Open days are your chance to step onto campus, ask the questions that matter, and imagine your future in action. Here is everything you need to make the most of every visit.
Every major Irish university and technological university hosts open days throughout the year. Register early, plan your route, and attend as many as you can — each campus has its own personality you can only feel in person.
A PLC open day for school leavers weighing up a further education route. Drop in any time to see the facilities and talk through course options with tutors.
Register & DetailsMeet tutors across Sallynoggin's PLC programmes and find out about progression links to degree courses through the QQI route.
Register & DetailsVisit the campus and meet teaching staff across Moate's further education and training programmes.
Register & DetailsUlster applies through UCAS rather than the CAO, so the timeline is different and starts earlier. Worth a look if you are considering studying in Northern Ireland.
Register & DetailsEvery Irish higher education institution under one roof, plus UK and European providers. The most efficient single day of the year for a sixth year who is still undecided.
Register & DetailsMTU's Kerry campus covers engineering, computing, business, health and leisure, and agricultural science. A separate event from the Cork campus.
Register & DetailsCourse talks across arts, science, business, law, medicine and health, plus tours of the Quad and the newer teaching and research buildings.
Register & DetailsUL's flagship open day runs across two days. Tour the sports, library and teaching facilities, and ask about the co-op work placement that runs through most UL degrees.
Register & DetailsThe Galway leg of ATU's open day series, covering engineering, computing, business, science and creative programmes.
Register & DetailsHome to ATU's home economics teaching and nursing programmes, on a lakeside campus outside Sligo town. Worth a visit for anyone considering post-primary teaching.
Register & DetailsATU's largest north-western campus, strong in science, health, engineering and the built environment. A Saturday date, so easier for families travelling.
Register & DetailsCourse talks across DCU's undergraduate programmes, campus tours, and the chance to chat with current students. A weekday date, so check whether your school is running a group visit.
Register & DetailsUCD's undergraduate open day covers the full range of degree programmes, including the common entry routes into Arts, Science and Engineering.
Register & DetailsCourse talks, tours of both the historic South and modern North campuses, and one-to-one chats with staff and students. Ask about the Maynooth entry routes, which differ from the standard CAO model.
Register & DetailsTrinity's undergraduate open day is a highlight of the autumn calendar. Attend course talks and ask about the Trinity Access Programmes and the alternative admissions routes.
Register & DetailsEssential if you are applying to NCAD, since entry involves a portfolio submission rather than points alone. Staff will talk you through what they are looking for.
Register & DetailsProgrammes in design, education and creativity on ATU's scenic Connemara campus. Easter falls a week earlier in 2027, so this is the estimate most likely to shift.
Check Latest DateA two-day webinar for students considering Science, Computer Science, Actuarial and Financial Studies, or Sustainability at UCD. A good option if travel to campus is difficult.
Check Latest DateCourse talks across DCU's undergraduate programmes and guided tours of both campuses, timed for students weighing up a change of mind.
Check Latest DateUsually the first stop in TU Dublin's spring multi-campus series, with a focus on undergraduate Business programmes.
Check Latest DateAn evening event, so it works around the school day. Explore the facilities and meet academic staff across a wide range of programmes.
Check Latest DateTour the Blanchardstown campus and discover programmes in computing, engineering, business, humanities and horticulture.
Check Latest DateAn evening event for CAO applicants and mature students. Talk to lecturers and get details on fees, grants and student supports.
Check Latest DateCourse talks, tours of both campuses, and one-to-one chats with staff and students. Free buses have run from several locations in previous years.
Check Latest DateTU Dublin's flagship campus, covering courses across arts, science, engineering and health. Usually the last stop in the spring series.
Check Latest DateUCC, University of Galway, and other institutions typically announce autumn open days during the summer. Check back regularly or visit cao.ie/opendays for updates.
Don't wait for the "perfect" open day — go to as many as you can, even for courses you're unsure about. Some of the best discoveries happen when you visit a campus you hadn't originally considered. The CAO allows you to change your preferences until 1 July, so early visits give you time to reflect and refine your choices.
A little preparation goes a long way. Follow these six steps before, during, and after your visit to make sure every open day counts toward finding your best-fit course and college.
Start by browsing the college's course catalogue and identifying three to five programmes that genuinely interest you. Read entry requirements, module lists, and career outcomes so you can ask targeted questions on the day rather than general ones you could answer yourself online.
Most open days run a packed timetable of course talks, campus tours, and live demonstrations. Download the event schedule when it becomes available, highlight the sessions that matter most to you, and build in buffer time — queues, conversations, and unexpected discoveries always take longer than expected.
Write down five to ten questions you genuinely want answered — not ones easily found on the website. Think about teaching style, work placement opportunities, class sizes, support services, and what graduates typically do after completing the course. Having questions ready helps you get real value from face-to-face conversations.
Staff will give you the official perspective, but current students will tell you what daily life is actually like. Ask about workload, their favourite and least favourite parts of the course, the social scene, and whether the reality matched their expectations. Student ambassadors are usually very honest when asked directly.
Don't just attend talks — walk around. Visit the library, student union, canteen, and sports facilities. Pay attention to the general atmosphere: does the campus feel welcoming? Can you picture yourself here for three or four years? Take photos and notes so you can compare later when memories blur together.
Within 24 hours of each visit, sit down and write a short reflection. What stood out? What surprised you? How did the campus make you feel? Comparing these notes across multiple open days is one of the most powerful ways to figure out where you truly belong, especially when CAO deadline pressure builds later in the year.
The students who get the most out of open days are the ones who arrive with thoughtful, specific questions. Here are the categories that matter most — adapt them to every course and campus you visit.
How is the course taught — is it mostly lectures, lab-based, or project-driven? How much choice do you get in selecting modules, especially in later years? What makes this programme different from similar courses at other colleges?
Is there a work placement or internship built into the programme? What kinds of jobs do graduates from this course typically go into? Does the college have partnerships with specific employers or industries?
What are the class sizes like in first year? How accessible are lecturers outside of class? What clubs, societies, or supports are available to help you settle in — especially if you're moving away from home for the first time?
What academic supports exist if you're struggling — tutoring, writing centres, maths support? What mental health and wellbeing services does the college offer? Is there a dedicated access or disability office?
Does the college have on-campus accommodation, and how competitive is it? What is the average cost of student housing in the area? Are there supports to help you find private rented accommodation nearby?
Are there any additional course fees beyond the student contribution? What scholarships are available, and when should you apply? How does SUSI grant funding work in practice, and can the student finance office help you through the application?
Everything you should have in your bag before you head out the door. A little organisation means you can focus fully on the experience rather than worrying about what you've forgotten.
Your phone is great for photos, but writing notes by hand helps you process what you hear. Jot down names of lecturers who impressed you, key facts about modules, and your gut feelings about the campus.
You will use it more than you expect — for maps, photos of timetables and posters, scanning QR codes at stands, and checking the event schedule. Bring a portable charger if you have one.
Wi-Fi can be patchy on busy open days and mobile data drains quickly in new areas. Download or print the event timetable and campus map the night before so you can navigate without relying on a signal.
Keep your question list accessible — in your pocket, on a note card, or at the top of your notebook. It is easy to go blank when you're face-to-face with a lecturer, so having prompts ready keeps the conversation productive.
You will walk more than you think. Campuses are large, and open days involve standing, queuing, and moving between buildings. Dress in layers — lecture halls can be warm, but walking between buildings in Irish weather means you will want a jacket.
Open days are tiring, and canteen queues can be long. Bring water and a snack so you can stay energised throughout the day without losing valuable time in food queues.
Open days are just as important for parents as they are for students. Here is how you can be a helpful presence without taking over.
Encourage your child to ask their own questions and lead the conversations at course stands. Your role is to listen, observe, and discuss your impressions together afterwards. This is their future — helping them take ownership of the process builds confidence and decision-making skills they will need throughout college.
While your child is drawn to course content and student life, you can keep an eye on the practicalities — transport links, accommodation availability, campus safety, proximity to hospitals or pharmacies, and the general condition of facilities. These details matter when the excitement wears off and daily logistics take over.
Set aside time on the drive home or that evening to talk through the day. Ask open-ended questions — "What was the highlight for you?" or "Was there anything that surprised you?" — rather than leading with your own opinions. Your observations are valuable, but their gut feeling about a campus is a powerful and valid data point.
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