CAO 2023: DCU responds to strong demand and offers additional places

Dublin City University has responded to strong demand for its undergraduate programmes by making its highest-ever number of CAO offers to applicants. Over 4,000 new students are expected to join 70 first-year programmes across the University’s five faculties this year.

The number of places for those who came through Further Education has increased by 30% over last year (2022) which, in turn, was an increase on 2021. This trend is the result of a focus by the University on providing wider pathways for all learners into higher education.

The University has also offered more nursing places than in any previous year. The number of placements available to student nurses was increased in partnership with healthcare providers, allowing DCU to help address a critical skills need nationally and internationally.

DCU Futures programmes account for some of the growth. This suite of ten innovative programmes has been developed under Pillar 3 of the Human Capital Initiative (HCI), supported by the National Training Fund and industry partners.

Speaking about the CAO 2023 offers, Professor Daire Keogh, President of Dublin City University said: 

“The continued high demand for DCU courses reflects the excellence of our teaching and the innovative nature of our degrees. The University has worked hard to broaden access routes to Higher Education and it is very gratifying to see a significant increase in places offered to students entering DCU via Further Education pathways.

DCU has Ireland’s highest graduate employment rate and I am sure this is a strong consideration for students, regardless of their entry pathway.”

500 of the 4,000 new students have already accepted places at the University through routes other than this year's Leaving Certificate, including  those with Further Education qualifications, mature students and students taking up deferred places.