University Open Days do exactly what it says on the tin – universities open their doors so that prospective students can have a good nose around!

BY KATE NEWTON

Attending Open Days at the universities you are thinking of applying to will help you narrow down your choices and make your final decision a lot easier. They give you the opportunity to soak up the atmosphere on campus, to check out the accommodation, lecture theatres and facilities and to get a good feel for the town or city the university is in. Moving On gives you a few tips on how to get the most out of your university open day visits.

You’ll probably have a good idea of the kind of degree you want to study, so now is the time to make a shortlist of universities which run the best degree courses to suit your particular skills and talents. Your teachers will be able to guide you towards making the best choices and university websites are packed with information on the subject you want to study.

Before the Open Day

Make a shortlist of at least three universities you’d like to visit and check out their websites for Open Day dates and information.

Some colleges run a schedule of lectures you might like to attend at their Open Days and some offer appointments for one-to-one chats, which you’ll be able to book before you attend. You can also find out when and where Open Days are going to be held by going to the UCAS website: www.ucas.com.

• Register that you’ll be attending with each university as they often supply refreshments and goody bags and they’ll need to know numbers.
• Put all the dates in your diary - most students go with a parent so ask yours if they’re free to go with you on the day.
• Make a list of questions you’d like to ask when you’re there.
• Plan your journey.

During the Open Day

When you arrive you may have to queue to register again – Open Days are very well attended and it will be busy! After all the formalities you’ll be free to wander around, attend any talks or lectures and chat with student guides, lecturers and university staff. There will be tours of accommodation blocks and you may be offered a voucher, to go towards buying a drink or a snack in one of the university cafes or restaurants – there are usually a few different eateries around the campus. If you have time, you could check out the university town or city to get a feel for where you might be spending three whole years of your life! Try and make a few notes about the course and the uni during your visit – you’ll have had a busy day and a few notes will help you to remember all the important things when it comes to making your final choice of which university is best for you.

After the Open Day

Gather your thoughts, go through everything you’ve learned and if there’s something you forgot to ask or need to know, the student recruitment staff at each university will be happy to help – call them directly or email via their websites. After you have attended all your Open Days, the hard work of making a final choice is all down to you but if you’ve done all your homework, it’ll be easier than you think!

Anglia Ruskin University Open Days

Saturday 28th June 2014 10am-2pm
Wednesday 3rd September 2014 5-7pm
Saturday 27th September 2014 10am-2pm
Saturday 18th October 2014 10am-2pm

T: 01245 68 68 68 | W: www.anglia.ac.uk/opendays

Falmouth University Open Days

Friday 23 May 2014 (and End of Year Show)
Foundation Diploma in Art & Design only
Monday 16 June 2014 (and Degree Shows exhibitions)
Undergraduate courses only (excludes Foundation Diploma in Art & Design)
Saturday 4 October 2014
Undergraduate courses including Foundation Diploma - booking opens August 2014
Saturday 25 October 2014
Undergraduate courses including Foundation Diploma - booking opens August 2014

W: www.falmouth.ac.uk/opendays
E: [email protected]

Faculty of Technology, Design and Environment Undergraduate Open Day

Saturday 7 June 2014 09.00-16.00
Arts (Fine Art, Art and Design, Film Studies, Music, Publishing): Headington Campus
Architecture, Planning, Real Estate and Construction: Headington Campus
Computing and Communication Technologies: Wheatley Campus
Mechanical Engineering and Mathematical Sciences: Wheatley Campus

W: http://www.brookes.ac.uk/about-brookes/events/undergraduate-open-day—7-june-2014/

University of Sheffield Open Days

Thursday 19 June 2014
Friday 11 July 2014
Saturday 12 July 2014
Saturday 6 September 2014
Saturday 18 October 2014

W: http://www.sheffield.ac.uk/undergraduate/opendays

Warsash Maritime Academy Open Day

Friday 27 June 2014
Come to our open day to find out more about a career at sea as a ship’s officer in the merchant navy.

W: www.warsashacademy.co.uk/openday