About the study
- What does an average week at this study look like?
- What courses will you take?
- What kind of projects/assignments will you work on during the study?
- How many contact hours do you have per week? How many hours of self-study do you do?
- What does the education look like? Is it mostly theoretical, or also practical? And do you work with other students, or is it mainly individual?
- What does the assessment look like?
- On average, how many students start this study every year?
- What are the differences between this study and the same study at another university/school?
- What are other, related studies?
- What type of student chooses this study? What are shared (character) traits?
- What kind of work do people who took this study do? How quickly does the average student find a job after graduation?
- Can you specialise with a master’s after this study?
- What language is spoken? Is it an internationally-oriented study?
- How is the national/international student ratio at this study?
- What is the atmosphere like? How do students and teachers interact with each other?
- Is there a lot of elective space for doing an internship or following minors?
- Do you have the possibility to study abroad (for a semester)?
- Is this degree recognised worldwide?
- How high is the tuition fee? Are there any additional costs (for this study)?
Eligibility and admission
Usually, you can find the most important information about eligibility and admission online. However, it can be smart to address these topics during an Open Day or fair as well, especially if you want to study abroad and therefore apply with a foreign diploma.
- What are the admission requirements for *study programme/university*?
- What are the language requirements for *study programme/university*?
- What are the application deadlines? When should you start your application?
- How can you apply? Which documents do you need?
- Are there mandatory selection or admission activities?
- Can you apply to multiple study programmes?
About the university
- How does this university perform in (worldwide) rankings?
- How does this university differentiate from other universities/schools?
- How is the atmosphere at this university?
- How internationally-oriented is this university? Is there support for international students coming from abroad? What is the main language spoken?
- What is the student guidance like? Where can you go with problems?
- Is there extra attention for students with support needs (e.g. a physical disability or mental health struggles)?
- Are there opportunities for personal development alongside your studies?
- What is the transition from secondary school to university like?
About studying abroad
Maybe you are planning to study abroad. In that case, it can be very useful to not only attend online events, but also visit physical Open Days so you can experience the atmosphere and explore your future university in real life.
- What are the benefits and disadvantages of studying abroad?
- What is it like to study in *country*?
- How is the English proficiency of the people in *country*?
- Do many international students/expats live in *country*? Is there a sense of community among international students (at university)?
- What are important cultural differences?
About student life
- What is student life like in this city/at this university? What student clubs and initiatives are there?
- Is it easy to get student accommodation? What types of housing are there? And how high is the average rent?
- What is it like to live on your own for the first time?
- What is it like combining your studies with a part-time job? Can you work besides your studies as an international student?
- How much does it cost to study (abroad)? What are the main costs besides your tuition fees?
- What are the first weeks as a student like?
With these questions, you will be well prepared to get the most out of an Open Day or fair. Talking to students, lecturers and student advisers will give you a better idea of the study programmes, the university and student life. But don't forget your feelings either! Do you see yourself feel at home at a specific university the next few years? And does the atmosphere suit you? Good luck with your study choice!
