In light of the recent announcement, please see below a list of FAQs to assist in addressing commonly asked questions for:
This list will continue to be updated regularly.
At the bottom of this page is an Applicant Q&A service which allows you to post questions that may not be covered in the FAQ.
CAO Applicants
Can I change my CAO application?
Yes. If you applied through the CAO, you can update your course preferences for free using the CAO Change of Mind facility, which is open until 1 July. This allows you to add, remove, or reorder course preferences without charge. You should ensure any changes are submitted directly through your CAO account before the closing date.
More information is available on the CAO Change of Mind facility.
Will my application automatically be transferred to another institution?
No. Applicants are not automatically transferred to other institutions. If a course is no longer running, it is your responsibility to review your options and update your CAO preferences using the Change of Mind facility. CAO will only consider courses that you have actively listed on your application.
What similar course options are available to me in the South East?
To assist with your consideration of alternative options, we have compiled a list of alternative course options available in the South East, including Carlow, Kildare, Wexford, Westmeath, Waterford, Tipperary, Cork and Dublin.
The below list is not exhaustive – therefore, we encourage you to review the full range of options available to you on the CAO website
Course | Alternatives |
PC404: BA in Applied Social Studies (Professional Social Care) |
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PC410: BA (Hons) in Arts & Humanities |
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PC411: BA (Hons) in English & History |
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PC414: BA (Hons) in Psychology |
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What options are available to me if the CAO points/entry requirements for most alternative options are too high for my circumstances?
There are alternative pathways to third level education outside of the CAO points system that are worth considering. These options are:
Further Education/PLC courses
A QQI Level 5 or 6 PLC course is a great way to explore if a particular area of study is for you and to build up your confidence and knowledge before entering third level study. PLC courses are also linked to specific third level courses for progression, so it’s important to check that your PLC course is linked to your preferred third level course so you have the rights options when you are ready to progress.
The nearest Further Education institute to Carlow College, St. Patrick’s is Carlow Institute – however, you can search all your PLC course options with the closest options for you via the Further Education & Training Course Hub
National Tertiary Office
Tertiary degrees are degrees co-designed and co-delivered by the Education and Training Boards and Higher Education Institutions to provide seamless pathways from Further Education to Higher Education. There are options available within the Arts, Education and Health area that may be of interest to you. You can find out more about these options here: https://nto.hea.ie/courses/
I have already applied for my SUSI grant for 2026 and listed Carlow College, St. Patrick’s, can I change my application?
Yes, you can update your SUSI grant application when you change your CAO course choice. If you gave CAO permission to share data, it may update automatically, otherwise you need to complete the Course Change Notification form via your SUSI student portal [“My Courses” section] to notify them of the new course.
You can submit a course change at any time, but it is best done immediately after accepting a new offer.
If you are unsure if your course change has been updated, you should check the course details in your SUSI portal and contact them if it does not match your accepted offer.
For more information, visit the SUSI website.
I have applied for a Uversity Scholarship and listed Carlow College, St. Patrick’s, can I change my application?
Yes, you can update your Uversity scholarship application if you change your course, but you must ensure the new course is at a participating institution and meets eligibility criteria. You should contact Uversity, as scholarship offers are subject to confirmation of admission to a specific approved Bachelor’s programme.
You can email Uversity directly at apply@uversity.org
Postgraduate Applicants
Will there be an intake for the MA/PgDip in Irish Regional History in September 2026 or beyond?
No. The MA and Postgraduate Diploma in Irish Regional History, due to commence in September 2026, will no longer be running, and there will be no future intakes offered by Carlow College.
To assist you with researching your alternative options, we have compiled a list of other postgraduate degrees in Irish History.
- MA in History, Mary Immaculate College (online, full-time | part-time)
- MA in Irish and Local History, Maynooth University (full-time | part-time)
- MA in Irish History, University College Dublin (full-time | part-time)
- M.Phil in Modern Irish History, Trinity College Dublin (full-time | part-time)
- M.Phil in Public History and Cultural Heritage, Trinity College Dublin (full-time | part-time)
Is the Higher Diploma in Politics & Society having an intake for September 2026?
No. The Higher Diploma in Politics & Society, due to commence in September 2026, will no longer be running, and there will be no future intakes offered by Carlow College.
To assist you with researching your alternative options, we have compiled a list of other postgraduate courses in Politics & Society.
- Higher Diploma in Arts (Politics), University College Cork (full-time | part-time)
- Professional Diploma in Politics and Society for Teachers, University of Limerick (online | part-time)
Part-Time Course Applicants
I have booked a place on a Certificate course commencing in September 2026. Will it be running?
The planned intake for Certificate courses in 2026/27 has been cancelled, and there will be no future intakes for Certificate courses offered by Carlow College.
If you have already booked your place and paid fees, all fees paid will be refunded, as per our Fees & Refunds Policy. This will occur over the coming days.
Can I still apply for part-time undergraduate study in 2026/27?
New applications for part-time undergraduate study towards the attainment of a full award will not be accepted going forward. For 2026/27, it will be possible to apply for part-time undergraduate study of standalone modules running as part of stage 2 and 3 of most of our undergraduate programmes. Full details and application information, can be found on our Part-Time Applications page.
Applicant Q&A Service
Our Admissions Team will be online to answer your questions between 10am to 4pm, Monday – Friday. Please note responses may not be immediate. Therefore, to receive an alert, please include your email address or check back later.