Questions You Should Actually Ask at a University Open Day

Many students arrive at university open days with a list of questions — but not all questions are equally useful.

One of the most common mistakes is asking questions that already have answers online, or asking generic questions like:

“What are my chances of getting in?”

Admissions staff usually cannot answer questions like that directly. What they can help you understand is whether your profile and interests align with the course.

The goal of an open day isn’t to predict admission outcomes.
It’s to help you decide whether the course and university are right for you.

1. Ask questions about fit, not chances

Instead of asking:

“Will I get accepted with these grades?”

Try asking questions that reveal whether your preparation matches what the course values.

For example:

• “What qualities do successful applicants usually demonstrate in this course?”
• “What kinds of academic interests tend to stand out in personal statements?”
• “What do students often underestimate about the course before starting?”

Admissions tutors cannot predict your outcome, but they can explain what they are looking for.

This gives you a much clearer sense of how your application might be evaluated.

2. Avoid questions that are easily answered online

Open days are a rare opportunity to speak directly with academics and students.

Using that time to ask questions like:

• “What grades do I need?”
• “How long is the course?”

is rarely the best use of the opportunity, because those answers are usually available on the course page.

Instead, focus on questions that go deeper.

For example:

• “What are the most challenging modules in first year?”
• “How much independent work do students typically do outside lectures?”
• “What kinds of research opportunities do undergraduates get?”

These are questions that often aren’t explained clearly on websites.

3. Speak with academics about your interests

Many open days include subject sessions where you can speak directly with lecturers or professors from the department.

This is an excellent opportunity to discuss your interests beyond the basic course description.

For example:

• If you are interested in biomedical engineering, you might ask about current research areas in the department.
• If you plan to study economics, you could ask how the course balances theory and applied policy.

Professors often have fascinating career paths themselves. Many have moved between academia, industry, government, or research roles.

A conversation with them can help you understand how the subject connects to different career trajectories.

4. Ask current students what the experience is really like

Current students often provide the most honest insight into a course.

They can help you understand things like:

• how heavy the workload actually feels
• which modules students tend to enjoy most
• what the social and academic culture is like

You can also ask questions about the application process itself:

• “What helped you most when writing your personal statement?”
• “What surprised you most about the course after starting?”
• “What do students wish they had known before applying?”

Students often give answers that are far more candid than official marketing material.

5. Use open days to clarify unusual application situations

Open days are also an excellent opportunity to ask about specific situations that may not be covered on the university website.

For example:

• “I’m applying for slightly different courses — how should I approach my personal statement?”
• “My referee is not a teacher from the subject you recommend. Is that acceptable?”
• “My school does not offer the preferred subject combination. How is that viewed?”
• “I’m applying from a different curriculum (IB, APs, national boards). Are there any specific expectations?”

These are questions admissions staff can often answer more clearly in person than over email.

6. Explore the wider student environment

Your experience at university isn’t defined only by your course.

It’s also shaped by the community around you.

Talking to students outside your subject can help you understand:

• what the social environment feels like
• what kinds of interests are common among students
• whether the community feels like a place where you would thrive

Some universities even run society showcases or taster sessions during open days. Attending these can help you see what student life actually looks like beyond the classroom.

7. Look closely at facilities and learning spaces

Open days often include tours of:

• libraries
• laboratories
• lecture theatres
• study spaces

Pay attention to how these spaces feel.

Ask yourself:

• Do these environments excite me?
• Can I imagine spending long hours studying here?
• Do the facilities support the kind of learning I enjoy?

These details can influence your day-to-day experience more than many students expect.

The real goal of an open day

Open days are not about impressing admissions tutors or asking questions for the sake of asking.

They are about gathering information that helps you answer one key question:

Can I see myself studying here?

If you approach open days with genuine curiosity and thoughtful questions, they can be incredibly valuable.

If you cannot attend one, that is perfectly fine too. They do not affect admission decisions.

But if you do attend, make the most of the opportunity.