If you’re in sixth form, you may be starting to think about university. If you haven’t already, the summer before you enter Year 13 is the perfect time to start researching universities. A great way to do this is university open days. But are uni open days all they cracked up to be, and who do you go with and can you take your parents, what do you wear and how long are they? You’ll no doubt have so many questions about them when deciding whether or not to go to an open day, so I’ve pulled this guide together to help you out.
What is a uni open day?
So, an important place to start off, what is a university open day? It’s an event that universities put on to allow prospective students to speak to staff and students, check out the facilities and get a feel for the area. You can meet lecturers and attend subject talks or taster lectures, go on tours of the campus and surrounding facilities, and talk to current students about a wide range of topics.
It can be really useful, but it isn’t 100% necessary – especially if you have to travel really far to go to one. But if you can, I would…and the reasons below are the main pros of going to a uni open day.
Are university open days worth going to?
In this day and age, you can find pretty much everything you need to know about a uni online, whether subject information or student testimonials. Additionally, if you’re looking at a university far from home, it’ll take a lot of time and money to get there just for a couple hours on campus. I, for one, didn’t go to any open days when I was applying to university. There is an asterisk with that as I was applying during COVID, so there weren’t any. But there are many reasons why it’s worth going to a uni open day. Yes you can read about unis online, and you probably already have your preferred options in mind. But being there, at the uni, potentially in a new uni city…can be really important. These are the main reasons why I would suggest going to a uni open day if you can.
The reasons I recommend going to university open days
1. Get a taste of learning the degree you want to study
One of the important parts of an open day is looking at academics. That’s what you would be going to university for. At open days, universities will offer subject talks, allowing you to hear an overview of the course and how/what you would study. There will also be students on hand, who can talk about their experience studying the course. This gives you unfiltered, first-hand experience from those currently in the course. If you aren’t completely set on a course, then going to subject talks and speaking to students is a great way to help narrow that decision.
2. Find out what student life (aka your new life) is like
Another great thing about university open days is that you can find out about student life, in a variety of senses. You can talk to students and get first-hand information about what it’s like to study at that university. Additionally, you can look around at the facilities that the university has to offer, from accommodation to sports facilities, the student union and more. You’ll also be able to find out information about societies and other activities organised by the university.
3. Feel the vibes IRL
In my opinion, the best thing you can do at an open day is get the vibes of the university. If it’s a city university, have a walk around the city, just to get a sense of things. If it’s a campus one, then get a sense of the campus. Getting a sense of the vibes of the uni can help you to make the decision whether to apply or not. You might get the gut feeling that one option is the option for you or not. It can be very helpful to get some first-hand experience before deciding where you head to uni. While you could read reviews and even contact current and past students online, seeing the campus in real life requires
But… do you need to go?
So, to answer the question, is there any point in going to a university open day? Personally, I would say yes, even if I personally didn’t go to any open days. That may be hypocritical of me, but let me explain. While I didn’t go to any official open days, going up to visit campus was super helpful for me to decide where I wanted to go to university. My visit confirmed the gut feeling I had that it was the right place for me to be, and now, a couple weeks from graduating, I’m so glad that I did. Going to open days allows you to visit the campus, speak to lecturers and get a sense of where you might spend at least the next three years. If you can go, I would wholeheartedly recommend it.
Are university open days compulsory?
It’s also important to know that going to a university open day is not by any means compulsory. It’s all about whether you feel you need to know more about the uni, degree or course, and city itself. While you could make a good impression on your potential future lecturers, no one will actually know if you don’t go.
But as I’ve mentioned above, I do think there are many pros to going to uni open days – especially if you’re undecided about where to study or don’t know much about the uni or city.
How many universities should you visit?
There’s no set number of universities you should visit; it really depends on your personal preference and how many unis you’re considering. I’d recommend visiting around three universities to get a good comparison. That way, you can see a variety of campuses, course programmes, and environments to find out which one suits you best.
Do parents need to go to university open days?
Parents don’t need to go to university open days, but they can if they want to. Having them there can be helpful for support and to get their perspective on things. Plus, they might have questions or concerns that you haven’t thought of yet.
But I think it’s also a good idea to go by yourself and get to know your uni on your own level. Sometimes it can feel a bit more awkward with parents there – especially if there are social or group activities going on. Ultimately, it’s up to you and your parents to decide what works best.
Can you visit universities on non-open days?
Yes, you can often visit universities on non-open days. Many universities offer campus tours or have visitor centres that you can check out. Just make sure to contact the admissions office ahead of time to arrange a visit, as some places might require an appointment. But if you are looking to go to taster lectures and meet staff, this might be more difficult on non-open days.
How long does a university open day take?
A university open day can vary in length, but typically they last around half a day to a full day. You’ll likely have the chance to attend various talks, campus tours, and meet-and-greet sessions with faculty and current students. You can come and go as you please so you don’t have to stay a particular length of time, but I’d plan to spend at least a few hours there to get the most out of the experience.
What to wear to a university open day?
One word of advice – don’t feel the need to come in a suit or formal wear. Yes you might want to make a good impression but this isn’t a job interview. It’s not even a university interview. At the same time, don’t turn up in pyjamas…I don’t think I need to explain this one?
For a university open day, wear something comfortable and casual but neat. You’ll probably be walking around a lot, so comfortable shoes are a good idea. Think of it as dressing smart-casual—jeans or nice trousers with a decent top, and maybe a light jacket depending on the weather. To be honest, you could also wear sportswear too. Just make sure you feel comfortable and confident. But as mentioned, nothing too extreme like power suits or pjs. A comfortable middle ground is socially acceptable.
Things to consider at an Open Day
Student writer Hannah Reid breaks down these important considerations which make university open days worth the trip.
When I was first applying for university, I went on five open days. And yet, the uni I chose wasn’t one I had seen on one of these trips. I visited Nottingham, Greenwich, Nottingham Trent, Liverpool, and Lincoln. I ended up choosing Newcastle Uni, initially for their Law School, and I don’t regret it one bit.
Some of the things I considered (specifically on undergrad Open Days) were:
1.The general vibe
I’m not a massively superstitious person, but the feel of a place is definitely important if you’re spending a few years living there. Do you feel safe? Is it clean, are the people friendly? Especially if that experience will be your first time being self-sufficient. Feeling uncomfortable around the city/ campus will not help you.
2. The actual buildings
I’m a sucker for a good vibe. I love a photo op, I love a cute academic vibe to welcome me in the morning pre-lecture. The way the campus looks, its layout, its greenery. All of these things impact mood. Especially for me, since I’m in a creative subject. Looking out of the window during a writing exercise and seeing a verdant courtyard instead of a brick wall and side vents really makes me happy with my life choices.
3. The people
Are the open day staff caring and friendly? If you get a talk from any prospective lecturers, are they clear and helpful? You’ll be spending a lot of time around these people, remember! Try to chat to the people around you who would be your course-mates.
4. The accommodation
If you’re going on an Open Day, you want to see the accommodation you’d be staying in. It’s a great visualiser for what your life would be like in practice. Make sure to take a look at more than one accom, and think about how you’d live there. How far are different accommodations from your subject’s main building? If you’re studying Medicine, is the only accommodation in your budget a 40 minute commute to the Medical building? If you’re studying English, is the super-nice accommodation wayyyy further away from the Library than another slightly cheaper option? All of these small things will add up in your day-to-day. I can’t count the number of times I’ve wished I lived closer to my course’s main hub for those 9am seminars.
5. The city
Is there stuff to see? Activities you see yourself enjoying? If you like art, does one city have galleries, and another doesn’t? If you like live music, are there venues for that sort of thing in one place but not another? Remember that you’re not just studying in that city, you’re living there.
I currently have three bookings for Open Days for Masters programmes, and the way I’ve chosen places to visit has definitely changed. For my postgrad, I’m looking at three things, and that does not include location. Since (my) Masters is only a year full-time, and I will hopefully be entering a job after I am done, my selection revolves around more specifics:
1.The actual course
I know, I know. We all want to delay real life. But getting a Masters is a lot of money, and if you don’t choose your specialty wisely, what are you gonna be thinking for that year/ two years? (If you’re unsure on a Masters, check out this article on whether or not to go for it!!)
I am toying between different variations of Creative Writing and Publishing. These courses exist separately and combined, and that is what I based my Open Days on. One place I am seeing does Creative Writing only, one does Publishing and CW combined, and one just does Publishing. My focus is on choosing the right course now, more than place.
2. Career viability within the location I choose.
Boring, boring, but it must be said. If you want to work with wild penguins, there’s no point moving to the Sahara. I can only speak for my area of English, but if you want to work in literary circles, you’ve gotta spend your time in those spaces. That really means major cities only. Depending on what you’re doing, you’ll have an idea of where in the world is a good place to set yourself down and start networking. And if you don’t, then find out!!! Postgraduate Search is a great place to start to figure out where your path could take you!
3. Proximity to me
If my focus is on course and not place, then I want to investigate those courses as closely to me as I can, especially considering that PG Open Days tend to be mid-semester. A small thing to consider, but it’ll absolutely save you for transport costs!
To sign off, don’t stress it. You’ll know where to go when you find it. These are just a few small tips to help along the way!