CAO applications have hit a record high this year.
Saturday was the major deadline for those looking to take up a third level course later this year, with 73 thousand and 63 submitted before the end of the day.
The total is expected to rise further through late applications.
It's already ten thousand higher than the figure from 6 years ago.
However it could result in an increase in the number of points needed for courses where demand will outstrip the number of places available.
