Open Day Checklist

Preparing for Your University Open Day Visit

According to UCAS (2023), 39% of prospective applicants cut down on open day attendance due to rising costs. Booking your place guarantees entry to subject talks and campus tours. Popular universities fill their presentation slots weeks in advance. Start by registering on the official university website as soon as the dates are announced. You will receive an itinerary via email shortly after booking. Use this schedule to prioritise your day. Subject talks often clash with accommodation tours, so you must plan your route carefully.

Plan your day around the mandatory course presentations. Everything else fits into the gaps around these fixed times. Download the campus map to your phone before you arrive. University Wi-Fi can be unreliable on busy days with thousands of visitors trying to connect at once. Identify the registration desk location so you know exactly where to go when you arrive.

Organising Travel for UK University Open Days

Train tickets become expensive if you buy them on the day of travel. Book advance rail fares up to 12 weeks before the event to secure the lowest prices. If you drive, check the parking arrangements thoroughly. Many city-centre universities offer zero on-campus parking for visitors. They usually run shuttle buses from park-and-ride facilities or local train stations instead.

Look into the student money guides to see how you can budget for these trips across the country. Bring your own food and water. Campus cafes face massive queues during open days, and buying lunch on campus wastes valuable time you could spend speaking to tutors. Group your university visits geographically if possible. Visiting two universities in the same region over one weekend cuts your travel costs in half.

What to Check During Your Campus Tour

According to Universities UK (2024), 554,465 people were accepted through UCAS to start an undergraduate course in the 2023 cycle. The campus environment dictates your daily routine for the next three years. Look past the modern glass buildings and focus on the practical facilities. Check the main library during your tour. See if there are enough study spaces, group work rooms, and plug sockets. Walk through the students’ union to gauge the social atmosphere and see what societies operate there.

Pay attention to the transport links between the campus and the city centre. A remote campus might look beautiful but could isolate you from city life and part-time job opportunities. Use our student budget calculator to estimate how much you might spend on local transport if you live off-campus. Notice the condition of the lecture theatres. Comfortable seating and good acoustics matter when you spend 15 hours a week in these rooms.

Essential Questions to Ask at a University Open Day

Academic staff and current students wait at subject stands specifically to answer your queries. Do not ask questions you can easily Google, like the standard entry grades. Focus on contact hours, assessment methods, and placement opportunities. Find out exactly how much time you will spend in lectures versus independent study. Ask how the department supports students who fall behind.

Ask the student ambassadors about the reality of living in the city. They will tell you which areas to avoid and where the best student nights happen. Read our university applications hub for more advice on speaking to admissions tutors. Question the careers team about graduate employment rates for your specific degree.

Inspecting Student Accommodation on Open Days

You will likely spend your first year in university halls. Open days provide access to show flats to give you an idea of the living conditions. Remember that these rooms represent the best possible standard. Look at the communal areas carefully. Check the size of the kitchen and count the fridge shelves provided for each student. Five people sharing one standard fridge causes arguments.

Compare the different price tiers available. An en-suite room costs significantly more than a room with a shared bathroom. Use this table to compare standard accommodation features across different housing types.

Review the student housing section to understand your tenancy rights before you sign any contracts. Check the security arrangements. Find out if the halls have 24-hour security or just a daytime receptionist.

Evaluating the Local City and Student Life

The university campus only forms one part of your student experience. You will spend a lot of time in the local city or town. Leave the campus and explore the surrounding area. Find the nearest supermarkets to see where you will do your weekly shop. A local discount supermarket saves you hundreds of pounds over the year compared to an expensive convenience store.

Visit the city centre to check out the shops, cinemas, and nightlife. A vibrant city provides more part-time job opportunities in retail and hospitality. Check the local public transport network. See how frequently the buses run during the evenings and weekends.

Speak to locals or shop workers to get a feel for the town. Some cities have a massive student population, making them incredibly student-friendly. Others feel more residential. Ensure the city matches your personality and lifestyle preferences.

What to Do After Your University Open Day

Write down your thoughts immediately after leaving the campus. After visiting three universities, the campuses will blur together in your memory. Rate the university on teaching, facilities, and location. Record specific details like the names of tutors you spoke to or the exact accommodation block you preferred. This makes your final UCAS choices much easier.

Review your notes alongside the official UCAS entry requirements. If the open day changed your mind about a course, adjust your application strategy immediately. You have five choices on your UCAS form. Only apply to places you genuinely want to attend. A backup choice should still be a university you would happily live at.