Open days

Open day dates in 2017

The tutors and students I spoke to on the open day were all incredibly encouraging and welcoming and I loved the thought of studying in such a unique community of passionate and friendly students. Francesca, 2014 graduate

The next University-wide open days for undergraduates will be held on Wednesday 28 June, Thursday 29 June and Friday 15 September 2017. Students, parents and teachers are invited to spend a whole day in Oxford, attending events, talking to staff and students and getting answers to any questions which remain after examining prospectuses and websites.

To book or not to book

Unlike many other university open days, it is not mandatory to book to attend an Oxford open day. Many events are offered on a drop-in basis.

However we strongly advise that you check the programme on offer at your subject department and at colleges you are considering as some do require booking for certain events. 

Very busy events may only have places available for students, not for parents or companions as well. Parents and others who are unable to attend events in colleges and departments are always welcome to visit the Open Day Information Centre where there will be information desks all day, as well as talks in the afternoon. 

What to expect on the day

If you arrive in Oxford by train, or if you park at one of the Park and Ride facilities, you may be greeted by a staff member or student volunteer wearing a blue Oxford t-shirt. The Open Day Guide will help you plan where to go and how to get there, so we do recommend downloading the guide in advance. Our open day volunteers will help direct you once you arrive.

Many departments run their main open day events in the morning so you may choose to start with a visit to your subject department. Here you may attend a talk or sample lecture and chat to tutors and students.

Over lunchtime and in the afternoon, colleges offer a range of events, tours and opportunities to meet students and tutors. This is a great time to visit those colleges on your shortlist.

For general admissions information, or to talk to experts about fees and funding, support for disabilities, IT or careers, you may like to come to the Open Day Information Centre: open from 09:00 to 17:00 in the Examination Schools on the High Street. This is also a good place to come if you need a little bit more guidance on how best to use your time on the day.

Find out more about planning your visit.

Getting around

There is no central campus at Oxford University, so events will happen at colleges, departments, museums and libraries all around the city. Most visitors manage this easily on foot, as all open day venues are within 15 minutes walking distance from the city centre, but it is important that you plan your day in advance taking travel time into account. Many events will be very busy and latecomers will not always be able to join. Please do not try to drive between venues – there is no parking available and traffic on open days is typically extremely heavy.

Disabled visitors

If you have specific access needs and would like some advice about arranging your visit, please contact colleges or departments directly, or email study@ox.ac.uk or call +44 (0) 1865 288000. Our Disability Advisory Service will also be happy to discuss support available, both in advance and during your visit.

Anyone with a mobility impairment may borrow a free self-propelled, or battery-operated wheelchair or scooter to travel around Oxford city centre via Oxford Shopmobility. To book your wheelchair or scooter, call +44 (0) 1865 248737 at least one day in advance.  

Can't make it to an open day this time?

Coming to an open day is the best way to find out more about studying at Oxford, but we also offer a range of other events in Oxford and near you, so see our events calendar for details.