A university Open Day is an event where future students, families and career changers can learn about courses, explore a campus and experience university life firsthand.
Open Days bring together academics, current students and support teams, so you can ask questions, compare options and discover a pathway to uni that feels right.
If you’re based in Perth or Western Australia, Curtin’s Open Day is one of the biggest uni events on the WA calendar.
In this article, we’re answering your frequently asked questions about university Open Days in Perth and across Australia. Whether you’re a Year 12 student, a mature-age applicant, a parent supporting someone through the process, or a professional considering a career change – this guide covers what to expect, how to prepare and what questions to ask on the day.
What is a university Open Day?
A university Open Day is a large-scale campus event designed to help you explore study options and discover what university life is really like.
Most Open Days include course advice, campus tours, opportunities to meet students and information about pathways and support.
Is an Open Day worth going to?
Yes – uni Open Days are worth going to. Attending an Open Day can make a big difference in how confident you feel about your next step.
An Open Day can help you:
- compare courses, majors and study options
- experience what campus life actually feels like – beyond what you see online
- understand entry requirements and find a pathway that’s right for you
- learn about career trends
- explore opportunities you might not have considered before.
What happens at a university Open Day?
Open Day is largely self-directed – you choose which sessions to attend, which academics to speak with and which parts of campus to explore. Most visits cover a mix of course information, facility tours and student life.
Course information and academic advice 📖
For many future students, course advice is the most valuable part of an Open Day.
You’ll have the chance to speak directly with academics and tutors about course content, career outcomes and what studying in your chosen field actually looks like day-to-day.
Campus tours 📍
Guided tours let you explore the facilities you’d use as a student, giving you a realistic picture of life on campus before you commit. You might visit labs, clinics, studios, study spaces and on-campus accommodation.
Student life and support services 🎒
Most universities have support services covering academic help, mental health, careers guidance and accessibility.
Open Day is a good opportunity to ask staff directly what’s available to you, particularly the range of scholarships and entry pathways – including TAFE qualifications, enabling programs and credit for recognised work experience – that can expand your study options.
Entertainment and atmosphere 🎉
Open Days are proper events – expect food trucks, giveaways, live music and activities across campus. It’s worth spending time just wandering, because the atmosphere on the day gives you a genuine feel for what campus life is really like.
How to prepare for a university Open Day
You can just rock up to most Open Days. But if you want to make the most of your time on campus, a little preparation can help you feel more confident.
Here’s a quick Open Day prep checklist:
- Research courses in advance.
- Plan your day and sessions online.
- Write down a few questions.
- Get a team together of family or friends.
- Wear comfortable shoes and clothing – you’ll be doing a bit of walking!
What questions should you ask at an Open Day?
So, questions are important – but what exactly do you ask? Here’s a quick list of what to ask, and who to direct your questions to.
1. Course questions 📚
These questions help you understand course outcomes and graduate pathways.
Who to ask: Academic staff, like lecturers and tutors, who will be at information booths around campus.
What to ask:
- What careers do graduates go into?
- What work-integrated learning is included?
- Are there global study opportunities with this degree?
- How flexible is the course?
- Why should I study this course at this university?
2. Support and pathway questions 🤝
These questions are to help you understand how you’ll be supported – academically and socially – during your studies.
Who to ask: Support staff and student engagement teams, like Curtin Connect.
What to ask:
- What services are available?
- What scholarships can I access?
- What pathways can I take to uni?
3. Lifestyle questions 🚶
These questions help you get a feel for student life and campus culture.
Who to ask: Current students, who’ll be running campus tours and crewing information booths dotted around campus.
What to ask:
- What’s an average day like as a student?
- What do you like most about campus?
- What clubs and activities could I get involved in?
- What do you wish you knew before starting university?
If you don’t get to ask all your questions, don’t worry. At Curtin, our Curtin Connect team are dedicated to getting you the answers you need and helping you at every step of your academic journey.
Open Day FAQs
Discover your Curtin Universe
Choosing where to study is one of the biggest decisions you’ll make – and Curtin Open Day is a great way to make it with confidence. Curtin’s Bentley campus in Perth is one of Western Australia’s largest and most connected universities. Come and see it for yourself.
