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Preparing for Open Days

Make Your University Open Day Count!

The Ultimate Prep Guide

University Open Days are your backstage pass to higher education. They offer a rare chance to test-drive campus life, meet future professors, and get a feel for your potential home for the next few years.

Going in with a solid game plan ensures you get the real answers you need to make the right choice. Here is how to prepare before, during, and after your visit.

Start planning your visits

View the UK University Open Days Calendar

Open Day Tracker Spreadsheet 2026/27

The Cottesloe School Sixth Form University Open Day Prep Guide

Phase 1 – Before You Step Foot on Campus

The secret to a successful Open Day is what you do before you arrive.

  • Register Early and Book Talks: Many popular subject talks, lab tours, and accommodation sessions fill up weeks in advance. Book your place online as soon as registration opens.

  • Build a Custom Itinerary: Map out your day with a timetable. Pick 2–3 "must-attend" central sessions (e.g., your prospective course talk and a finance overview), leaving free windows for walking around.

  • Prep Your Travel Logistics: Campus car parks fill up fast. Check travel options, check for shuttle bus routes from train stations, and plan to arrive at least 30 minutes before your first booked talk.

  • Write Down Your Questions: Don't rely on memory. Write a list of specific questions on your phone so you aren’t blank when standing in front of department heads or students.

Phase 2 – What to Ask While You're There

Different people on campus offer different insights. Tailor your questions to who you are speaking with:

Who You're Talking To Key Questions to Ask
Course Lecturers and Tutors
  • How is the course assessed (exams, coursework, group projects)?
  • Are there placement, study abroad, or internship opportunities?
  • What are the typical contact hours vs. independent study expectations?
Current Student Ambassadors
  • What made you choose this university over others?
  • What is the local nightlife, safety, and community vibe like?
  • How easy was it to make friends during your first year?
Accommodation and Life in Halls
  • Are first-year students guaranteed university housing?
  • What is included in the rent (Wi-Fi, bills, gym membership)?
  • What are the transport links between halls and lectures?
  • Which halls of residence are the most social, and which ones are quieter?
  • Is there anything about your first-year accommodation you wish you had known before moving in?
  • How easy is it to get around campus and into town without a car?
  • Is it common for students to stay on campus over the weekend, or does the place empty out?
Academics and Daily Workload
  • How many hours a week do you actually spend in lectures and seminars versus independent study?
  • How approachable and supportive are the lecturers when you're struggling with an assignment?
  • Is it easy to find a spot in the library during assessment periods, or does it get crammed?
  • What does a typical Tuesday actually look like for a student on your course?
Social Life and Extracurriculars
  • What was the easiest way you found to make friends outside your course and halls?
  • How active are the societies and sports clubs, and how much time do they take up?
  • What is the local area like for nightlife, eating out, or non-drinking activities?
  • Do you feel safe walking around campus and the surrounding area late at night?
Money and Student Budgeting
  • Is it easy to find flexible part-time jobs on campus or nearby that fit around lectures?
  • How pricey is daily student life around here; groceries, transport, nights out?
  • Are there any unexpected course costs, like expensive textbooks, printing, or specialist equipment?
Unfiltered "Gut Check" Questions
  • What made you choose this university over your other options?
  • If you could change one thing about this uni, what would it be?
  • What surprised you the most about starting your first year here?

Phase 3 – Making the Most of the Day

1. Talk to Current Students

Lecturers will sell you the academic programme, but student ambassadors will give you the unvarnished reality of day-to-day life. Ask them about workload, budget-friendly food spots, support services, and campus culture.

2. Take the Off-Beat Path

Don't just stick to the guided tours. Walk around on your own. Check out the library, visit the student union, grab a coffee in the café, and explore the surrounding neighbourhood or city centre to see if you can picture yourself living there.

3. Check Out the Accommodation Firsthand

Look closely at room sizes, shared kitchen facilities, security measures, and proximity to lecture halls. Don't just look at the showroom, ask to see standard accommodation setups.

Pro Tip: Take photos and quick videos of each accommodation option and campus area you visit. After visiting three or four universities, campuses start to blur together!

Phase 4 – When You Get Home

  • Do a 10-Minute Brain Dump: While it’s fresh in your mind, record a voice note or write a bulleted list of your gut reactions, highlights, and potential red flags.

  • Compare Your Non-Negotiables: Grade the university against your personal priorities (e.g., course flexibility, campus facilities, distance from home, nightlife).

  • Follow Up: If you missed a specific answer or need more detail on course modules, email the department admissions team while your name is fresh in their minds.

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