The St Mary’s campus was bustling with energy on Tuesday and Wednesday (15th and 16th September) as we welcomed prospective students from across Ireland and beyond to our annual College Open Days. Hundreds of Year 14 students representing seventy different post-primary schools came to find out more about undergraduate courses and, indeed, all aspects of life at St Mary’s.

Choosing the right university and course is a major decision, and this was reflected by the growing number of parents who came along with their son or daughter to experience an Open Day as a family. There really is no substitute for visiting St Mary’s to get a feel for the College.

Open Days are a great way to meet current staff and students and to have the opportunity to chat, but they also aim to provide clear information on the different undergraduate options. A talk, therefore, was offered on the BEd (Hons) degree Primary Teaching and the BEd (Hons) Post-Primary Teaching degree programmes and on the BA (Hons) Liberal Arts degree programme. There was also helpful advice on completing the online application form and preparing for the BEd interview.

“A fantastic, informative and very useful day!”

Visiting students had an opportunity to meet with both College staff and current students. A number of College staff were available to meet with prospective students in the Student Centre and to answer specific enquires including subject or course-related questions.

Current students were also available to talk about student life—the studies and the craic! During the campus tours, organised by the Students’ Union and led by our student ambassadors, the visitors also were able to see, first-hand, the College’s many facilities. The tour included a visit to the College Library, the Writing Centre, the Careers Guidance Centre, the ICT Open Access Suite, the Chapel, the Performance Enhancement Centre/Sports Hall and, of course, the Students’ Union and the Student Centre.

“Tour guides were excellent. Very warm, informative and helpful.”
“Excellent welcome to the university – very personal!”

College Open Days really can help prospective students to get a flavour of life at St Mary’s and allow them to visualise studying, living and socialising as St Mary’s students. Hopefully, they also inspire and motivate students to reach higher and to strive to achieve entry into a Higher Education Institution.