How to get the most from University Open Days

Plan ahead

Before you head off to an Open Day, read up on the university and what it has to offer, make sure you know which courses you’re most interested in and what you want to find out.

If you’ve booked for one of our Open Days, we’ll send you a programme which includes a campus map, a schedule of talks and tours, and info about the drop-in information desks you’ll find on the day. Take some time to read through it and make yourself a plan of action.

Think about how you’re going to get to campus – how far is it from the train station? Where’s the best place to park? How long will it take to get there? If you answer those questions in advance, there’ll be a lot less to think about on the day.

Make some notes

Open Days are busy! It can be easy to get swept up in the excitement and forget to ask those burning questions. You might find it helpful to jot down everything you want to ask about the courses, the facilities, the Students’ Union, finance, accommodation… we could go on.

Don’t be afraid to bring your questions with you and make notes when you find out the answers. There’s no such thing as a silly question, so use the opportunity to get all the information you need.

Attend some subject talks

Our subject and course talks are the best way to find out about the School or Faculty you could be part of. You’ll get loads of info about the different courses you could apply for, and this is a great chance to ask lots of your questions: What’s the content of the course? How is it structured? What does a typical week look like? How will you be assessed? What placement or work experience opportunities will you have?

After the talk, there’ll be chance to talk to lecturers and current students – they’re all there to help you so don’t be afraid to pick their brains! You should come away from these talks feeling like you understand what the subject is all about and which courses are right for you.

See some student accommodation

Throughout the day, you can join a tour of our student halls. Unless you’re commuting from home, this is likely the kind of space you’ll be living in during you first year so it’s important to feel like you’d be happy there.
If you can’t make it to a tour or you want another look, you can peruse our accommodation options online to compare locations, amenities and prices.

Find out what’s fun

Homing in on the right course is huge part of what Open Days are about, but don’t forget about all the other elements of student life. Make sure you pay our Students’ Union a visit, check out the Eagle and Ball pub or Social Kitchen, and see what societies or sports teams you could get involved in.

Societies are the perfect place to make new friends if you’re feeling nervous or get out of your comfort zone and try a new hobby, so find out what’s on offer.

Get to know the city

There’ll be plenty of talks and tours to pack in but try to spend some time soaking up the atmosphere. If you apply to BCU, Birmingham could be your home for the next few years so get off campus and get a glimpse of the city.

From the historic Jewellery Quarter and the bustling Bullring to the relative calm of leafy Edgbaston, there’s something for everyone, so why not make a day or weekend of it and get to know your potential new home?

Get a second opinion

Two heads are better than one, and that can certainly be the case at Open Days. It can be hard to take everything in, so it often helps to bring along a parent, relative or friend for a second opinion. They might see or hear things you miss or give you a fresh perspective on your course or subject.

But remember, where and what you want to study is ultimately your decision so try not to let them take over! Make sure you see the things you want to see and ask the questions you want answered.