CAFRE Open Week invites students to explore courses and campus life close to home
(L-R) BSc (Hons) Food Innovation Management students, Olivia Acheson, Cookstown, and Ellen Nelson, Tobermore, along with Mr. Fintan McCann, Head of Food Education invite you to attend CAFRE’s Open Week from Tuesday 06 October to Saturday 10 October 2026 at Loughry Campus, Cookstown, Greenmount Campus, Antrim and Enniskillen Campus
Sunday 04 October 2026
Students considering their next move after school can explore courses, facilities and campus life at the College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE) during a five-day Open Week beginning on Tuesday.
Running from Tuesday 6 to Saturday 10 October, the events will give prospective students an opportunity to learn more about study pathways in the agri-food and land-based sectors, with guided campus tours and information sessions taking place throughout the week.
Study options closer to home
CAFRE is highlighting the option of studying locally as young people and their families weigh up the cost and practicalities of further and higher education.
Its campuses are situated close to the main towns of Antrim, Cookstown and Enniskillen, with both day and residential students welcome. Free on-campus parking is also available for those who drive, although public transport links vary between campuses.
The college says its flexible approach can particularly benefit students who want to remain at home, have caring responsibilities or need to combine their studies with helping in a family business.
Students share their experience
Food Degree students Olivia Acheson and Ellen Nelson chose to continue studying at CAFRE after completing a Level 3 Extended Diploma in Food Technology and Nutrition.
“Staying local and studying at CAFRE has been the perfect choice for us,” say Food Degree students Olivia Acheson and Ellen Nelson.
“After completing the Level 3 Extended Diploma in Food Technology and Nutrition, we wanted to progress to degree level study without the expense and stress of relocating.”
The friends, who are now in the first year of the BSc (Hons) Food Innovation Management course, also highlighted the financial and lifestyle benefits they have found from commuting.
“We don’t feel like we are missing out by not living on campus, if anything, the ease of the daily campus commute allows time for hobbies, studies and leaves a little extra money in our pockets!”
Residential options also available
Students who would prefer to live on campus can explore CAFRE’s residential accommodation options, while student finance packages are available to help eligible students with living expenses.
Open Week will allow prospective students to compare those choices, see the learning facilities for themselves and ask questions about individual courses before deciding whether CAFRE could be the right next step.
How to find out more
Details of the full programme of Open Week events and booking information are available at www.cafre.ac.uk/events/.
Anyone with a specific course enquiry can contact the recruitment team by emailing CAFRErecruitment@daera-ni.gov.uk.
With Open Week beginning on Tuesday, the five-day programme gives students and families a chance to explore their options in person before making one of the biggest decisions of their school years.
