This short guide is to help you feel in control of your open day experience. It will help you gather the information you need to make an informed decision about whether the setting you're visiting is right for you and your family commitments.
Content provided by Andrea Todd, Director of Pro Bono and Community Engagement for University of Chester Law School.
Tips for making the most of your open day
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Think carefully about what you want to know before the open day
We've suggested some questions which might be relevant to you below, but you may also have your own questions.
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Take a look at the students with parenting responsibilitites advice
This advice introduces you to what will happen during your university or college journey, explains the terms used in the suggested questions, and may also prompt further questions you want to ask.
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Ensure you know the layout and timings of the open day
There will usually be an area dedicated to central university teams (sometimes called 'Student services'), and these teams may give talks during the day. Many unis and colleges also offer talks given by lecturers from your academic department. Make sure you know when these talks are taking place.
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Don’t be afraid to speak up and ask about the things that matter to you
Remember, this is your day – so get all the answers to your questions.
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Don’t be shy to ask for follow-up
If the people you speak to on the day don't have an immediate answer for you, ask them to follow-up with you afterwards by email so you can get the information you need.
Suggested open day questions
If there are any terms you're unfamiliar with in the questions below, you can find explanations for them on the students with parenting responsibilities page. You will also see why the answers to the questions will be important during your studies.
Use these questions as a starting point and make a note of any other questions you think of to take with you on the day.
Practicalities
| Student services |
The department |
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Nursery:
- Does the university have one?
- Can I visit?
- Does the university have a list of recommended, external, local nurseries?
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Teaching timetable:
- How far in advance of the start of the academic year is the teaching timetable released?
- Can I have a look at a teaching timetable from this year as an example?
- Is it possible to join teaching sessions online?
- If the timetable is problematic for childcare reasons, is it possible to swap teaching groups to enable me to attend?
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Family accommodation:
- Is it offered?
- Can I see it?
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Assessment timetable:
- How far in advance of the start of the academic year is the timetable of assessments released?
- Can I have a look at an assessment timetable from this year as an example?
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Parking:
- Is it freely available?
- Do I need a permit, or do I need to pay?
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Teaching locations:
- Where are the teaching rooms – are they where we are today or elsewhere?
- Is parking available at these sites?
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Support
| Student services |
The department |
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Support groups:
- Do you have any university-wide support groups or social groups for student-parents?
- Are they online or in person?
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Support groups:
- Do you have any departmental support groups or social groups for student-parents?
- Are they online or in person?
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Finances:
- Does the university offer bursaries and hardship funds?
- What are the requirements to apply?
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Personal tutor support:
- What happens during induction?
- How often would I meet with my personal tutor?
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Extra-curricular opportunities:
- Are uni clubs/societies available in child-friendly hours?
- Are university-wide careers events held during the daytime when student-parents can attend?
- Are any evening events recorded or live-streamed to allow student-parents to participate?
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Catching up:
- What is the department’s policy on students who miss sessions for reasons beyond their control?
- Is it possible to attend an alternative class, or listen to recordings of missed sessions?
- Do you hold catch-up sessions?
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Mitigating circumstances for assessment:
- What are the rules about mitigating circumstances?
- What are the evidence requirements for mitigating circumstances (e.g. would you accept a letter from my child’s school if they are ill?)
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Extracurricular opportunities:
- Are departmental clubs/societies available in child friendly hours?
- Are departmental careers events held during the daytime when student-parents can attend?
- Are any evening events recorded or live-streamed to allow student-parents to participate?
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