Your Senior Cycle Timeline
From TY to CAO offers, there are dozens of key dates, deadlines, and milestones to keep track of. This month-by-month planner covers everything — open days, grant applications, subject choices, exam prep, and more — so nothing catches you off guard.
Explore, Experiment & Discover
TY is your low-pressure year to try things out. There are no state exams, so use the time to explore careers, build skills, and figure out what you actually enjoy before the pressure of senior cycle kicks in.
Take the CareerDNA Quiz
Start the year by discovering your RIASEC profile. This will guide your work experience choices, subject decisions, and career exploration for the rest of TY.
Career DiscoveryReview TY Programme Options
Look at the modules, mini-companies, projects, and extracurricular activities your school offers. Choose options that stretch you into new areas rather than sticking with the familiar.
Attend College Open Days
Most universities and ITs hold open days in October and November. Go with questions, not just your friends. Sit in on talks for courses you're curious about, even if you're not sure yet.
CAO & ApplicationsStart Planning Work Experience
Identify 3–5 employers you'd like to approach. Use your RIASEC profile to choose sectors that match your interests. The earlier you make contact, the better your chances of landing a good placement.
Send Work Experience Applications
Email or call your shortlisted employers. Include your name, school, TY programme details, and preferred dates. A short, professional message makes a strong first impression.
Career DiscoveryExplore Higher & Further Education Options
Browse courses on MyCareerVerse. Look at CAO, PLC, apprenticeship, and EU university options. TY is the perfect time to explore without the pressure of making a final decision.
Think About Subject Choices for 5th Year
Start researching which Leaving Cert subjects are required or recommended for courses you're interested in. Talk to your guidance counsellor and check entry requirements on course pages.
Exams & StudyComplete Work Experience Placement(s)
Make the most of your placement — arrive early, ask questions, keep a daily journal, and follow up with a thank-you email. Consider arranging a second placement in a different sector to compare.
Student Enterprise Programme
If your school participates, this is when mini-companies are in full swing. Enterprising types especially benefit from the hands-on experience of building and selling a product or service.
Confirm 5th Year Subject Choices
Most schools require final subject selections by late February or early March. Make sure your choices align with any courses you're considering — check prerequisite subjects carefully.
DeadlineEnterprise & Project Competitions
County and national finals for Student Enterprise, BT Young Scientist entries wrapping up, Junk Kouture, SciFest, and other TY competitions. These are great for your CV and personal development.
Additional Job Shadows
If your work experience raised new questions, arrange one or two short job-shadowing days in related fields. This is low-commitment exploration that helps you narrow your focus before 5th year.
Complete TY Portfolio
Compile your reflections, work experience diary, project documentation, and certificates. This portfolio is useful for college interviews, HEAR/DARE applications, and personal statements later on.
Revisit Your CareerDNA Results
After a year of exploration, your interests may have shifted. Retake or review your RIASEC profile and update your career shortlist heading into 5th year.
Build Foundations & Start Researching
5th year is about building strong academic foundations, deepening your career research, and beginning to understand the CAO system. The decisions you make this year directly shape your 6th year strategy.
Set Up a Study Routine
Establish consistent study habits from the start. Leaving Cert content begins immediately in 5th year and the two-year syllabus means falling behind early creates pressure later. Build in regular review from week one.
Exams & StudyBegin Career Research
Use the MCV career explorer to investigate roles that match your RIASEC profile. Start building a shortlist of 8–10 careers and the courses that lead to them.
Attend College Open Days
This is the year to attend with purpose. Target specific courses, talk to current students and lecturers, and compare campuses. Take notes — you'll need them when ranking CAO choices next year.
CAO & ApplicationsResearch CAO Points & Entry Requirements
Start looking at points trends and specific subject requirements for courses on your shortlist. The MCV courses explorer shows this information alongside RIASEC matching.
Christmas Exams & Review
Use your Christmas exam results as a diagnostic, not a verdict. Identify weak areas early so you can address them in second term rather than cramming in 6th year.
Learn About HEAR & DARE Schemes
If you think you might qualify for the Higher Education Access Route (HEAR) or Disability Access Route to Education (DARE), start gathering information now. Applications open in 6th year but preparation takes time.
Grants & FinanceMeet Your Guidance Counsellor
Book a one-to-one meeting to discuss your career shortlist, subject performance, and any questions about the CAO process. The earlier you engage, the more support they can provide.
Research Alternatives to CAO
Explore PLCs, apprenticeships, and EU university options. These are real pathways — not fallbacks. Some careers are better served by these routes than a traditional degree.
Research SUSI Grant Eligibility
The Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI) grant covers fees and/or maintenance for eligible students. Check the income thresholds and required documents so your family can prepare.
Grants & FinanceLook Into Scholarships
Many university scholarships have early application windows or require portfolios and references. Use the MCV Scholarships Finder to identify opportunities that match your profile.
Summer Exams & Subject Review
Your 5th year results give the clearest signal of where you stand for the Leaving Cert. Identify subjects where you need to move up a level, get extra help, or change approach.
Finalise Your CAO Shortlist
Narrow your course list to 15–20 realistic options across Level 8 and Level 6/7. You'll refine this further in September, but having a working list makes the CAO form much less stressful.
Summer Work or Volunteering
A summer job or volunteer role in a field you're interested in adds real-world experience. It also strengthens HEAR/DARE applications, scholarship submissions, and interview performance.
Apply, Focus & Achieve
This is the year everything comes together. CAO applications, SUSI grants, HEAR/DARE, exam preparation, and offer rounds all happen on fixed timelines. Missing a deadline here can mean waiting a full year. Stay organised and you'll stay in control.
Create a Study Plan for the Year
Map out every subject, every topic, and set weekly revision targets. The Leaving Cert syllabus is large but manageable if you pace yourself. Consistent weekly study beats last-minute cramming every time.
Exams & StudyFinal College Open Days
Your last chance to visit campuses before submitting your CAO. Focus on courses in your top 10. Ask about class sizes, placement years, and graduate outcomes — the things prospectuses don't always cover.
CAO Application Opens (5 November)
The CAO online application system typically opens in early November. You don't need to rush — the normal closing date isn't until February — but getting familiar with the form early reduces stress.
DeadlineGather HEAR/DARE Documentation
If applying through the access routes, you'll need supporting documents (medical evidence for DARE, financial/social evidence for HEAR). Start collecting these now as some take weeks to obtain.
Grants & FinanceChristmas Mocks & Review
Treat mock exams seriously — they're the best rehearsal you'll get. Use the results to identify gaps and adjust your study plan for the final push in second term.
Finalise Your CAO Course List
Refine your Level 8 and Level 6/7 lists. Remember: order of preference matters. Put your genuine first choice at number one regardless of points — the system rewards honesty.
CAO Normal Closing Date (1 February)
The standard CAO application deadline. After this date, late applications are accepted until 1 March with an additional fee. Don't leave it to the last day — technical issues happen.
DeadlineHEAR/DARE Application Deadline (1 March)
All supporting documentation for HEAR and DARE must be submitted by 1 March. Late or incomplete submissions cannot be considered. Double-check every document.
DeadlineCAO Late Closing Date (1 March)
Final deadline for late applications (€45 fee). After this, no new applications are accepted — only changes of mind are allowed later.
DeadlinePre-Exam Mock Results & Adjustment
Use February/March mock results to make realistic adjustments to your study plan. Focus your energy on the subjects and topics where you can gain the most points.
SUSI Grant Applications Open (mid-April)
The SUSI grant application window typically opens in mid-April. Apply as early as possible — early applications are processed faster, and you'll know your status before college starts.
Grants & FinanceFinal Revision Sprint
Focus on exam technique, past papers, and active recall. Reduce new learning and increase practice. Prioritise rest and nutrition — burning out before June defeats the purpose.
Leaving Certificate Examinations
The state exams typically run from early to mid-June. Stay calm, follow your routine, and trust the preparation you've done. Read every question carefully and manage your time in each paper.
Exams & StudyCAO Change of Mind Closes (1 July)
Your final chance to reorder, add, or remove courses on your CAO application. Use everything you've learned — open day impressions, subject performance, and career research — to set your final order of preference.
DeadlineLeaving Cert Results (mid-August)
Results are released online in mid-August. Whatever the outcome, remember that there are multiple pathways to every career. PLC courses, repeat options, and alternative entry routes all exist for a reason.
CAO Round 1 Offers (late August)
First-round offers are issued shortly after results. You must accept, decline, or defer within the stated deadline — typically a few days. Have your decision framework ready before offers arrive.
CAO & ApplicationsCAO Round 2 & College Registration
Round 2 offers follow in early September. Whether you're starting a degree, a PLC, an apprenticeship, or taking a different path — you've planned for this moment. Register, show up, and begin your next chapter.
Confirm SUSI Grant & Accommodation
Finalise your SUSI grant status, arrange student accommodation if needed, and set up a budget for your first semester. The financial planning you did in 5th year pays off now.
Grants & FinanceCritical 6th Year Deadlines
These are the dates that cannot be missed. Put them in your phone, stick them on your wall, and make sure your parents know them too.
1 February
CAO Normal Closing Date. Standard application deadline — €30 fee. After this, a late fee of €45 applies.
1 March
CAO Late Closing Date, HEAR/DARE documentation deadline, and supplementary information deadline. Three deadlines on one date.
Mid-April
SUSI Grant Applications Open. Apply as early as possible for fastest processing. You'll need household income details and supporting documents.
1 July
CAO Change of Mind closes. Your last chance to reorder, add, or remove courses. No further changes allowed after this date.
Mid-August
Leaving Cert Results released online. CAO Round 1 offers follow within days. Have your response plan ready before results day.
Early September
CAO Round 2 offers and college registration. Accept your offer, complete registration, and arrange accommodation and finances.
“The students who feel least stressed in 6th year are almost always the ones who started thinking about their options in TY and 5th year. It's not about having everything figured out early — it's about giving yourself time to explore so the big decisions feel informed rather than rushed.”
Start Your Career Planning Today
Wherever you are in senior cycle, the best time to start is now. Take the CareerDNA quiz to discover your strengths, then explore courses and careers that match your profile.