uni open days?

Hello, when would you suggest starting to go to uni open days? I'm in year 11, but technically I could start going to the summer open days after gcses- is there any point? I went to an oxford one in september this year, a bit early ik but it actually really helped because I found a subject that I'm interested in, but I also felt a bit awkward being so young and going. Should I start going in Yr 12 autumn, or summer, or even yr 13 (although that seems too late)?

Hello, when would you suggest starting to go to uni open days? I'm in year 11, but technically I could start going to the summer open days after gcses- is there any point? I went to an oxford one in september this year, a bit early ik but it actually really helped because I found a subject that I'm interested in, but I also felt a bit awkward being so young and going. Should I start going in Yr 12 autumn, or summer, or even yr 13 (although that seems too late)?

Hi,
I’m in year 13 currently and I went to all of my open days in year 13 as I wasn’t doing any university research in year 12 because I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do. I don’t think doing university open days is too late in year 13 - as most are in the autumn anyway and it’s a good time to go because it will help you when making your choices as the open day was more recent, if you get what I mean. Going in year 12 is a good idea if you know what you want to study and you have more time to see a better variety of choices and more time if you change your mind on what you want to 😊 so this is a good idea if you want to prepare yourself earlier but you want be disadvantaged by doing this in year 13. Just make sure if you go in year 12 that you remember what you like and disliked about the uni so you don’t forget ! Hoped this helped

You can go any time and the sooner the better if you are unsure what you will want to study. Year 13 is too late if you want to apply to Oxbridge or vet science, medicine or dentistry. So many students attend open days that no one will notice (or care) if you are younger than them. So if you can get to any unis close to you after GCSEs, go and listen to a range of subject talks so that in year 12 you can narrow down the courses and unis that might interest you.

thank you! do you think there's any point in visiting the place of the uni when there isn't an open day/ going to the open day more than once?

Hello, when would you suggest starting to go to uni open days? I'm in year 11, but technically I could start going to the summer open days after gcses- is there any point? I went to an oxford one in september this year, a bit early ik but it actually really helped because I found a subject that I'm interested in, but I also felt a bit awkward being so young and going. Should I start going in Yr 12 autumn, or summer, or even yr 13 (although that seems too late)?

Hello, when would you suggest starting to go to uni open days? I'm in year 11, but technically I could start going to the summer open days after gcses- is there any point? I went to an oxford one in september this year, a bit early ik but it actually really helped because I found a subject that I'm interested in, but I also felt a bit awkward being so young and going. Should I start going in Yr 12 autumn, or summer, or even yr 13 (although that seems too late)?

Yes going to see the city/ place in general is a really good idea to see whether you like the city as well as the uni because I know some people prefer big cities and other prefer smaller quieter areas. And if you plan on spending 3/4 years there you have to make sure the place is right for you .Going to the open day more than once- this is good if you want to see multiple things that you can’t fit in one trip or when deciding between the choices in year 13 but just going twice for the sake of it- I don’t recommend but it would help with decision making. Let me know if there’s anything else you want to ask 😄

Hi @skitter12
Good to see you taking an action towards higher education 🙌
Similarly to other responses, I believe it's good to start doing your research early, especially when not sure which course interest you. Attending open days is great for inspiration as well as gives a more clear image of what requirements you need to achieve. Furthermore, seeing universities in person might help you decide whether to move for studies or stay locally.
I understand it might feel a bit awkward going as yr 11, however I can assure you as a staff member of such open days, we are more than happy to talk to younger people and provide information or suggestion related to your future studies. Just have in mind some requirements for enrolment might change in following year, so stay alert of any changed, especially in your selected course.
I believe yr 12 is good to visit various universities and decide on the course, while during yr 13 it can be beneficial to visit your top selected schools again and decide on your first choice.
Hope this has been helpful and good luck with your studies 😁
Zuza - Bradford Student Rep

I recommend starting in autumn of year 12, to give yourself the best chance of seeing as many as possible! this is what I did and im so pleased that I did! Also agree with BradfordRep2

thank you! how many universities did you visit in total? just curious to see how many I should go to

I visited 10 or 11 unis and then narrowed down to 5!

wow, that seems like a lot!

I was very indecisive about where to go / what to study so I visited quite a lot haha. honestly visit as many or as few unis as you want, no right or wrong amount to visit!

Hello, when would you suggest starting to go to uni open days? I'm in year 11, but technically I could start going to the summer open days after gcses- is there any point? I went to an oxford one in september this year, a bit early ik but it actually really helped because I found a subject that I'm interested in, but I also felt a bit awkward being so young and going. Should I start going in Yr 12 autumn, or summer, or even yr 13 (although that seems too late)?