University Open Day Questions to Ask about Studying Biology

University open days are the best way to find out more about a university and going along to an open day could help you decide which university or universities you want to apply to.

If you’re having trouble choosing between two or more universities it could help you weigh up the pros and cons and pick which one is right for you.

It’s very easy to be sucked in by glossy brochures and good league table scores, but just because other students have voted it to be a good university, it doesn’t mean that it’s the right university for you.

At a university open day you’ll have the chance to have a proper look at the academic and leisure facilities, accommodation, and other areas of the university.

It’s also your opportunity to ask academic staff and current students questions about the Biology course and university life in general.

Here’s more about university open days and some questions you might like to ask about studying Biology at university.

What happens at a university open day?

Each university is different and they’ll have their own way of doing things, but essentially most open days are the same.

They’re usually pretty informal, so don’t worry that you need to wear a suit or get dressed up!

You’ll probably start the day with a registration and welcome, either by someone from the Biology department, or another senior member of faculty.

You’ll then spend the day having things such as campus tours, accommodation tours, department visits, and sample lectures.

At every stage there will be time to ask questions and get more in depth answers than you might have found in the prospectus or on the website.

Some universities split their open days into two events. You’ll have one general open day where you can explore the campus and then if you’re made an offer of a place then you’ll be invited to a departmental visit day so you can have a closer look at the course and what it has to offer you.

Can I take friends or family with me to the open day?

You’ll also be able to take your parent(s) and/or a friend with you if you’d like some support or another opinion on the university.

Sometimes it’s helpful to take someone else as they may remember things you forget and they might be able to ask useful questions that you haven’t thought of.

What else should I consider at a university open day?

It’s also a good idea to set aside time to explore the local area, particularly if you’re moving far away from where you live.

Check that the local area has all the amenities that you’d want and research some of the private landlords and common places for students to live if you’re not going to be in university accommodation.

What kind of questions should I ask?

As we said above, the university open day is your chance to ask any questions you might have to academic staff and current students.

You’ll probably have your own questions you want to ask and you’ll also find that you come up with some new ones on the day.

However, here are some university open day questions to ask about studying Biology, to give you an idea of what previous applicants have asked:

About the course

Do my lecturers still practice in the field of medical research?
What modules are optional on this course?
Can I choose modules outside this course?
What skills will I learn on this course?

Equipment and facilities

What books and equipment should I buy?
How much time contact time do we have per week?
How much time do we get in the labs?
Are the labs modern / state-of-the-art?
What areas does the department specialise in?

Placements and field trips

Are there any research trips I can go on?
Will I need to do an industrial placement?
Do I organise this, or will the university arrange it?
Do I need to do some work experience before I start this course?

Assessments

What is the split between individual exams and group work?
Do I need to complete a dissertation or research-based project?
Can I choose the subject of my research?
If I do a placement, will I be marked on it?

My prospects

How does this course help me get a job? What sort of jobs have previous graduates gone on to do?
What % of graduates continue to PhD-level study?
Can I get funding from the university if this is what I want to do?
Does the university have links with industry so I can look for jobs?