University open days attract national interest from prospective students

HEATHER Hudson and her family turned their trip to the University of Derby's open day into a mini-holiday.

Armed with prospectuses and accompanied by mum Angela and dad Mike, Heather had travelled from Weston-super-Mare to see the university.

They were among thousands of people who will have visited the university before the January 15 deadline for applications to start uni in September 2009.

Most attend organised open days, with several already having taken place in October and November.

Marketing director Peter Allen said that open days at the university had become increasingly popular.

He said: "Earlier in October, we had almost 1,100 potential students come to look around – the biggest open day we have run.

"So far, our open day visitor numbers are 52 per cent up on previous years."

Like Heather and her family, visitors will find dozens of staff on duty to make life easier.

Angela said: "We arrived in Derby the day before and stayed overnight so that we could be here nice and early.

"Everyone has been so polite and I am very impressed with the facilities that are here.

"It's amazing how many universities that we have also visited haven't made us welcome and didn't even have food on sale."

Heather, 17, is interested in the university's media writing course.

She said: "It's the best open day we have been to and I want to find out more about the course before I apply.

"I am also looking forward to looking around the city because we are staying over for an extra day to see more of Derby."

Yesterday's other visitors travelled from as far afield as Kent, Hampshire, central London, Suffolk, Bristol, South Wales, Essex and Dorset.

Those travelling by train are met by student ambassadors and taken by minibus to the university in Kedleston Road.

Visitors are given welcome talks and can choose to attend subject talks and go on tours of the Kedleston Road and Markeaton Street campuses and the halls of residence.

Sarah Grammer, 17, had travelled from Northamptonshire with mum Carol. She had already visited Bedfordshire and Coventry universities looking for a suitable course in theatre arts.

Sarah said: "I am impressed by the place and it's not too far to travel to but far enough to be independent.

"Finding the right course is most important to me.

"But I also need to feel that the university is friendly and where I want to be for three years.

"Even if I decide on Derby, I will still have to undergo an audition because of my subject in order to get a place."

Mrs Grammer liked the fact that the university was close to the countryside.

She said: "It's very rural near to where we live and so it's nice to think there is nice scenery near to Derby in the Peak District."

Potential students apply to universities through the Universities, Colleges Admissions Service, known as UCAS.

They can put up to five choices down and their applications are sent to each university. The universities then choose whether or not to make an offer, usually dependent on A-level results.

Vice-chancellor Professor John Coyne made sure he mingled with visitors during the open day.

He said: "As well as the attendance doubling at open days, more and more parents come along now.

"Clearly, coming to university has become a family decision and we are pleased about that and aim to be supportive and reassuring."