Guide
The benefits of visiting university open days
Your key to making the right decision
Choosing the right university is one of the most important decisions you’ll make in your academic journey. With so many options to choose from, it can often feel overwhelming to narrow down the best choice for your future. One of the most effective ways to help you make an informed decision is by attending a university open day.
University open days are specially designed events where prospective students and their families and supporters can explore the campus, meet faculty members, and get a feel for what student life is really like. In this article, we’ll dive into the key benefits of visiting a university open day and how it can positively support your decision-making process.
Experience the campus environment firsthand
Visiting a university during an open day offers you the unique opportunity to explore the campus up close. You’ll get to see the facilities, walk around the halls, and check out the lecture theatres, workshops, labs, libraries, and even student accommodation. This direct experience is invaluable when it comes to determining whether the university feels like a good fit for you.
Do you prefer a large, bustling campus or a smaller, more intimate setting? What about the campus facilities, are they up to your expectations? By attending an open day, you can gain a sense of the campus atmosphere, which is often difficult to gauge from online research alone.
Meet and interact with staff and students
One of the best parts of an open day is the chance to meet with faculty staff, and current students. You’ll likely attend talks and presentations hosted by the professors and academic staff, providing a clearer idea of the university’s teaching methods, modules, available courses, and academic culture.
University open days also provide opportunities to talk to current students about their experiences. They can offer insights into what daily life is like at the university, including the social scene, extracurricular activities, and student support services. This first-hand experience can give you a much clearer picture of the student experience than any online forum or review could.
Discover the range of courses and programs offered
University open days typically feature subject-specific presentations and discussions, allowing you to learn more about the courses and modules available at the institution. Whether you already know your preferred field of study or are still undecided, you can attend department-specific sessions to gain a deeper understanding of the curriculum, specialisations, career prospects and earning potential associated with each course.
This direct interaction with academic departments can help you evaluate whether the university offers the programme that aligns with your academic interests and career goals.
Understand the admissions process
Navigating the university admissions process can be tricky. By attending an open day, you’ll have the opportunity to ask the admissions team any questions about entry requirements, application deadlines, and the selection process. Whether it’s understanding the criteria for your chosen course, learning about scholarships, or inquiring about special entry schemes, the open day offers a wealth of information to ensure you’re well-prepared for the application process.
Additionally, some university open days offer workshops or presentations on how to craft a strong personal statement or succeed in interviews, which can be incredibly helpful when applying to competitive courses.
Get a glimpse of student life
University life isn’t just about your course, it’s also about finding a community, discovering extracurricular activities, and having fun outside of class. Open days often include tours of student accommodation, social spaces, sports facilities, and clubs, giving you a snapshot of the overall student experience.
Attending an open day helps you assess whether the university offers the social scene, clubs, and activities you’re interested in. Are you a keen sports enthusiast? Interested in joining a drama club or a student society? These are all aspects of university life you can explore by attending an open day.
Evaluate the university’s location and surroundings
The location of your university plays a huge role in your overall experience. During an open day, you can explore the local area, checking out the city, town, or region where the university is based. Consider practical aspects such as transportation, nearby amenities, housing options, and the overall vibe of the area.
Is the university situated in a city or a rural area? Are there plenty of activities to do nearby? Understanding the location will help you determine whether the university’s setting aligns with your preferences and lifestyle.
Make more informed decisions
Choosing the right university is a significant decision, and an open day gives you the information you need to make a more informed choice. Instead of relying solely on websites or rankings, a university open day allows you to gather first-hand impressions and answers to any questions you may have.
Seeing the university in person, speaking to staff, and interacting with current students can provide clarity on whether the university meets your academic, social, and personal needs.
It’s a great way to network
University open days attract many prospective students, and this gives you a chance to network with peers who are in the same boat as you. It’s a great way to build connections with like-minded people who may end up being your classmates or even lifelong friends.
Attending these events also lets you engage with university representatives, giving you an opportunity to build relationships and demonstrate your interest in the university.
Conclusion: your future starts here
University open days provide more than just a chance to explore a campus, they offer the perfect opportunity to gather key insights that will guide your decision on where to study. From experiencing the campus environment firsthand to understanding the admissions process and learning about student life, these events are an essential part of making an informed decision about your higher education journey.
So, if you’re on the fence about where to study, don’t miss the chance to attend a university open day. It might just be the key to finding the right university for you.
Useful FAQs
A university open day is an event where prospective students can visit a university to explore the campus, meet lecturers and current students, attend subject talks, and learn more about courses, accommodation and student life. It's one of the best ways to find out whether a university is the right fit for you.
Visiting a range of university open days helps you make a more informed decision about where to study. You'll experience the campus in person, ask questions, compare universities and get a much better understanding of what life there is really like than you can from a website or prospectus alone.
Most university open days include campus tours, accommodation viewings, subject presentations, talks from academic staff, student support sessions and opportunities to meet current students. Many universities also showcase sports facilities, libraries, societies and social spaces.
Yes. Most universities open their halls of residence during open days, allowing you to see different types of accommodation, bedrooms, communal areas and facilities. This can help you decide whether you'll feel comfortable living there.
Yes. Academic staff are usually available throughout the university open day to answer questions about courses, teaching styles, assessments, placements, careers and entry requirements. Speaking directly to lecturers can help you understand whether a course matches your interests and goals.
Absolutely. Current students are often one of the most valuable sources of information at an open day. They can share honest experiences about studying, accommodation, social life, workload and what it's really like to attend the university.
University open days give you the opportunity to attend subject-specific talks and visit academic departments. You'll learn more about course content, optional modules, facilities, placements and career opportunities, making it easier to compare similar courses at different universities.
Yes. Admissions teams are available to explain entry requirements, UCAS applications, personal statements, interviews, contextual offers and important deadlines. They can also answer questions about scholarships, bursaries and financial support.
University life is about much more than studying. Open days let you explore clubs, societies, sports facilities, wellbeing services and social spaces. You'll gain a better understanding of the university community and whether it suits your interests and lifestyle.
Definitely. Visiting the surrounding town or city helps you decide whether you'll enjoy living there. You can see local shops, transport links, entertainment, green spaces and the general atmosphere, all of which play an important part in your university experience.
Yes. Visiting several universities makes it much easier to compare campuses, facilities, teaching styles, accommodation, student support and the overall atmosphere. Many students find that visiting in person changes their opinions about where they want to study.
Yes. Open days bring together students from across the UK who are exploring their university options. It's a great opportunity to meet people with similar interests and even make connections before starting university.
For most students, the answer is yes. Visiting a university in person provides valuable insight that simply can't be gained online. You'll leave with a clearer understanding of whether the university feels right for you, making it easier to choose your future with confidence.
