Hi! I’m a second year Natural Sciences student in the MAPS Faculty, and I’ve done my fair share of UCL Open Days: first as a nervous French high school student, then as a student ambassador. I know exactly how exciting (and honestly, a bit overwhelming) these days can be, so I wanted to share some real talk and tips based on my own Open Day adventures.

First, What Goes Down at a UCL Open Day?

The upcoming 2025 Open Days are on Friday 27 and Saturday 28 June, and they’re a whirlwind of activity. You’ll get to attend subject talks, meet staff and current students, and tour the campus. There are loads of chances to ask questions about your course, student life, career prospects, student wellbeing support, accommodation, and more. If you can, join a campus tour! Not only do you get to see the heart of UCL (and maybe spot some famous buildings from Instagram), but you’ll often get to check out the outside of some accommodation blocks and see where different departments are based. That’s super helpful for picturing your future day-to-day life here.

Categorise Your Questions!

Now, my absolute top tip (learned from my own experience): before you come, check out the UCL Open Days website and the course pages. Make a list of all your questions. Here’s the game-changer: split them into two groups - questions for staff/lecturers (such as course content, entry requirements, teaching style) and questions for students/ambassadors (like me!), such as what the workload’s really like, best study spots, or how social life works. This way, you won’t forget anything in the rush, and you’ll get the most out of every conversation.

Best Spots to Take a Break

The day itself can be a lot, so don’t forget to take some breaks. One of my favourite chill-out spots is the top floors of Waterstones on Gower Street. The comfy chairs up there are perfect for sinking into with your thoughts and for taking a break. Or, if the weather’s good, which is likely to be at the end of June in London, grab some food and have a picnic in one of Bloomsbury’s parks, like Russell Square or Bloomsbury Square Gardens. It’s a great way to recharge and chat things over with whoever you’ve brought along or future friends you might have just met in some subject talks.

It’s Normal to Feel Overwhelmed

Finally, don’t stress if you feel a bit lost or overwhelmed, everyone does at first! I remember wandering around, unsure where to go, until an ambassador pointed me in the right direction and shared some honest advice. That made a huge difference for me, and it’s why I love being an ambassador now. But remember, it’s more about getting a feeling of the enthusiastic and comforting atmosphere of UCL than getting all your questions answered, as you can always email staff teams later. So, come ready to explore and maybe I’ll see you there!

Author: Clemence Escoffier
Photo Credit: James Tye