A UK university open day can turn a promising course page into a more informed decision. You do not need to attend every session or collect every brochure. Arrive with a short list of questions that matter to your course choice, and leave with evidence you can compare with your other options.
Prepare questions before your university open day
Read the course page first and note what you already know. Then identify the missing information: perhaps how a particular module is assessed, how project topics are selected or where most teaching takes place. Questions grounded in your own research usually lead to more useful answers.
Check the organiser's current event programme and booking instructions. Prioritise the course session and any support or accommodation information relevant to you. If you need access arrangements, contact the event team ahead of time so that the day is workable for your needs.
Ask staff and students different questions
Ask course staff about academic structure, assessment and the support available when a topic is difficult. For a feature such as a placement, clarify how it works in practice and whether there is a selection process. Note where the answer should also be confirmed in the current course information.
Ask current students about their everyday routine: how they organise independent work, where they like to study and what they wish they had understood before arriving. Treat individual experiences as useful perspectives. One person's experience can suggest a follow-up question, but it cannot establish how a course works for everyone.
Make online events useful too
UCAS lists open days and virtual tours, which can help if you cannot visit in person. Combine a virtual tour with a live question session when one is offered. Explore the buildings and facilities relevant to your subject instead of only watching a general campus film.
After the event, write a short comparison while your impressions are fresh. Separate what you liked from what you learned, and mark anything that still needs confirmation. Follow up with the relevant university team using a specific question rather than a request for general information.
Keep this handy
Your next-step checklist
- Research the course before attending.
- Prepare questions that affect your choice.
- Use student experiences to prompt further research.
- Record answers and follow up on unresolved details.
One useful thing to do next
Choose five questions for your next campus or online event. Rank them so that you can ask the most important ones even if time is limited.
Use what you learn at each event in a more focused comparison of UK courses and universities.
Sources & further reading
Use these official resources alongside the current information from your chosen UK university. Course requirements, costs and availability vary.
Bring your questions to GLP
Get guidance on turning your UK study research into a practical plan.
Get Free Consultation