Top 50 UK universities in date order, colour-coded by month with QS World Rankings. Filter by institution, weekend dates, format, or build your clash-free visit itinerary.
August September October November Curated with @EduStrategyCaroline
My Open Day Shortlist & Itinerary
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Showing all 52 open day listings QS = UK Rank in QS World University Rankings 2026
How to Make the Most of Autumn Open Days
Autumn open days happen right before you finalise your 5 UCAS choices. Follow these examiner-approved strategies to ensure your visits count.
1. Book Early in August
High-demand universities like UCL, Imperial, Oxford, and Cambridge open their bookings across August. Subject-specific sample lectures and popular department tours fill within days.
2. Resolve Date Clashes
October 3 and October 10 are peak clash dates (with up to 12 universities hosting days simultaneously). Use virtual open weeks for your backup choices and visit your top 2-3 targets in person.
3. Ask Hard Academic Questions
Don't just look at the student union! Ask department lecturers about contact hours, percentage of exam vs coursework, tutorial group sizes, and industrial placement connections.
4. Inspect Real Accommodation
Visit first-year halls and note the distance from your main faculty building. Factor in local travel costs, bus links, and whether university housing is guaranteed for Year 1.
Frequently Asked Questions
Autumn open days (September to November) happen when current university students and full academic staff are actually on campus during term time. You get an authentic view of campus life, live lectures, and student societies, right before you submit your UCAS application in October (Oxbridge/Medicine) or January.
Oxford and Cambridge run University-wide open days in late June/early July, but use mid-September for dedicated College and Department open days (Oxford on 18 Sep, Cambridge Colleges Day on 11 Sep). These are crucial for meeting Subject Directors of Studies and exploring individual college accommodation.
Institutions such as Swansea, Brunel, Royal Holloway, SOAS, and City St George's release their autumn schedules between mid-August and early September. Bookmark this page or register your interest directly on their university admissions portal. (Note: LSE runs undergraduate open days exclusively in April and July).
Aim for 3 to 5 in-person visits across Autumn. This allows you to explore an aspirational reach choice, your solid target choices, and a safe insurance option without causing academic fatigue during the critical start of Year 13.
Curated by Fiaraz Iqbal
Former Headteacher, Senior Science Educator & AQA Examiner. Assisting GCSE and A-Level students across the UK in securing top Russell Group and Oxbridge university offers.
Data source: QS World University Rankings 2026 & University Admissions Registrar Calendars. In collaboration with @EduStrategyCaroline.
