Open Day programme

We will release the programme for the Open Day on Friday 20 June when registration opens for the event. Most Open Day activities will take place between 9:30am and 4pm.

Open Day activities

What this activity is

These talks provide an introduction to:

  • all of our subject areas
  • accommodation
  • study abroad
  • sport
  • student life

Attend as many talks as you like to find out general information about areas that interest you.

Who can attend

If there is limited space, we will prioritise prospective students over accompanying guests; we appreciate your co-operation with this.

Book in advance

We list all talks in the registration form, and booking a talk in advance will reserve a place for the prospective student associated with the booking. We allocate remaining spaces on a first come, first served basis on the day. 


What this activity is

Information desks provide an opportunity to ask staff any questions you may have.

There will be plenty of staff available to give you information about:

  • all of our subject areas
  • admissions
  • student finance
  • study abroad
  • careers
  • student welfare
  • sport
  • student life

Who can attend

Information desks do not require an advance booking, and are open to all registered visitors, including accompanying guests.


What this activity is

Some subject areas are offering sample lectures to give you an insight into what studying might be like at Edinburgh. While the lectures are presented by academics from specific subject areas, they may be of interest to a wider audience.

Who can attend

If there is limited space, we will prioritise prospective students over accompanying guests; we appreciate your co-operation with this.

Book in advance

We list all taster lectures in the registration form, and booking in advance will reserve a place for the prospective student associated with the booking. We allocate remaining spaces on a first come, first served basis on the day. 


What this activity is

Our School of Literatures, Languages and Cultures offers one of the widest ranges of languages of any UK university. On the Open Day you can join us for beginners’ taster sessions, each covering a language from Europe, East Asia or the Middle East. 

We’re aiming to help you walk away from the Open Day with a new skill, so expect languages you might not have had the chance to try before!

Who can attend

To prioritise spaces for prospective students, these sessions are not open to accompanying guests.

Book in advance

To give you an authentic experience of small group learning, numbers are very limited. You will need to book in advance through the Open Day registration form.


What this activity is

You can view some of the facilities you might use as a student here, including:

  • our main libraries
  • sports facilities
  • a selection of accommodation at Pollock Halls

Some subjects also offer tours of their facilities.

Who can attend

Prospective students and their guests can view the libraries, sports facilities and accommodation. Where capacities are limited for subject facilities tours, we prioritise prospective students for spaces.

Book in advance for subject facilities tours

Most subject facilities tours require advance booking in the Open Day registration form. You can drop in anytime during the Open Day to the libraries, sport facilities and accommodation.

Self-guided tours

We also offer self-guided audio campus tours, which allow you to explore our campuses at a pace and time that suits you. The app is free to download and is compatible with most iOS and Android devices. All you need is a smartphone or tablet.

Self-guided campus tours


Information desks and talks

Find out more about our student accommodation options and accommodation guarantee from the information desks as well as multiple talks throughout the day.

View accommodation at Pollock Halls

There will also be a selection of accommodation open to view at Pollock Halls, though only a few example rooms will be available to view.


Tailored admissions advice at information desks

Our admissions staff will be available at information desks to provide one-to-one, tailored advice on applying to the University. 

You should ask questions about applying and entry requirements here rather than at subject information desks.

Admissions talks versus information desks

Admissions talks provide general information about admission to a particular college, while the admissions information desks offer you the opportunity to find out detailed entry requirements for your chosen programme and discuss your circumstances.


Staff at our Fees and Student Support and Scholarships and Student Funding information desks can provide information about:

  • funding opportunities
  • tuition fees
  • scholarships
  • bursaries
  • financial assistance

Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS) will also offer an information desk on 20 June.


What this activity is

On 20 June and 4 October, we offer a visit to the Medical School at the Chancellor's Building (Edinburgh BioQuarter campus / Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh). This includes:

  • a student chat show
  • a Group Based Learning (GBL) demo
  • Clinical Skills tours
  • a pre-recorded welcome and curriculum talk
  • information desks

Who can attend

Only prospective students can attend the student chat show, GBL demo and Clinical Skills tours. 

Accompanying guests are welcome at the information desks and the pre-recorded welcome and curriculum talk, subject to space.

Book in advance

You must book this activity in advance through the Open Day registration form. Our Medicine visits in June usually fill up very quickly.


What this activity is

On 20 June and 4 October, we offer a visit to the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies' Easter Bush Campus. This includes a subject talk and a tour of the facilities.

Who can attend

Prospective students and a maximum of one accompanying guest, booked in advance, can attend a Veterinary Medicine talk and tour at Easter Bush.

Book in advance

You must book this activity in advance through the Open Day registration form. Our Veterinary Medicine visits in June usually fill up very quickly.


Other Open Day dates

All undergraduate subject areas will be represented at every Open Day, and will offer an introductory talk and an information desk to speak with staff. 

However, the timings of individual activities will be different in June and October, and there may be some variation in additional sessions offered like taster lectures and subject tours.

No Medicine or Veterinary Medicine campus visits 25 October

There will be no opportunity to visit our Medical School campus or Veterinary Medicine campus on 25 October, as this date falls after the early UCAS deadline for these subject areas. 

Medicine and Veterinary Medicine will be represented with a more limited programme at our Central campus on this date.

No Edinburgh College of Art facilities visits 20 June

There will be no opportunity to see Edinburgh College of Art (ECA) facilities, studios or workshops on 20 June, but ECA is hosting their own Open Day on 2 June. Facilities will be included on 2 June, 4 October and 25 October.

Edinburgh College of Art Open Day: check how this differs from the University Open Days

Making the most of your day

Watch our short video for some top tips to help you make the most of your Open Day.

Five top tips for Open Day.

This article was published on