Open Days are a great way for you to get a feel of the University, the city of Newcastle upon Tyne and the course(s) you are interested in.
Going to University is a huge decision. It can impact where you live, who you meet and the direction of your career. If you want to make sure you’re making the right choice about where to study, you’ll probably want to get to know as much about a university as possible. With this in mind, a great place to start would be at an Open Day.
An Open Day is when a university invites prospective students to come and look around their campus and ask any questions about the available courses. They’re usually large, coordinated events that showcase learning facilities, accommodation, social aspects of university life and more.
Universities host Open Days to allow you to get a feel for an institution. You’ll get to meet lecturers, students and staff and hopefully leave with lots of information to help you make an informed decision about attending university.
Find out more about the upcoming events at Northumbria.
Open Days tend to run in the summer months and into autumn. It’s good to think about attending them as early as possible to give yourself a chance to see what’s on offer.
For lots of people interested in Undergraduate degrees that might be when you are approaching A-Levels or an equivalent qualification but there are also events available for those interested in postgraduate courses.
Whilst Open Days are extremely useful for those considering attending university for undergraduate study – they’re not the only people that benefit from these events.
If you’re someone supporting a university journey as a parent, or a guardian, you might be wondering – can I attend an open day? The answer is – of course! Many undergraduate Open Days offer parent and guardian information sessions. Parents can gain valuable insights related to finances, support, security etc.
If you’re considering a postgraduate degree, you’ll find that your Open Day experience might be a little different and the information that you’ll be able to access will vary from those with an undergraduate focus. They tend to be a little smaller and your visit will focus more on aspects of postgraduate life. Because the application process is different for postgraduate students, you’ll find that Open Days tend to be earlier in the year.
Still unsure about attending an Open Day? Read on to learn why it’s in your best interest to visit a university before making your decision.
When you go to university, it’s likely be living there too. Tour the on-campus accommodation, halls, or the surrounding area if you plan to live in private property. Speak to current residents or students, what do they like about living there? What do they dislike?
By touring the accommodation, you can make an informed decision about the type of living situation that best suits your needs and preferences. Additionally, it can give you an idea of the cost of living and any additional expenses that you might have to consider.
Getting a feel for where you’ll be spending the next several years is one of the top reasons why you should attend an Open Day. Is it somewhere you feel comfortable, can you picture yourself there? By visiting a university and experiencing the location, as well as the campus, facilities, and people you’ll start to build up an idea about if it’s right for you.
Back on campus, you’ll be able to tour and look around the facilities, library, your department, and other learning spaces. It’s really helpful to see and experience first-hand where you’ll be studying.
This is essential for giving you a sense of the university's academic resources and overall learning experience. You’ll see what sort of access you have to essential equipment and get a feel for the atmosphere of the department.
Being able to speak to current students and staff face to face is an opportunity available on Open Days you shouldn’t pass on.
These events are often staffed by current students, which means that you’ll have the opportunity to talk to them about what it’s really like. Get the inside information on a university and take the opportunity to hear real lived experiences that could influence your decision.
You’ll also have access to subject experts, lecturers, and support staff who can offer an overview of what you can expect from their course.
Online research can tell you a lot about a place, but often the opportunity to ask specific questions face to face is a lot more valuable. For queries about the application process, your course, your living situation, or support services available, an Open Day is a great opportunity to get a first-hand answer.
So many students and staff will be available that you’ll have the opportunity to ask the questions that matter most to you and receive personalised information right there and then.
Open Days are a great opportunity to get a taste of student life at a particular university. You’ll experience what the student community is like and where you will socialise (the union, sports facilities, and on-site cafes) as well as visiting lecture theatres and university buildings.
Seeing the layout and existing students using the amenities in person can help establish whether or not a university is right for you.
What you learn at an Open Day will often be a deciding factor when it comes to making your higher education choice. They’re an invaluable opportunity for you to gain a deeper understanding of the university and everything it can offer you.
Being able to see where you’ll be living and studying for the next few years of your life can give you a sense of a university’s culture and atmosphere. Meeting people who work and study there, as well as getting the chance to ask questions will give you a deeper understanding of the place.
You will leave with information, context and perspective that you might not have gotten without a visit.
Ready to start planning your visit to Northumbria? Check out our Campus Map and Accommodation City Map to start your itinerary.
Open Days are a great way for you to get a feel of the University, the city of Newcastle upon Tyne and the course(s) you are interested in.
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