This can vary from course to course and from year to year.  It essentially depends on how many people do not take up their initial offer that year and how many places are on each course.

Students are not obliged to accept any offers, but accepting it would give some breathing space to think this through. They also have the option of contacting the college directly to look for a deferral.

Students could also explore other options.

If a student who has started the first year of a course becomes entitled to a higher CAO offer and chooses to accept it for that academic year, they will remain eligible for free fees and SUSI funding as appropriate.

Remember - the Government will only pay for you to do first year once. Making a wrong choice can prove to be expensive.

YES. If after having accepted the course, the student is upgraded on appeal, they can accept their upgraded course through CAO which automatically releases their physiotherapy course..

Regardless of the course, students would have to contact the colleges involved as each college has its own transfer policies.

The answer is YES. Your level 6/7 will have no effect on your level 8 list.

Students may still be offered a course in Round 2 or in subsequent rounds. 

Alternatively, they can check CAO for Available places. These are courses which have not yet filled all of their places. When checking through available places on the CAO site, it’s important to note that private colleges charge full tuition fees. 

A number of colleges offer Direct Entry courses. Students can contact the individual college for details of these courses. 

Use the CourseFinder to search for Direct Entry Courses.

Other non-CAO options can be explored from here.