Level 6, 7 or 8?
Compare the route, not just the number.

Start with what you want to learn

If you are comparing college courses, the qualification level is useful information—but it is not a complete description of the course. It will not tell you whether you enjoy the compulsory modules, whether the journey is manageable, or whether the assessment suits the way you like to work. Those questions deserve space beside the award title.

Think of the comparison above as a way to read course listings accurately. Then move from labels to evidence. Open two courses in the same subject area and write down what you would actually study during first year. If one has programming projects and the other focuses on a different part of computing, that difference may matter more to your day-to-day experience than their similar names suggest.

You do not need a perfect career plan before doing this. A useful starting point is much smaller: “I want to explore this subject, and I can explain why these modules interest me.” That gives you something concrete to discuss with your guidance counsellor instead of asking them to pick a future for you.

Where the levels go on your CAO application

CAO has a Level 8 list and a separate Level 7/6 list, with up to ten choices on each. One list does not reduce your options on the other. If you receive offers from both, you can accept only one in that round. Rank each list by genuine preference, not predicted points. These rules are set out in the CAO 2027 handbook.

For a full worked example of how that ranking affects an offer, see our CAO order-of-preference guide. Here, the useful research habit is to consider both lists before deciding that you only have one possible route. Include courses because you would consider attending them, not just to fill empty spaces.

Can you go from Level 7 to Level 8?

Yes, suitable add-on programmes can offer that route. QQI describes honours-degree add-ons, typically one year, for holders of an Ordinary Bachelor Degree. Do not assume every course has one or that admission is automatic: confirm the named destination course and its current conditions with the college.

If progression is central to your plan, research it before choosing the starting course. A vague sentence about “further study opportunities” is not enough to build a decision around. You want an answer that names the award, explains the application process and makes any conditions clear.

Then ask the practical follow-up: would continuing mean staying on the same campus, moving to another town, or choosing a different specialism? Write the answer beside the course code. If you contact admissions, keep their reply so that you are not relying on a memory of a busy open-day conversation.

Also ask what happens if your plans change. Would you be satisfied with the original qualification if you decided not to continue? That is an important test of whether you like the course itself or only the destination you imagine beyond it. There is no need to dismiss a route with conditions; you simply need to understand them.

Four assumptions worth leaving behind

“The highest points must mean the best course.”

Use past points as application context, not a quality score. Compare teaching content, practical opportunities and your own priorities. A title you recognise is not a substitute for reading the module list.

“I should choose the course my friends choose.”

Friends can help you explore, but ask whether you would still want the programme if they changed their minds tomorrow. Your shortlist should make sense for your interests and circumstances.

“A similar title means similar classes.”

Put the compulsory first-year modules beside each other. Highlight what overlaps and what does not. Ask about any module whose title is too broad to tell you what students actually do.

“I need to decide my whole career now.”

Start by identifying what you want to investigate next. You can make a well-researched course choice without pretending to know every job you might want years from now.

Try replacing “Which course sounds more impressive?” with “Which course can I describe most clearly?” If all you can say is that one has a bigger number beside it, you probably need more information before comparing them fairly.

Compare an ordinary Tuesday, not just graduation day

Imagine following the course for a normal week in November. How would you get to campus? Where would you work between classes? Would the timetable fit your travel options? Ask the department for a sample timetable rather than assuming every day starts and ends like school.

Next, look at the work. Choose two compulsory modules and find out how students are assessed. A written exam, group presentation and practical assignment ask different things of you. The point is not to avoid every unfamiliar challenge; it is to understand what you are signing up for and where you might need support.

Finally, compare the full route you are considering. If your plan includes further study, make a separate estimate for those additional years: accommodation, transport, materials and time. Check fees and support with the relevant official providers for your circumstances rather than assuming that every year or route is funded in the same way.

For subjects with a particular professional destination, ask a precise question about the specific programme: “Does this qualification meet the educational requirements for the role I am considering, and what further steps would I need?” Avoid treating a general subject label as an answer about professional recognition.

Turn the comparison into a shortlist

Use CAO Finder’s course search to discover options by subject, college, location and points. Start broad enough to see alternatives, then save the courses that deserve a closer look. If you already have an area in mind, our business courses guide and engineering courses guide are useful starting points for subject research.

Keep discovery and verification separate. A search result helps you find a course; the official college information tells you what that particular programme requires. Past points do not guarantee a future offer, and meeting a points figure does not replace required subjects or grades.

Bring your two-course notes to a guidance appointment or open day. Instead of asking “Which level is better?”, you can ask “These are the differences I found—which unanswered question should I check next?” That makes the conversation much more useful.

Your aim is not to collect the biggest list. It is to understand a manageable set of courses well enough to explain why you would want them.