University open days: what to expect and how to prepare

To get a feel for a place you need to visit it and that's where university open days come in. Designed to give you an insight into what studying at a particular institution is like, learn more about how to make the most of them

What are university open days?

At open day events universities throw open their doors to show off what they have to offer in an attempt to attract new students. These days give potential students an insight into what it's like to study at the university.

'Students can explore campuses, meet staff and students, attend informative lectures and workshops, visit accommodation and ask all their questions about student life,' explains Dan Barcroft, director of admissions at the University of Sheffield. 'It's the perfect chance to see if university is the right fit for you and your academic goals.'

You don't have to attend open days and they're not a compulsory part of university applications, but they do help you get a better feel for a particular institution. If you're undecided on where to study they can help you narrow down your options and discover which university is best for you.

What types of university open days are there?

Universities host separate undergraduate and postgraduate open days so be aware of this when planning your visit.

The most common type of event is an in-person university open day. As mentioned above, this is where you visit a university and participate in activities such as guided campus and accommodation tours, subject talks and Q&A sessions.

You can also attend in-person university open days and go on self-guided tours, which allow you to explore a campus at your own pace. These usually involve following an interactive map by downloading an app or listening to a podcast or audio guide as you make your way around.

While you'll get a better feel for university life by attending in person, virtual university open days are a popular option for those who can't make specific in-person dates. Online events are also more cost effective as you don't have to travel - you can virtually tour a campus and interact with staff and students from the comfort of your own home.

Similar in purpose but different in the sense that they focus more specifically on particular courses or departments, subject-specific taster days involve information sessions, sitting in on lectures and seminars and interactive workshops.

Who are they aimed at?

University open days are aimed at all prospective students - if you're thinking of going to university but haven't settled on a destination then open day events are for you.

Undergraduate open days are geared towards those in further education who are researching their higher education options, while postgraduate open days are aimed at anyone considering study at this level - you could be a current undergraduate student, graduate or a career changer.

It's fine to go to university open days alone but as there's such a lot of information to absorb, consider taking someone with you. An extra pair of eyes and ears can spot things that you miss or ask questions that slip your mind. A lot of open day attendees choose to take their parents, they know you the best so can give a reliable second opinion. Other good options include older siblings who already attend, or have previously attended university or a friend who’s thinking about studying at the same institution.

Why should I attend a university open day?

One of the most common questions about university open days is 'are they worth it?' and we'd have to say yes.

You'll spend a lot of time at university and your student experience (the activities you're involved in, where you live and the friends you make etc) can have a big impact on your life, so making the right decision on where to study is important.

Institution websites, written prospectuses and social media videos provide lots of information but the one thing they don't do is give you a feel for the atmosphere of a place. Prior to visiting a university all the information you receive about it will be second-hand promotional material. Open days give you the opportunity to explore facilities and halls first hand and talk to lecturers, university staff and current students face-to-face, enabling you to judge for yourself.

Open days are also great way to compare universities. 'While attending an open day at the University of Sheffield, I discovered how their engineering facilities can be used outside of my course when I visited the IForge, a student-led makerspace. This was something I hadn't heard of before but it got me interested and meant I could compare the facilities to what other universities had on offer,' says Peter Lord, an engineering student at the University of Sheffield.

What's more, they're free to attend so you've got nothing to lose by going along. You will however need to factor in travel costs.

A lot of universities provide financial support towards travel to an open day. For example, Leeds Trinity University offer £30 towards these costs. The amount you receive depends on your postcode and you must attend the event in person to be eligible. You can only claim these costs for one open day per university.

'At Sheffield, we try to communicate our values to prospective students on an open day in lots of ways. These include reimbursing travel for disadvantaged students to attend as part of our commitment to removing barriers to education; and making prayer rooms available to those that visit, to ensure people feel their religion and belief is respected,' adds Dan.

When are open days and how do I book a place?

Open days are run year-round but there are peak times, such as the summer months (June-August) when everyone has free time and campuses are quiet. Key dates in the academic calendar like the opening of Clearing and GCSE and A-level results day also fall within this period.

October to December is also a busy time for open days in preparation for the UCAS application deadline in January.

Each university will have at least one open day per year, but institutions usually run multiple events so don't panic if you can't make one of the dates.

You usually have to book a slot on an open day and this is easy to do. Head to the institutions website or see open days and events. Try to register your interest as early as possible as places fill up fast.

There's no cap on the number of university open days you can attend - how many you go to depends on your circumstances. If you have no clue about where to study or what's on offer, sign up for as many as possible but be realistic - consider the time that you have and travel costs to each. On the other hand, if you already have a list of preferred institutions, visit your top two or three.

'I attended five open days,' explains Peter. 'I knew I wanted to attend university in the north of England, so I narrowed down my choices from there as to which offered the best courses for me. Universities that offered tours of a range of accommodation, as well as campus tours, were top of my list.'

It is possible to check out a university outside of an open day. You'll need to contact the institution beforehand to express your interest in paying them a visit. If you missed out on an official open day due to your unavailability or there not being enough places let them know. While you probably won't get the same access to accommodation and facilities as you would on an open day, you'll still be able to look around campus and get a feel for the place.

What can I expect on a university open day?

Each institution will organise their open days slightly differently. At most universities they run from 10am to 3pm, at others 9am to 5pm. Certain events might be run in the evenings to accommodate prospective students with work commitments. University open days can be held throughout the week or on weekends.

While schedules vary they usually include:

campus and accommodation tours
talks and presentations on accommodation, student finance, application and admissions, student wellbeing etc
opportunities to chat with lecturers and departmental staff about your chosen subject
Q&A sessions with university staff, lecturers and students
student meet and greets.

The day will be busy and while you might be tempted to slip away before the end try to stay for the whole event. As a minimum aim to spend at least four hours on campus to get the most out of the day and to make your visit worthwhile.

How should I prepare for open day events?

First of all make a note of when the event starts and ensure your travel arrangements allow you to get there on time. Save the address of the institution in a notes or map app so you can ask for directions if you need them.

Prior to the event look at the itinerary for the day and plan which sessions, activities, talks and tours you'd like to attend.

'I planned my day in advance to ensure I didn't miss anything or leave with any burning questions,' says Peter. 'When visiting the University of Sheffield we were given lots of recommendations in the welcome pack on where to eat and drink in the city, which also allowed me to see the best spots in Sheffield before heading home - take advantage of information like this, as it gives you a real feel for the location.'

Make a list of things you'd like to know more about and prepare some questions to ask.

On the day of the event take:

your open day pack/information
university prospectus
a bag to carry any documents, leaflets or freebies you pick up
notebook and pen - 'Open days can feel like information overload, so record important notes and impressions for future reference,' advises Dan.
phone charger - if you plan to take lots of pictures or record sessions.

There are no rules surrounding what you should wear to a university open day. They're not formal events so there's no need to dress like you're attending a job interview. Wear what you're comfortable in. However, keep in mind that some of the lecturers or admission staff that you meet could interview you for a place on a course later down the line. Casual wear is fine but make sure you look presentable. Practical shoes are also a good idea as you'll spend the majority of the day on your feet.

What questions should I ask at a university open day?

'Open days are a great opportunity to find out the things that aren't on the prospectus, whether that's the best nights out according to students, or the best spots in the library,' says Peter. 'You want to leave knowing you have as much information about the place as possible, so ask a range of people different questions. By speaking to current students especially, you can get an understanding of what the university really has to offer and a feel of the student's enthusiasm for it.'

There's no limit on the number of questions you can ask and the answers you receive will help you make an informed choice about your final study destination.

Ask course-specific questions such as:

Will I need to attend an interview?
What do admissions tutors look for in potential students of this course?
Are there any course-specific scholarships or bursaries?
What modules are compulsory and which are optional?
How will I be assessed?
Does the course offer work experience opportunities or placements abroad?
Can I combine this degree with another subject?
How many students will be on this course?
What do teaching methods involve?
What industry connections does this course have?
What are the facilities like on this course?
What have recent graduates of the course gone on to do?
Can I change courses if I don't enjoy it?

Make these kinds of enquiries about student accommodation:

What accommodation options are available for first year/postgraduate students?
What are the rooms/on-site facilities like?
Is accommodation catered or self-catered?
What appliances/items are provided as part of university accommodation?
Are guests allowed to stay?
Can you stay in university accommodation over the summer and Christmas periods?
Can you request to live with friends?
Is student parking available?
What safety measures are in place within university accommodation?
Is accommodation available off campus?
How and when do I apply for university accommodation?
How much does student accommodation cost?

Don't forget to ask about the wider student experience with questions like:

What essential facilities are available both on and off campus?
What are the transport links like, to and from campus?
How far is the campus from the town/city centre?
What clubs and societies are available?
What is the students' union like?
How late does the library stay open?
Are on-campus jobs available for students?
What help and support is available to students?
What support is on offer for mature students/disabled students/those struggling with their mental health?

What should I do after a university open day?

'Ask yourself 'can I see myself living here while studying?' If you get a good feeling about it, then that's a positive sign,' says Dan.

Immediately after the event it's also useful to draw up a list of pros and cons for the institution, baring in mind everything that you've learned. This can aid your decision making by giving you a visual representation of the advantages and disadvantages of the university. It's especially useful if you're planning to attend more than one open day, as it allows comparisons.

Next, it's important to follow up on any unanswered queries or additional questions. You can do this by emailing the student recruitment/admissions/accommodation departments.

Finally, if you're still on the fence or you think a particular institution might be for you but need extra reassurance, you should arrange a second visit.

Find out more

Read up on how to apply to university 2024.
Discover 10 things to do before starting university.

University open days