GRADUATE RECRUITMENT FESTIVAL 2026

Dates: October 7th & 8th, 2026
Venue: Devere Hall, Student Centre, UCC Campus

Following the success of last year’s event, which welcomed over 3,300 students, the UCC Careers Service Graduate Recruitment Festival returns in 2026, continuing to build on its reputation as one of the largest and most highly attended student recruitment events.

Why Attend the Graduate Recruitment Festival?

A Central, High-Impact Venue
Located in Devere Hall in the Student Centre, the festival offers a modern, high-footfall environment designed to maximise meaningful employer-student engagement.

Strong Student Attendance
With thousands of students expected to attend again in 2026, the festival provides unrivalled access to a diverse and engaged student population from across all disciplines.

Diverse, Future-Ready Talent
Engage with students, developing key graduate attributes including digital fluency, communication, problem-solving, and global awareness.

A Proven Recruitment Platform
This flagship event continues to connect employers with high-calibre students while supporting informed career decision-making.

2026 Festival Format: Semi-Sectorised Sessions

This year, we are introducing a light sectoral structure across the sessions. The aim is to create a more focused environment for employers, while still maintaining flexibility and broad access for students.

The sessions are structured as follows:

• Session A (7 Oct, morning): STEM & Engineering
• Session B (7 Oct, afternoon): Business, Finance & Professional Services
• Session C (8 Oct, morning): Technology, Data & Innovation
• Session D (8 Oct, afternoon): Public Sector, Arts, Languages, Education, Health, Social Impact, and related areas

Key Points to Note

• The sectoral structure will be light-touch and not explicitly marketed to students
• Employers can select whichever session best suits their availability
• As in previous years, employers will indicate the student cohorts they wish to engage with, and this will be communicated directly to relevant students and academic departments

This approach is designed to cluster similar employers where possible, based on feedback from previous years, while retaining the inclusive, cross-disciplinary nature that makes the festival so successful.

Be Part of One of UCC’s Flagship Recruitment Events

The Graduate Recruitment Festival is a cornerstone of employer engagement at UCC, offering a unique opportunity to build your brand, connect with top talent, and strengthen your presence on campus.

Demand is high, and spaces are limited. Early registration is strongly recommended.

To register or learn more, please follow the registration link or contact:

Register here
Graduaterecruitment@ucc.ie