Are University Open Days Worth It? The Honest Truth & Survival Guide
- Sabrina Frost
- May 5
- 5 min read
Updated: May 6
Let’s be real: university prospectuses are masterclasses in marketing. Every single one features a group of diverse, incredibly happy students laughing over a textbook on a perfectly manicured lawn in the glorious British sunshine.
But is that the day-to-day reality of studying there?
With the UCAS application portal for 2027 entry opening on May 12, 2026, you’re probably looking at a long list of UK universities and wondering how on earth to narrow them down to your final five choices.
This brings us to the golden question: Are university open days actually worth the time, effort, and train fares? Or can you just get by with virtual tours and student forums?
At Degree Decisions, we believe in making choices based on data and real-life vibes, a brochure only tells you so much. Let’s dive into why open days are your secret weapon, how to choose which ones to visit, and how to survive the day like a pro.
The Big Question: Are University Open Days Worth It?
The short answer? Yes, absolutely. But only if you go in with a game plan.
If you just wander around a campus eating free pick-and-mix and taking photos of old brick buildings, it’s probably not worth the £60 train ticket. However, if you treat an open day as a "test drive" for the next three to four years of your life, it is the single most valuable thing you can do before hitting "Submit" on your UCAS application.
Think of it this way: you wouldn't buy a car without test-driving it, and you shouldn't commit £27,750+ in tuition fees (plus living costs) to a place you've never physically stood in.
5 Massive Benefits of Attending a University Open Day
If you're on the fence about booking those open day tickets, here are five undeniable benefits of getting yourself onto a campus in person.
1. The Instant "Vibe Check" (The Gut Feeling)
You cannot download a gut feeling. Some campuses will make you feel instantly energised, inspired, and at home. Others, even if they are highly ranked on league tables, might feel clinical, isolated, or just "off" to you. Standing in the student union, walking the campus paths, and grabbing a coffee on-site tells you more about the atmosphere in ten minutes than a virtual 360-degree tour ever could.
2. You Get to Grill Current Students (The Unfiltered Truth)
Universities hire student ambassadors to run tours, and while they are paid to be enthusiastic, they are also real students. This is your chance to pull them aside and ask the questions they can't script.
Is the library actually packed during exam season?
Is the campus social life dead on weekends?
How cheap is the local Lidl? Their honest, unscripted answers are pure gold.
We cannot emphasise enough how helpful student ambassadors can be in helping you see if a uni is the right fit for you.
3. Meet Your Future Lecturers
During subject-specific talks, you will meet the academics who will actually be teaching you. Pay attention to how they present. Are they passionate and engaging? Do they welcome questions, or do they seem rushed? You’re going to spend a lot of time listening to these people, you want to make sure they actually inspire you.
4. Inspect the Accommodation First-Hand
This is huge. Photos of student halls online are notorious for using wide-angle lenses to make a shoebox look like a penthouse. An in-person accommodation tour lets you see the actual size of the rooms, test the water pressure, smell the corridors (crucial!), and figure out how far you’ll actually have to walk to your 9:00 AM lectures.
5. Explore the Surrounding City or Town
Remember, you aren’t just choosing a university; you are often choosing where you will live. Is the campus in the middle of nowhere, requiring a bus ride for every supermarket trip? Is the city center walkable, or will you spend a fortune on Ubers? Spending an afternoon exploring the local area after the open day is essential to see if it fits your lifestyle.
How to Choose Wisely: Quality Over Quantity
You cannot visit every university in the UK. Travel is expensive, and open day fatigue is very real. To protect your wallet and your sanity, you need to choose wisely.
We recommend categorizing your choices into three groups:
[ Your UCAS List ]
│
┌────────────────┼────────────────┐
▼ ▼ ▼
[ The Dream ] [ The Realistic ] [ The Safe ]
(Aspirational) (Solid Match) (Back-up/Insurance)
The Dream (1-2 Unis): Your aspirational choices. The ones with slightly higher entry requirements that you’d love to get into.
The Realistic (2-3 Unis): Universities where your predicted grades match their typical offers perfectly.
The Safe (1 Uni): Your "insurance" option. A great university with slightly lower entry requirements where you’d still be genuinely happy to study.
Try to attend open days for at least one university from each of these categories.
💡 Money-Saving Tip: Did you know that many UK universities offer travel bursaries to help cover the cost of train or bus tickets for open days? Before you book, check the "undergraduate fees and funding" or "open day" section of the university’s website to see if you qualify!
The Ultimate Open Day Survival Checklist
To make sure you don't miss a thing, use this quick checklist to structure your prep, your day, and your follow-up.
Stage | What to Do | Why It Matters |
Before You Go | • Book subject talks in advance. • Download the campus map/app. • Buy train tickets early (use a 16-25 Railcard!). | Popular course talks fill up quickly. Having the app keeps you on schedule. |
During the Visit | • Take photos/videos of the rooms. • Eat lunch on campus. • Walk the route from halls to the library. | By your third open day, they will all blur together. Photos will save your memory! |
After the Event | • Write down a 1-10 "vibe score" on the journey home. • Note down pros & cons while they are fresh. | Your immediate thoughts are the most honest. |
8 Essential Questions to Ask (That Aren’t in the Brochure)
When you are chatting with staff and students, don't ask things you can easily find on Google (like "what are the entry requirements?"). Instead, ask these high-value questions:
Questions for Current Students:
"How much do you realistically spend on groceries and socializing here each week?"
"What’s the worst thing about living in [Name of Halls]?"
"Do most people stay on campus on the weekends, or does it become a ghost town?"
"How easy is it to get academic support or mental health help if you're struggling?"
Questions for Lecturers & Academics:
"How is this course assessed? Is it mostly exams, coursework, or practical projects?"
"What industry links do you have, and do you help students secure placements?"
"What have graduates from this course gone on to do in the last two years?"
"Are there opportunities to study or work abroad integrated into the degree?"
The Verdict: Make Your Move This May
With the UCAS 2027 entry cycle kicking off on May 12, 2026, the spring and summer open day season is officially underway.
Don't leave your degree decision to chance or a flashy website. Book a couple of open days, hop on a train, and go find out where you truly belong. Your future self will thank you for it.
What’s your top uni choice right now?
Are you leaning towards a bustling city campus or a self-contained student village? Let us know in the comments below, or drop any questions you have about booking your first open day!
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