University Open Days | UK University Open Days & What to Expect
University open days give prospective students the opportunity to explore a university before deciding where to apply or which offer to accept. You can visit the campus, see teaching facilities and student accommodation, attend course talks, speak to lecturers and current students, and find out what everyday university life could be like.
Visiting a UK university open day is about more than looking around the campus. It is your opportunity to compare courses, ask detailed questions about teaching and assessment, investigate accommodation and student support, explore the surrounding town or city and decide whether you could realistically see yourself studying and living there. UCAS describes open days as a way to get a real taste of university life and recommends using them to explore facilities and speak with staff and students.
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What Happens at a University Open Day?
A typical university open day includes course presentations, campus tours, opportunities to meet academic staff and current students, and information about accommodation, Student Finance, admissions and support services. Some universities also offer subject demonstrations, sample lectures, laboratory or studio tours, society information and tours of student halls. The exact programme varies by university and campus, so check the timetable before travelling.
| Open Day Activity | What to Look For |
|---|---|
| Course Talks | Modules, teaching, assessment and entry requirements |
| Campus Tours | Teaching buildings, libraries and study spaces |
| Accommodation Tours | Rooms, kitchens, facilities, location and costs |
| Meet Lecturers | Ask detailed questions about your chosen degree |
| Talk to Students | Hear about the everyday student experience |
| Student Services | Wellbeing, disability, careers and academic support |
| Students’ Union | Societies, sports, events and student representation |
| Local Area | Transport, shops, nightlife and everyday living |
Finding UK University Open Days
Universities hold open days at different points throughout the year, and some institutions offer several dates for different campuses, courses or levels of study. You can find university open day dates through individual university websites or use UCAS to search open days and events across different institutions.
Don’t restrict your research to one event if you’re comparing several universities. Create a shortlist based on the courses you’re considering, check available dates and book early where registration is required. If you can’t attend a main open day, check whether the university offers a campus tour, applicant day or virtual open day instead. Search university open days with UCAS
Preparing for a University Open Day
Before attending, check the university’s open-day programme and decide which course talks, accommodation tours, campus tours and student services you want to visit. Some activities run at fixed times, and a large campus can make it difficult to attend everything without planning. UCAS recommends preparing questions, checking the campus layout, planning your journey and deciding what you want to get from the visit beforehand.
Also consider the practical journey you would make as a student. Check public transport, parking where relevant and the distance between accommodation, teaching buildings and the town or city centre. Comfortable shoes are useful because an open day can involve considerably more walking than expected.
Questions to Ask at a University Open Day
An open day is one of the best opportunities to get answers that aren’t obvious from a university prospectus. Ask about course modules, teaching hours, assessment methods, optional modules, placements, study abroad opportunities, class sizes and graduate destinations. For accommodation, ask about prices, contract lengths, application deadlines, bills, catering and how far halls are from your teaching campus. These are among the areas UCAS recommends prospective students investigate during a visit.
Checking the Course & Teaching Facilities
The course should be one of your main priorities during an open day. Look beyond the course title and find out what you’ll actually study across each year, how much choice you’ll have between modules and how teaching and assessment work. Two universities offering degrees with almost identical names can have significantly different modules, teaching styles and specialist areas.
Visit the facilities connected to your subject where possible. Depending on your degree, these might include laboratories, engineering workshops, computer suites, libraries, studios, performance spaces, clinical facilities or specialist equipment. Ask whether the facilities you’re shown are the ones undergraduate students actually use and how easily students can access them outside scheduled teaching.
Viewing University Accommodation
If you’re planning to move away from home, make time to see student accommodation rather than concentrating entirely on the academic campus. Look at the bedroom, kitchen and shared spaces, but also ask about rent, bills, internet, laundry, security, contract length and the distance from your main teaching buildings. UCAS specifically recommends asking about first-year accommodation, application deadlines, costs, contract length and transport between halls and campus.
Remember that the room shown on an accommodation tour may represent only one room type. Ask what other options and price levels are available and whether first-year students are guaranteed or prioritised for accommodation. If university halls aren’t suitable, investigate private halls and the areas where students commonly rent in later years.
Exploring the Campus & University City
Don’t leave immediately after your final course talk. Spend some time exploring the university campus and surrounding area because this could become your home for several years. Look at the library, students’ union, sports facilities, cafés, shops and study spaces, then explore the town or city centre and check transport connections. UCAS similarly recommends considering both the campus and its location when evaluating a university after an open day.
Think about practical everyday life rather than whether the campus simply looks impressive. Consider the journey to lectures, supermarkets, transport, accommodation, opportunities for part-time work and whether the location suits the type of student experience you want.
Talking to Current University Students
Current students can provide a different perspective from prospectuses and formal presentations. Ask them what they think about the course, teaching, workload, accommodation, societies, facilities and local area. UCAS recommends speaking with students at open days because their first-hand experience can help prospective applicants understand what studying at the institution is actually like.
Ask specific questions rather than simply “Do you like it here?”. Questions such as “What surprised you after starting?”, “How much independent study do you do?” or “What would you have wanted to know before choosing this university?” are more likely to produce useful answers.
Virtual University Open Days & Campus Tours
If you can’t visit in person, many universities provide virtual open days, online course presentations and virtual campus tours. Depending on the university, online events can include subject talks, student panels, live Q&A sessions, information about accommodation and student life, and opportunities to speak with university staff.
A virtual event is particularly useful for international students or applicants considering universities far from home, but use an in-person visit later if practical. Videos can show facilities and accommodation, but physically visiting can give you a better understanding of distances, transport, the surrounding area and how the campus feels.
University Open Days for International Students
For international students planning to study in the UK, travelling to several university open days may not be practical. Virtual open days and campus tours can help you compare courses and universities from overseas, while university international teams can answer questions about tuition fees, accommodation, arrival, Student visa processes and support available to international students.
Pay particular attention to the practical aspects of living in the UK: student accommodation, living costs, transport, international student support, healthcare, banking and travel connections. If you attend virtually, prepare the same detailed course and accommodation questions you would ask during an in-person visit.
Going to an Open Day With Parents or Family
Taking a parent, family member or friend can be useful because another person may notice details or think of questions you haven’t considered. UCAS specifically suggests deciding who to bring and notes that another person can help identify questions or details you might otherwise miss.
However, this is ultimately your university decision. Make sure you personally speak to lecturers and students, explore the facilities that matter to you and consider whether you would be comfortable studying and living there. A university that suits someone else’s priorities may not necessarily be the best choice for your course or circumstances.
After the University Open Day
Soon after your visit, write down what you liked and disliked while the experience is still fresh. Compare the course, teaching, facilities, accommodation, location, costs and overall student experience with the other universities you’re considering. UCAS recommends reflecting on the location, making a list of advantages and disadvantages and following up with the university if you still have unanswered questions.
Don’t choose a university simply because it had the most impressive open day. Your final decision should consider the course and whether the institution meets your academic, financial and practical needs. If you’re still unsure, attend another event, take a campus tour or contact the department before making your UCAS choices.
🎓 University Open Day Checklist
Before attending a university open day, decide what you need to learn rather than simply walking around the campus. A short plan makes it easier to compare universities afterwards and reduces the chance of forgetting an important question.
✔ Book Your University Open Day
✔ Check the Open Day Timetable
✔ Plan Your Travel & Parking
✔ Attend Your Course Talk
✔ Speak to Lecturers & Current Students
✔ Tour the Campus & Teaching Facilities
✔ View Student Accommodation
✔ Visit the Students’ Union & Support Services
✔ Explore the Surrounding Town or City
✔ Take Notes & Photos Where Permitted
📚 Explore Student Resources
Explore StudentUK resources covering student accommodation, student finance, student bank accounts, budgeting, scholarships, student discounts, part-time jobs, health and wellbeing, international students, and other essential topics to help you prepare for university life in the UK.
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Free Student Chat Rooms for UK Students
Join the StudentUK community to connect with prospective students, university students, freshers and international students from across the UK. Ask questions and chat about university open days, courses, UCAS applications, accommodation, university choices, Freshers’ Week and student life while sharing experiences and getting perspectives from other students. Whether you’re deciding which universities to visit or comparing your final choices, StudentUK chat rooms provide a place to discuss UK universities, courses and university life with prospective and current students.
Frequently Asked Questions
A university open day is an event where prospective students can visit a university, explore the campus and facilities, learn about courses, view accommodation and speak with staff and current students before deciding whether to apply or accept an offer.
Many universities require or encourage advance registration for open days. Booking can also provide access to the day’s programme and updates, so check the individual university’s instructions before travelling.
UK university open days take place throughout the year, with dates varying between institutions and courses. Universities may run several undergraduate open days as well as postgraduate, applicant, Clearing and virtual events. UCAS provides a searchable database of current open days and events.
Activities commonly include course talks, campus tours, accommodation tours, meetings with lecturers and students, and information about admissions, finance and student support. The exact programme varies between universities.
Ask questions about course modules, teaching hours, assessment, placements, facilities, accommodation, costs, student support and graduate opportunities. Prioritise questions that will genuinely influence your decision.
Usually, yes, although individual event arrangements can vary. A parent, family member or friend can provide another perspective, but prospective students should still take the lead in asking questions and evaluating the university themselves.
You generally don’t need formal clothing unless the university specifically says otherwise. Wear something comfortable and suitable for the weather, particularly comfortable footwear because campus and accommodation tours can involve substantial walking.
Yes. Virtual open days can provide course information, online presentations, student Q&As and virtual campus tours, making them particularly useful when travelling to the university isn’t practical.
There isn’t a fixed number. Visit enough universities to make an informed comparison without feeling that you must attend every institution you’re considering. Virtual tours can also help you narrow your shortlist before travelling.