How parents and prospective students approach a Newcastle University Open Day can make a big difference to the overall experience. In the university’s video, different Open Day behaviours are discussed as either “red flags” or “green flags.”

The main message is to prepare in advance, allow the student to take the lead and look beyond academics when deciding whether a university feels right.

Newcastle University Open Day Dates

The next Newcastle University Undergraduate Open Days will take place in autumn 2026.

•⁠  ⁠Saturday, 3 October 2026 — 09:00–16:00

•⁠  ⁠Saturday, 21 November 2026 — 09:00–16:00

The events give prospective students the opportunity to explore the campus, meet academics and current students, attend subject sessions and learn more about the university’s facilities.

Red Flag: Arriving Too Late

Turning up at 3:00 PM and expecting to fit everything in is considered a red flag.

The advice is to arrive as early as possible so there is enough time to explore the campus, attend sessions and ask questions. A well-planned day can make it easier to experience more of what the university offers.

Green Flag: Downloading the App Beforehand

Downloading the Open Day app before arriving is a green flag.

The app can help visitors:

•⁠  ⁠Check subject session times

•⁠  ⁠Find activities

•⁠  ⁠Plan the day

•⁠  ⁠Navigate around campus

This can be especially useful for first-time visitors.

Red Flag: Focusing Only on Academics

Spending the whole day looking only at the academic side of university is considered a red flag.

Speaking with academics and students on the course is important, but university is also a wider life experience. Prospective students should also consider the social environment, campus atmosphere and what everyday student life may feel like.

Green Flag: Talking to Other Parents

Getting to know other parents during the event can be useful.

Parents can exchange ideas about the sessions they are attending and what they are hoping to learn from the day. Their children may even end up studying on the same course.

Green Flag: Planning the Day Together

Planning the Open Day collaboratively with your child is one of the strongest green flags.

The university experience ultimately belongs to the student, while parents can provide guidance, reassurance and support. Before arriving, families can discuss:

•⁠  ⁠Which sessions to attend

•⁠  ⁠Which courses to explore

•⁠  ⁠Which parts of campus to visit

•⁠  ⁠How to structure the day

At Newcastle University, visitors book to attend the day itself and do not need to reserve individual sessions, allowing more flexibility.

Green Flag: Exploring Newcastle as Well

Spending part of the visit exploring Newcastle is another green flag.

The university is located in the city centre, making it easy to experience the wider area during the visit. Students can walk around, find somewhere to eat and get a better sense of what living in Newcastle may actually feel like.

The video emphasises that the city itself can be just as important as the university.

Red Flag: Parents Leading Every Conversation

A parent taking the lead in every discussion is considered a major red flag.

Prospective students should be encouraged to ask their own questions and explore the university themselves. Parents can still offer support if the student lacks confidence, but the student should remain at the centre of the experience.

Green Flag: Debriefing at the End of the Day

Talking through the experience together after the Open Day is a green flag.

Some families may discuss things throughout the day, while others prefer to wait until everything is finished. The important thing is to understand:

•⁠  ⁠How the student felt

•⁠  ⁠Whether they have any concerns

•⁠  ⁠What questions remain unanswered

•⁠  ⁠Their overall impression of the university

This conversation can help students reflect more clearly on their decision.

Red Flag: Speaking Only to Staff

Only speaking with university staff is considered a red flag.

The video highlights the importance of the student voice.

Current students can offer first-hand insight into:

•⁠  ⁠Daily university life

•⁠  ⁠The course experience

•⁠  ⁠Student activities

•⁠  ⁠Social opportunities

Many of the students working at Open Days were recently in the same position as prospective applicants and can understand their concerns.

Green Flag: Making Memories as Well as Taking Notes

An Open Day can also be an opportunity to make memories.

The university’s historic buildings and the wider city provide plenty of opportunities for photographs and exploring together as a family. For some students, the Open Day may become the first step in a journey that eventually leads to graduation from Newcastle University.

A successful Newcastle University Open Day is about preparation, student involvement and exploring the whole university experience rather than only the course. Arriving early, using the Open Day app, speaking with current students, exploring the city and discussing the experience afterwards can all help prospective students make a more informed decision.

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