CAO: Strong veterinary interest

CAO applications for veterinary medicine were up this year, according to Central Applications Office (CAO) statistics, reflecting the demand for additional veterinary places available for the 2026-2027 academic year.

According to the CAO, total mentions of level 8 veterinary medicine courses were up by 198 per cent this year, with 2,692 selecting it, compared to 902 in 2025. First preferences also significantly increased by 75 per cent with 1,082 selections, compared to 618 in 2025. 

Total CAO-form mentions of veterinary courses that include veterinary nursing and veterinary bioscience, for example, were also up 96 per cent at 3,890, compared to last year. First preferences of these courses were up by 53 per cent, with 1,443 selections. 

Level 7/6 veterinary courses also experienced higher demand but less pronounced than the above. Total mentions stood at 3,210 while first preferences were 1,115 representing increases of 18 per cent and 13 per cent, respectively.