Exploring Falmouth University: getting the most out of an Open Day

This piece was written by Game Art BA(Hons) student Callum about his experiences of attending an Open Day at Falmouth University.

Starting at a new university can be a nerve-racking experience, moving away from home to a completely new place. This is how I felt when I started to consider Falmouth, but after I visited an Open Day at Falmouth just last year, it helped calm my nerves and helped me decide that this is the place I wanted to study. In this blog I will talk through what you can do at a Falmouth University Open Day and how to make the most of it.

The first thing to keep in mind is that Falmouth University has two campuses:

• Penryn Campus, Penryn TR10 9FE
• Falmouth Campus, Falmouth TR11 4RD

I recommend checking beforehand which campus your course is at to avoid unnecessary confusion, however both campuses are open for anyone to explore.

Campus tours

Campus tours are led by the student ambassador team and will run all throughout the day. You will be shown around the grounds of the university including, popular hangout spots, outside the different departments and the gardens. Tours are a great way to get a general feel for the campus without getting lost. Normally, they are held in small groups, therefore you are free to ask questions at any point during the tour. You can also book individual campus tours most weeks throughout the year on the website, if you either miss the Open Days or if you would prefer to do the tour alone with an ambassador.

Talking to lecturers

This is a great way of finding out more about the course you're considering choosing. All the lecturers are super friendly and open for a chat. Before I came for my Open Day, I was indecisive about which course to pick, but one of the Course Leaders talked me through the modules one-on-one and it really helped me choose which course was better suited for me. I do recommend asking them some questions, even if it's simple or seems obvious.

Talk to students

Upon arrival, there will be stands set up for the different departments and you will have a chance to speak to students currently studying in those departments. It can give you a feel for what the course is like and they will talk to you about their first-hand experiences on their course. Another thing I recommend talking to students about is accommodation, since there are so many types of halls available for the first year and everyone will have a different answer about where they lived. This can help you make a more informed decision about where you would like to stay while studying.

Interviews

For some Open Days, there are opportunities to book an in-person interview with a staff member for your course, if you've already submitted your application. You can either bring a digital or a physical portfolio and have it looked over by staff. You can also have your interview online if you can't attend an in-person interview or wish to do it over video call instead. If you've already applied, please check the your Applicant Portal to find out more about in-person and online interview options.

Travelling

Car - free parking is available at the Penryn Campus. The Falmouth Campus does not have parking available, so the nearest public car park is The Dell public car park.

Bus - buses stop at the bus stop near the Penryn Campus Main Reception. They stop at the bus stop just a 5-minute walk away from the Falmouth Campus.

Train - trains stop near both Penryn and Falmouth Campus.

Travel between the two campuses - approx. 15 minutes by car, 20 minutes by bus or 1 hour to walk.

Visiting local areas

Another thing I advise is taking a look at the surrounding area. One of the perks of Falmouth is that it's just such a nice place to live. Head down to Falmouth Town - it's right by the harbour and has lots of shops & restaurants to visit. There’s also the beach and the castle ruins not too far away!

If you find that you cannot get to a physical Open Day, there are virtual options on the Virtual Experience page on the Falmouth website. After the Open Day, if you come up with any more questions that you forgot to ask, lecturers can be contacted through their staff profiles and you can talk to current students through the 'Ask a Student' page.