A university Open Day is a chance for soon-to-be-students and their parents to find out what it's like to study at university, explore the campus experience, accommodation, student support and more.
There’s a lot on offer at an undergraduate Open Day - whether it's an on-campus or virtual event - so, we've compiled some top tips to help you prepare and get the most out of the experience.
(Although we use the terms parent/child in this blog for simplicity, it’s intended for anyone fulfilling a parenting role.)
Contents:
- Go to a university Open Day
- Get to know the university before you attend an Open Day
- Speak to staff - not just the teaching staff
- Go to parent-specific activities
- Plan your schedule before the event
- Choose which Open Days to attend
Go to a university Open Day
Do parents go to university Open Days? Yes! University Open Days, both on campus and virtual, are free and open to both students and their parents.
Some prospective students may wonder whether their parents should join them for Open Days, but many of the events and talks are targeted at educating, informing and supporting parents as their child starts this new chapter in their lives.
Get to know the university before you attend an Open Day
Universities are keen to engage with parents, so if you need some advice before the event, don't hesitate to get in touch.
At Newcastle, there are lots of ways you can get your questions answered – from sending an email enquiry to online chat.
Speak to staff - not just the teaching staff
Open Days are a fantastic opportunity to get an insight into what it’s really like at a university.
From the staff who look after accommodation, to the academic teaching staff, they should all be happy to answer any questions.
Don’t forget that a lot of staff will have been in your position as a parent themselves, so they understand the sort of concerns you may have.
Go to parent-specific activities
Many universities offer specific sessions for parents where they’ll cover topics such as student wellbeing and careers, so it’s worth taking advantage of those.
At Newcastle, we understand that parents might want to attend the same sessions as their child, so our expert staff and lecturers are ready to answer your questions - from queries about degree subjects, careers, and finance, to accommodation, scholarships, admissions, and more.
Plan your schedule before the event
There’s a lot to fit in during an Open Day so, as you’re likely to receive a programme via email before the event, make sure you use that to plan your time.
Subject activities are usually the top priority, but most universities will offer repeated sessions, and if you do miss a session, you may still get the chance to speak to staff from the department. A lot of activities will be repeated throughout the event, too.
Choose which Open Days to attend
Open Days can be time-consuming and, while they are a key opportunity to get to know more about a university before your child makes an application, you probably won't be able to attend them all.
If you can’t make an event, there are other options available. Many universities offer additional campus tours - both in person and virtually - and there are other opportunities to find out more after your child has applied or been made an offer,
Interested in attending one of our university Open Days? Register now for our events in 2025.
Find out more:
- Get your Open Day checklist
- Find out how universities support students
- Understand the university application process
Discover the Newcastle experience: Our Undergraduate prospectus will guide you through our world-class degrees, the support you can benefit from, and our beautiful city-centre campus.