If you are thinking about going to university soon, you might have heard the term “open day” floating around, with teachers, friends and family advising you to go to one/some. Take a look at our frequently asked questions about what open days are, what you should ask when you’re there and other areas for you to consider.
What is an open day?
Open days are events usually held by universities or colleges where you can have a look around the buildings, talk to staff about the courses on offer, and speak with current students about their experiences. You might also have the opportunity to take tours of the campus, the accommodation and the library, as well as to speak with student services staff – ie, the people who can help answer your questions on funding, admissions, disability facilities, language barriers and much more.
Open days are a great way for you to attend talks on the course(s) you are looking at taking, and for you to get a feel for the university or college environment.
When is the best time of the year to go to open days?
For those applying to university starting the following September, there are a few things to consider when attending open days:
- It’s best to attend an open day before you to the university! Remember your UCAS deadline for applications is in mid-January of the year you wish to attend university, so the summer and autumn before that is usually considered to be the perfect time for you to visit.
- You want to have the university fresh in your mind before you apply, but also allow yourself plenty of time to research the things that matter to you. These may include the university courses, the accommodation, the student life, the support networks, the sports facilities, etc. It’s advisable to allow yourself 2-3 months before the UCAS application deadline to give you time to complete your research.
- Open days taking place in July and August means that you can use your 16-25 railcard when visiting universities during the week – even before 10am! Although this means that the campus will be free of students, it does allow you instead to have full and unrestricted access to the student facilities such as the student union, the places to eat on campus, the library, the gym, the shops etc.
How to make the most of an open day?
Don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone and to ask the questions you would like to know the answer to. This is the perfect opportunity to speak with staff and students and to gain insight into their thoughts and opinions. Also take lots of pictures and create a checklist of the things you must see before you leave campus, from the lecture theatres to the prayer rooms. Whatever is important to you! Also collect leaflets and hand outs from the day so you can continue working on your pre-application research.
Do I have to go to open days?
No, but it is advisable to go. You won’t truly know what a place is like until you go there and find out for yourself. After all, there is only so much you can tell from clicking through a website or flicking through a prospectus! The best way to find the place which is right for you is by going to as many different open days as possible and understanding what it is that you would like from your future place of study, and what it is that you wouldn’t like. This will help you to narrow down and pinpoint the place which is right for you.
Will going to open days affect my chances of getting accepted by the university?
Most universities can see who has registered for an open day and who applies to study there via UCAS. However, these are treated as two different things! Most universities will not consider your attendance at an open day when reviewing your UCAS application, and as such it won’t make a difference on whether you are accepted by the university.
I haven’t chosen a course to study yet, is it worth going to an open day?
Absolutely! Going to open days provides an excellent platform for you to attend many different talks on a whole heaps of different subjects. It’s the best way to find out what course(s) appeals to you and to speak with academic staff about their courses in more detail. Plus, you can still use open days to find out where you would like to study, helping you to narrow down your options when you come to apply via UCAS.
What questions to ask during an open day?
Your questions will ultimately depend on what you want from your university experience, but it’s helpful to ask the same questions at each of the open days you attend so you can compare notes. Here’s some examples of questions you can ask student ambassadors and academic staff:
- How is my course taught and how is feedback provided?
- Are students on this course/at this university generally satisfied with their experience?
- Is it easy to find a desk/computer in the library?
- How active is the student union? Do they put on a lot of event throughout the year?
- Where do most students live on/off campus?
- Where are the best places for students to go to outside of lectures and seminars?
Should I go to an open day of a university I’m unlikely to apply to?
It can still be helpful visiting a university you don’t wish to apply to as it may reveal information to you which you weren’t aware of. This might be certain bursaries or student support schemes and services which aren’t specific to a particular university. Again, you might find elements of the university you like which other universities might have too, so it can still be beneficial for you to attend. You never know though, you might be swayed and want to apply to that university after all!
Should I take my parents/friends with me to an open day?
Going to a new place can be a scary experience for anyone, so it’s totally natural for you wishing to go to an open day with your parents or friends, and most universities will allow you to bring 1 or 2 guests with you. The good thing about bringing people with you is that they may help you to ask questions you hadn’t considered, or to see parts of the university which might have slipped your mind (the library, for example!). Equally, remember that it’s you who is going to university, and the open day could be a great opportunity to meet new people and make friends with your potential classmates. Being in a comfort zone with your friends and family by your side might prevent you from doing that, but ultimately you should do whatever makes you feel comfortable!
Open day summary!
Once you’ve visiting a few open days, you might find that your memory of individual universities can become a little bit fuzzy. To avoid this, take photographs throughout your day of the buildings, the campus, the local area, the residences and the library. Make sure you ask permission though as photographs might not be allowed in some areas! Ultimately, go and have fun. It’s an exciting time for you to discover what your next academic step might be, and to explore pastures new.
Leave a Reply