Guide
10 things to expect at the best UK university open days
If you’re in the process of choosing a university in the UK, attending an open day is one of the most valuable steps you can take. UK university open days provide a unique opportunity to see the campus firsthand, meet staff and students, and get a feel for what life at the university will be like. But with so much going on, it can be a little overwhelming if you don’t know what to expect. Here’s a rundown of what to expect at a university open day and how to make the most of your visit.
The welcome and registration
Your university open day experience usually begins with a welcome, registration or check-in desk, where you’ll check in and collect your schedule for the day. You’ll receive a brochure or a map of the campus, along with any other information about the university’s courses, student life, and facilities. This is also where you’ll learn about any specific sessions or events that are taking place throughout the day, so be sure to take note of key times and locations.
Top tip: Arrive early to get a good head start, especially if you want to attend popular sessions or campus tours.
Campus tours
One of the first activities on most university open day schedules is the campus tour. Led by a student ambassador, this guided tour will walk you through key areas on campus, such as lecture halls, the library, student union spaces, cafes, and recreational facilities. It’s your chance to explore the physical environment of the university and see where you’ll be spending much of your time if you choose to study there.
You’ll also likely hear about the student accommodation options, campus life, and where you’ll be able to access services like counselling, student support, and career advice.
Top tip: Ask your guide about things like campus safety, transportation options, and the best places to study or hang out between classes.
Subject-specific sessions or talks
Once you’ve gotten a feel for the campus, many UK university open days feature specific talks about the courses and subjects you’re interested in. These sessions are a great opportunity to dive deeper into your chosen field of study and learn more about what to expect from the curriculum. Professors or course acedemics usually lead these sessions, and they’ll discuss the course structure, key modules, assessment methods, and potential career paths.
These talks can also give you a chance to ask questions about the workload, the teaching style, and any special opportunities the program might offer, such as study abroad options, internships, or research opportunities.
Pro tip: Bring a list of questions to ask during these sessions to get as much information as possible.
Meet current students and faculty
UK University open days are all about helping you understand what it’s really like to study at the institution. After the formal presentations, take the opportunity to chat with current students. They can provide you with an honest perspective on university life, the best and worst parts of their experience, and offer tips on things like managing stress and balancing academic and social life.
You’ll also have the chance to meet faculty members and ask them about their teaching style, research projects, and any other questions you might have about the program.
Top tip: Don’t be afraid to ask current students about their daily routine, social activities, and what they wish they’d known before starting university.
Accommodation and halls tours
If you’re planning to live on campus, many UK university open days offer tours of student accommodations. These tours give you a chance to see what the rooms look like, how the shared spaces are arranged, and whether the living situation feels right for you. The accommodations vary from dormitories to self-catered flats, and touring them can give you a sense of the social atmosphere and the day-to-day living conditions.
Top tip: Pay attention to the location of accommodation relative to the campus. Will it be easy to walk to classes, or will you need to rely on public transportation?
Some universities even provide a chance to view private student accommodation options nearby, which is worth considering if you plan on living off-campus.
Information on student life and support services
University life isn’t just about academics, it’s also about community. Most open days feature booths or talks about the university’s extracurricular activities, student societies, sports teams, and clubs. Whether you’re into sports, music, volunteering, or cultural activities, finding a university that offers the right extracurricular opportunities is an important part of choosing where to study.
You’ll also have the chance to learn more about student support services, including mental health resources, career advice, disability support, and academic tutoring.
Top tip: Take note of the student clubs and societies that interest you. Joining a club can help you meet like-minded people and feel more connected to campus life.
Admissions and finance information
One of the most important aspects of any open day is understanding the admissions process and learning about the financial aspects of university life. Many UK university open days feature specific sessions or information desks where you can learn about application deadlines, entry requirements, and the UCAS process (for UK universities).
You’ll also have the opportunity to ask about scholarships, financial aid, and student loans. Navigating the costs of higher education can be complicated, so it’s important to gather as much information as possible during this time.
Top tip: Make sure you get clear information about any funding options available, including bursaries and scholarships you may be eligible for.
Q&A Sessions
Q&A panels or informal sessions with admissions staff, students, and faculty are a highlight of many open days. These sessions provide a more interactive environment where you can ask any lingering questions about the university, programs, application procedures, or student life. If there’s anything specific you’re still unsure about, this is the time to get clarification.
Top tip: Write down any questions ahead of time so you don’t forget them in the heat of the moment.
Closing thoughts and networking opportunities
As the open day draws to a close, you’ll often have one final opportunity to chat with staff, students, or other prospective applicants. Take this time to network, ask any final questions, or reflect on your experience. You may even meet others who are considering the same courses or share similar interests, so be open to making connections.
Top tip: Don’t rush off at the end, take a moment to reflect on your visit. If something felt off, it’s worth taking time to assess whether this is the right university for you.
Final tips for making the most of your university open day
- Plan Ahead: Check the open day schedule ahead of time and prioritize the sessions that matter most to you.
- Ask Questions: Don’t be afraid to ask anything you’re curious about, this is your chance to gather all the information you need.
- Take Notes: With so much to take in, it can be helpful to jot down key points or impressions so you can compare different universities later.
- Trust Your Instincts: Finally, trust your gut. Your visit will give you a sense of whether the university feels like a good fit for you academically, socially, and culturally.
Attending a UK university open day is one of the best ways to help you make an informed decision about where you want to study. By taking full advantage of the opportunities to ask questions, meet people, and explore the campus, you’ll be able to make a choice that’s right for you.
Useful FAQs
A university open day is your chance to experience a university before applying. You'll typically explore the campus, attend subject talks, meet lecturers and current students, visit accommodation, learn about student support and ask questions about admissions, finance and university life.
Most university open days begin with registration or check-in. You'll usually receive a campus map, event timetable and information about the university. Staff will be available to answer questions and direct you to your first session or tour.
Campus tours are usually led by current student ambassadors who show you around key facilities, including lecture theatres, libraries, laboratories, cafés, sports centres, study spaces and the students' union. You'll also learn about day-to-day life on campus and where to access student support services.
Yes. Most university open days include subject-specific presentations led by academic staff. These sessions explain what you'll study, how the course is taught, assessment methods, placement opportunities, study abroad options and the careers graduates typically go on to pursue.
Absolutely. One of the biggest benefits of attending a university open day is speaking to students who already study there. They can give honest advice about lectures, accommodation, student life, workload, societies and what they enjoy most about the university.
Yes. Many open days give you the opportunity to meet lecturers and course leaders. This is the perfect time to ask about teaching styles, class sizes, facilities, research opportunities, assessment methods and what makes the course different from similar programmes at other universities.
Most universities offer guided tours of student accommodation. You'll usually see bedrooms, kitchens, communal areas and shared facilities. Some universities also provide information about nearby private accommodation if you decide not to live in university-managed halls.
University open days usually include information about student societies, sports clubs, volunteering opportunities, wellbeing services and campus events. You'll also discover what support is available for your academic success, mental health, careers and disability services.
Yes. Admissions teams are available throughout the day to explain entry requirements, the UCAS application process, application deadlines and offer conditions. You'll also be able to ask about scholarships, bursaries, student finance and other funding opportunities.
Most universities run Q&A sessions where you can ask admissions staff, lecturers and current students anything you'd like to know. These sessions are a great opportunity to clarify course details, accommodation options, student support or university life.
Some useful questions include:
- What makes this course unique?
- What placement or internship opportunities are available?
- What support is offered for students?
- How many teaching hours will I have each week?
- What careers do graduates go on to pursue?
- What is accommodation like in the first year?
Most university open days last between four and seven hours, although you're free to stay for as much of the programme as you'd like. Many students spend most of the day exploring the campus, attending talks and speaking with staff and current students.
Bring comfortable shoes, a notebook or phone for taking notes, a water bottle, your booking confirmation and a fully charged phone. It's also helpful to prepare a list of questions before you arrive.
Plan your day before you arrive by checking the timetable and deciding which talks and tours you want to attend. Ask plenty of questions, speak to current students, visit the accommodation and make notes throughout the day so you can compare different universities afterwards.
A university open day helps you decide whether a university feels like the right fit academically, socially and personally. Consider the course, campus, accommodation, student support, facilities and overall atmosphere. Comparing your experiences across several open days can make choosing your university much easier.
If you're trying to decide what to study at university, there are plenty of reliable places to explore courses, compare options and hear from current students. UCAS Course Search is the best place to browse undergraduate courses across UK universities. You can filter by subject, location, entry requirements and more. Alternatively, Discover Uni compares courses using official data, including student satisfaction, graduate salaries, continuation rates and employment outcomes.
