CAO Round 2 offers are due to be released today, Monday, 7 September 2026, giving applicants across Ireland another opportunity to secure a place on a third-level course.
The Central Applications Office will make the offers available online from 2pm. Successful applicants will have until 3pm on Wednesday, 9 September 2026 to accept an offer.
Students should log in to their CAO accounts, carefully review the course details and respond before the deadline.
Quick Answer
CAO Round 2 offers will become available from 2pm on Monday, 7 September 2026. Applicants can check their results by logging in to their CAO accounts. The deadline for accepting an offer is 3pm on Wednesday, 9 September.
When Will CAO Round 2 Offers Be Released?
The second round of CAO offers is scheduled for release at 2pm on Monday, 7 September 2026.
Applicants should visit the official CAO website and log in to their accounts after the offers become available. Successful applicants may also receive a notification by email or text message.
Students should not rely entirely on receiving a notification. Logging in to the CAO account directly is the most reliable way to check whether an offer has been made.
The dates and times are listed in the official CAO timetable.
Readers can follow additional national announcements through the latest news published by Stokes.
How to Check CAO Round 2 Offers
Applicants can check their offer by following these steps:
- Visit the official CAO website.
- Open the applicant account section.
- Enter the required application details.
- Check the offers displayed in the account.
- Review the course name, code, institution and qualification level.
- Follow the online instructions to accept the offer.
Applicants should only enter their personal information on the official CAO website. Application numbers, passwords and other account details should not be shared with anyone.
What Is the Acceptance Deadline?
The deadline for accepting a Round 2 offer is 3pm on Wednesday, 9 September 2026.
This leaves applicants with a limited amount of time to consider their decision. Those who wish to accept should avoid waiting until the final few minutes in case they experience internet, login or technical problems.
After completing the acceptance process, applicants should check that the response has been successfully recorded. Keeping a screenshot or confirmation message can provide a useful personal record.
Why Are Second-Round Offers Issued?
Not every college place is filled during the first offer round. Some applicants may reject an offer, choose another course or decide not to begin higher education this year.
When places become available, colleges can instruct CAO to issue further offers to eligible applicants.
Course availability during the second round depends on several factors, including:
- The number of remaining places
- The points required for the course
- Whether applicants meet the entry requirements
- The order of courses on each applicant’s preference list
- Decisions made by applicants during the first round
Being close to a course’s first-round points requirement does not guarantee that an applicant will receive a later offer.
What Should You Check Before Accepting?
Applicants should carefully review all the information connected to the offer before accepting it.
Important details include:
- The complete course title
- The CAO course code
- The college or university
- The qualification level
- The campus location
- Course fees and other expenses
- Accommodation and transport options
- Registration and orientation dates
- Additional entry requirements
Students should consult the institution’s official website if they need more information about the course.
The overall cost of attending college may include accommodation, transport, equipment and everyday living expenses. Additional information about managing costs is available in the Stokes finance section.
What If You Do Not Receive an Offer?
Applicants who do not receive an offer in Round 2 may still be considered in a later round.
CAO Round 3 offers are scheduled to become available at 10am on Tuesday, 15 September. The deadline for accepting a Round 3 offer will be 3pm on Thursday, 17 September.
Additional offer rounds will continue until the end of the 2026 offer season.
The CAO Available Places facility is also open. This section lists courses that may still have vacancies after the main application process.
Applicants considering an Available Places course should review its entry requirements carefully. They should also read the official instructions before adding another course to their application.
Important CAO Dates for September 2026
Applicants should make a note of the remaining offer and acceptance dates:
- Round 2 offers: 7 September at 2pm
- Round 2 deadline: 9 September at 3pm
- Round 3 offers: 15 September at 10am
- Round 3 deadline: 17 September at 3pm
- Round 4 offers: 22 September at 10am
- Round 4 deadline: 24 September at 3pm
- Round 5 offers: 29 September at 10am
- Round 5 deadline: 1 October at 3pm
- End of offer season: 1 October 2026
Applicants should continue checking the official timetable in case any arrangements are updated.
What Happens After Accepting an Offer?
After an applicant accepts an offer, the relevant college or university will normally provide information about registration and the next steps.
The institution may send instructions covering:
- Online registration
- Student identification
- Orientation
- Tuition or registration fees
- Course timetables
- Accommodation
- Documents required before enrolment
The timing of this communication may vary between institutions. Applicants should regularly check the email address connected to their CAO application, including the spam folder.
Students preparing for their future careers can also explore related updates in the Stokes business section.
Final Update on CAO Round 2 Offers
The release of CAO Round 2 offers represents another important stage in Ireland’s 2026 college admissions process.
Applicants should check their CAO accounts from 2 pm on Monday, 7 September, and accept any offer they wish to take before 3 pm on Wednesday, 9 September.
Students who do not receive an offer should remember that further rounds are scheduled throughout September. All applicants should rely on official information and keep track of the remaining deadlines.
