Postgraduate Open Day Frequently Asked Questions

When you were planning for your undergraduate degree, you may well have gone to a university open day to discover what the institution was like. If you’re now planning your postgraduate degree, it’s still just as important to go to open days and get a peek behind the curtain of where you could be studying for a year or more, because a lot can change in-between degrees. As such, we’ve gone and answered a selection of frequently asked questions about postgraduate open days below to help you figure out how you can go in feeling confident and prepared.

When do postgraduate university open days happen?

Universities will host open days throughout the year, though you’ll find that a lot of them happen between June and October, or in the spring. Many will do postgraduate-specific open days to allow master’s and PhD students a chance to ask questions and take tours that are relevant to their study level.

Keep an eye on our Open Days page to see any upcoming events, or head to the university’s website.

Go to: Browse Postgraduate open days

What can I do on a university open day?

Postgraduate open days will often feature talks and presentations for specific subjects, as well as tours of the facilities, so you can get a good idea of what you’ll be working with while you’re there. Talking to the staff and current students will give you some valuable insight into the course you’re interested in, as well as tips on accommodation and funding.

University open days are also simply a great chance to have a look at the campus and surrounding area to imagine if you could spend a year or more studying there, so we recommend setting some time aside to have a nose around too. 

Go to: Read more about Top Tips for Postgraduate Open Days

Why should I go to a university open day?

Look at our course and university pages and checking out university prospectuses are good ways to research for postgraduate degrees, but going to an open day allows you to get a feel for the campus, the course, the staff and the students. You’ll be able to ask questions, experience taster lectures, see the accommodation and more. All of this will help you make a more informed decision about your continuing academic life.

Should I go to a postgraduate open day if I studied my undergraduate at the same university?

Many postgraduate students will choose to continue studying at the same university that they did their undergraduate degree. However, it’s still a good idea to go to a postgraduate open day at your university.

It’s possible that you’ll be using new facilities and study spaces dedicated to postgraduate students on the campus that you can view on the day, and you might be able to look at any postgraduate-specific accommodation if it’s available too. 

How many open days can I go to?

You’re free to go to as many open days as you like, there are no limits on how many you are allowed to attend (aside from how much time you’re able to spare, of course).

What should I ask at a university open day?

That depends on what you’re interested in finding out. If you’re curious about the course, you could ask a lecturer about the modules, teaching methods, or how you’ll be assessed for your grade. If you want to know what it’s like to study at the university, ask a current student about the facilities, the workload, or student support services.

You might also be able to talk to a university’s student finance team if you have questions about funding and scholarships, or the careers team to chat about career prospects following your degree.

Go to: Read more about What to Ask on a Postgraduate Open Day

Do university open days cost anything?

You don’t have to pay to go to university open days. You’ll need to book a place in advance for each open day, but you won’t need to pay a penny to do so. They’re good value, we reckon. Some universities even offer financial support for students travelling to open days, so make sure you check the university websites to see if this is available for you.

How do I find out about university open days?

We have a section on our website dedicated to upcoming postgraduate open days, which will be very useful for seeing which institutions are hosting open days soon. You can also look at websites run by the universities you’re interested in to find out even more about what will be happening on the open days.

What should I bring to a university open day?

We recommend bringing a notebook and a pen to keep any questions you might want to ask in order and jot down any interesting tidbits you hear about. It would also be wise to bring a small bag, a bottle of water, a portable phone charger, and hand sanitiser with you on the day. 

Next: Browse Postgraduate Open Days