Need to now when universities will be hosting open days? We go through it all in this quick guide!
Updated: 12 Mar 2026
Throughout the year, universities host open days for prospective students and showcase what they have to offer. If you’re thinking about where you want to apply to uni, attending an open day is a very useful way to narrow down your list of options. You’ll tour the campus and facilities, get your questions answered by staff and find out what student life is like.
Open days happen throughout the year, but most unis choose to host theirs around the time students start thinking about their options. This means most will be scheduled from September to November, with some as early as June and as late as January.
Some universities will also plan for open days to happen shortly after A-level Results Day, to allow for students who might be going through Clearing and want to check out their options in person.
It’s a good idea to plan in advance as spaces might get booked up. To make it as easy as possible, we’ve listed all upcoming open days and events so you can search and book your space now.
NEXT: Head over to our Open Day hub to see all upcoming open days
Firstly, don’t panic! Many unis offer open days later in the year, so have a look and see if there’s another date you can book onto. You might be able to join an upcoming campus tour or applicant day. If you can’t find anything it’s a good idea to email the uni and ask. They might be happy to arrange a separate visit.
Another option is to look online for virtual tours and events. While this won’t be quite the same as seeing the campus in person, it’s still a great opportunity to hear from lecturers and students. You’ll usually be able to ask your questions through a live Q&A session or virtual chat too.