Questions to ask and things to see at your Leeds Beckett Open Day

If you’re still trying to make that tough decision of choosing the right university, attending an Open Day is a fantastic way to get a glimpse of what life is like at your top choices. Getting a feel for the campus, meeting the course staff, and exploring the city can really help when you’re weighing up your options.

Before the Open Day

Take some time to think about what’s most important to you when choosing a university, and do plenty of research beforehand.

Start by looking through the available courses — Leeds Beckett offers over 100 across a wide range of disciplines! It’s crucial to make sure you’re focusing on the right one, as some may seem similar but have key differences. For example, if you’re interested in teaching, do you have a specific age group you want to work with? Or maybe you’d prefer an accelerated course to get into the workplace faster? I knew I wanted to work with younger students, but I also wanted to dive into my career quickly. That's when I discovered the Accelerated Primary Education course, which was perfect for me. It allowed me to gain the qualifications I needed without spending years in the classroom. So, take your time to explore the available courses and find the one that aligns with your goals!

Also, be sure to check out the facilities you’ll be using for your course. If you want to get familiar with the layout before the big day, try a virtual campus tour—it might even save you from getting lost!

Prepare a list of questions

An Open Day is the perfect opportunity to engage with both course staff and current students to gather any information you need about your preferred program.

It’s a great idea to come prepared with your questions — when I attended my Open Day, I had a list of questions ready and it made all the difference! Now as a Student Ambassador, I often find myself chatting with prospective students, and I always encourage them to ask all of their questions. You might want to ask about:

- The course structure: How many days will you be on campus?

- Grading methods: Are assessments primarily exams or coursework-based?

- Placement opportunities: Are there any practical learning experiences included?

Don’t forget to consider aspects beyond your course as well—after all, you’ll be at university for a while! It’s wise to check:

- What support services are available, and how can you access them?

- What accommodation options are offered? Can you connect with others in the same housing?

- Are there any societies related to your course or personal interests?

- What is life like as a student in Leeds?

During Open Days, I always highlight the importance of understanding support services. When I attended my own Open Day, I asked about them and it helped ease my transition into university life. 

On the day

Arrival and registration:

Be sure to arrive a little early to register your attendance, pick up any materials you might need and review your plan for the day. There will be a university welcome talk, course talks, seminars, and even practical sessions scheduled throughout the day, along with lots of other kinds of sessions that may peak your interest - so it’s wise to base your schedule around these to gather the most information. From there, you can plan campus tours and accommodation visits, while also allowing yourself some time to take a break and soak in the atmosphere!

Attend subject talks and any workshops:

Try to attend as many talks and workshops as possible for the courses that you’re interested in — this could be your deciding factor! I particularly loved the hands-on sessions offered by the Primary Education courses in their purpose-built teaching spaces. Seeing the facilities in action and experiencing the teaching style firsthand can be a huge influence in determining whether the course is right for you. If you’re still torn between a couple of courses, make an effort to visit both to get a better sense of what each might be like.

Tour the campus:

Student-led tours will run throughout the day, covering key areas like the library, lecture halls, student union, different buildings and facilities. Knowing where you’ll be spending your time at university is crucial, and seeing it all for the first time is incredibly exciting!

Talk to current students:

Your course will have ambassadors available for you to chat with, providing an honest perspective on the pros and cons of your program. As a course ambassador myself, I genuinely love discussing how amazing our course is and sharing the fun experiences we get to have!

Look around the surrounding area:

While you're here for university, remember that you’re also visiting the city that will be your home for the next three years. Take some time to explore all the incredible things Leeds as a city has to offer — pop into the museum or gallery, grab a bite to eat in Trinity Kitchen, or head down to the docks for some outdoor time. It's a great way to see if you can envisage yourself living here, you might even discover a new favourite spot while you’re at it!

After the Open Day

Nothing helps decision making like a pros and cons list! Take some time to think about the positives and negatives of your day, and compare this to other universities you might have visited. It’s a big decision, so you want to make sure it’s right for you.

If you’ve still got any questions after your visit, don’t be afraid to reach out to the university. I wanted to confirm a few things about my course to make sure it would work for me, and I was able to speak directly to my course director who was so supportive and reassuring, which really influenced my final decision when choosing where to study.

Overall, an Open Day is an important tool for deciding which university is right for you. It’s important to be prepared, and know what your expectations are, so you can make the most of the experience and find out what you need to know in order to make your decision. But it’s just as important to explore, have fun and get excited about what’s to come.  

You can book onto an Open Day now, so get those questions at the ready!