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As a guidance counsellor, one of the most common conversations I have with students every year is about the CAO list. Most students focus heavily on Level 8 courses, which makes sense if your goal is an honours degree. But something I always encourage students to consider is adding Level 6 and Level 7 courses to their CAO choices as well.
The CAO actually gives you two separate lists, one for Level 8 courses and one for Level 6/7 courses. You can list 10 choices on each, which means you could potentially apply for up to 20 courses in total. Many students don’t realise this and leave the Level 6/7 list empty, which can be a missed opportunity.
One of the big advantages of applying to both lists is that you can receive an offer from each list in Round 1. If you have the points and meet the entry requirements, you could be offered one Level 8 course and one Level 6/7 course at the same time. At this stage you can decide which one you want. If you are strategic this can play to your advantage and it gives you options and a safety net, which is always helpful when making big decisions about your future.
Another important thing to remember is that most Level 6 and Level 7 courses have progression routes to Level 8 degrees. In many cases, you can progress to the honours degree within the same college, often in the same subject area. Sometimes students even use this route to move to a different college for their Level 8.
Level 6 and Level 7 programmes also come with something really valuable, an award at the end of the course. That means if you complete the course and decide not to progress to Level 8 right away, you still graduate with a recognised qualification. You can then enter the workforce or return later to finish the honours degree when the time is right.
It’s also worth noting that points for Level 6/7 courses are usually lower than their Level 8 equivalents, and the entry requirements can sometimes be more flexible too. For some students, this provides a great alternative route into the area they’re interested in studying.
Of course, not every type of course is available at Level 6 or Level 7, but there are still plenty of excellent options out there. Doing a bit of research can open up pathways you might not have considered before.
If you’re not sure where to start, you can try the FindMyCollegeCourse.ie interest test. Just select that you’re open to Level 6/7 options and it will suggest courses that might suit your interests.
And don’t worry if your Level 6/7 list isn’t finalised yet. When the Change of Mind facility opens on 5th May, you’ll have the opportunity to add or adjust your choices.
My advice as a guidance counsellor? Keep your options open. Filling both CAO lists can give you more opportunities, more flexibility, and more routes to reach the degree you want in the long run.
