filled. Application to view scripts closes at 8pm.

8th Sept – Students who have applied to UCAS must notify colleges in the UK from which they have received a conditional offer of Leaving Cert results, showing that they meet the conditions.

11th Sept - Scripts marked online can be viewed online from 9am. Scripts marked on paper can be viewed at one of 3 sessions in the school during Sept 11th or 12th (at the discretion of the school). Application to appeal exams and Accredited Grades opens at 9am.

13th Sept – Round 1 CAO acceptances close at 3pm. Applications to appeal exams and accredited grades closes at 12pm.

20th Sept – Round 2 CAO offers will be available online at 10am

22nd September – Round 2 acceptances close at 3pm

Further CAO Offers will continue up to October 12th (Round 5)

Late September – Higher Education Intuitions (HEIs) and Colleges of Further Education will be up and running for first year students. Check with individual colleges for specific dates.

Dates for the results for Appeals for exams and Accredited Grades are to be confirmed.