A total of 250 Transition Year students attended the 2026 RCSI MiniMed Programme in person, with several thousand more participating online, underscoring continued strong interest in studying medicine, healthcare and dentistry among post-primary students.

Now in its 18th year, the programme offers students an immersive introduction to health sciences education at RCSI, delivered by leading clinicians and educators.

This year also saw the introduction of MiniDentistry, a new component designed to offer students early exposure to the dental profession. The programme commenced with an introductory lecture on Wednesday and continued with a full day of activities at RCSI’s purpose‑built Sandyford Dental Education Centre. During their visit, students toured this state‑of‑the‑art teaching facility, participated in hands‑on clinical skills workshops and engaged with staff in a dedicated Q&A session.

"This year marks our 18th RCSI MiniMed, and I am particularly pleased with the expansion of our programme this year to include a dedicated MiniDentistry component," said Dr Sinead Toomey, Academic Lead for the TY MiniMed programme.

"MiniMed represents a significant educational opportunity for transition year students to engage with leading-edge medical and dental technologies. Through these immersive experiences, we aim to encourage the next generation of healthcare professionals and provide them with an authentic understanding of medical practices."

Over the course of the week, students engaged with several interactive lectures and workshops, covering topics such as antibiotic resistance, keyhole surgery techniques, the transplant team process, and the professional journey of pharmacists and surgeons.

The week also featured simulation workshops, student panels, and clinical skills training, where students had the opportunity to listen to top clinicians such as Professor Arnold Hill, Chair of Surgery in RCSI Beaumont and Dean of Medical Programmes; Professor Albert Leung, Professor of Dentistry and Foundation Head of the School of Dentistry; Professor Fionnuala Breathnach, Associate Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology and Maternal Fetal Medicine specialist at Rotunda Hospital; and Dr Valerie Hayes, doctor to both the women’s under 18 and under 20s national rugby teams.

Online programmes were held on Thursday and Friday, with students taking part in taking MiniPharm, MiniFutureScientist and MiniPhysio programmes, where they got a more focused perspective on careers in pharmacy, physiotherapy, and the pharmaceutical sector.