Trinity is first choice for 6.2% more students in 2026 CAO

The number of students picking Trinity College Dublin as their first choice for Level 8 courses rose 6.2% for the academic year starting in 2026, according to interim data from the Central Applications Office (CAO). 11,236 students picked Trinity as their first choice for Level 8 courses, compared with 10,577 in 2025.

First preference applications (including Level 7) were up 4.4% overall. The Faculty of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences saw the largest increase in applications at 6.5%; Health Sciences courses saw applications increase by 3.4% while STEM first preference applications were up by 0.5%. 

A total of 24,976 students applied to Trinity programmes for 2026 through the CAO, representing 28% of all CAO applicants, unchanged from 2025. The total number of course applications to Trinity in 2026 is 53,324, up 5.3%.  

Across the board, the CAO recorded 88,817 applications for third-level places. The data provided at this stage is interim data and is subject to change when late applications are received and when the change of mind facility closes on 1 July at 5pm.

Trinity Vice-Provost/Chief Academic Officer Orla Sheils said she was delighted with the number of applications to the university. 

“Trinity has some of the world's highest ranked arts programmes and it is interesting to note that so many students have expressed interest in courses in our faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, where growth in applications is greater than we’ve seen in Health Sciences and STEM.   

“The inherent value of an arts degree has been questioned in recent weeks. But for many students, particularly those who have yet to decide what career path they want to choose, this part of their education journey is about developing critical thinking skills that will stand to them throughout their personal and professional lives. In an era when AI’s power is increasing, an arts degree can hone the human skills that no machine can replicate.”   

Among courses in the Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, those which performed well on first preference applications included:   

• TR019 Law and German +41%
  
  
• TR015 Philosophy, Political Science, Economics and Sociology +32%
  
  
• Global Business +15%.
  

In Joint Honours combinations, first preference applications were high for: 

• Middle Eastern, Jewish and Islamic Civilisations +67%
  
  
• Film +47%.
• In Health Sciences highlights in first preferences included: 

• TR051 Medicine +19%
  
  
• TR054 Occupational Therapy +18%
  
  
• TR055 Radiation Therapy +88%.
  

In the faculty of STEM, popular first-preference courses included:  

• TR064 Environmental Science and Engineering +49%
  
  
• TR031 Mathematics +36%
  
  
• TR062 Geography and Geoscience +28%.
  
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Media Contact:

Catherine O’Mahony | Media Relations | catherine.omahony@tcd.ie