Accessing university events on a budget

University events like open days, offer holder days, exhibitions, subject tasters, and residentials are a valuable way to explore options and get a real feel for student life. Best of all, there are plenty of ways to take part without breaking the bank. Here are some simple, budget-friendly tips to help your students make the most of every opportunity.

Encourage your students to sign up for any university visits organised through your school or college. These trips often include subject tasters and a chance to look around campus, many at little to no cost. Many universities help cover coach travel too, so it’s an easy and affordable way to visit.

The University of Gloucestershire host students on campus for a wide variety of events: crime scene taster days, backstage performing arts experiences, immersive health tasters in our wards, and mock trials in our moot court. Why not take advantage of these to help bring your curriculum to life?

If your school is hosting a careers fair or higher education event, encourage your students to attend. These events are also a convenient way for you to network with universities and learn more about the free opportunities they have available.

Visiting a nearby university can save time and money. Even if your students are planning to move away, exploring local campuses offers a helpful comparison and could open up options they hadn’t considered. With the rising cost of living, more students are choosing to stay closer to home, and they might be surprised by what their local university has to offer.

Sharing lifts is an effective way to keep costs down, regardless of whether parents are doing the driving or your students are heading off with friends. Why not introduce a car share board in your school or college common room? It’s a simple way to help your students spread the cost and make the journey more fun.

Some universities offer travel bursaries for open days and offer holder days. You can find these gathered in a single place on the UniTasterDays event incentive platform. Tell your students to check each university website, hold onto any receipts, and ask about support. Many universities have funding set aside to help students who might otherwise miss out.

Open days can be long, so it’s important to stay fuelled. Your students should check ahead to see if the university offers free refreshments or lunch on the day. If not, campus cafés and the students’ union are usually great spots for affordable food. Student ambassadors will be happy to point you to their favourite budget-friendly places. Your students could even bring their own food. It saves money, avoids queues, and gives you more time to explore.

Nothing beats being there in person, but online experiences are better than ever. Many universities offer virtual tours, online open days, and real student stories through social media. Signing up to mailing lists is a good way to stay in the loop and access everything from video walk-throughs to subject Q&As.