Open days offer prospective students an opportunity to get a taste of college life. Photograph: Getty Images

National College of Ireland

When is open day?

Open days will be held on Wednesday, November 19th, from 12pm-3pm, and Saturday, January 24th, 2026, from 10am-1pm.

Registration details: ncirl.ie/CAO-Open-Days

What to expect: Chat to lecturers about CAO courses in a range of areas, including business, psychology, computing and early childhood education. Get a taste of university life by touring the campus and meeting students.

Student accommodation at Mayor Square in Dublin's IFSC, adjacent to the National College of Ireland campus

Student life: Clubs and societies include football, basketball, GAA, Irish culture, dance, African culture and fashion. Registered students and members of clubs and societies have easy access to a range of discounted premier sport and recreation facilities in Dublin city.

Accommodation: There are a number of purpose-built student accommodation rooms located near NCI, including Canvas Point and Hubble Student Living. It is also accessible by bus, train, Dart and Luas.

Web: ncirl.ie

St Patrick’s Pontifical University

St Patrick’s Pontifical University

When is open day?

SPPU shares open days with Maynooth University: November 28th, 9:30am-1pm, and November 29th, 10:30am-2pm, on North Campus Maynooth.

Registration details: Registration is not necessary. If students or family have any queries in advance, contact SSPU at [email protected]

What to expect: Visit the stand, talk to students, get advice from the recruitment team, take a campus tour and listen to a dedicated talk on studying at St Patrick’s Pontifical University, Maynooth. The main undergraduate CAO entry programme at SPPU is the Bachelor’s in Theology and Arts, a three-year degree where students study theology at St Patrick’s on South Campus and the arts subjects at MU on North Campus.

Student life: Maynooth Students’ Union is the representative body for students of both St Patrick’s Pontifical University and Maynooth University, and organises a number of social events for students.

Accommodation: The University Village Apartments located on the North Campus are owned by St Patrick’s Pontifical University, Maynooth, and provide accommodation for students.