Open Day FAQs

Yes. All visitors should register for an open day in advance. The last of this year's open days was held on Saturday 19 October 2019. Our 2020 Open Days will take place on Friday 26 and Saturday 27 June, Saturday 12 September and Saturday 17 October 2020 and the days will run from 09:00 until 16:00

Yes. Within 24 hours of registering for an open day you will receive a confirmation email giving additional programme information and travel advice. If you do not receive a confirmation email please ensure that you have entered all your details correctly. It might also be useful to check your ‘junk’ or ‘spam’ folders. All further communications regarding our open days will also be sent via email. If you have any questions about this please contact openday@contacts.bham.ac.uk or +44 (0)121 414 2242.

All visitors are required to register their attendance on the day. All registered visitors will receive an email from us with your own personalised event ticket; this ticket will include a QR code which we will use to check you in on the day. When you receive your event ticket via email please print it off and bring it with you to the University of Birmingham open day; alternatively tickets can be shown on a mobile device. When you arrive on campus, please visit one of our check-in/information points and show your event ticket. On receipt of your check-in you will receive a University of Birmingham printed programme for the day. If you need to rush off to your first event/activity when you arrive at the open day, don’t worry - you can check in when you have a spare few minutes.

If you haven’t received your QR code prior to your visit, please arrive on campus as planned. You will need to visit one of our check-in/information points situated through campus where a student ambassador will be happy to check you in manually.

Yes. To cancel your booking please email openday@contacts.bham.ac.uk. 

All information is sent via email and you will not receive any communications through the post. In addition to an email confirming your registration you will receive an email with a link to download the online programme and a further email a few days before the open day. This will contain essential pre-arrival information including travel information, and advice on making the most of your day. Your event ticket to check-in on the day will also be emailed to you. Please refer to the above section 'Do I need to check-in on the day?'

On the day, printed programmes will be available from check-in and information points upon registration.

Yes; everyone is welcome to attend our open days! However, please note that many talks limit access to the applicant and one guest only due to space in our lecture rooms. Where additional guests are not permitted, there are many other alternative activities listed in the programme which they may want to take part in.

The University is located in Edgbaston, south of the city centre. Whether you're travelling to the University by car or public transport, there are many ways of getting here.  

We strongly recommend, where possible, for visitors to use public transport to reach the University. Parking on campus is currently very limited due to several major building projects that are taking place as part of our campus redevelopment so we cannot guarantee a parking space will be available.

For further information on travelling to the University please visit:

 - Open Day travel and parking information

No. All talks run on a first-come, first-seated basis.

Please note that seating at subject talks is allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. Although parents and family are obviously welcome to come to our open days, we cannot guarantee a place for everyone in subject talks. When there is high demand for a particular talk, applicants will be given priority. In the event that parents and other guests are not able to attend a talk there are many other alternative activities listed in the programme.

Most talks are scheduled throughout the day in 45 minute intervals:

• 09:00
• 09:45
• 10:30
• 11:15
• 12:00
• 12:45
• 13:30
• 14:15
• 15:00

All talks last approximately 30 minutes which allows you 15 minutes to move between talks.

Yes. Many visitors will be interested in more than one subject and it is entirely up to you which talks you attend. Talks often take place more than once during the day so it is possible to do this. However, please check the programme beforehand to ensure you plan your day to allow this to happen. If it is not possible to attend talks for all the subjects you are interested in, staff and students will be available to answer questions throughout the day.

Yes. Accommodation tours run throughout the day (09:00 - 15:15) and allow you to view a selection of accommodation sites at the Vale Village (Maple Bank, Chamberlain and Mason). Visitors can either use the walking map at the back of the programme to reach accommodation (this takes approximately 15-20 minutes) or there is a specially provided free bus service.

We also have accommodation available to view at our Bournbrook and Selly Oak Village sites which are in close proximity to the University (building Y18). Viewing is available between 09:00 and 16:00 and these are walkable from central campus.

Yes. Guided walking tours of the main campus take place throughout the day, lasting approximately 45 minutes.

We also offer step-free campus tours at 10:30 and 13:30 departing from the Campus Tours Marquee.

We encourage students with disabilities to visit and study at the University and have implemented a programme of accessibility adaptations on campus. All new buildings and major conversions are being designed with accessibility in mind. A mobility map giving an overview of the Edgbaston campus showing the main access routes for wheelchair users is available on the day from all check-in/information points and the Aston Webb Reception (building R6).

We also offer step-free campus tours at 10:30 and 13:30 departing from the Campus Tours Marquee.

Disability and Learning Support Office

The University’s hotel is the closest option for overnight stays. Located on campus, Edgbaston Park Hotel is just ten minutes’ walk from University station and 15 minutes’ walk from the main campus. Parking is free for hotel guests.

Edgbaston Park Hotel offers a discounted bed-and-breakfast rate for any visitors attending University of Birmingham open days. Please quote WELCOME_BB to receive 15% off our best flexible bed-and-breakfast rate. Email reservations@edgbastonparkhotel.com or call the reservations team on +44 (0)121 414 8888 (option 1) between 08:30 and 18:00 Monday to Friday.

Find out more about Edgbaston Park Hotel
View alternative hotels at the Visit Birmingham website

If you are unable to attend an open day there are other opportunities to visit the University. We run campus tours most Tuesdays and Thursdays throughout the year and a place for these can be booked online.