Planning an Open Day? University of Birmingham Dubai students share tips on questions to ask, what to explore, and what to look out for.
Over the years, we’ve both experienced Open Days from very different perspectives, first as prospective students trying to picture ourselves on campus, and now as students involved in shaping those experiences for others. Looking back, we realised an Open Day is much more than walking around campus, attending presentations, or collecting brochures. It’s often the first real glimpse into what university life could feel like and an opportunity to imagine yourself becoming part of the University of Birmingham Dubai community.
Now, being involved behind the scenes, we’ve developed an even greater appreciation for what makes these days so special. One of the most rewarding parts for us is meeting so many prospective students and their families, hearing about their ambitions, and seeing how excited they already are.
As students ourselves, there’s something special about being part of those moments. Whether it is helping answer questions, sharing honest advice, or capturing and sharing the day with our wider community, we love playing a role in helping students feel confident about taking their next step.
If you are planning to attend an upcoming Open Day at the University of Birmingham Dubai, here are some of our recommendations to help you get the most out of the experience.
One of the biggest pieces of advice we always give prospective students is to come with questions, even if they feel small, random, or obvious. Ask about your course, student life, societies, accommodation, support services, opportunities abroad, placements, or even things like where people usually study or grab coffee between classes.
Open Days are one of the few times you can speak directly to people who are actually living it day to day, so make the most of it.
Stefina: It can sometimes feel intimidating to raise your hand or approach someone, especially when everyone else around you seems to know exactly what they want. But trust me, most people are thinking the same thing. Some of the best conversations I’ve had during Open Days started with questions people almost apologised for asking. If you forget to ask something in the moment, write it down in your notes app. You’ll be surprised how quickly the day goes by.
Stefina: Presentations are great for understanding the structure of a programme, but current students are often where you hear the details that bring university life to life. We can tell you what a normal week actually looks like, what surprised us when we first joined, what opportunities we took advantage of, and sometimes even what we wish we knew beforehand.
Hams: I realised pretty quickly that university isn’t just about the course itself, but everything around it too. Sometimes people ask about balancing studies and social life, making friends, adjusting to university, or whether they will fit in. Those are often the questions that matter most.
University experiences are personal and different for everyone, so speak to more than one student if you can. You’ll start noticing patterns, but you’ll also realise there is no one “right” way to experience university. Everyone ends up approaching it differently, and hearing different perspectives can often help you picture what yours might look like.
Presentations are helpful, but a lot of what you notice actually comes from just walking around and seeing how the campus feels. Take an extra few minutes between sessions. Sit in the common areas, walk through the study spaces, look around the student lounges, and imagine what your day-to-day life might look like.
One thing we always notice during Open Days is that people tend to rush from one presentation to another because they do not want to miss anything. But sometimes slowing down is where the real experience happens. Notice how students interact, what spaces feel comfortable, and whether you can genuinely imagine spending time there.
Hams: Make sure to visit the activity spaces and speak to the clubs and societies if they are present. Some of the best university memories come from moments outside the classroom. Open Days are one of the best opportunities to explore everything the University of Birmingham Dubai has to offer beyond academics and start imagining what your life here could look like both inside and outside your degree.
Choosing a university is a big decision, and for many people, it involves family and the people closest to them. One of our favourite things during Open Days is meeting parents, siblings, and friends who come along to support prospective students. They often have their own questions and perspectives and can bring up things you may not have thought about yourself.
Stefina: I actually got to experience Open Days from both sides. I attended my own Open Day as a prospective student, trying to imagine what my future here could look like, and later, I attended again with my family when my brother applied for his Masters. It was such a different experience coming back as a student rather than as someone applying. I found myself seeing the campus through both perspectives at once, as someone who already knew what student life felt like and as someone supporting a family member through that same exciting decision. That experience made me realise that Open Days are not just for prospective students, but also for the people experiencing that journey alongside them.
At the same time, we know that having family with you can sometimes feel a little stressful. You might want to explore at your own pace while they are asking a hundred questions, giving opinions, or trying to imagine your future before you have even processed it yourself. But something worth remembering is that while this is a huge new chapter for you, it is also a new chapter for them, too. Parents and loved ones are often just as excited and curious as you are. Trying to stay patient helps, even if it feels a bit overwhelming at times. At the end of the day, they are there because they care and sharing that experience can end up becoming a cherished memory.
Presentations are a great way to learn about programmes and hear important information, but some of the best moments from an Open Day happen in between.
Hams: I actually remember one Open Day I was working where I walked into the bathroom and saw a group of girls taking mirror selfies together. They all got a little embarrassed when they noticed me walk in, but I remember laughing and telling them that it was completely okay because this was all part of the manifestation process. I told them that one day, when they get accepted and eventually graduate, they should come back to that exact same bathroom and recreate the photo in their graduation gowns. That little interaction always stayed with me because it reminded me that an Open Day is about more than collecting information, it’s about imagining yourself here.
Your degree is important, but your student life is made up of so much more than lectures and assignments. Open Days are a great opportunity to ask about societies, sports, leadership opportunities, volunteering, events, competitions, internships, and everything that happens outside academics.
Stefina: I always encourage prospective students to think about who they want to become alongside what they want to study. Looking back, some of my own favourite experiences and biggest moments of growth came from saying yes to opportunities beyond the classroom. Being involved across different parts of university life, from dance performances and student activities to serving as Student President and leading TEDx as Head of TEDx, introduced me to people and opportunities I wouldn’t have found through academics alone. Those opportunities challenged me, helped me grow in confidence, taught me leadership, and gave me some of my favourite university memories.
You might join a society for fun and end up leading it one day, volunteer for an event and find a passion, or try something completely outside your comfort zone and surprise yourself. Some of the experiences that mattered most to us came from things we didn’t originally plan to get involved in.
Hams: If I could give one slightly unexpected piece of advice, it would be to try talking to other prospective students too. Everyone is in the exact same position, everyone is new, and everyone is trying to figure things out. I have seen so many people exchange socials during Open Days and end up reconnecting later as classmates. There is something really nice about starting to build connections before university even begins.
Open Days are exciting; they often represent the beginning of a brand-new chapter. It can be easy to focus only on gathering information and making decisions. But it’s just as important to enjoy the experience too.
Hams: Take photos, film the TikToks, explore, ask questions, and allow yourself to get excited about the possibilities ahead. One of the things I love most about my role as a Marketing Ambassador here at the University of Birmingham Dubai is being able to capture that excitement via photos and videos and then sharing it with our wider community. It’s always nice seeing prospective students arrive a bit unsure and then leave looking much more settled and excited.
It is so easy to leave an Open Day with a bag full of brochures and notes that all start to blur together once you get home. But the goal isn’t just to collect information, it’s to leave feeling clearer about what you want and whether this place feels right for you.
Stefina: I always encourage students to take a moment at the end of the day to reflect on how they feel rather than just what they were told. Did you feel welcomed? Could you see yourself here? Did something about the campus, the people, or the atmosphere stand out to you in a way that felt right? Those small moments often end up mattering just as much as the information you were given.
Sometimes clarity does not come in a single moment, but it starts to form through conversations, experiences, and even the little interactions throughout the day. If you leave feeling even slightly clearer, the day has probably done what it needed to do (and you can always visit again!).
BSc Business Management with Marketing and industrial placement (Dubai)
Hello! I’m Hams, a Business Management with Marketing student completing an industrial placement and growing my experien...
BSc Business Management with Economics (Dubai)
Hey! I’m Stefina, a Business Management with Economics student. Alongside my studies, I serve as Student President, help...
