Your Guide to University Open Days
Ready to take the next step in your career? One of the best ways to explore your options is by attending university open days! Our friends at UCAS have a fantastic search tool to help you find the perfect events, and we’ve pulled together some top tips to help you make the most of them.
What is a University Open Day?
Think of it as an exclusive sneak peek into your potential future! Open days are events hosted by universities and colleges to showcase their campus, facilities, courses, and student life. It's your chance to:
- Explore the Campus: Wander through lecture halls, libraries, student accommodation, and sports facilities. Get a feel for the atmosphere and imagine yourself studying there.
- Meet Lecturers and Students: Chat directly with the academics who teach the courses you're interested in, and get honest insights from current students about their experiences.
- Learn About Courses: Attend taster lectures and workshops to delve deeper into subjects that catch your eye. Find out about course content, entry requirements, and career prospects.
- Discover Student Support: Learn about the wide range of support services available, from academic advisors to mental health support and careers guidance.
- Get Financial Advice: Find out about tuition fees, student loans, scholarships, and bursaries.
Why are Open Days Important?
While brochures and websites are helpful, nothing beats experiencing a university in person. It allows you to:
- Make an Informed Decision: Visiting a campus can help you decide if it's the right environment for you, both academically and socially.
- Ask Your Questions: It's your chance to get answers to all those burning questions you have about university life.
- Compare Institutions: If you're considering several universities, open days are excellent for comparing and contrasting them.
- Feel Excited About Your Future! Getting a glimpse into university life can be incredibly motivating and help you visualise your next steps.
How to Find and Book Open Days:
The easiest way to find upcoming open days is through the UCAS website. They have a comprehensive search tool that allows you to filter by institution, subject, and date.
Here's how to do it:
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Visit the UCAS Website: Go to https://www.ucas.com/explore/search/events
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Use the Search Filters: You can search by:
- Institution: If you have a specific university in mind.
- Subject: If you know what you want to study.
- Date: To see what's coming up soon.
- Location: To find universities near you or in a specific region.
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Browse the Results: Once you've entered your search criteria, a list of relevant open days will appear.
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Click for More Information: Click on an event to find out more details, including the schedule for the day, what's on offer, and how to book your place.
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Book Your Spot: Most open days require you to register in advance. Follow the instructions on the university's website to book your place. Don't forget to do this! Popular open days can fill up quickly.
Top Tips for Attending an Open Day:
- Plan Ahead: Look at the programme for the day and decide which talks, tours, and activities you want to attend.
- Wear Comfortable Shoes: You'll be doing a lot of walking!
- Take Notes: You'll receive a lot of information, so jot down key points and your impressions.
- Ask Questions: Don't be shy! This is your opportunity to get answers.
- Talk to Everyone: Engage with staff, lecturers, and especially current students.
- Be Open-Minded: Even if a university isn't your top choice, you might be surprised by what you discover.
- Bring a Parent or Guardian: It can be helpful to have another perspective and someone to help you remember details.
Don't miss out on these fantastic opportunities to explore your future! Start planning your university open day visits today.
Mel, our fantastic Sixth Form Administrator, has prepared this list for you including the Top University Rankings:
Is university right for me?
For more information on universities, see our dedicated page about all things university.
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