University Open Days
It is ALWAYS a good idea to visit the universities that you would like to attend. GO to as many OPEN DAYS as you can. This will give you the opportunity to;
- ask questions.
- see the facilities
- meet students that are doing the course/s that you would like to do
- work out how far the institute is from your house and how long it will take to get there
- get a feel for the place
- see work that previous/ current students have completed
Open days for TAFE & Alternative places to study are on the TAFE & Alternative Study Options page
CONFIRMED OPEN DAYS - 2025
Deakin
Warrnambool - Sunday 3rd August
Geelong - Sunday 17th August
Burwood Campus- Sunday 24th August
La Trobe
Melbourne (Bundoora) - Sunday 3rd August
Shepparton - Sunday 10th August
Mildura - Wednesday 13th August
Sydney - Saturday 16th August
Albury - Wodonga - Sunday 17th August
Bendigo - Sunday 24th August
ACU
Melbourne - 8th to 10th July
Ballarat - 10th & 11th April
University of Melbourne
TBC August 2025
Not all Universities and TAFE's have confirmed there open days at the moment
8 ways to a great university open day
University open days can be overwhelming, with so much to see, do and explore on campus. But they are a great way to help you to choose what university to apply for.
To make your choice, you'll need to find out about entry requirements, location and cost. You may want to learn about scholarships, studying abroad, internships, and the quality of a uni’s industry links. You should consider the overall student experience.
To help you collect information about each of these aspects, start with a good plan of attack for open day season.
Here are some tips to help you breeze through open days, letting you relax and make an informed decision.
1. Prepare your plan of action
Which universities appeal to you? Do you know which ones offer the course you would like to apply for? If so, what are the entry requirements? These are questions that will help you to build your shortlist of universities.
When you have narrowed down your list, find out when each university will have its open day.
2. Register for open day
The most important thing you can do before an open day is register for the event. This ensures you’ll get updated with the latest information. There may also be special events or information sessions that require a separate reservation. Being on the mailing list is the best way to get in early.
Plan how and when you’ll get to each location and make sure you have time to really experience each campus. It’s worth taking the time to scope out each place.
3. Create a schedule for each open day
Open days are a hive of activity, with events, lectures, information sessions, and entertainment events all happening at the same time.
Universities will help you set up a plan, but make sure to note the really important things. Give yourself enough time to get to each activity.
4. Explore the campus
You’re going to be there for a while if you enrol. Allow yourself time to wander round and get a feel for whether it’s the right place for you.
What clubs are on offer? Can you join a sporting team? What’s the student experience like for undergraduates? These are all great questions that can only be answered on campus. Find the answers for yourself or ask the experts – the current students.
If you’re short on time, prioritise the parts of campus and the buildings or facilities you’ll be most likely to use. For example, if you’re interested in studying science, go to the labs, check out the equipment, and see if they match your expectations.
5. Tour the accommodation
If you’re planning on moving to a new city to study, be sure to tour the accommodation if you can. Many universities offer on-campus accommodation and residential colleges.
Students will be helping with tours, so it’s a good time to ask them what it’s like living on campus. What do they like about their residence, and how do the rooms, meals and study help differ from one place to the next?
6. Ask questions
Remember those questions you wrote down in the lead-up to open day? Make sure you have enough time to get them answered. Talk to the academics and students you meet at open days about university life, course requirements, and what it’s like to actually study at that particular university.
7. Have a conversation with your parents or carers
Parents and carers just want the best for us. Be patient with them – this is huge for them too. Yes, this is your future, and it’s important for you to follow your own path. So why not enlist them to help? Let them know that you value their support and ask them to prompt you if you feel lost or overwhelmed. Encourage them to help you ask the right questions.
8. Review
After open day, make sure you review your notes and experiences. This is your best chance to decide which universities you like most (and least). Consider if you would revisit any, using this list as a guide to help you make your decision.
Preparing for an open day
Choosing a university can be difficult. And you’ll want all the information you can get before making your decision.You’ve probably already asked the key questions:
- Does the university specialise in the subject I want to study?
- Does it rate well academically?
- Does its location work for me?
However, while you can learn a lot from a website, there’s no substitute for seeing a university in real life.
Open days are your chance to get to know the university’s staff, students and alumni. But to really experience the campus and atmosphere, you’ll need a plan of attack. There’s often more to see than you can squeeze into a day.
Express your interest
A university website may ask you to register early interest in its open day. This allows organisers to send you a guide. Use it before your visit – it’s the roadmap to the entire day. Plan which seminars you want to attend (do any clash?), locate key amenities and even just work out how to get there.
The inside track
Open day seminars are good sources of information. But the real knowledge comes from talking to staff, students and alumni. They’ll tell you the things you can’t read in the brochures.
Students will share stories of mistakes they’ve made or hacks they’ve discovered while at the university. What are the best courses? Who are the best tutors for your subjects? Where’s the best food?
So before an open day, jot down any questions you may have. There are no silly questions – everyone is there to help you.
Get connected
Chat to as many people as you can – you may meet a future mentor or valuable contact. If you don’t know where to start, listen in on some conversations. They may trigger some suggestions or give you an ‘in’ to approach people.
Embrace the unexpected
Reading about a course and hearing about it from someone who has taken it or taught it are very different things. You may find yourself considering new options or courses you hadn’t considered. The beauty of an open day is that it can reveal new possibilities.
Hit the clubs
Universities offer a wide range of clubs, which are all showcased on open day. They’re great places to meet people from outside your course. And getting a feel for them can answer the one question as important as ‘What course should I study?’
‘Will I have fun here?’
An open day is the place to find out.