The 10 Biggest CAO Points Rises of 2026

The ten largest Round 1 increases from 2025 to 2026 among exam-scored courses offered in both years. A rise this size means demand outran places, and a list anchored to last year's number would have missed.

1. DK732 Construction Management, Dundalk Institute of Technology: 120 → 300 (+180)
2. GC480 Graphic Communication Design [Dublin], Griffith College: 109 → 283 (+174)
3. US660 Pharmacy Technician [Athlone], Technological University of the Shannon: 226 → 387 (+161)
4. DK731 Architectural Technology, Dundalk Institute of Technology: 190 → 326 (+136)
5. US781 Social Care Work [Ennis], Technological University of the Shannon: 206 → 339 (+133)
6. US916 Automation and Robotics [Athlone], Technological University of the Shannon: 251 → 379 (+128)
7. US720 Business [Athlone], Technological University of the Shannon: 171 → 297 (+126)
8. US751 Electronic Engineering with Computer Systems [Limerick], Technological University of the Shannon: 217 → 339 (+122)
9. MT731 Civil Engineering [Cork], Munster Technological University: 259 → 380 (+121)
10. MT758 Construction (Common Entry) [Cork], Munster Technological University: 260 → 380 (+120)

Method

Built from the official CAO points charts (2026 Round 1, exam-scored courses unless noted). Regenerated whenever the dataset updates. Explore the numbers yourself in the course search or insights.