These three event types are often used interchangeably, but they exist for different stages of your university decision and serve different purposes. Here’s a clear breakdown of when to go to which.

Quick comparison

What is an open day?

An open day is the broadest event — open to anyone considering applying. They’re the events most people mean when they say “uni open day.”

What happens:

• Welcome talks about the university overall
• Subject-specific talks for each department
• Campus tours led by student ambassadors
• Accommodation viewings (sometimes all halls, sometimes a sample)
• Optional talks on student finance, accommodation, careers
• Often a freebie tote bag

Who they’re for:
Year 12 students (and Year 11 students considering specific universities), parents, mature applicants, anyone who hasn’t yet committed to applying to that university.

When they happen:
The main season is June–July (after exams), with secondary dates in September and October. Some universities add spring dates in April or May. Russell Group universities almost always run open days in this pattern.

How to use them:
This is your “should I apply here?” event. Treat it as research for your UCAS shortlist. Visit several universities to compare, take notes, and use them to narrow your five choices.

What is an applicant day?

An applicant day is a more focused event for people who have already applied to the university through UCAS — usually held between November and March.

What happens:

• Course-specific content (much deeper than open days)
• Time with academic staff in the department
• Sample lectures, seminars, or practicals related to your subject
• Sometimes a mini-interview or written task (especially for competitive courses)
• More chance to talk one-to-one with current students on your course

Who they’re for:
Applicants who have received either an offer or who are waiting for a decision. Universities use them to convert applications into firm choices.

When they happen:
November to March, typically. The exact timing depends on when the university makes its offers — applicant days come after offers go out.

How to use them:
If you’ve already attended a general open day for this university and you’re confident in your decision, an applicant day may not add a great deal — you’ve seen the campus, met the staff, and toured the accommodation. But if you have specific course questions, want to see facilities you missed first time, or you’re undecided between firm and insurance, applicant days are valuable.

A common dilemma: should you skip school or work to attend? If the university is a serious firm contender, yes. If you’re already 90% certain, the cost-benefit is weaker.

What is an offer holder day?

An offer holder day is the most exclusive of the three — only open to people who hold an offer from the university. They’re typically held in spring of Year 13, in the run-up to the 2 June UCAS reply deadline.

What happens:

• Smaller groups, more personal attention
• Detailed course information, including module choices, optional pathways
• One-to-one or small-group time with academic staff
• Specific accommodation viewings and priority booking information
• Sometimes a meal or social event with current students on your course
• Detailed financial and bursary information

Who they’re for:
Students choosing between firm and insurance offers. Some universities specifically design these days to convert offers into firms.

When they happen:
March, April, and early May, typically. Some universities run them across multiple Saturdays.

How to use them:
This is the most useful single visit you can make. By this point you know the university has accepted you, so you can ask very direct questions: “If I firm here, when do I need to apply for accommodation?” “Which optional modules are most popular?” “Can I see where I’d actually be teaching?”

If you’re genuinely torn between firm and insurance, attend the offer holder day for both if you can. Many students report this is the visit that finally clarified their decision.

Other event names you might see

Universities use slightly inconsistent terminology, so you might see:

• Campus tour — usually a self-guided or small-group walkthrough, available outside open day dates. Useful if you missed open days or want a second look.
• Subject taster day — a focused half-day or full-day event for a specific course or subject area. Sometimes for Year 12, sometimes for Year 13 applicants.
• Insight day / experience day — informal university-led events, often aimed at widening participation (students from underrepresented backgrounds). Free, usually with travel covered.
• Open evening — more common at sixth form colleges and FE colleges than universities. Held 5pm to 8pm on a weekday.
• Virtual open day — a livestreamed or pre-recorded version of an open day. Useful but not a replacement for in-person.

Which should you actually go to?

A reasonable progression for most students:

1. Year 12 (Spring) — 1 to 2 exploratory open days at nearby universities.
2. Year 12 (Summer) — 4 to 6 open days at universities on your serious shortlist.
3. Year 13 (Autumn / Winter) — 1 to 2 applicant days if useful for course detail.
4. Year 13 (Spring) — Offer holder day at your top choice; sometimes also at your insurance.

You don’t need to attend every type of event at every university — that’s a recipe for burnout. Pick the right event for the right stage of your decision.

What if you missed the open day?

If a university you’re seriously considering doesn’t have any more open days before your UCAS deadline:

• Most universities will arrange a self-guided campus tour any time of year. Email the admissions office.
• Check whether they hold open days in September, October, or even January — many universities do.
• Virtual open days are usually available on-demand on the university’s website.
• You can also just visit the city independently and walk around the campus. Not as informative as a guided tour, but valuable for the “gut feel” question.

What if you can only attend one event?

If you have to pick exactly one, here’s the priority order:

1. Offer holder day at the university you’re most likely to firm (highest information value, smallest scale)
2. Open day at the university you’re least certain about (could change your shortlist)
3. Applicant day at the university with the most unusual course structure (year abroad, joint honours, intercalation)
4. Open day at your dream university (lowest information value — you’ve probably already decided)

FAQ