Open Day University Checklist | Make the most of your day

Knowing how to get the most out of university Open Days can be tough. So, we’ve pulled together a list of the most important things you need to do - both before you attend and while you’re at the event.

Read on for your Open Day University Checklist of the top 6 things to do, particularly when you attend one of our fantastic events.

Contents:

• What is an Open Day?
• Tip 1.: Plan your Open Day experience
• Tip 2: Prepare your questions
• Tip 3: Meet the experts
• Tip 4: Go on an accommodation tour
• Tip 5: Explore campus
• Tip 6: See the city

What is an Open Day?

An Open Day is usually a one-day event when universities invite you to take a look around their campus, attend informative talks and lectures, and explore the areas of study you're interested in.

There are a range of Open Day benefits, but more than anything they're a great opportunity for students to get a feel for their prospective university, and see if they can imagine themselves studying there.

At Newcastle we're offering multiple university Open Days in 2026, giving you more chances to get to know us better. 

Tip 1: Plan your Open Day experience

Many prospective students make the mistake of not preparing for Open Days, so it's a good idea to take time to digest the Open Day programme, and plan out a schedule for the day.

Once you've booked to attend one of our Open Days in 2026, we'll email you our programme and a link to our Open Day app. Used together, they're a great way to plan and build your experience with us.

Both include a full schedule of our talks, tours and stands, as well as the accommodation sites and food outlets open on the day. Our app also features an interactive map to help you get around campus, plus real-time notifications to alert you to any session changes.

Our Open Days are organised so you can attend as many different activities as possible. If you have to prioritise some activities over others, choose the ones you have the most questions about.

Tip 2: Prepare your questions 

Before you attend, write down a list of questions to ask the staff and students you'll meet on Open Day.

These could range from how many lectures there are per week for a particular course and how courses are assessed, to what gigs and events happen in the Students’ Union each month.

If you’re attending lots of Open Days at different universities you can ask these questions multiple times and compare the answers to see which university most appeals to you.

Tip 3: Meet the experts

At Newcastle University our subject experts run talks throughout Open Day. Their format depends on the subject, but can include a taster lecture, a Q&A with current students, and a tour of subject facilities so you can start to picture yourself studying with us.

There’ll also be chances to speak to staff from the Careers Service, student finance, admissions, and more, giving you the best idea of what your academic experience could be like, and reassurance about the support you can access.

Tip 4: Go on an accommodation tour

Most students live in student accommodation for their first year of university, but how do you know which accommodation type to choose?

Student residences can range from traditional student halls to modern city-centre apartments and vibrant student villages. But how many students share a flat? How far is each residence from campus? And what, exactly, is a washbasin room?

Making decisions about the accommodation you would prefer is a lot easier after going on a tour and seeing the flats, apartments, and rooms for yourself.

At Newcastle Open Days 2026 you can tour a selection of our residences. Information about how to apply for accommodation is then regularly updated on our website, according to the year of study.

There you'll find details about each of our residences, and can use our handy search filter to discover the accommodation options that suit you. To find out more about how to apply, keep an eye on our website.

Tip 5: Explore campus

This is your chance to visit all the fantastic buildings and facilities you've previously only seen in photographs.

At Newcastle, there's a lot to see - from our stunning quadrangle and Students’ Union to our subject-specific buildings, libraries and sports facilities.

You can also grab a bite to eat from one of the cafés, or food outlets on campus, or spend a quick half an hour browsing the collections at our on-site natural history museum and art gallery.

Tip 6: See the city

A university Open Day is the perfect opportunity to find out more about the city or town you’ll be living in.

From shops, cafés and restaurants to the local culture, sport, parks and open spaces, make a point of finding out what the city has to offer.

Newcastle is one of a world top 50 and UK top 5 student city (QS Best student cities 2026). Multicultural and fun, with an exciting vibe, there's always lots of things to see and do in our city.

As the regional capital of North East England, and close to award-winning beaches and stunning countryside, it's also a great base for exploring further afield.

You can start exploring our friendly city - and what it's like to live with us - here. 

Find out more:

• Discover why you should choose Newcastle University?
• Get tips on choosing a uni course that's right for you
• Struggling to narrow down your 5 university choices? Here's how...