Interest in agricultural and veterinary courses has increased from last year, according to Central Applications Office (CAO) 2025 application data up to the change of course choices closing date.

A total of 83,424 applications were received by the CAO by the February closing date – an increase of 6,525 applicants or 8.5% on the previous year.

Interest in Level 8 agricultural courses rose by 5% on last year at 1,668 students, with 337 applicants placing these courses as their first option.

1,982 students applied for Level 8 veterinary courses, with 945 listing such courses as their first option. The total interest marks an increase of 7% on last year, up from a total of 1,729 applications.

A total of 902 students placed veterinary medicine courses on their CAO, with 618 marking the courses as their first option. This is up 17% on last year.

In terms of Levels 6 and 7, interest in agricultural courses increased by 9% with 1,433 applicants, and 531 placing courses as their first option.

Interest in Level 6 or 7 courses in veterinary also increased slightly by 2% with 2,716 applicants, with 987 students placing such courses as their first option.

The majority of CAO applicants will be permitted to use the change of mind facility when it opens on May 6 to add, remove or re-order course choices, which will result in changes to the figures released today.

Speaking about the application figures, head of communications for CAO, Eileen Keleghan said that late applications are also being accepted up to May 1 at 5:00p.m.

The exceptional late application facility for applicants attending higher education, which previously had a deadline of July 22, has been discontinued from 2025.

Such applicants must submit their application by May 1 at 5:00p.m if they wish to be considered for 2025 entry to higher education through CAO.