Guide
15 expert questions to ask current students at university open days
Visiting university open days are one of the best ways to find out what student life is really like. You can explore the campus, look around accommodation, visit facilities and speak to lecturers at open days. But one of the most valuable things you can do is talk to the current students.
Current students have first-hand experience of what it is actually like to study at the university. They can give you honest answers about their course, accommodation, social life, workload, facilities and everything in between.
But what should you ask them at open days?
Here are some useful questions to ask current students at university open days to help you decide whether the university could be right for you.
1. What's your course really like?
The course information on a university website can tell you a lot, but a current student can explain what studying it is actually like.
Ask them:
- What do you enjoy most about the course?
- What's the workload like?
- How much time do you spend studying outside lectures?
- What's your favourite part of the course?
- Is there anything about the course that surprised you?
Their answers can give you a better idea of what your day-to-day academic experience could look like.
2. What are the lecturers and tutors like?
Your relationship with teaching staff can make a big difference to your university experience.
Ask current students whether lecturers are approachable and how easy it is to get help when they need it.
You could ask:
'What happens if you need help with an assignment?'
or
'How easy is it to speak to your lecturers?'
This can give you a much better insight than simply reading about staff support on a university website.
3. What's student life really like?
University isn't just about studying. You'll probably spend three or more years living, socialising and making friends there, so it's worth finding out what life is actually like.
Ask:
- What do you normally do in the evenings?
- Is there much going on on campus?
- What are weekends like?
- Is it easy to make friends?
- What do you like most about student life here?
Try asking students what they actually do, rather than simply asking whether there is a good social scene.
4. How easy is it to make friends?
If you're worried about starting university and meeting new people, you're definitely not alone.
Current students can tell you how they made friends and whether they found it easy to settle in.
You could ask:
'How did you meet most of your friends?'
You might hear about societies, sports clubs, accommodation, course mates, part-time jobs or social events.
5. What is the accommodation really like?
If you're planning to live in university accommodation, don't be afraid to ask current students for their honest opinion.
Ask them:
- Which accommodation would you recommend?
- What are the rooms really like?
- Are the kitchens and communal areas good?
- Is it noisy?
- How far is accommodation from campus?
- What happens if you have a problem with your accommodation?
If possible, speak to students who have actually lived in the accommodation you're considering.
6. How much does it really cost to live here?
This is one of the most useful questions you can ask.
Universities can provide information about estimated living costs, but current students can tell you what they actually spend.
Ask about:
- Food shopping
- Transport
- Nights out
- Takeaways
- Course materials
- Social activities
- Accommodation costs
You don't need to ask someone exactly how much money they have. Instead, ask:
'What do you wish you'd budgeted for before starting university?'
You could get some surprisingly useful answers.
7. What's the area like?
The university itself might look great, but you'll also be living in the surrounding town or city.
Ask students:
'What's your favourite thing about living here?'
You could also ask about restaurants, shops, nightlife, parks, transport and places to study outside campus.
If you're moving away from home, this can help you understand whether you'll enjoy living in the area as well as studying there.
8. How do you get around?
If you're visiting a large campus or city, transport can have a big impact on your daily life.
Ask current students:
- Do you walk or use public transport?
- How long does it take to get to lectures?
- Is cycling easy?
- Is public transport reliable?
- How expensive is it to get around?
It's also worth asking how they travel to places such as supermarkets, accommodation and the city centre.
9. What do you wish you'd known before starting?
This could be one of the best questions you ask all day.
Try asking:
'What's one thing you wish you'd known before coming to university?'
Because current students have already made the transition from school or college to university, they can offer advice based on their own experience.
You might hear about everything from managing money and choosing accommodation to making friends and keeping on top of coursework.
10. What's something you don't like about the university?
Don't only ask students about the positives.
An honest answer about something they don't like can be just as useful when you're deciding where to study.
You could phrase the question in a relaxed way:
'If you could change one thing about the university, what would it be?'
No university is perfect, and hearing about the downsides can help you build a more realistic picture of student life.
11. How good are the facilities?
You can see many university facilities for yourself during an open day, but students can tell you how useful they actually are.
Ask:
- Are there enough study spaces?
- How busy is the library?
- Are specialist facilities easy to access?
- Do you use the sports facilities?
- Are there enough places to eat and relax?
- Are the computers and other resources easy to access?
The key is to find out whether the facilities are used and useful, rather than simply whether they look impressive.
12. What societies and clubs are you involved in?
Societies and clubs can be a huge part of university life.
Ask students which societies they have joined and whether they're easy to get involved with.
You could also ask:
'Is there a society you would recommend joining in first year?'
If you have a particular hobby or interest, ask whether there is already a society for it. And if there isn't, find out how easy it would be to start one.
13. How easy is it to get a part-time job?
If you think you'll want to work while studying, ask current students about local job opportunities.
You could ask:
'Do many students have part-time jobs, and is it easy to find work locally?'
Also find out whether students feel they have enough time to balance work with their studies.
14. What happens outside your course?
Some of the best university experiences happen outside lectures.
Ask students about volunteering, sports, societies, events, placements, trips and other opportunities.
You could ask:
'What have you done at university that isn't part of your course?'
Their answer could reveal opportunities you hadn't considered.
15. Would you choose this university again?
Finally, ask the question that can bring everything together:
'Knowing what you know now, would you choose this university again?'
You can also follow up with:
'Why?'
Don't worry if their answer isn't an immediate 'yes'. Their explanation is more important than the answer itself.
Don't be afraid to ask honest questions
Remember that current students are there to help prospective students understand what university life is really like. You don't need to stick to questions that you think you're supposed to ask.
Ask about the things that matter to you.
If you're worried about money, ask about budgeting. If you're nervous about making friends, ask how they met people. If you're unsure about the course, ask what the workload is really like.
And don't feel that you have to speak to just one student. Try talking to several students from different courses, years and backgrounds. You may get different perspectives, which can help you build a more balanced picture.
You can also use student forums like Unibuddy or The Student Room to chat to current students about their experience.
Make the most of your university open day
University open days gives you the opportunity to see more than just buildings and lecture theatres. It's a chance to experience the university for yourself and speak to the people who already study there.
Before you arrive, make a short list of questions you'd like to ask current students. You don't have to ask every question, but having some prepared will make it easier to start conversations.
Most importantly, listen to the answers. The things current students tell you could help you decide whether a university feels like the right place for you.
And if you're planning your next university open days visit, browse university open days, save your favourites and start planning your visit.
