Irish SME develops app to help CAO students connect with colleges

Ellie Donnelly

An Irish start-up has developed an app that helps CAO applicants connect with third-level institutions while they are deciding which college to attend.

The CampusConnect app, developed by StudyBundles, benefits students as they become immersed in college life before they step foot on campus, making the transition easier.

For colleges and universities it helps them to convert student applications into enrolments – a major issue for most third-level colleges in Ireland.

CampusConnect uses the latest native app technologies and is already successfully in use at some of Ireland’s top universities including Dublin City University, University of Limerick and Maynooth University as a means of boosting overseas student enrolments.

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However, this is the first time the app has been adapted to support Leaving Cert students in Ireland and others applying through the CAO system.

"It is very exciting for us to see CampusConnect being rolled out to help attract and retain CAO students after we have seen it work so successfully in order to help our clients attract and retain overseas students," Declan Sweeney, CEO and co-founder of StudyBundles, said.

IT Sligo is the first third-level college to adopt CampusConnect for its CAO prospects but the company is in talks with a number of other universities and ITs about introducing it for their CAO students.

IT Sligo CampusConnect is free to download and is available for both iOS and android devices.

The app allows them to start planning – and looking forward to – their college adventure before it begins.

It connects students with peers and college staff while introducing them to the institution and its campus, providing maps and general information on course queries, support services, grants, clubs and societies.

It also personalises the experience by providing bespoke information on interests specific to the user as well as allowing live chats where students can get to know each other.

StudyBundles, an Enterprise Ireland client, was founded in 2015 by lecturers Declan Sweeney, Daniel Hinkley and motion graphic designer John O’Hagan.