Open days are an invaluable opportunity for you to 'get a feel' for a university. They offer a far better insight into a university than simply looking at the prospectus or the university's website.

To help you get the most out of your university open days, we have provided answers to a wide range of frequently asked university open day questions.

A typical open day

Attending a university open day is your chance to see behind the marketing and façade of the university that you’re interested in and decide for yourself whether it’s the right place for you.

Can I bring a friend to an open day?

Going to a university open day is your chance to see past all the “marketing” that universities do in their prospectus and on their website. Of course universities always present themselves in the best possible light, and an open day gives you an opportunity to see whether they live up to the hype.

Can I visit the university student halls at an open day?

In short, yes, you usually can visit the student halls at an open day. Universities have different ways of organising their open days but almost all of them will make some provision for their prospective students to see the student halls on their open day.

Cardiff University - open day app review

The Cardiff University open day app is easy to access – you can either click the link on the website or scan the code on your mobile phone – so you don’t need to download anything from your app store.

Do parents go to university open days?

Everyone always worries about this one. Will I be the only one on my own or worse – the only one with parents? University is about independence and growing up but it can be a tough decision to make on your own. The majority of people at open days will have someone with them; whether that’s parents or friends.

Do universities offer independent tours?

If you can’t attend the official open day or group campus tour then your chosen university may offer you the option of taking an independent tour. This gives you the chance to explore the campus, check out the university facilities, and spend some time in the local area.

Do you have to book university open days?

Some universities require you to book. Others don’t. It’s a good idea to go on the website of each of the universities that you want to visit and see if they have limited places. If they do, you’ll need to book as the last thing you want is to be turned away at the door. Some talks will also need to be booked so just turning up on the day may mean that you are allowed in but can’t attend any of the subject or general information talks.

Do you have to go to university open days?

Reading about something and actually seeing it are two very different things. A particular university or course might not sound so good on paper or it might sound fantastic. Hearing student’s opinions and seeing the university and its facilities might alter your way of thinking.

How many open days should I go to?

It’s physically impossible to attend every university that does the course you want to study. So you’ll need to narrow your choices down.

How to get the most out of an open day

When you’re trying to choose a university it can seem like they’ve all got amazing brochures, fantastic websites, and world class facilities. So how do you avoid being bamboozled by brochures and choose the right university for you?

Open days: getting to know your prospective home

Postgraduate open days

Do you stay at university to do a postgraduate course and hopefully boost your employability? Or do you step into the big wide world of job hunting? This is a difficult decision that you will almost definitely be faced with at the end of your undergraduate course and this is where postgraduate open days come in handy.

Questions to ask at a university open day

There are so many questions that can be asked on an open day so it is easier to split them into categories.

Top 5 open day apps

In the digital age it’s no wonder that universities are jumping on the bandwagon and using app technology to make your open day experience better than ever before.

University of Wolverhampton - open day companion app

The University of Wolverhampton open day companion app gives you two options to choose from, depending on which course and campus you’ll be studying on. Don’t worry if you choose the wrong campus, there is a “switch campus” option once you’re in the app.

University open day preparation ‘To Do’ list

It may sound obvious, but you need to make sure you know when and where university open days are taking place. If a university has multiple campuses or departments, for example, make sure that the Open Day you are attending is relevant to the course of your choice. You will almost certainly need to book your place on an Open Day too (it shouldn't cost you anything but universities need an idea of numbers), so make sure you have filled in all the appropriate paperwork before you turn up.

University Open Days 2016 Guide

If you’ve just started the first year of your A-levels at college, you are probably already starting to think about your choices of university. Although most university open days for students applying for 2016 entry are not going to be held until the late spring, its worth doing some planning ahead so that you can make sure you get to attend the ones that really matter.

What if I can’t attend the official open day?

Going to a university open day is the best way to get a feel for what university life is really going to be like. You’ll get to meet your tutors, speak to current students, and have a tour around the university campus and accommodation. An open day is your chance to ask important questions and take a look at the university and the surrounding area.

What should I wear to a university open day?

University open days are a great chance to get a better feel of what university life is really like. You’ll get a tour of the campus, student accommodation, social, academic, and sporting facilities.

When do universities have open days?

Knowing your course brochure inside out and having the university website saved to your favourites is a good place to start researching when you’re choosing a university, but the best way to find out if a university is really right for you is to attend their official open day.

Why attend University open days?

Deciding which university to attend can be a very hard decision to make. After all, whichever one you choose is going to be your home for the next three or four years, so it’s important to be sure you’re making the right choice.

Will I be offered a place at an open day?

There are two different types of open day organised by universities. Some hold open days for all prospective students before they’ve chosen which candidates to make an offer to. Others prefer to only hold open days once they’ve made offers. These are called “Applicant days” or “post-offer open days”.