Top questions to ask at an AUB Open Day

AUB has many different outreach events to help you find out about everything on offer – sign up to an Open Day, watch a virtual talk, come to a Campus Tour or watch out for UCAS events too. There are so many ways to catch what we do at uni, but I wanted to go through some top questions to ask whilst you’re visiting us – as someone who attended two Open Days at AUB to help make my decision.

Starting simple, top of your agenda should be enquiring about facilities. AUB is jam-packed with machines, different workshops and so much industry talent – there is a lot on offer. If you have attended a subject talk, be sure to go and look round the actual studio space before you head off – meet the staff there and see the atmosphere for yourself, I’m sure you will love it. It’s always good to make a note of the facilities we have, so you can remember all the things you will get to learn when you are making your final choices.

Linking on from facilities, I would recommend asking what supplies you need to get yourself and what might be expected from you. This allowed me to find out that a list of equipment would be sent to me over the summer to help me get prepared. I also learned that we got given some goodies at the start of first year, such as some fabric samples, dust masks, a sketchbook, etc. For other courses I know there can be some equipment or studio costs, so finding this out early will help you budget and prepare. I know each course is different so its absolutely worthwhile asking, and it might lead you onto another exciting topic about your specialism too.

Additionally, an Open Day is a great time to ask about potential summer work and when you might expect to hear about this. Although you might not be confirmed just yet on AUB, it’s good to know the expectations of you and also when you might hear more so you can look out for it.

To learn more about what your life as a student might look like, I would recommend asking what time your lectures might be, how many days you are in or the split between in-person and online classes. This was a big deciding point for me – I wanted to be in regularly and to feel part of a community, which AUB do a fantastic job at creating. However, I think it is nice to know what times you might be expected to be in, so that you don’t feel like it’s a big unknown factor.

Developing on from your course life, it would be interesting to ask about potential cross-course collaboration experiences and who else you might get to work with. Course collaborations are not only good fun, but they are also nice networking opportunities and allow you to work with different materials or ideas to your typical area of study, so it’s definitely something to find out more about.

The last question I recommend asking the Student Ambassadors is about transport, especially if you get the opportunity to look around the different halls available. This isn’t only for students living away from home – you might be driving and can ask about parking nearby too. If you are a prospective student looking to move into halls, then find out if a bus pass is included in your accommodation, how long the bus journey is or how to navigate the bus app!

Lots of information will be given to you on Open Days, but it’s always good to come with your own questions and take ownership of what you want to find out. Student Ambassadors will give you lots of insights and information, so you don’t have to remember all these specific questions, just the general topics. They will be able to fill in the gaps. Also, listen carefully and if you have questions for staff or students, don’t be afraid to ask them or note them down and email the relevant person soon after. No question is too silly!