Is attending a postgraduate open day worth it?

You may have work or undergraduate study commitments, or be happy with online information. So why should you travel to a university for an open day? Leon Hood finds out

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If you're contemplating postgraduate study it's tempting to ignore the open day option, especially if you're an experienced student or have been in work for a few years: you don't need to wander around a campus in wide-eyed awe, anxious parents in tow. Been there, done that.

Yet attending a PG open day can have many benefits, as Lynne Barrow, Associate Dean (International and Engagement) at Hull University Business School explains. “Even if you have a well-paid graduate job you might be soul-searching and wondering how you can get to where you really want to be, or you might have a long-held ambition to work overseas,” she says. “In either case, the academic staff who are international subject specialists are the ones you want to speak to, and they are the ones sitting behind the desks at an open day.”

The conversations you have could be illuminating. “When I meet students who are considering a masters, I ask what is important for them,” says Bella Anand, Faculty Admissions Tutor at Hull. “For one student, professional accreditations might be a priority, so I might direct them to certain programmes. For another, it might be to find a course that is different to but also highly compatible with their first degree. Psychology followed by a marketing degree is one example.”

Talking to academics on an open day can help you understand your options and bring a course to life, giving you details of how it's assessed, links with industry and what to expect. You can also find out about recent changes to PG funding. But it's the opportunity to talk to students that can be the killer USP of these events, according to Jo Midgley, Pro-Vice Chancellor for Student Experience at UWE Bristol. “Current students can give you real insight into studying the course and open your eyes to other benefits of the institution, things you might not have considered from the outside.”

This is important as PG courses in the same subject can vary. “The subtle nuances of each could make all the difference to your overall enjoyment and satisfaction with the course,” says Lynsey Jane Bowen, a recent graduate of Derby University's MSc in Marketing Management.

Even though you may have experience of a university campus, checking out the facilities of a new institution is still useful, Bowen continues. “Use the open day to find out what the library opening times are to make sure they fit around your lifestyle, and where’s the best place to get your coffee from.”

Ultimately, a PG course is a hefty investment, so it's about trying before you buy. “The open day gives you an opportunity to ask the questions that will show you if that university and course are right for you,” says Bowen. “After all, you wouldn’t spend that much time and money on a car you hadn’t test driven.”