Hiya! This time last year, as I headed home on the train after visiting Durham for the very first time during an Open Day, it suddenly struck me just how many questions I had forgotten to ask, and all the little gaps in knowledge I still had after an entire day there.
So this year, I’m hoping to help you avoid making the same mistakes I did. Read ahead for a foolproof list of the questions you should be asking during your university Open Day to make the most out of your visit!
Questions to ask during the academic talk
The academic talks Durham offers are such a good opportunity to understand what studying your course at Durham would actually feel like beyond the prospectus – and there are many opportunities before, during or afterwards to ask questions to lecturers and current students studying your course.
Some useful questions could be:
- What does a typical week look like for first-year students?
- How many contact hours are there?
- How independent is the learning style?
- What support is available if you struggle academically?
- Are seminars discussion-based or more lecture-focused?
- How accessible are lecturers outside of teaching hours?
- What opportunities are there for placements, internships, or studying abroad?
- What makes Durham’s course different from other universities?
- How is my course examined at the end of the first year?
Another thing I highly recommend is to consider the atmosphere around you. Ask yourself whether you feel engaged with the environment, lecturer and presentation? Could you imagine yourself sitting here next year?
Questions to ask current students
During the day, there will be countless student ambassadors dotted around the campus who are willing to answer the more honest questions; which address both the positives and the challenges of university life.
Here are some great questions to ask:
- What surprised you most about Durham?
- What’s your favourite part of student life here?
- Is the workload manageable?
- What do students do socially during the week?
- How easy was it to make friends?
- What’s something you wish you knew before applying?
- Do you feel supported by your college?
- How expensive is student life in Durham?
- What’s the balance between academics and social life like?
- What’s your least favourite thing about Durham?
- How easy is it to get a student part-time job?
- Do you like living in Durham? Is it too small? How easy is it to travel back and forth?
Something I felt that I truly benefited from was being able to hear genuine experiences that helped me picture what my own life might look like in the future.
Questions to ask when visiting colleges
The collegiate system at Durham is at the core of university student life, shaping a large part of the Durham experience. This is where I would recommend planning and thinking about your questions the most!
You could ask things like:
- How social is the college?
- How was Freshers’ Week? Was the college supportive in helping you meet people?
- What facilities are included? Is there a gym? Library? Bar?
- How often does catering change? Do you like the food? What are the options for vegetarians or gluten-free?
- What’s accommodation like in the first year? How many rooms are shared? How many rooms have en-suites?
- How far is the college from lectures and the library?
- Are there lots of sports and societies within the college?
- What traditions or events is the college known for?
One thing I found really helpful was comparing colleges directly while they were still fresh in my mind. After a few tours, they can start to blur together a little bit – so I ensured to jot down a few notes and dismissed colleges immediately if I felt they weren’t for me.
Questions to ask yourself throughout the day
This is honestly the most important question you will ask on your Open Day. And I encourage everyone to pause and reflect at the end of their visit and try thinking about:
- Could I genuinely see myself living here?
- Does the city feel too small, or comforting?
- Do I feel excited when I imagine being a student here?
- Can I picture myself here during exam season and not just on a sunny Open Day?
- Do the students seem happy and settled?
- Would I feel supported here academically and socially?
- Is this too far away from home or too close for me?
When you choose a university, look beyond the rankings or reputation – instead, focus on where you feel most comfortable building your life for the next few years. When I left Durham for the first time, I was excited and felt that the city felt right for me.
Open Days can feel overwhelming, but the more questions you ask, the clearer your decision will become. There is no right decision, or no ‘perfect’ university for you – but these questions will give you a starting point for exploring whether Durham is the place for you!
Discover more
Read Lacey’s other blog, a student’s ideal itinerary for a Durham undergraduate open day
Find out more about open days and visits
Create your own personalised prospectus
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