The best way to compare universities - visit them!
Holly Holt Ramsay
Screenwriting BA(Hons)
I'm Holly, a Screenwriting student at Huddersfield. Choosing where to study a degree can be overwhelming, so my advice is to do your research and visit as many campuses as you can. Open Days are an insightful way to help you compare universities ahead of deciding where to study. They give you a feel of the campus, atmosphere, lectures and location that online research cannot.
My name is Holly, I'm a student at Huddersfield, and I’m going to share my tips on how to make the most of your Open Days - plus why I believe they’re the best insight into which uni works for you.
Having been to multiple Open Days myself, I found there was a big difference between viewing the university online and actually seeing it in person, and this allowed me to make my final choice when applying.
The decision of which university to apply to can often feel overwhelming, particularly if you have multiple options. Going to Open Days will often help narrow this down, as you can get a feel for the university in person. When attending Open Days, here are a few things to consider when spending the day there.
Transport links
How easy is to get to the university? It could be worth noting how long it takes to get there, particularly if you plan on going home frequently, or need good airport links.
It would also be worth checking the surrounding areas of the uni for days out, conveniences such as shopping, access to green spaces and surrounding cities or towns to visit.
Checking these will give you an idea of all aspects of your university experience, where you’re likely to spend time and places of interest to visit.
Accommodation
Perhaps one of the most important parts of an Open Day is visiting the accommodation. This is something I believe should be done in person as you can gauge the feel, size and location of where you would be living.
Having an idea of which halls/accommodation you might want to move to can also be helpful to narrow down your search and allow you to spend more time checking one area.
When looking at accommodation, it’s important to consider your surroundings as well as the building itself, especially for things like food shopping, going out and transport links being walking distance.
Course and facilities
Going to an Open Day allows you to experience what a lecture would look like, giving you the chance to meet your lecturers, see your buildings and perhaps even make friends with your future course mates.
Going to meet the academics and listening to their talks can be really helpful as they explain the course and modules in more detail, and give you a chance to ask questions and talk to those also interested. If you’re not entirely sure on your course, it can also be a good way to try them without committing.
The surrounding area
It’s important to consider which town or city you would be living and if that’s what you want.
If you’re looking for lots of nightlife and events, a small-town university may not be a good choice. On the flipside, if you’re looking for a quieter uni experience, living in a city may not suit you.
Other things to consider are your extra-curricular activities such as going to the gym, attending classes or having a part-time job. As your university experience will be heavily shaped by these times as well, it’s important to check out what you would be doing, and making sure your surrounding area suits you.
These tips may help you go into the Open Days with an idea of what to look for, and points to consider when comparing them to make your final choice.
However there are, of course, other ways to compare universities aside from Open Days. League tables are often a good place to start, as they rank not only the universities overall, but the courses and other helpful information that may inform your decision.
Family and friends may offer their help with the decision too, as they can share their experience with universities and what they found important.
If that’s not an option, social media can also be a good place to get a feel for the university from the students’ perspective, and can give you a more informal insight you wouldn’t usually get elsewhere.
With all in this in mind, there is still a big decision to be made. When comparing Open Day experiences, it’s important to consider realistically which university you will be happiest at, and which one will support your learning the best. While you might be tempted to pick the most prestigious or high-ranking university, your overall uni experience depends on a range of factors that have nothing to do with rankings or the lectures themselves.
Therefore, considering other things like accommodation, transport links, social events and nightlife, access to green spaces and extra-curricular activities will give you a better university experience overall.
In conclusion, deciding which university to pick can be really tough and overwhelming, therefore going to Open Days can be a great way to help narrow your choices down. They give you an insight you just cannot get online.
Most importantly, you have to be happy, not just at the university but with your entire living experience, and Open Days provide a great insight into that.
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