15 Things you should ask at an Open Day
There are some essential things you will need to know before choosing a University, so here are the top 15 things you should ask at your next Open Day:
- What key things will I do on my course?
It may sound silly but it is important to find out exactly what your course involves; what topics you will study, different module options, course trips and placements etc.
2. How can I pay for my course?
Student finance can be confusing (and let’s face it a bit boring), it’s important to know what is on offer. Info about bursaries and scholarships that a Uni offers is really helpful, so make sure you pop along to a finance talk during the open day.
3. What is the library like and what kind of resources are available?
Like it or not you most definitely will need to use the facilities at the library at some point. It is good idea to have a look around, ask the staff some questions and get a general feel for the place as well as know what resources are there.
4. Where will I be living?
If you are planning on staying on campus it is a great idea to take a look around the show flat, someone from the accommodation team will be in there to answer any questions. If you’re planning on living off campus, the accommodation teams will be able to help with that too!
5. What societies / sports clubs are available?
One of the great things about being a student is that you get to join loads of different societies and sports clubs and at our Uni the membership is free. Bonus. So, make sure you swing by the SU to find out some more information. and yes we do have a Harry Potter society.
6. How close to the town centre are we and how can I get there?
It is important to find out where the Uni is in relation to the rest of the town for shopping, evenings out, getting your monthly hair cut etc. so make sure you ask one of the team working at the open day. Our team can also give you some information about our free bus service.
7. What job opportunities are available to earn while I learn?
There are so many chances to earn both skills and a bit of extra money while you study at university. We fully encourage it and have developed a huge range of opportunities for you including Unitemps, internships, volunteering to name a few.
8. Where can I eat on campus?
You’ve got to eat! So ask about the facilities and what they will be/opening times and what they serve. There are various places to grab something to eat and drink on our campus and things are being improved on all the time so make sure you ask about them at an Open Day.
9. Who can I talk to about any issues I have or might have during Uni?
At the Open Day, you can talk to our student support service who offer a range of services for anyone experiencing a challenging time. They are also great to chat to if you need additional support while at university — it’s a great feeling to know there is always someone there ready to help!
10. How can I make contact with people before joining the course?
That one is easy (and fun) and a really important question to ask at an Open Day. We will direct you to a dedicated student Facebook group where students from ALL walks of life share their experiences and make friends before university starts. Plus, it’s great way to find people who are doing the same course, living in the same halls or share similar interests.
11. What is the Changemaker Hub and how can I get involved?
If you are attending an Open Day at a Changemaker university then this is a major question to ask. At our Open Day, our campus tours by student ambassadors will take you to the Changemaker Hub, someone from there will be able to explain what it is and what it can do for you. We also have a handy blog that you can check out ahead of time.
12. What key skills will I gain from my course?
Knowing what industry skills you will gain will help you visualise what you would like to do at the end of your time at university; it also helps you understand your employability and why you are investing time and money in the first place.
13. What changes are coming up in the university that affect me?
It is always handy to ask about any exciting changes that may be happening during your study. At our university we have a brand new campus launching in 2018 so take every chance you can to ask us about it; we are so proud of it and can’t wait to tell you more, we are even running tours down to the site.
15. Who do I contact if I forget to ask something at the open day?
Email our enquiry team study@northampton.ac.uk
Call us 0300 303 2772
Or find us on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram.
