Top questions to ask at a university open day

It's also the only way you'll really get a feel for what studying, living and socialising there is going to be like. 

We asked students and parents to tell us the questions that helped them most on the open days they attended.

We also asked for some suggested course questions from a careers adviser. We've listed all of them below - you might want to save this page ahead of your next open day or perhaps print it out as a checklist.

Before you head off to any open day, take a look through the uni's website to check for any questions covered on there. You'll feel better informed when you arrive - and it might spark some thoughts of other questions too. 

Use The Student Room's specific university forums to see what current students are saying about what it's really like to study there. 

Need a bit of inspiration deciding which unis or courses to apply to? Search courses based on your qualifications and predicted grades or browse our subject guides here. 

Questions to ask about the course

This line of questioning should be your top priority, as it's where you're going to find out more about what you'll actually be doing at uni.

Your qualifications

• What grades do you need – and could you still get a place if you don't quite get the grades?
• Which qualifications and combinations of qualifications do they accept/prefer?
• If they use the Ucas tariff, will they count all your qualifications?
• Is it worth applying for more than one course?
• How do they select which candidates to make offers to?

Your personal statement

• What do they look for in your application and personal statement?
• Can they recommend any reading or activities to inform your personal statement? 

Your Ucas application

• Do they hold interviews or is selection based entirely on your Ucas application?
• How do they feel about gap years and deferred entry applications?
• Is there any benefit in getting your application in early?
   
• Read more: nine things to look for when comparing university courses

What the course will be like when you’re there – suggestions from a careers adviser

• What does the course cover?
• How many hours a week will I be in timetabled teaching?
• How much flexibility is there?
• What assessment methods are used?
• What demands will it make on you?
• How will you learn?
• What’s the split between lectures, tutorials and self-directed study?
• What size are tutorial groups?
• What deadlines will you have to meet?
• What are the facilities like?
• What opportunities are there for you to broaden and deepen your understanding of the subject?
• Are placements or study abroad on offer, where are they, how are they organised, are they paid, how do they affect tuition fees?
• What are the pros and cons of taking a joint or combined course?
   
• Read more: I want to go to uni but I don't know what to study

Your career prospects – what happens after

• How will the course make you more employable? Do they offer or arrange placements?
• What have previous students gone on to do after graduating?
• What proportion go on to postgraduate study? Do you need to do a postgraduate course to get a job?
• Do they know what past students are doing two or three years later?
• What careers guidance facilities are there?
• Do they run job fairs?

Questions to ask about the accommodation

A lot of open days let you look around typical halls of residence. The likelihood is you'll probably be touring the best on offer, but it's a great time to do some fact-finding.

• Is a place in halls guaranteed? What accommodation is available off-campus?
• Would a place still be guaranteed if you made the uni your insurance choice?
• What does it cost – and what’s included in that cost?
• Will you have to move in and out each term?
• What are the pros and cons of catered versus self-catered?
• How big are the rooms – are some bigger than others?
• How quiet are they?
• Can you put stuff on the walls?
• How secure is it?
• Do most students stay on campus at weekends?
• What happens in years two and three?
• How far will you have to travel to get into uni and around town? Can you bring a car?
• What are the options if you don't get into halls?

Get a more in-depth idea of the things you could be asking about with our student accommodation Q&A.

• Read more: how to pick the right student accommodation

Questions to ask about societies and other opportunities

• What's on offer here that will provide opportunities for you to develop your employability skills? Are there any connections with local employers?
• Are there any jobs on campus available for students?
• Are there any volunteering opportunities?
• What academic support is available?
• What sports and societies are available?
• What are the transport links like? Are most things available on campus?
   
• Read more: what are university societies and how can you join them? 

Questions to ask about your everyday costs

This is another area that could be useful to discuss with current students who are already managing their finances.

• How do the costs actually break down? How much money will you need to survive?
• To what extent will you need or be able to find part-time work?
• What bursaries, scholarships or fee waivers are there and how do you apply?
• How do placements or a year abroad or a year in the industry affect your costs or tuition fees?
• What's on offer in terms of cheap student deals, nights out and places to eat?

Questions to ask current students

Don't be afraid to ask student ambassadors some probing questions, or politely approach a student on campus for a real-life student view of the uni and course. You could also swap notes with other visiting students.

• What are the best and worst things about uni in your opinion?
• How have you found the course so far – what are the teaching, facilities, support, and field trips like?
• Are some halls of residence better or worse than others?
• What’s the town or city like?
   
• Read more: who should you take to an open day?​​