Guide to University Open Days: Maximising Your Campus Experience
How to Prepare: University Open Days Explained#
What is a university open day?#
A university open day is an event held on a university’s campus which allows prospective students to explore the facilities, meet students and ask the staff questions about the courses. Most universities offer open days at different points in the academic year, while others host a single weekend event.
Why are university open days important?#
It can feel time consuming to spend days looking around all of the different universities in the UK, but it is so key to making a good higher education decision. Every university offers a completely unique student experience, from city living to studying by the sea. Open days are a big factor in most students’ university decision making.
There are many benefits to attending university open days, meaning you should prioritise going to them as part of your UCAS application process.
Exploring the campus - Walking around the campus and exploring all of the study areas, facilities and places to eat, can help you get to know what life is like studying there. Make sure to find out which building your course will be primarily taught in, as well as exploring the gym, students’ union and any green spaces.
Speaking to staff - Open days are the perfect place to ask your burning questions to the university lecturers and professors in your course of interest.
Speaking to students - Lots of current students will be available to chat about their experience of university, give advice on your course choices and have insider knowledge about the university culture.
Attending sample or introductory lectures - As part of the open day, you can attend lectures on your subject choices to see if you like the teaching style or want advice on your application. Attending these sessions can be useful in deciding which subject you’d like to focus on, or figuring out which subject isn’t for you after all.
Looking at the student accommodation - Having a look around the student accommodation both on campus and around the university area can assist in your accommodation search. Perhaps you thought a shared bathroom would work for your needs, but there are cheaper options with an ensuite. Find out information like this at the open days!
Exploring the local area - At both city universities and more rural universities, it can be insightful to explore the area. Take a walk around the city, or make notes of the places you can easily get to via public transport. What is the nightlife or shopping like in the city? Is the location good for your needs?
Are university open days worth it?#
UCAS has found that 81% of prospective students found open days useful when deciding which universities to apply for. Out of all of the resources you could use (websites, prospectuses etc), 41% of students finalised their applications with the universities they liked the most at open days. Narrowing down your options when there is a lot of choice can feel daunting, but open days make that easier!
Planning Your Visit: Preparing for the open days#
There are hundreds of university open days every year, so it is key you plan which ones you will attend, and when. The further in advance you can start planning the open days you are going to, the better.
Researching and Shortlisting Universities#
From the full list of universities, find out when their upcoming open days are being held. StudentCrowd has an A-Z list which we update regularly, showing the next open day dates, you can explore that here.
As part of your research into universities, make a shortlist of institutions that offer the course subject you are interested in. Some prospective students choose the subject first, then look at universities, while others choose the university first, then find a course that suits them.
Another way to research universities is by location. Where would you like to live and study? Being closer to home can be a key factor for some students, whereas others want to move far away from home. Maybe you want to live in a busy city environment, or live by the sea. Filtering by location can help to narrow down your university options.
Open days are a great chance for you to explore a place you haven’t visited before. Throw in some wild card university open days as they may surprise you. As part of your plans to attend a university open day, you can join in free city tours, which you wouldn’t have if visiting on another day.
How many open days should you go to?#
There is no right or wrong number of open days you should attend before applying for university. But you should consider attending an open day at the universities you are most excited about. The number of open days you will attend, depends on what you can afford and the amount of time you have before completing your application. If you start attending open days earlier, you can space out the number you attend to split the costs out.
Do you bring parents to uni open days?#
You can bring your parents to a university open day - it may help you feel more comfortable.
Lots of students attend open days without their parents, and it can help your university decision feel more like your choice. Attending alone can help you get a better understanding of what it would be like to move there, as your parents won’t be coming with you!
Alternatively, you could bring your siblings or friends, especially if they have been to university before. They may be able to help you figure out the best way to spend your time.
Scheduling Your Visit: Choosing the Right Dates#
If you are really planning ahead, you may be wondering, when is the best time to attend open days at UK universities? Different universities have open days at different points throughout the year, so plan in advance to make sure you don’t miss out.
It can be helpful to attend open days before you start your UCAS application, so you can decide what course subject or type of university you are looking for. However, some students attend open days after they have submitted their 5 options - focusing on those 5 open days to see which they would like to add as their firm choice.
When should you start going to university open days?#
You can start attending open days whenever it feels right for you. You could be at GCSE level, or just starting your A-Levels or halfway through your UCAS application!
Registering for Open Days: Ensuring Your Participation#
Most universities require applicants to register for the open day - you can usually sign up to get an email notification when the university open day registration begins.
Your course may have an event during the day which requires you to register your interest, so check the university website for these times.
Making the Most of Your Day on Campus#
Once you arrive at an open day, it can feel overwhelming - especially with the amount of events and scheduled sessions you could attend. Try to set out a plan for your day before you go, here are some of the things you can expect to find and attend.
What to Expect at a University Open Day#
Current students / ambassadors - these are students who are being expected to answer your questions about the university and what it is like to study there.
Campus tours - These can be led by student ambassadors or staff, and are a great way to get to know the university campus and get your bearings.
Course introduction sessions - These are sessions run by each academic school. They are designed for students to understand what each course is about, the topics taught and methods of teaching.
Open teaching facilities - Within each school, you should be able to explore the building to find out more about the practical technology and teaching spaces.
Open student accommodation - The university usually opens up some of their student accommodation, so you can have a look around and decide which halls would suit you best.
Navigating Campus Tours and Information Sessions#
Try to prioritise your day based on what interests you the most. Find out when all of the sessions are running to decide how best to split your time. Maybe you want to get to as many course introduction sessions as possible, or would rather spend the afternoon exploring the city.
If you’d like to join a campus tour, there should be tours starting at different times throughout the day. Decide if a guided campus tour is a good use of your time, maybe you would like to walk around without a guide to get your take on the facilities.
Interacting with Current Students and Staff#
Feel free to ask students and staff questions about the university and what life is like there. There will be student ambassadors wearing open day merch who are there to help you out, so make sure you approach them! You can speak to teaching staff either on a 1-2-1 basis or by listening to their information sessions. Try to find the course leader, or a key member of the teaching staff, as they will be best to ask about your specific course questions. Read some example questions you could ask in our section below.
Gathering Essential Information: Key Questions to Ask at a University Open Day#
Asking questions to the staff and students at open days can help you get a realistic picture of what life is like at the university. You may find out information that you couldn’t discover online or through the university website. Questions help you to understand the experience from a few different perspectives. Use our list of questions below as inspiration for your own concerns or queries:
Questions About Courses and Academic Offerings
★ How is the course assessed?
★ What is the split between exams or coursework?
★ How many contact hours are on this course?
★ What module options are available?
★ How many students are on the course?
★ What are the graduate outcomes of students who have completed the course?
★ What do I need to include in my personal statement?
Questions About Accommodation Options and Facilities
★ How much does the accommodation cost?
★ What is the process of applying for accommodation?
★ How are rooms assigned?
★ How many students live in one flat?
★ What are the closest amenities/supermarkets to this accommodation?
★ How often can you access the campus facilities?
Questions About Campus Life: Societies, Clubs, and Extracurricular Activities
★ How many societies are there on offer?
★ What is the level of skill required to join the sports clubs?
★ Can I start my own society?
★ When is the freshers fair?
★ Where is the students’ union?
★ What kind of events does the students’ union host?
Practical Considerations: Logistics and Additional Tips#
Visiting a university for the first time can feel intimidating! Especially if you have travelled hours across the country to get there. To make your experience smoother, get prepared and budget effectively beforehand, so you can feel at ease and explore the university confidently.
Preparing a Checklist: What to Bring on an Open Day Visit#
★ Comfortable footwear and outerwear
★ Backpack or bag to carry information packs and campus maps
★ Packed lunch / snacks
★ Money to buy food or transport
★ Water bottle
★ Notebook and pen
★ Phone for photos, maps, payments, train tickets
★ Phone charger / battery pack
★ Travel plans and tickets - write down your plans on your phone, how are you getting from the station, parking options, e-Tickets etc…
Managing Costs Effectively: Budgeting for Travel and Expenses#
★ Try to book trains or buses in advance to get the best price. If you can, travel during off-peak times.
★ Pack your own lunch or dinner to save money
★ See if there are open days at nearby universities or cities in one day, so you can make the trip in one weekend or day, rather than back and forth for each one.
Alternative Options and Further Exploration Opportunities#
If attending an open day isn’t an option for you, there are a variety of alternatives which can still help you with your university decision making process. Maybe you live far away from your university options, or are applying as an international student - that’s okay!
Reading student reviews can be a useful way of understanding what it is like at a particular university, student accommodation or course. You can find reviews for every university here on StudentCrowd, just find the university you are applying for and keep reading!
What happens if you can't get to an open day?#
Some universities offer 1-2-1 tours for applicants, get in touch with the university admissions office to find out if you can book a slot with a student ambassador. Alternatively you can choose your university virtually, by watching student videos, reading reviews or exploring the university website.
If the open days don’t work for you, enquire with the university to find out if they have any applicant days or taster sessions you can attend instead. Also, last minute open day dates are sometimes added to university websites, especially if there is a demand from applicants.
Exploring Virtual Open Days and Online Events#
Virtual open days are particularly useful for international students or if travelling to the open day is too expensive or time consuming for you. Lots of universities showcase course summary videos, or have interviews with current students displayed on their websites and social media pages. Especially in the last few years, virtual open days have become normal for universities to organise, where you can speak to lecturers via online calls or chat rooms.
Beyond the Open Day: Post-Visit Reflections and Next Steps#
It’s important that you take the time to reflect on each of your open day events, so you don’t waste any ideas or thoughts you had throughout the experience. Open days can feel very intense and jam-packed, with small details being easy to forget.
Evaluating Your Impressions After the Visits#
Evaluate each of your open day experiences to nail down what you thought about each university/course and city you visited. Perhaps you can rule out a subject of study, or a town or city you didn’t find inspiring. Be sure to consider every factor when finalising your thoughts.
Considering Factors for Decision Making and Shortlisting Choices:#
★ Think about what you enjoyed, what you disliked and what you found neutral about your experience
★ Ignore the weather! A sunny day will make any place feel better, so don’t let a rainy university open day put you off.
★ What did you like about the course?
★ Did the campus-feel and teaching facilities excite you?
★ Which university did you feel the most comfortable walking around?
★ Could you imagine yourself studying and living there?
★ Did you find a potential community for you to join? e.g. Societies or sports that you enjoy
★ What was the local town/city like?
Now you are ready to attend university open days! If you are planning which universities to apply for, find their next open day date on our website to add it into your calendar. Alternatively, if you know which universities you are applying for, you can sign up to their open day email notifications, to get the dates as soon as they are announced.
