As part of the FE to HE transitions project we are producing a series of blogs and videos to provide support for those moving onto higher education. These will include clearing guidance, personal statement tips, and open day information, as well as lots more useful information and guidance. The first part of this series is focusing on UCAS Fairs and open days and how to get the most out of these experiences.
There are over 50,000 undergraduate courses in the UK, which is why it’s so important to narrow these courses down to find the best one suited to you! Open days and UCAS fairs are a great way to find out about a university and their courses – so make sure you take the opportunity and attend one.
Check out our FAQs and top tips below on how to make the most of your UCAS Fair/Open day experience!
What is a UCAS Fair?
A UCAS fair is a big exhibition with different stands representing a large range of universities and apprenticeship providers. It’s very useful because all the institutions are in one central location and is a great opportunity to talk to universities. It’s for anyone who may be unsure about what’s next but also for those who may have an idea but would like to explore or narrow down their options. To search for a fair head to this website: Home | UK University Search
What is an Open Day?
An open day is the opportunity for you to visit a university campus that you’re interested in! I found them useful as it helped me decide which universities I wanted to go to e.g., the lab facilities at York University were much better than the University of Bath. They normally offer different talks about different topics, such as student life, courses, student finance, accommodation etc. There is normally the opportunity for campus and accommodation tours as well as for different courses.
Open days are normally in September, October and November, and these are generally for Year 13 who are making applications. There are also open days in June and July which are generally for year 12 students wishing to make an early start on their research, or apply early, and for year 13 students wishing to revisit.
How do you prepare for a UCAS Fair/Open Day?
Before the day, it’s important to prepare for the event so you can make the most out of it and get all the answers you need to make those decisions!
Plan how you will get there and who you will go with!
Remember to register for the event and download the programme.
Consider which course/courses you are interested in – university websites are the best place to start; look at what the course offers, does it interest you?
Identify in advance the universities that offer the course(s) that you are hoping to study.
Consider where you may want to live in the country.
Create a shortlist of your top unis that you are most interested in and visit these stands/open days first.
Draft questions in advance that you would like to ask university representatives.
Visit websites to gather any information you might need.
University websites are the best place to start when planning for the event– remember to take a look at what the course offers and think about whether it interests you. The UCAS website is great for search courses: Courses | UCAS
What to do at these events?
The primary reason universities attend UCAS fairs and put on open days is to talk to the students, therefore it’s important to remember to:
Be prepared and organised before the event.
Ask plenty of questions which will help you to narrow down your options.
Be open to considering other options.
Talk to people; this will help build your confidence and communication, which are important skills you can develop for the future.
Take note of any answers you receive so you don’t forget anything when you get home.
What questions should I ask?
Course Admissions:
How many places are available for the course and how many applications do you receive each year?
What are the course entry requirements?
Are there any additional entry criteria, for example, work experience, interview, wider reading?
Are there any subjects or qualifications that are not acceptable for this course?
What qualities and skills do you look for when considering applicants?
Will I have to sit an additional admissions test?
Is a formal interview part of the selection procedure?
What proportion of applicants do you interview? (If there are interviews for the course)
The Course:
What’s the course content and structure?
How is the course assessed – by exam or continuous assessment?
Are there opportunities to study abroad or take a placement year?
How is the course taught – through lectures, tutorials, seminars, laboratory work?
What’s the staff to student ratio?
Accommodation:
What types of accommodation are available?
Can all first years be accommodated?
How far away is the accommodation from the university?
What’s the typical cost of accommodation?
Student Facilities:
Can you tell me about student services, the students’ union, clubs, job shop, societies and sports?
What extra-curricular opportunities are there?
What recreation facilities are at your institution?
What support services are provided (e.g., careers service, counselling, finance and medical)?
What support facilities exist for students with additional needs?
What’s the campus like?
Where is the university located?
The Future:
Where are graduates from this course likely to find employment?
Does your university have a careers team to help me once I graduate?
My Top Tips and Advice
Wear comfy shoes and clothing… it’s a long day!
Don’t forget your tickets
Don’t walk around with a large group, use the time to speak to the universities/ course subjects you’re interested in.
Don’t be scared to ask questions!
Take a strong bag with plenty of space. Prospectuses are very heavy and there’s lots of freebies to get!
Remember – you don’t need to take every prospectus!
Take a notebook and be prepared with a list of questions! Write down notes from any conversations you’ve had. Remember that you can only find out so much online and this is an opportunity to have a face-to-face conversation with a university/apprenticeship provider.
Take your mobile so you can take pictures of any banners or follow any accounts.
Plan your visit to a UCAS fair with a full list of exhibitors’ locations and decide who you would like to visit.
If you’re at an open day, remember to explore the city a bit as you’ll be living there for a few years!
For more information on UCAS Fairs and Open days and how to prepare, check out this video:
