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Posted Feb. 20, 2026

Is it worth attending postgraduate campus events?

Postgraduate on campus open daysPostgraduate open days can sometimes feel like a drain on time and money, especially if you’re already studying at that institution. There’s often a concern that an onsite event will simply repeat what’s on the website, or that you’ll arrive at a small event tucked away in a quiet corner of campus with little real value. But that isn’t the case. Postgraduate campus events are well worth your time and investment – and here’s why.

Managing the weight of your next decision

Thinking about your next steps can be a difficult space to sit in. You’ve just committed three or four years to an undergraduate degree and are now being asked to decide again: do you enter the world of work, take time out, apply for a graduate scheme or continue your academic journey?

That decision feels even heavier in the current economic climate. It’s no longer just about what you want to do next; it’s about making the right choice. Staying on at university, whether at the institution where you completed your undergraduate degree or somewhere entirely new, can be hugely beneficial. But postgraduate study is a significant commitment academically, professionally and personally, and it shouldn’t be made on instinct alone. It needs to be informed by proper research.

Online research isn’t enough

It’s tempting to research postgraduate options entirely online; it’s easier than ever, whether it’s a quick search, a scroll through student-led platforms, or maybe even a ChatGPT prompt or two, followed by a deep dive into course modules and entry requirements. While all are important steps when embarking on your postgraduate journey, they’re not enough on their own.

Postgraduate study is different. Classes are smaller, learning is more independent, and the relationship you build with academic staff matters far more. You’re committing a year (or more, depending on whether you choose a taught or research route), and you need confidence that the course (and the environment) is right for you.

Sense-checking the reality of PG study

This is where postgraduate campus events come into their own. Open days, experiential days, taster sessions and drop-in events allow you to move beyond the brochure and truly sense-check a course. They give insight into teaching style and academic expectations:

  • Do you connect with the academics?
  • Are discussions engaging and cover content you enjoy?
  • What’s the teaching style, does it suit you?
  • Does the balance between taught content and independent study suit the way you learn?


With postgraduate study requiring greater self-organisation and independence, it’s important to ask yourself one honest question: “Will I thrive here?”

Course content, assessment and outcomes

Campus events also allow you to explore whether modules genuinely align with your interests and the outcomes you want from the degree, whether that’s career progression, specialism or a route into further study.

They also provide clarity on assessment styles. Postgraduate open days are an opportunity to see whether assessments are traditional exams and essays, or whether there are applied, experiential tasks that challenge and inspire you. Taster sessions are particularly valuable, letting you experience the level, pace, and depth of postgraduate teaching first-hand, rather than just reading about it.

Beyond the lecture theatre

Equally important is the informal insight. Speaking to current postgraduate students, walking around campus, and seeing the facilities all help answer a simple but crucial question: “Can I imagine myself here?”

At in-person events, you may visit labs, libraries, seminar rooms, lecture theatres, accommodation, sports centres and study spaces. Postgraduate study isn’t just about the classroom. Yes, academic development is central, but understanding the wider environment matters too. Can you picture where you’ll study between sessions? Is there a space you’d genuinely want to spend long hours working? Where will you grab a decent coffee or food on a busy day?

These are the spaces and facilities you’ll use daily, not occasionally. Campus events allow you to assess the reality of postgraduate life beyond the four walls of the classroom and that everyday experience matters more than many people expect.

Finding your postgraduate community

Community is often overlooked when researching postgraduate study, yet it can be one of the most important factors in whether students truly thrive.

While your course may sit within a specific department or faculty, your wider postgraduate experience matters just as much. Are there other postgraduates around you? Is there space to share challenges, celebrate successes and feel understood by peers at the same stage of their academic journey?

Campus events provide a valuable opportunity to sense-check whether that feeling of belonging exists, both within your department and across the wider postgraduate community. They’re the right place to ask questions about postgraduate-focused initiatives: are there PhD or masters cafés, departmental drop-ins, or dedicated postgraduate study spaces? Is there a postgraduate society, or networking and social events designed specifically to bring PG students together?

These structures may seem small, but they often make the difference between simply completing a postgraduate degree and genuinely enjoying the postgraduate experience, and such details are rarely captured on a website or uncovered through a cursory online search.

Understanding the support around you

Postgraduate events also provide valuable insight into the support structures available specifically for PG students. This includes academic guidance, supervision models, careers support aligned to postgraduate outcomes, and wellbeing provision. Crucially, they give you the chance to recognise your own life stage and circumstances. Whether you’re returning to study after time in work, making a professional progression decision, joining as a mature student, or moving straight from undergraduate study, you can speak directly to teams on the ground about what support is available, rather than assuming what you might need from the website.

These support systems are often very different from undergraduate provision and can make a significant difference, particularly if you’re balancing study with work, commuting or other commitments.

A decision you don’t make alone

Increasingly, postgraduate study isn’t a decision made in isolation. Whether it’s parents, guardians or partners, campus events offer the chance to involve others in the decision-making process, helping to reassure concerns, gain a second opinion and sense-check suitability. More and more prospective postgraduate students are attending events with family members to help gauge whether a university and course truly feel right. Use these events not only to share the moment and celebrate next steps with your family, but also to gather that extra perspective, ensuring your choice is informed and confident.

From screen information to real confidence

Postgraduate events don’t just provide information; they provide reassurance. They help you move from thinking a course or university might be right to knowing it is. It’s about giving yourself clarity and confidence before committing significant time, energy, and money to the next stage of your journey. When it comes to a decision this important, that confidence matters – so, if possible, attend the open day.

Dr Jay Rees Postgrad AmbassadorAuthor’s bio: Dr Jay Rees is the Student Events Manager at The University of Law, bringing over 10 years’ experience in higher education across both public and private institutions, working in both academic and professional services capacities.

Her background spans the full student lifecycle from undergraduate to PhD level, alongside regional and national undergraduate and postgraduate recruitment across Wales and the South West, as well as the Midlands, South and North.

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