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The second round, explained

CAO Round 2 Points 2026

Which courses dropped, which stayed the same, and why some higher figures need a second look.

Last verified .

Each tab has its own statistics, course rankings and college counts. Levels are not combined.

Level 8: did points drop in Round 2?

Yes, for 143 of the 202 courses in our Level 8 like-for-like comparison. Another 59 stayed the same and 0 rose. This compares numeric Round 1 and Round 2 scores within 2026, not 2026 against 2025.

143

Courses fell

70.8% of 202 compared

59

Stayed the same

29.2% of 202 compared

0

Courses rose

0.0% of 202 compared

Only standard-score courses with a number in both rounds and no marked new competition enter these three counts. Blank cells, AQA and assessment-based scores do not. See exactly what is counted.

The Level 8 source list contains 234 numeric Round 2 figures.

It also contains 6 AQA entries and 1 assessment-only entry without a numeric score. 810 courses have no Round 2 entry. A blank is not evidence that a course filled in Round 1.

Open the complete 2026 points table

Biggest Level 8 Round 2 points drops

Ordered by the size of the decrease among the 202 comparable courses. A change of −20 means 20 points lower, not a 20% fall. The median change across the whole comparison is -3 points.

Level 8: ten largest decreases. Change = Round 2 minus Round 1, in points.
CourseRound 1Round 2Change
Marketing and International Tourism ManagementDK853 · Level 8Dundalk Institute of Technology306226-80
Mathematics and Statistics - GrangegormanTU874 · Level 8Technological University Dublin321245-76
Marketing (Digital Marketing)DB518 · Level 8Dublin Business School261193-68
Game DesignDL854 · Level 8Dun Laoghaire Institute of Art Design and Technology408348-60
Hospitality Management with BusinessDK851 · Level 8Dundalk Institute of Technology327273-54
Business Information Systems - BlanchardstownTU913 · Level 8Technological University Dublin252202-50
Accounting and Finance - LimerickUS845 · Level 8Technological University of the Shannon410361-49
MarketingDB531 · Level 8Dublin Business School327281-46
Film and Creative MediaDB567 · Level 8Dublin Business School271227-44
Food Business - CorkMT929 · Level 8Munster Technological University339299-40
See the other 133 courses with lower points
Remaining decreases, largest first; ties ordered by course code.
CourseRound 1Round 2Change
Film, TV and Screen Media Production - DublinGC456 · Level 8Griffith College261223-38
Social ScienceDB566 · Level 8Dublin Business School246209-37
MidwiferyTR913 · Level 8Trinity College Dublin521484*-37
Psychology - DublinGC409 · Level 8Griffith College270234-36
Nutrition and HealthDK888 · Level 8Dundalk Institute of Technology262228-34
Business (Psychology)DB569 · Level 8Dublin Business School262230-32
Computing in Data Science and AIDK823 · Level 8Dundalk Institute of Technology308279-29
Audio Production and Music Project ManagementDB510 · Level 8Dublin Business School228203-25
Computer Science through ArtsMH601 · Level 8Maynooth University347323-24
Computer Science (International) - GrangegormanTU858 · Level 8Technological University Dublin351327-24
Government and Political ScienceCK122 · Level 8University College Cork (NUI)426403-23
Computer Science - GrangegormanTU856 · Level 8Technological University Dublin423400-23
Data Science and Artificial IntelligenceCK411 · Level 8University College Cork (NUI)456434-22
MusicTR002 · Level 8Trinity College Dublin487466-21
Computer ScienceTR033 · Level 8Trinity College Dublin519498*-21
Furniture Design and Manufacture - LetterfrackAU681 · Level 8Atlantic Technological University400380-20
PsychologyDB562 · Level 8Dublin Business School245226-19
Quantity Surveying - AthloneUS880 · Level 8Technological University of the Shannon338319-19
Business StudiesDB512 · Level 8Dublin Business School263245-18
Event Management with MarketingDK852 · Level 8Dundalk Institute of Technology269252-17
Architectural Technology - CorkMT859 · Level 8Munster Technological University378362-16
ComputingDB500 · Level 8Dublin Business School244229-15
Accounting and Finance - DublinGC401 · Level 8Griffith College270255-15
Computer Science through ScienceMH602 · Level 8Maynooth University343328-15
English StudiesTR023 · Level 8Trinity College Dublin546532-14
Film and Screen Media - 3 years or 4 years (International Pathway)CK105 · Level 8University College Cork (NUI)382369-13
Photography with New Media - CCAD Envision CentreMT822 · Level 8Munster Technological University264251-13
Social Studies (Social Work)TR084 · Level 8Trinity College Dublin454441*-13
Hospitality Management - CorkMT948 · Level 8Munster Technological University302290-12
European StudiesTR024 · Level 8Trinity College Dublin565553-12
Human Health and DiseaseTR056 · Level 8Trinity College Dublin566554*-12
ParamedicineCK708 · Level 8University College Cork (NUI)499488-11
Film StudiesDL864 · Level 8Dun Laoghaire Institute of Art Design and Technology337326-11
Sport and Exercise ManagementDN430 · Level 8University College Dublin (NUI)477466-11
Education - Primary Teaching (Froebel)MH001 · Level 8Maynooth University495484-11
Business Studies and PolishTR089 · Level 8Trinity College Dublin475464-11
Physical Education Studies - AthloneUS933 · Level 8Technological University of the Shannon381370-11
Interior Architecture and Design - SligoAU926 · Level 8Atlantic Technological University400390-10
Accounting and FinanceDB521 · Level 8Dublin Business School244234-10
Intellectual Disability NursingLM154 · Level 8University of Limerick357347-10
Theology and Arts (jointly awarded with Maynooth University)MU001 · Level 8Pontifical University, St Patrick's College312302-10
Children`s and General Nursing (Integrated)TR911 · Level 8Trinity College Dublin541531*-10
Architecture - Offered jointly by UCC and MTUCK606 · Level 8University College Cork (NUI)544535-9
Occupational TherapyCK704 · Level 8University College Cork (NUI)566557-9
Public Health SciencesCK706 · Level 8University College Cork (NUI)476467-9
Applied PsychologyDL825 · Level 8Dun Laoghaire Institute of Art Design and Technology400*391-9
General NursingDN450 · Level 8University College Dublin (NUI)434425-9
Law - DublinGC403 · Level 8Griffith College253244-9
Montessori Education - CorkMT970 · Level 8Munster Technological University347338-9
Biological and Biomedical SciencesTR060 · Level 8Trinity College Dublin553544*-9
Product Design - Aungier Street AND Bolton St ATU811 · Level 8Technological University Dublin462453-9
Business Computing - Aungier StreetTU914 · Level 8Technological University Dublin306297-9
Social Care Practice - AthloneUS921 · Level 8Technological University of the Shannon288279-9
Early Childhood Education and Care - LimerickUS927 · Level 8Technological University of the Shannon317308-9
Food ScienceCK505 · Level 8University College Cork (NUI)456448-8
EngineeringCK600 · Level 8University College Cork (NUI)540532-8
Mental Health NursingCK720 · Level 8University College Cork (NUI)412404-8
EngineeringDN150 · Level 8University College Dublin (NUI)577569-8
MidwiferyDN452 · Level 8University College Dublin (NUI)495487*-8
Law - Criminal Justice - DublinGC418 · Level 8Griffith College252244-8
Advanced Therapeutic TechnologiesRC006 · Level 8RCSI University of Medicine & Health Sciences498490-8
History of Art and ArchitectureTR043 · Level 8Trinity College Dublin444436-8
Sports Science with Exercise Physiology - AthloneUS951 · Level 8Technological University of the Shannon426418-8
ScienceDN200 · Level 8University College Dublin (NUI)540533-7
Pharmaceutical and Biomedical ChemistryMH210 · Level 8Maynooth University430423-7
Theoretical PhysicsTR035 · Level 8Trinity College Dublin590583-7
Music and Sound Engineering - AthloneUS809 · Level 8Technological University of the Shannon316309-7
General Nursing - AthloneUS877 · Level 8Technological University of the Shannon419*412-7
Education, Home Economics - with concurrent Teacher EducationAU988 · Level 8Atlantic Technological University414408-6
Education - Primary TeachingDC002 · Level 8Dublin City University473467-6
International Tourism ManagementDK850 · Level 8Dundalk Institute of Technology316310-6
SustainabilityDN240 · Level 8University College Dublin (NUI)529523-6
EducationDN760 · Level 8University College Dublin (NUI)422416-6
Sports Development and Performance - LimerickUS954 · Level 8Technological University of the Shannon296290-6
General Nursing - LetterkennyAU380 · Level 8Atlantic Technological University372367-5
Psychology and Computing - 3 years or 4 years (Work Experience Pathway)CK121 · Level 8University College Cork (NUI)474469-5
PsychologyDN720 · Level 8University College Dublin (NUI)548543-5
Social Policy and SociologyDN750 · Level 8University College Dublin (NUI)440435-5
General NursingMH701 · Level 8Maynooth University430425-5
Quantity Surveying - CorkMT857 · Level 8Munster Technological University425420-5
General Nursing - Sligo, St Angela`sAU991 · Level 8Atlantic Technological University382378*-4
Applied EconomicsCK212 · Level 8University College Cork (NUI)489485-4
Physics and AstrophysicsCK408 · Level 8University College Cork (NUI)582578-4
Criminology with PsychologyDN620 · Level 8University College Dublin (NUI)510506-4
PsychologyGY104 · Level 8University of Galway534530-4
Home Economics and Business (First three years in MTU; Final two years in UCC)MT930 · Level 8Munster Technological University456452-4
PhilosophyTR005 · Level 8Trinity College Dublin523519*-4
Applied Psychology - AthloneUS925 · Level 8Technological University of the Shannon478474-4
Criminology - 3 years or 4 years (International Pathway)CK113 · Level 8University College Cork (NUI)418415-3
Law (Pathways) - 3 years or 4 yearsCK301 · Level 8University College Cork (NUI)534531-3
HumanitiesDN530 · Level 8University College Dublin (NUI)465462-3
LawDN600 · Level 8University College Dublin (NUI)559556-3
MidwiferyGY517 · Level 8University of Galway498495-3
ScienceMH201 · Level 8Maynooth University346343-3
Science (with Education) or Mathematics and Computer Science (with Education) or Mathematics (with Education)MH212 · Level 8Maynooth University422419-3
Chemical SciencesTR061 · Level 8Trinity College Dublin534531-3
General Nursing (Meath, St James`s and Naas)TR091 · Level 8Trinity College Dublin433430*-3
Data Science and Artificial Intelligence - GrangegormanTU850 · Level 8Technological University Dublin424421-3
Automotive Engineering and Transport Management - LimerickUS915 · Level 8Technological University of the Shannon302299-3
General Nursing - CastlebarAU690 · Level 8Atlantic Technological University362360-2
Education, Home Economics and Biology - with concurrent Teacher EducationAU985 · Level 8Atlantic Technological University465*463-2
Applied PsychologyCK120 · Level 8University College Cork (NUI)543541-2
Children`s and General Nursing (Integrated)CK712 · Level 8University College Cork (NUI)523521*-2
Computing in Cybersecurity and Computing InfrastructureDK825 · Level 8Dundalk Institute of Technology264262-2
HistoryTR003 · Level 8Trinity College Dublin540538-2
Ancient and Medieval History and CultureTR028 · Level 8Trinity College Dublin497495*-2
Physical Education, Sports Studies and ArtsCK125 · Level 8University College Cork (NUI)532531*-1
Law and BusinessCK307 · Level 8University College Cork (NUI)565564-1
Landscape ArchitectureDN120 · Level 8University College Dublin (NUI)478477-1
Computer ScienceDN201 · Level 8University College Dublin (NUI)510509-1
Food ScienceDN261 · Level 8University College Dublin (NUI)479478-1
Human NutritionDN262 · Level 8University College Dublin (NUI)532531-1
Biomedical, Health and Life SciencesDN440 · Level 8University College Dublin (NUI)579578*-1
Children`s and General Nursing (Integrated)DN451 · Level 8University College Dublin (NUI)510*509-1
Mental Health NursingDN453 · Level 8University College Dublin (NUI)410409-1
EconomicsDN710 · Level 8University College Dublin (NUI)544543*-1
Graphics, Engineering and Technology-concurrent Teacher EducationLM095 · Level 8University of Limerick421420-1
PhysiotherapyLM100 · Level 8University of Limerick579578-1
EngineeringMH304 · Level 8Maynooth University363362-1
Pharmacy 4 year BPharm or 5 year MPharmRC005 · Level 8RCSI University of Medicine & Health Sciences578577*-1
Pharmacy - WaterfordSE525 · Level 8South East Technological University544543-1
PsychologyTR006 · Level 8Trinity College Dublin578577*-1
Law and GermanTR019 · Level 8Trinity College Dublin555554-1
EngineeringTR032 · Level 8Trinity College Dublin579578*-1
Radiation TherapyTR055 · Level 8Trinity College Dublin533532*-1
Physical SciencesTR063 · Level 8Trinity College Dublin545544*-1
Environmental Science and EngineeringTR064 · Level 8Trinity College Dublin545544*-1
PharmacyTR072 · Level 8Trinity College Dublin591590*-1
Business, Economic and Social Studies (BESS)TR081 · Level 8Trinity College Dublin567*566*-1
Business Studies and FrenchTR085 · Level 8Trinity College Dublin555554*-1
Mental Health NursingTR095 · Level 8Trinity College Dublin399398*-1
Engineering (General Entry) - Bolton St AND GrangegormanTU805 · Level 8Technological University Dublin510509*-1
Engineering Technology Management - LimerickUS909 · Level 8Technological University of the Shannon309308-1

Higher Level 8 Round 2 figures

Read the v beside the number

8 standard-score courses show a higher numeric figure, but all are marked v by CAO: a new competition for available places. We show the numerical difference below, but do not count it as an ordinary Round 2 increase.

Higher published figures in marked new competitions. These are excluded from the like-for-like headline counts.
CourseRound 1Round 2Change
Electronic Engineering and Engineering Software (General Entry)TU829 · Level 8Technological University Dublin233385v+152
Physics with Medical Physics and Bioengineering - GrangegormanTU879 · Level 8Technological University Dublin301445v+144
International Business and Languages - Aungier St AND GrangegormanTU965 · Level 8Technological University Dublin279398v+119
Biopharmaceutical ScienceDK883 · Level 8Dundalk Institute of Technology247364v+117
Science with Nanotechnology - GrangegormanTU855 · Level 8Technological University Dublin328380v+52
Education StudiesCM010 · Level 8Marino Institute of Education316346v+30
Health Informatics - BlanchardstownTU848 · Level 8Technological University Dublin252280v+28
E-Commerce in Retailing - Aungier StreetTU924 · Level 8Technological University Dublin234254v+20

There are 8 numeric Round 2 entries marked v in total. The other 0 have AQA instead of a Round 1 number, so no numerical rise or fall can be calculated. How Available Places works.

New competitions without a numeric Round 1 comparison

    Level 8 courses with unchanged points

    59 comparable courses have an identical numeric figure in both rounds. That does not guarantee an offer: the * symbol identifies a round in which not everyone on the stated score received a place. For example, Pharmacy - Sligo (AU975, Level 8) shows 544* in Round 1 and 544 in Round 2.

    View all 59 unchanged courses
    Same numeric score, with the source symbols retained for each round.
    CourseRound 1Round 2Change
    International BusinessAC120 · Level 8American College2802800
    Pharmacy - SligoAU975 · Level 8Atlantic Technological University544*5440
    DentistryCK702 · Level 8University College Cork (NUI)625*625*0
    PharmacyCK703 · Level 8University College Cork (NUI)590*5900
    Speech and Language TherapyCK705 · Level 8University College Cork (NUI)555*5550
    Business Studies (Law)DB514 · Level 8Dublin Business School2792790
    Business Studies (Human Resource Management)DB515 · Level 8Dublin Business School2512510
    Marketing (Event Management)DB517 · Level 8Dublin Business School2602600
    Global BusinessDB520 · Level 8Dublin Business School2402400
    Business (Information Systems)DB524 · Level 8Dublin Business School2792790
    LawDB568 · Level 8Dublin Business School2442440
    Mechanical and Sustainability EngineeringDC194 · Level 8Dublin City University542*5420
    International Business with DigitalisationDK801 · Level 8Dundalk Institute of Technology2612610
    Business with ManagementDK802 · Level 8Dundalk Institute of Technology2002000
    Accounting and FinanceDK810 · Level 8Dundalk Institute of Technology1951950
    Business StudiesDK816 · Level 8Dundalk Institute of Technology2092090
    Digital Marketing and Strategic CommunicationDK818 · Level 8Dundalk Institute of Technology2632630
    Computing in Software DevelopmentDK821 · Level 8Dundalk Institute of Technology2352350
    Computing in Development and Operations EngineeringDK824 · Level 8Dundalk Institute of Technology2612610
    ArtsDK861 · Level 8Dundalk Institute of Technology2372370
    Creative MediaDK863 · Level 8Dundalk Institute of Technology2792790
    Film and Television ProductionDK864 · Level 8Dundalk Institute of Technology2462460
    Audio and Music ProductionDK865 · Level 8Dundalk Institute of Technology2192190
    Sport and Exercise with BusinessDK867 · Level 8Dundalk Institute of Technology1841840
    Drama, Theatre and FilmDK868 · Level 8Dundalk Institute of Technology2442440
    Health and Physical ActivityDK880 · Level 8Dundalk Institute of Technology2262260
    Arts ManagementDL822 · Level 8Dun Laoghaire Institute of Art Design and Technology1941940
    Business ManagementDL823 · Level 8Dun Laoghaire Institute of Art Design and Technology2172170
    Creative ComputingDL836 · Level 8Dun Laoghaire Institute of Art Design and Technology2372370
    New Media StudiesDL837 · Level 8Dun Laoghaire Institute of Art Design and Technology2222220
    Digital MarketingDL840 · Level 8Dun Laoghaire Institute of Art Design and Technology2522520
    Business and Digital TechnologyDL848 · Level 8Dun Laoghaire Institute of Art Design and Technology2102100
    English and Media StudiesDL849 · Level 8Dun Laoghaire Institute of Art Design and Technology2412410
    Psychology - Environmental and SocialDL866 · Level 8Dun Laoghaire Institute of Art Design and Technology2802800
    Business and LawDN610 · Level 8University College Dublin (NUI)555*5550
    CommerceDN650 · Level 8University College Dublin (NUI)554*5540
    Commerce InternationalDN660 · Level 8University College Dublin (NUI)543*543*0
    Business - CorkGC200 · Level 8Griffith College2452450
    Procurement and Supply Chain Management - CorkGC222 · Level 8Griffith College2462460
    Computing Science - CorkGC230 · Level 8Griffith College2912910
    Business - DublinGC400 · Level 8Griffith College2702700
    Business (Marketing) - DublinGC407 · Level 8Griffith College2722720
    Finance - DublinGC413 · Level 8Griffith College2442440
    Law - Commercial Law - DublinGC419 · Level 8Griffith College3063060
    Computing Science - DublinGC430 · Level 8Griffith College2832830
    Communications and Media Production - DublinGC450 · Level 8Griffith College2642640
    DentistryRC007 · Level 8RCSI University of Medicine & Health Sciences613*613*0
    Arts - WaterfordSE200 · Level 8South East Technological University2082080
    Product Design Innovation - CarlowSE202 · Level 8South East Technological University2522520
    Dental ScienceTR052 · Level 8Trinity College Dublin625*625*0
    Occupational TherapyTR054 · Level 8Trinity College Dublin543*543*0
    Global BusinessTR080 · Level 8Trinity College Dublin601*601*0
    Physics Technology - GrangegormanTU877 · Level 8Technological University Dublin3423420
    Tourism and Digital Marketing - GrangegormanTU953 · Level 8Technological University Dublin2512510
    Creative Industries and Visual Culture - GrangegormanTU978 · Level 8Technological University Dublin2632630
    Community Development and Youth Work - BlanchardstownTU992 · Level 8Technological University Dublin2442440
    Software Development with Cyber Security - ThurlesUS819 · Level 8Technological University of the Shannon2722720
    Business - ThurlesUS842 · Level 8Technological University of the Shannon2532530
    Youth Work and Community Development - LimerickUS929 · Level 8Technological University of the Shannon2622620

    Level 8 Round 2 changes by college

    Counts within the same 202-course comparison, not every course offered by each college. Colleges with more courses in this sample can have more decreases; this is not a ranking of colleges.

    Comparable courses by institution, ordered by number of decreases
    CollegeComparedFellSameRose
    Trinity College Dublin302730
    University College Dublin (NUI)232030
    University College Cork (NUI)221930
    Technological University of the Shannon151230
    Dublin Business School161060
    Maynooth University8800
    Technological University Dublin12840
    Atlantic Technological University8710
    Dundalk Institute of Technology217140
    Munster Technological University7700
    Griffith College14590
    Dun Laoghaire Institute of Art Design and Technology11380
    University of Limerick3300
    RCSI University of Medicine & Health Sciences3210
    University of Galway2200
    Dublin City University2110
    South East Technological University3120
    Pontifical University, St Patrick's College1100
    American College1010

    Sources and how we calculated these statistics

    CollegeRoute calculated these Level 8 statistics from the official CAO Level 8 list (opens in a new tab), checked on 8 September 2026. They are our calculations from CAO data, not statistics published or endorsed by CAO.

    1. Read 234 numeric Round 2 figures. AQA is not zero, so the 6 AQA entries are counted separately.
    2. Keep the 234 courses with numbers in both rounds. The other 0 cannot be given a numeric change.
    3. Exclude 24 pairs with an assessment marker, a known combined scale, GAMSAT/HPAT, or figures outside our standard points comparison. This conservative rule does not claim every # score is combined; it avoids assuming comparable scales.
    4. Separate 8 marked new-competition pairs. That leaves 202 like-for-like comparisons.
    5. Subtract Round 1 from Round 2 for each course. Negative = fell; zero = unchanged; positive = rose. Each course code counts once, not each applicant or available place.

    Source symbols: * means not all applicants on that score were offered places; # marks an assessment requirement; AQA means all qualified applicants; v marks a new competition for available places. Three Round 1 source cells have unexplained leading punctuation (GC212, DN301 and DN401); they remain unscored here and none enters these comparisons.

    Questions about CAO Round 2 points 2026

    When were Round 2 offers issued?

    Round 2 offers issued at 2pm on 7 September 2026. The reply deadline is 3pm on 9 September 2026, Irish time. Check your own offer and the official CAO offer calendar (opens in a new tab).

    Does a blank Round 2 cell mean no places remain?

    No. It means this source has not published a Round 2 entry for that course. It does not state the reason or confirm what will happen in a later round.

    Does meeting the Round 2 score guarantee an offer?

    No. The figures describe published offers, not a personal eligibility decision. Read the symbols beside the score, check entry requirements, and use your CAO account for your actual offer.