5 Reasons Why You Should Attend UCL Open Days

For any prospective student considering UCL, an Open Day isn’t just a visit; it’s essential to making an informed decision and a smoother transition into university. Current student Iris highlights 5 reasons why you should attend a UCL open day.

For any prospective student considering UCL, an Open Day isn’t just a visit; it’s essential to making an informed decision and a smoother transition into university. Below, I have highlighted specific reasons why you should attend an Open Day. Hopefully, these insights, shaped in part by my own experiences, will show why dedicating time to a UCL Open Day can not only be extremely informative, but fun!

1. Get a First-Hand Experience of the Campus

Firstly, attending a university Open Day allows you to get an in-person feel for the campus and to immerse yourself in the environment, providing a real sense of whether you can picture yourself there. As pictures and virtual tours can’t replicate the sights, sounds, and energy of a university campus, taking the opportunity to physically experience the environment where you’ll be studying and living could be a deciding factor in your final decision.  

Gaining this in-person feel for the campus is particularly important when considering a city university, as city schools can be deeply integrated into the surrounding city, both physically and culturally. For example, UCL’s Central London location, nestled between vibrant areas like Fitzrovia, Soho, Camden, and Marylebone, undeniably shapes a fast-paced and urban-centric atmosphere.

Moreover, its proximity to key institutions, such as the British Library or the British Museum, contributes to an atmosphere that is intellectually intense and politically engaged. I have found UCL’s strategic location to be especially beneficial towards career development, owing to the university’s presence in the UK’s capital, a leading global center for finance, business, law, and politics. As such, being based in UCL has afforded me unique opportunities, such as visiting embassies, touring headquarters of international organizations, and attending talks in Parliament – experiences that would likely be less accessible elsewhere. The university’s embeddedness within the city also contributes to your social experience at UCL. In addition to social events on campus, students are able to extend their social life into London’s landscape, including its nightlife, the diverse neighborhoods, and all of the iconic landmarks.

 

2. Assess the Practicalities & Facilities

Despite these benefits, this city-infused environment may not be what everyone desires for their university experience. As such, visiting the campus can be particularly insightful for navigating the unique dynamics of a city university. When attending an Open Day, I would pay particular attention to the following spaces on campus: libraries, green spaces, dining and communal spaces, nearby cafés, campus study spots, as well as your departmental building. These are likely where you will spend the majority of your time on campus.

Beyond that, I would also consider several practical aspects that would heavily influence your day-to-day experience – these include commuting options, the range of nearby restaurants and amenities, and importantly, the overall safety of the surrounding area. Ultimately, these elements collectively shape the overall “feel” of a campus. While online information and photos are useful, actually walking the grounds and its surroundings would allow a prospective student to make a far more informed decision based on genuine experience.

3. Directly Engage with Your Future Department

Looking back, there were many things I did not know about my course prior to beginning university. An Open Day provides a chance to gain deeper insight into the curriculum, ask questions directly to the department and current students, and explore examples of past student work and research.

Direct interaction with department members and current students can offer prospective students more tailored and personal insights, compared to the general information online that is purposefully designed for a broad audience.

4. Explore Past Work & Research

Furthermore, an Open Day is an opportunity to explore your department’s past work and research, often with the chance to discuss these projects directly with the students and staff involved. This provides a sense of the potential areas of specialization within the program, as well as a taste of the intellectual environment. I was personally surprised by the level of innovation and the niche topics of some projects, which was inspiring when thinking of my own future contributions. This can also be a valuable opportunity to inquire about research or career opportunities, as well as a chance for networking. Finally, some departments also provide a taster lecture, giving you an inside look at the pedagogy and learning environment you can expect in your future studies!

5. Chat with Current Students

I found that connecting with current students was not only motivating, allowing me to envision myself at university, but incredibly helpful. Current students can provide honest and unfiltered insights into the day-to-day realities, including any challenges they faced. Moreover, their accounts can be more comprehensive, covering the full spectrum of student life and their holistic experience rather than simply academics, social life, or other singular aspects. As a non-local student, I especially valued the guidance of current students when navigating unfamiliar administrative tasks such as banking or renting in the UK. Speaking to a student with a similar background to your own can be beneficial for gaining specific advice tailored to your experiences, such as understanding cultural nuances. These interactions can also be very comforting, as it offers a sense of shared understanding as well as a more relatable perspective outside of official university figures.

Conclusion

All these aspects of university life are not as easily experienced or understood through online information alone. As such, attending a UCL Open Day is strongly recommended, not only for the purpose of making an informed decision, but also for pure enjoyment!

I hope that I have shared some compelling reasons for why investing a day into visiting UCL can significantly enhance your understanding of the university, your chosen course, and what life as student in the city of London could truly be like.

From experiencing the campus feel to engaging directly with the people who will shape your academic journey, an Open Day offers an invaluable opportunity to see if UCL is the right place for you!

---

Images

1. Visitors to a UCL Open Day. Copyright: © James Tye
2. UCL welcome banner. Copyright © James Tye
3. British Museum: The Queen Elizabeth 11 Great Court of the British Museum. The Great Court was originally the museums central quadrangle. It was designed by Foster and Partners. © UCL Media Services - University College London
4. UCL Main Library. Copyright © Mat Wright
5. Faculty/Department fair. Copyright: © James Tye
6. Current students at a UCL Open Day. Copyright: © James Tye

---