30 Jun 08

A range of information was on offer at the University's admissions i

Hundreds of potential students took advantage of the Oxford University open days this year.

Subject-specific talks, tours of departments and colleges, the chance to meet current students and staff, hands-on experiments, exhibitions and interactive displays were all on offer as the University opened its doors last week.

The University’s Admissions Information Office (admissions i) team were on hand throughout the day to answer any general questions. The admissions i centre opened early to provide a first stop for many visitors, and the team also had a desk in the Museum of National History – prominently located under the Iguanodon skeleton. For the first time visitors to the open days were met as they arrived at the rail station, with members of the admissions i team providing advice, guidance and maps.

It was also the first year there had been a printed guide to all the events being held throughout the University. Information about sessions at colleges, departments and other parts of the University were featured. There was free entry to the University Botanic Garden for open day visitors, and the guide highlighted the University’s museums and sports facilties. The guide could be downloaded from the internet, helping visitors plan in advance their mix of drop-in sessions, talks and tours.

The days were not just for prospective students - over 300 people attended the parents’ and carers’ talks being held at the Mathematics Institute. Parents and carers could find out about the admissions process, the range of University facilities available to students and information about student finances and bursaries.

Representatives from OUSU, the Disability Office and the Careers Service were also at the Mathematics Institute, so questions on a wide range of topics could be answered face to face.

Helen Charlesworth, Head of Enquiries at the admissions i, said: ‘We’re very pleased so many people came to the open day events – there was standing room only at the parents’ and carers’ talks. We hope everyone had all their questions answered and that many have been inspired to apply by the information and activities on offer. Only one question in the two days had us temporarily stumped – “How many colleges have bell towers?”’

There are also college and departmental open days on other dates throughout the year, and prospective students are very welcome to visit Oxford at any time. The admissions i is open 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday, to help answer general enquiries about applying to the University and most colleges are open to visitors who wish to walk around the college grounds.