CAO Offers FAQs
CAO Offers 2023 FAQs
Starting university is an exciting time and we're here to help with any questions you might have along the way! We've gathered information here for you to help with accepting a CAO offer, registering with ATU and beginning your university experience.
There's lot more information on the process available on our Offers Hub and if you have questions about Induction you can visit our Welcome to ATU pages.
We're here to help every step of the way so if you've got any questions please don't hesitate to get in touch.
This section has lots of helpful information about how to accept your offer from the CAO to join ATU. It also contains information about deferrals and more..
You can accept your offer online at www.cao.ie after which you will receive an acknowledgement e-mail from the CAO.
If you picked both level 8 and level 6/7 choices on your CAO application form, then you may receive 2 offers. You can only accept one of these offers.
It might seem obvious you would automatically accept the level-8 course, but if you are offered a level 8 course lower down your preference list it may not be your best option.
We recommend you choose the course you have a genuine interest in studying. Most level 6 and level 7 courses can lead you to the exact same level 8 honours degree, at the same length of time & cost, but provide greater flexibility to change paths along the way.
If a place on a higher preference course becomes available in a later round, and if you are entitled to this place, you may receive an offer which you can choose to accept or ignore. Accepting an offer now will not prevent you from receiving an offer of a higher preference course in subsequent offer rounds. Accepting the new offer will automatically cancel the previous acceptance.
In a later round you may be deemed eligible for an offer of a course higher up on your preference list. You can choose to accept or ignore this higher preference offer even if you have already accepted a lower preference offer in an earlier round.
If you don’t receive an offer in the first round, you may still receive an offer in later offer rounds. Contact our team to discuss your options through cao@atu.ie. You can also check out the courses where there are Available Places remaining. Applications are made through the CAO on via www.cao.ie. Other options include further education, taking a year out and reapplying to CAO, repeating the Leaving Certificate, apprenticeships, or studying abroad.
The Available Places facility opens on 31st September 2023. If a brand-new course is made available or if space remains on a course, then it may be made available for application through Available Places. The ATU Available Places will be listed on the Available Places webpage.
If you do not receive an offer or are unhappy with the offer you receive, you may apply for a new course through the Available Places facility on the CAO website.
The Available Places facility lists all the courses which 3rd level institutions have not yet filled. Applicants who meet the minimum eligibility criteria may apply for such courses. An application for an Available Places course does not guarantee an offer.
Alternative Maths Exams provide applicants with a second chance opportunity to achieve the minimum mathematics entry requirements for their chosen ATU programmes.
If you get the required result in this exam, you may be offered a place on the programme place in which you applied in a subsequent offer round if you now meet the entry requirements and space remains on the programme. Find out more about the Alternative Maths Exam.
Don’t worry! At ATU, we have a team of supports available to you in terms of learning support such as our Academic Writing Centre, Maths Support Centre, learning support tutors, disability support, assistive technology support and a range of free student health support services. Your lecturers and support staff are eager to see you succeed.
If you think you might need disability or learning support from our access office, it is important to register with the team as soon as you get started.
Sometimes applicants are unable to accept their offer due to circumstances beyond their control. In such a case, the applicant may request a “Deferral” (i.e. a postponement) of study until the following year. Applicants requesting to defer their place should NOT accept their place with CAO. Instead contact Admissions immediately and ask for further details on how to apply for a CAO Deferral. The number of Deferrals granted is limited. A request for a deferral does not guarantee approval.
If you are offered a place through the CAO and find that you are unable to take it up in the current year, it may be possible to defer your place until the following year. Please email the Admissions Office immediately if you wish to be considered for a deferral. Deferrals are granted on a case-by-case basis. Deferrals may be granted based on certified illness, family bereavement or similarly serious grounds. Formal documentation from appropriately certified professionals must be provided.
Admissions Contacts
ATU Galway-Mayo: admissions.galwaymayo@atu.ie
ATU Donegal: admissions.donegal@atu.ie
ATU Sligo: admissions.sligo@atu.ie
ATU St. Angela’s: admissions.stangelas@atu.ie
After you have accepted your offer through the CAO (www.cao.ie), you will receive a registration email from ATU. Once you receive the email from ATU, you can register anytime between the dates listed in the registration email. This must be completed before induction and the start of class. You will be only be able to register after you have accepted your offer from ATU.
To register, you will need your User ID and active directory password, details of which can be found in your registration email. A credit/debit card will be required if you are paying for your fees.
Our registration team will email all applicants who have accepted an ATU offer within 3 working days after each round of offers closes. The email will include all the links and information needed to register.
- Round 0, Round A and Round 1 offer acceptances can expect an email from the ATU Registration Team by 5pm on Friday 8th September 2023.
- Round 2 offer acceptances can expect an email from the ATU Registration Team by Monday 18th September 2023.
Induction is the first step in settling into college life. It’s important to attend Induction where you’ll be shown how to access facilities, learn about the supports available, meet your lecturers, meet your classmates and lots more. The Induction webpage also contains valuable information for getting you started, this can be accessed from our Welcome page, just choose the campus you will be joining!
To register, you will need your User ID and active directory password, details of which can be found in your registration email. A credit/debit card will be required if you are paying for your fees.
Our registration team will email all applicants who have accepted an ATU offer within 3 working days after each round of offers closes. The email will include all the links and information needed to register.
The email will be sent to the same email address that you registered your CAO application. Be sure to check your junk folder just in case.
Dates to expect the email
- Round 0, Round A and Round 1 offer acceptances can expect an email from the ATU Registration Team by 5pm on Friday 8th September 2023.
- Round 2 offer acceptances can expect an email from the ATU Registration Team by Monday 18th September 2023.
If you have not received the email with the details to register by the dates listed above, please contact our admissions team, selecting the main college campus you plan to study in;
ATU Galway-Mayo
• Telephone: +353 (0) 91753161
• Email: admissions.galwaymayo@atu.ie
ATU Donegal
• Telephone: +353 (0) 74 9186000
• Email: admissions.donegal@atu.ie
ATU Sligo
• Telephone: +353 (0) 71 55222
• Email: admissions.sligo@atu.ie
ATU St. Angela’s
• Telephone: +353 (0) 71 914 3580
• Email: admissions.stangelas@atu.ie
Visit www.atu.ie/register for more information.
Cost
The Student Contribution fee is normally €3000 per year but this is under review by Government. Any reduction in fees will be passed to our students. For Non-EU students, the fee will be assessed based on documentation supplied to the Admissions Office. Tuition fees are an additional fee but are normally paid by the Department of Education for full-time students who are citizens of a Member State of the EU and who meet the residency requirements (Free Fees Initiative
Payment
During the registration process you will have the option to pay your fees. When prompted, simply select ‘Pay Now’ and enter your card details. If you select the ‘Pay Later’ option, you will not be fully registered on your programme until you pay your fees in full. If you have a SUSI application pending to pay your fees, select ‘Pay Later’. SUSI will confirm to ATU all grant payments. You will become fully registered if/when SUSI confirms 100% grant award to ATU. If awarded part fees, ATU normally takes the SUSI payment as the first instalment and asks you for the remainder of payment by January
Instalments
We also offer an instalment plan. Please follow the same directions as detailed in the ‘How to Pay’ section above. If you wish to avail of this you must contact the fees office via the relevant email address below
Grants
All applications for a grant should be made through SUSI at www.susi.ie SUSI will inform ATU of any grants that are awarded. The grant has two aspects: a fee grant which may cover the student contribution fee and a maintenance grant which goes directly to the student towards living costs. Grant awards are calculated using several means including income. For more information visit www.susi.ie
Financial Support
Our Access Offices may be able to help fully registered students who have paid their fees with additional financial support through schemes such as The Student Assistance Fund. You will get information on supports, including financial supports, during the Induction process.
Fee Refund
If you pay your fees and then get approval from SUSI after the initial payment deadline of 31st October 2023, you will be eligible for a refund. Please contact the fees office via the relevant email below if you are due a refund. If for any reason you are considering leaving your course early, talk to the Admissions Team about the fees implications
Contact
If you have any questions or queries about fees please contact our team on one of the following emails and they will be happy to help.
Timetables will be published shortly. Visit atu.ie/welcome and choose the campus specific pages to have the most up to date information on Induction and timetabling.
Once you have accepted your offer and registered online, it is time to start your journey as an ATU student.
Welcome to the start of your university experience. It’s an exciting time for new students. We have several supports in place to help you enjoy these first steps on the journey that will lead to your independence, your education and eventually, your career
1. Visit www.atu.ie/welcome
2. Select your campus for details on locally organised events
3. Attend Induction, our comprehensive Induction Programme and Connect for Success: Your first five weeks will make your transition to university an easier one
4. Induction dates for ATU Sligo and Galway-Mayo campuses are the 14th and 15th September. The Induction date for ATU Donegal campuses is the 18th September. Induction dates in St. Angela’s are the 12th, 13th and 14th September
5. Teaching will start on Monday 18th of September for first year students
6. Get involved
Joining a club or society is a great way to meet people with similar interests, try out something new or pursue your passion. University life is more than just study. It is also about experiences and friendships. That is why we encourage students to join at least one club or society – and with over 100 to choose from, we have something for everyone.
Our clubs and societies day is held early in the university year. This is an opportunity to check out all that is on offer and sign up to as many as you like. Also, if we don’t already have it – you can even start your own!
Induction is the first step in settling into college life. Registered students are encouraged to attend Induction where they will be shown how to access facilities, learn about the supports available, meet their lecturers, meet their classmates and lots more.
Visit www.atu.ie/welcome and select your campus for details on locally organised events
Attend Induction, our comprehensive Induction Programme and Connect for Success: Your first five weeks will make your transition to university an easier one
Induction dates for CAO students in Sligo, Galway, and Mayo are 14th and 15th September 2023.
Induction date for CAO students in Donegal is the 13th, 14th and 15thSeptember 2023.
Induction date for CAO students in St. Angela's is 12th, 13th and 14th September
Teaching will start on Monday 18th of September for first year students
Teaching will start on Monday 18th of September for first year students.
Atlantic Technological University Orientation Programme supports students’ transition to university. This programme provides students with the opportunity to actively engage in university life, get to grips with their programme, join a club or society, become a volunteer and develop a personal toolkit to live a healthy, balanced and enjoyable lifestyle.
As part of settling into your new life we have organised student-focused orientation events commencing from the 18th of September called Connect for Success: Your First Five Weeks. Connect for Success - Your First Five Weeks has weekly themes designed to provide students with the necessary support and guidance to enhance the university experience. We encourage you to engage and connect with campus life and supports.
For further information on our Induction Programme and Connect for Success: Your First Five Weeks visit atu.ie/welcome Teaching will start on Monday 18th of September for first year students