How to make the most of your time at Higher Options

There are two ways to do Higher Options. You can travel to the RDS with your classmates, spend the day catching up with friends and leave with a handful of leaflets. Or you can arrive with a plan, ask questions, and leave with a much clearer idea of what you might do after the Leaving Certificate. Higher Options 2026 takes place in the RDS in Dublin from September 16th to 18th, with up to 30,000 students expected to attend. The event brings together institutions from Ireland, the UK, Europe and further afield, along with exhibitors focused on further education, training and careers. There is only a limited amount of time to explore everything. The key is to do some preparation beforehand, while still leaving room to discover something unexpected. A lucky minority of students may already know what they want to study and where, but Higher Options might open up related courses or colleges they have not previously considered. A second cohort knows the general subject area, but is uncertain about the course or institution. The third group is unsure about what they want to do but has identifiable strengths or interests – being good at or enjoying maths, English, languages, practical work or creative subjects can provide a starting point for exploring possible courses and careers. Janet Stafford, marketing partnerships manager at The Irish Times and organiser of Higher Options, says this year’s event is expected to feature over 135 exhibitors. “There will be representation from all the Irish universities, and UCC has returned to Higher Options this year,” she says. “A lot of students missed them when they were not there.” The event will also highlight options outside the Republic of Ireland. Ulster University and Queen’s University Belfast are promoting opportunities for students from the Republic, with Ulster University also highlighting a guarantee of first-year accommodation for eligible students for its next intake. Ulster University campus in Belfast. The British Council will again be involved, encouraging Irish students to consider courses in the UK. Around 30 UK universities will attend, including Imperial College, London, the University of Aberdeen, Coventry University, the University of Liverpool and the University of Strathclyde. The University of Liverpool Victoria Building European options will also be well represented, including universities from the Netherlands, Spain and France. Hanze University of Applied Sciences in the Netherlands is among the institutions attending, while University of Veterinary Medicine Budapest and Study in Poland will be available to students interested in medicine, veterinary medicine and pharmacy.