Guide
When should you start going to university open days?
If you're thinking about going to autumn open days, you might be wondering when you should start visiting universities. The simple answer is: as early as possible.
For most students, Year 12 is a great time to start going to university open days. You don't need to have your university choices decided yet. Visiting universities early gives you time to explore different courses, campuses and locations before you need to make your final decisions.
When should you start going to university open days?
There isn't one perfect time to start attending university open days, but Year 12 is a good starting point for many students.
Going to open days during Year 12 gives you plenty of time to visit several universities and compare what they offer. You can get a better understanding of different courses, accommodation options, facilities, student life and locations without feeling pressured to make a decision straight away.
If you're already in Year 13, it's not too late. Universities hold open days throughout the year, so there are still opportunities to visit before making your final choices.
Why are autumn open days a good time to visit?
Autumn open days are particularly useful for students who are beginning their university research.
Many universities hold open days during September, October and November and even December. These events can be an ideal opportunity to see a university early in the academic year and start narrowing down your options. This is also before the UCAS application deadline which is usually mid January.
Autumn open days can also give you time to:
- Explore different universities
- Compare courses and entry requirements
- Look around university campuses
- View accommodation
- Meet current students
- Speak to academic staff
- Ask questions about student life
- Decide which universities to revisit
If you're in Year 12, attending autumn open days can give you a head start on your university research.
Should Year 12 students go to university open days?
Yes. Year 12 is one of the best times to start attending university open days.
At this stage, you may still be exploring different subjects and career options. Visiting universities can help you understand what different courses are actually like and whether a university feels right for you.
You don't need to arrive with a shortlist of five universities. In fact, visiting a range of universities can help you create that shortlist.
Starting with autumn open days means you can take your time, visit different types of universities and return to your favourites later if needed.
Should Year 13 students still attend open days?
Definitely. If you're in Year 13 and haven't attended an open day yet, don't worry.
There are university open days throughout the year, including autumn, winter and spring events. Some universities also hold applicant or offer-holder events later in the academic year.
If you've already made a shortlist, visiting your preferred universities can help you make a more confident decision. Seeing the campus in person, talking to students and getting a feel for the location can reveal things you might not get from a university website or prospectus.
How many university open days should you attend?
There is no set number of university open days you need to attend.
Some students might visit three or four universities, while others may attend more as they explore their options. The important thing is to visit enough universities to understand what you want.
Try comparing universities based on things that matter to you, such as:
- The course
- Course content
- Entry requirements
- Location
- Campus
- Accommodation
- Facilities
- Student support
- Travel links
- Student life
Going to several autumn open days can be particularly helpful because you can compare universities while your research is still at an early stage.
What should you do before an open day?
Before attending an open day, spend some time researching the university and course.
Check the event programme to see which activities are available and make a note of anything you particularly want to attend. It is also worth preparing a few questions for staff and current students.
Think about what you actually want to find out. For example, you could ask current students what they enjoy about the university, what accommodation is like or what they wish they had known before starting.
You don't need to plan every minute. Leave some time to explore the campus and surrounding area and get a feel for what everyday life could be like.
Start with autumn open days
If you're currently researching universities, autumn open days are a great place to start.
You don't need to know exactly what you want to study or where you want to go. The purpose of visiting universities is to explore your options, ask questions and discover what feels right for you.
Starting early gives you more time to compare universities, revisit your favourites and make your decisions with greater confidence.
So, when should you start going to university open days? Ideally, start in Year 12 and take advantage of autumn open days while you have plenty of time to explore your options.
Find upcoming university open days, save your favourites and start planning your visits with UniOpenDays.
Useful FAQs
For most students, Year 12 is a great time to start attending university open days. Starting early gives you time to explore different universities, courses and locations before making your final choices. Autumn open days in September, October and November can be a good opportunity to begin your research. Look for an open day now.
Yes. Autumn open days are particularly useful if you're starting to research your university options. They give you the chance to explore campuses, meet students and staff, learn more about courses and compare different universities before narrowing down your choices.
Yes. Year 12 is an ideal time to start visiting universities. You don't need to have your university choices decided yet. Attending autumn open days can help you discover different courses, campuses and locations and give you a better idea of what you're looking for in a university.
No. If you're in Year 13 and haven't attended an open day, there are still opportunities to visit universities. Open days take place throughout the academic year, so you can still visit your preferred universities and make a more informed decision before applying or choosing where to study.
There is no set number of open days you should attend. Some students visit several universities before making a shortlist, while others may already have a good idea of where they want to apply. Visiting a range of universities can help you compare courses, campuses, accommodation, facilities, locations and student life.
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.
Try to look beyond the main campus. Find out more about the course, accommodation, facilities, student support and social life. Speaking to current students can also give you a better idea of what studying at the university is really like.
Yes. Visiting a university in person can help you understand what the campus, course and student experience are really like. Autumn open days give you an opportunity to compare universities early and identify which ones you may want to visit again.
The biggest benefit is having more time to make your decision. Starting with autumn open days means you can explore different universities without feeling rushed, compare your options and revisit your favourites before making your final choices.
University open days take place throughout the year, with many events held during the autumn. UniOpenDays makes it easier to find upcoming autumn open days, compare events, save your favourites and plan your university visits.
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, facilitiesand 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.
