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.
Explore programmes in design, education and creativity at ATU's scenic Connemara campus. Meet lecturers, tour the facilities, and discover new courses including Physiotherapy and Pharmacy.
Register & DetailsAttend course talks across DCU's 80+ undergraduate programmes, join guided campus tours, and chat with current staff and students on both campuses.
Register & DetailsThe first in TU Dublin's multi-campus CAO open day series. Meet faculty, tour facilities, and get detailed information on undergraduate Business courses.
Register & DetailsAn evening open day at TU Dublin Tallaght. Explore modern facilities, meet academic staff, and learn about a wide range of undergraduate programmes.
Register & DetailsTour the Blanchardstown campus, meet faculty, and discover diverse undergraduate programmes in computing, engineering, business, and more.
Register & DetailsAn evening event for CAO applicants, postgraduate hopefuls, and anyone considering education at SETU. Talk to lecturers, learn about fees, grants, and student supports.
Register & DetailsExperience the uniqueness of Maynooth University — attend course talks, tour both the historic South and modern North campuses, and chat one-to-one with staff and students. Free buses from multiple locations.
Register & DetailsVisit TU Dublin's flagship campus with state-of-the-art facilities. Explore wide-ranging undergraduate courses across arts, science, engineering, and health.
Register & DetailsA two-day webinar for students considering Science, Computer Science, Actuarial & Financial Studies, or Sustainability at UCD. Hear from academic staff and ask questions live.
Register & DetailsUL's flagship open day across two days. Tour world-class sports, library and teaching facilities and discover why UL is Ireland's "University of Firsts."
Register & DetailsTrinity's undergraduate open day is a highlight of the autumn calendar. Explore Ireland's oldest university, attend course talks, and soak up the iconic campus atmosphere.
Register & DetailsUCC, 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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