How to find the right university for you

Bookmark the date for ARU Peterborough’s upcoming Open Day

Throughout your educational journey, you will find that universities host a variety of events that you can attend to give you a feel for what it would be like to study there. Let’s look at the opportunities available to you:

Discovery/Taster Day

Many universities offer Taster Days for year 10, 11 and 12. They do exactly as they suggest: offer you a taste of what it would be like to go to a particular university. They give you the opportunity to explore courses, meet lecturers and ask any questions you might have about moving into higher education. It’s your chance to experience a day in the life of a university student.

It’s not too late to apply now and start September – your future awaits

Your school is likely to have connections with universities, so if you’re interested in finding out more about what taster days are available, speak to your school or college tutors to find out more.

UCAS Fair

If you’re a student looking to go to university, you’ve probably heard of UCAS. UCAS is the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service, and it handles all applications for UK universities. UCAS Fairs are held throughout the year and with a large cross-section of universities from across the country attending, they offer a wealth of advice and information under one roof to help you decide which ones are right for you.

UCAS Fairs also offer you the chance to speak to the experts on topics such as Student Finance, applying through UCAS, foundation years, and so much more. They give you the opportunity to speak to lots of universities and advisers in a short space of time, helping you to decide which ones you want to explore further by attending an Open Day at the university campus.

Open Day

At an Open Day, it’s all about you. It’s an opportunity for you to explore what life would be like at your chosen university, and you can go to as many as you like. Open Days give you the chance to speak to fellow students, chat to lecturers, attend course talks, and find out more about facilities, student life, finance, and career options.

As well as exploring the university, attending an Open Day gives you the opportunity to check out the local area. It’s important to find out if this is an area you would like to move to (or stay in), as it will be your home for a few years while you study.

Applicant Day

When you’ve done all your research and applied to your chosen universities – you can apply to up to five within UCAS – you will usually be invited to attend an Applicant Day at each one. These special events are only open to students who have applied to the university.

Applicant Days are subject-specific and give you the opportunity to delve into your chosen course in much more detail. They are an essential step in your university journey. At your Applicant Day, you’ll take part in taster lectures and practical workshops, meet your tutors and future classmates, and find out more about finance and admissions. It’s your chance to make sure you’ve chosen the right course, at the right university.

If you’re thinking about starting a degree and want to find out more about ARU Peterborough, you can sign up to the next Open Day on Saturday 11 June: Open Day - ARU.

If you want to find out more before you attend an Open Day, you can sign up to the Open Day On Demand, which is available virtually 24/7: ARU On Demand - Virtual Open Day experience - ARU.

You can apply to their courses now and start this September, ARU Peterborough is ready to welcome you. If you need help with your application, you can contact [email protected] and the dedicated team will guide you through the process.