Open days

Attending open days is such an important part of the university journey but it can also be costly and time consuming so make sure you do your research ahead of time.
If you know the subject area you want to study then start googling. Does your young person want a campus experience or to be part of a big city?
Accommodation prices vary up and down the country and it’s better to work out your costings before you visit to save any disappointment when you realise that a London university is simply not in your budget.
University isn’t just about the course if your young person plays sports or enjoys other extracurricular activities such as music or jujitsu investigate these aspects to make sure they are offered by the University you are visiting.
If your budget allows it can be a good idea to make a weekend of it and get a real feel of the area over the course of a few days, especially if you’ve travelled a long way.
This could potentially be an area where your young person spends the next three years.
There’s always a premier inn right in the heart of any city centre and if you book well in advance you can get a good deal (other hotels are available)
Before you go it’s also worth checking whether the University is offering any incentives to attend their open days, some Uni’s have contributed to the cost of travel so have a look at their websites.
It’s a good idea to look through the open day itinerary ahead of time so you can plan your day and make sure there aren’t any clashes or to prioritise talks and tours.
Open days can involve a lot of walking between buildings and around campuses so make sure you wear comfortable
Shoes!
Open days can fill up quickly so make sure you know what’s coming up and get booked in, let them know if you have any accessibility issues ahead of time so they can make sure you have a successful day.
Here’s a list of questions from The UCAS website that will help on the day
Questions about the course
* How many teaching hours does the course have?
* How is the course assessed? For example, is there a mix of coursework, exams, and presentations?
* How many students will be on the course?
* What grades do I need to get on the course?
* What qualities or experience do you look for in your personal statement?
* Will I need to attend an interview or audition?
* What modules are compulsory and which ones are optional?
* Are there opportunities for work placements or years abroad?
* Can I switch courses if I don’t enjoy it?
* What careers have recent graduates gone on to?
* Are there any scholarships or bursaries?
Questions about accommodation
* What are the accommodation options for first years?
* What are the rooms like, and can I do a tour?
* How and when do I need to apply for accommodation?
* How many weeks of the year are covered by the halls contract?
* How much do I need to pay and when?
* Is it catered or self-catered?
* What facilities are on-site? For example, parking, a gym, laundrette
* What is the local area like?
* How easy is it to get to and from campus? (if the accommodation is off campus)
* What accommodation is available off-campus?
Questions to ask about the area
* What facilities are there on, and off-campus?
* Are there plenty of transport links to and from campus?
* Is there any student parking?
* How far is the campus from the nearest supermarket/town/bars?
* Are there any jobs on-campus for students?
* What’s the students’ union like?
* What sports clubs and societies are available?
* What does the local town/city have to offer?
* What support does the uni offer while I’m studying?

Attending open days is such an important part of the university journey but it can also be costly and time consuming so make sure you do your research ahead of time.
If you know the subject area you want to study then start googling. Does your young person want a campus experience or to be part of a big city?
Accommodation prices vary up and down the country and it’s better to work out your costings before you visit to save any disappointment when you realise that a London university is simply not in your budget.
University isn’t just about the course if your young person plays sports or enjoys other extracurricular activities such as music or jujitsu investigate these aspects to make sure they are offered by the University you are visiting.
If your budget allows it can be a good idea to make a weekend of it and get a real feel of the area over the course of a few days, especially if you’ve travelled a long way.
This could potentially be an area where your young person spends the next three years.
There’s always a premier inn right in the heart of any city centre and if you book well in advance you can get a good deal (other hotels are available)
Before you go it’s also worth checking whether the University is offering any incentives to attend their open days, some Uni’s have contributed to the cost of travel so have a look at their websites.
It’s a good idea to look through the open day itinerary ahead of time so you can plan your day and make sure there aren’t any clashes or to prioritise talks and tours.
Open days can involve a lot of walking between buildings and around campuses so make sure you wear comfortable
Shoes!
Open days can fill up quickly so make sure you know what’s coming up and get booked in, let them know if you have any accessibility issues ahead of time so they can make sure you have a successful day.
Here’s a list of questions from The UCAS website that will help on the day
Questions about the course
* How many teaching hours does the course have?
* How is the course assessed? For example, is there a mix of coursework, exams, and presentations?
* How many students will be on the course?
* What grades do I need to get on the course?
* What qualities or experience do you look for in your personal statement?
* Will I need to attend an interview or audition?
* What modules are compulsory and which ones are optional?
* Are there opportunities for work placements or years abroad?
* Can I switch courses if I don’t enjoy it?
* What careers have recent graduates gone on to?
* Are there any scholarships or bursaries?
Questions about accommodation
* What are the accommodation options for first years?
* What are the rooms like, and can I do a tour?
* How and when do I need to apply for accommodation?
* How many weeks of the year are covered by the halls contract?
* How much do I need to pay and when?
* Is it catered or self-catered?
* What facilities are on-site? For example, parking, a gym, laundrette
* What is the local area like?
* How easy is it to get to and from campus? (if the accommodation is off campus)
* What accommodation is available off-campus?
Questions to ask about the area
* What facilities are there on, and off-campus?
* Are there plenty of transport links to and from campus?
* Is there any student parking?
* How far is the campus from the nearest supermarket/town/bars?
* Are there any jobs on-campus for students?
* What’s the students’ union like?
* What sports clubs and societies are available?
* What does the local town/city have to offer?
* What support does the uni offer while I’m studying?