Choosing the right college or university is a big decision, and open days are designed to help you make an informed choice. These events allow prospective students like you to explore campuses, learn about the courses, and get a real feel for student life.
Attending an open day allows you to see first-hand what each institution has to offer. From meeting tutors to attending workshops, open days provide valuable insights that brochures and websites can’t always show you.
Key Takeaways
- Open days help you explore campuses, courses, and student life.
- You’ll get to ask questions and meet tutors.
- You can find them online or ask a careers advisor.
- A bag, pen, notepad, and comfortable shoes are essential.
- You should ask about course requirements and options, placements, and assessment types.
- Registering in advance for popular events and activities is key.
What happens at open days (and why you should go)
Open days are your chance to explore the colleges or universities you’re considering. While some may be held online, most take place in person. They’ll likely run all day (from 9 am-5 pm), but some colleges might have open ‘evenings’ too that you can attend after school.
During an open day, you’ll get the opportunity to:
- Ask questions (including ones about your application).
- Talk to the tutors of your potential course.
- Explore the available facilities such as libraries, labs and social spaces.
- Talk to current students.
When are college and university open days
You can find open days throughout the year, but the most common months they are held in are:
- March-May (for late applicants or people exploring their options)
- June – July (for people finalising their decisions)
- September – November (for students about to apply)
There will be a good range of open days throughout the year, but a university might only hold 1 or 2. Choose which colleges or universities you want to visit, and keep an eye out for their events. Following them on social media or subscribing to a newsletter is a good way to keep up to date.
How to find open days
You can find open days by:
- Looking directly on the college or university website.
- Asking your school careers advisor for events that match your interests.
- Using websites like Youth Employment UK and UCAS.
Every college and university across the UK will host open days. When deciding which open days to attend, consider:
- The location (for daily travel or relocation if you plan to move away for university).
- Your transport options and how much they would cost.
- The types of facilities and opportunities the college offers (including accessibility and bursaries).
- The courses available.
If a college doesn’t offer the course you want, is too far away, or is too expensive to regularly travel to, you might want to cross them off of your list to narrow down your search.
What should you take to an open day?
- A bag – you’ll get lots of information packs, course guides, and maybe some freebies!
- Directions to the location (and grab a map when you arrive too).
- An itinerary – look at the schedule if you have access to one and note which sessions you want to see the most.
- A notepad and pen.
- A list of questions you want to ask.
- Comfortable shoes – if you’re visiting a campus, there may be a lot of walking and standing.
What questions should you ask at an open day?
Question to ask about the courses
To get some interesting details about the course and your application, some suggested questions you might want to ask include:
- What do you look for in people applying for the course?
- Are there work placement opportunities, and are they required for the course?
- Could I combine this course with another one?
- What are the facilities like on this course?
- Are there any course-specific scholarships or bursaries?
- Are there compulsory or optional modules?
- What do the assessments look like?
- Can I change courses if I change my mind?
- What support do I get at the end of my course?
Question to ask about the campus
To get some insight into the campus and student life, you might want to ask:
- What clubs are there?
- What are the transport options like?
- Is there on-site parking, and would I need to pay?
- What is the local area like?
- What things can I do locally?
- What student activities and events are there?
Questions to ask at an open day for university
If you want to move away for university, you’ll need to look for accommodation. Here are some good accommodation-related questions to ask:
- What on-site or off-site facilities are there?
- What accommodation options are there?
- When do I need to apply before?
- Who do I speak to to get a room tour?
- How do I apply for accommodation?
- Which accommodation option is catered?
You could also ask for the contact details of the course tutor or the admissions team in case you have any follow-up questions after the open day.
Top tips for attending college open days
Here are 3 key things that can help you make the most of the experience.
1. Talk to your college careers advisor
Before the open day, speak with your careers advisor to get information about courses available in your area, your study options, and potential entry requirements. This early research will help you identify the key questions you want to ask on the day. By preparing in advance, you’ll leave the open day with the information you need to make confident decisions about your future.
2. Take a friend or family member
Taking a friend or a family member, such as a parent, can be helpful for making study choices. They can offer a second opinion about the best option for you, help you remember important details, and provide support as you explore your options.
3. Register for events in advance
Some open days require registration, especially for events that are expecting a lot of attendees. Registering for events and activities (such as tours, workshops, or taster sessions) ahead of time ensures you won’t miss out and makes your visit smoother and stress-free.
