No Open Day, No Problem: How to choose a Uni anyway!
Hi everyone, I’m Ru, a final year law international student 
One of my biggest concerns when choosing a university outside of the country was how on earth, I would know what to expect considering I couldn’t attend an Open Day.
So, the big question was will I miss out if I have not been to an open day? And fortunately, the answer was no. All it requires is for you to be a bit more intentional with how you research for both home and international students!
I know open days are hyped up as the deciding moment but there are lots of reasons you might not be able to go, maybe it’s too far away or too expensive. I would see everyone post their tote bags, and campus pictures and feel like I’d have already fallen behind. But honestly? There are loads of ways to get a proper feel for a university without stepping on campus just yet.
Here is what I would recommend if you have missed an in-person open day:
1. Start with a virtual tour (seriously, they are better than you think):
Since I could not attend in person, I attended the BCU virtual tour and it was the best starting point. It lets you:
- Explore the campus layout
- Check out lecture theatres, libraries and study spaces
- See accommodation and social areas
- Get a sense of how big or small everything feels
BCU’s virtual tour is especially useful because you can move through spaces at your own pace. There are no crowds, no awkward group standing around a guide, and no information overload.
Sometimes I find virtual tours less overwhelming than open days because you can focus on what you care about. Take our virtual tour to explore BCU and get a feel if it’s the right choice for you.
2. Use social media to see real student life:
This one is underrated but honestly one of the most helpful.
So, for example, I searched:
- “BCU student life”
- “A day in the life at BCU”
- “BCU accommodation tour”
- “Student accommodation”
I found that on TikTok especially, students show the real stuff:
- What campus is like on a normal weekday
- How busy lectures feel
- Where people actually hang out
- What the vibe is like outside of open days
It is much more than marketing; it is lived experience and that can tell you a lot about whether you would feel comfortable there: It certainly did for me!
3. Deep dive into the course, not just the campus:
Open days are great for gauging the feel of the university, but the course content matters way more long-term.
If you have missed an open day, make sure you:
- Read the module breakdown carefully (you can find this on the university website)
- Check how the course is assessed (exams, coursework, group work)
- Look at contact hours and independent study expectations
- See what careers or placements are linked to the course
You can usually find testimonials from students or case studies online too, which help you understand what the course is actually like once you have enrolled.
4. Remember: you might still get an Offer Holder Day:
This is the bit a lot of people forget. If you apply and receive an offer from BCU, you will have the chance to attend an Offer Holder Day. These are often even better than open days because:
- They are smaller and more focused
- You will meet people who might actually be on your course
- You can ask more specific questions
- You are already picturing yourself there, making it feel more real
5. Trust your research and yourself!
It is so easy to think, “If I’d just gone to the open day, I’d know.” But I learnt that plenty of students go to open days and still change their minds later. Choosing a university is rarely about one perfect moment, it is about how well it fits you academically, socially and personally.
All it took me was researching properly, exploring virtually, hearing from students and understanding my course.
Remember, missing an open day does not mean missing out. It just means doing things a little differently. Loads of students end up loving universities they never visited beforehand. Sometimes, the right place becomes clear once you are there. You have absolutely got this!
Ru
BCU Student rep.
One of my biggest concerns when choosing a university outside of the country was how on earth, I would know what to expect considering I couldn’t attend an Open Day.So, the big question was will I miss out if I have not been to an open day? And fortunately, the answer was no. All it requires is for you to be a bit more intentional with how you research for both home and international students!
I know open days are hyped up as the deciding moment but there are lots of reasons you might not be able to go, maybe it’s too far away or too expensive. I would see everyone post their tote bags, and campus pictures and feel like I’d have already fallen behind. But honestly? There are loads of ways to get a proper feel for a university without stepping on campus just yet.
Here is what I would recommend if you have missed an in-person open day:
1. Start with a virtual tour (seriously, they are better than you think):
Since I could not attend in person, I attended the BCU virtual tour and it was the best starting point. It lets you:
- Explore the campus layout
- Check out lecture theatres, libraries and study spaces
- See accommodation and social areas
- Get a sense of how big or small everything feels
BCU’s virtual tour is especially useful because you can move through spaces at your own pace. There are no crowds, no awkward group standing around a guide, and no information overload.
Sometimes I find virtual tours less overwhelming than open days because you can focus on what you care about. Take our virtual tour to explore BCU and get a feel if it’s the right choice for you.
2. Use social media to see real student life:
This one is underrated but honestly one of the most helpful.
So, for example, I searched:
- “BCU student life”
- “A day in the life at BCU”
- “BCU accommodation tour”
- “Student accommodation”
I found that on TikTok especially, students show the real stuff:
- What campus is like on a normal weekday
- How busy lectures feel
- Where people actually hang out
- What the vibe is like outside of open days
It is much more than marketing; it is lived experience and that can tell you a lot about whether you would feel comfortable there: It certainly did for me!
3. Deep dive into the course, not just the campus:
Open days are great for gauging the feel of the university, but the course content matters way more long-term.
If you have missed an open day, make sure you:
- Read the module breakdown carefully (you can find this on the university website)
- Check how the course is assessed (exams, coursework, group work)
- Look at contact hours and independent study expectations
- See what careers or placements are linked to the course
You can usually find testimonials from students or case studies online too, which help you understand what the course is actually like once you have enrolled.
4. Remember: you might still get an Offer Holder Day:
This is the bit a lot of people forget. If you apply and receive an offer from BCU, you will have the chance to attend an Offer Holder Day. These are often even better than open days because:
- They are smaller and more focused
- You will meet people who might actually be on your course
- You can ask more specific questions
- You are already picturing yourself there, making it feel more real
5. Trust your research and yourself!
It is so easy to think, “If I’d just gone to the open day, I’d know.” But I learnt that plenty of students go to open days and still change their minds later. Choosing a university is rarely about one perfect moment, it is about how well it fits you academically, socially and personally.
All it took me was researching properly, exploring virtually, hearing from students and understanding my course.
Remember, missing an open day does not mean missing out. It just means doing things a little differently. Loads of students end up loving universities they never visited beforehand. Sometimes, the right place becomes clear once you are there. You have absolutely got this!
Ru
BCU Student rep.
(edited 1 month ago)
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