More than 350 post-primary students from across Ireland explored what it means to work in healthcare and health sciences at the 2026 RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences Open Day.

The event featured a series of interactive workshops, tours and talks from educators and students to inspire prospective students interested in medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, physiotherapy and advanced therapeutic technologies.

Professor Tracy Robson, Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs at RCSI, said: “The RCSI Open Day is a chance for prospective students to imagine themselves as future healthcare and health sciences leaders. Attendees get the chance to engage in practical learning activities and discover how a degree can lead to a career that positively impacts the lives of patients and the wider community.”

The 2026 Open Day showcased RCSI’s newest programme, the Bachelor of Dental Surgery, Ireland’s first community-based dental degree programme. Dentistry workshops took place at the new RCSI Dental Education Centre in Sandyford, with hands-on activities in the simulated dental learning environment (SDLE), where students practiced dental procedures using advanced patient simulators and equipment. Attendees also toured the clinical suite where RCSI dentistry students undertake real patient care under professional supervision.

At the RCSI SIM Centre for Simulation Education and Research students explored the state-of-the-art facilities where RCSI undergraduates train for clinical practice. Attendees had the opportunity to practice a clinical skill, such as performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) on dummy patients, and experience simulation teaching including a delivery by a birthing mannequin.

Physiotherapy workshops highlighted the role of the profession in prescribing physical activity and exercise for people with different types of conditions. The sessions highlighted the vital role that physical activity and exercise plays for those who have suffered a stroke, as well as people with chronic lung conditions and chronic ankle ligament sprain.

At RCSI’s pharmacy dispensing laboratory, attendees learned about the important, diverse and ever-expanding role pharmacists play in our healthcare system, enjoying a hands-on experience of how pharmacists help patients with asthma and high blood pressure to take their medicines correctly and manage their health.

The Advanced Therapeutic Technologies (ATT) workshop introduced students to the rapidly evolving fields of precision medicine and therapeutic technologies. Participants explored the effectiveness of novel treatments against cancer cells, showcasing the programme’s focus on cutting-edge advancements in healthcare.

You can find further information on the medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, physiotherapy and ATT programmes at RCSI here.