Virtual Uni Events 2021

Virtual Uni Events 2021

As the spring launches the university decision process for aspiring students, visits are key to helping students make the crucial choices of which unis to apply to and attend. Choosing a university is a weighty life decision in normal times, and this year students have the added challenge of not being able to physically visit the institutions they are considering.

Universities, in response, are providing virtual experiences for prospective students, to welcome and familiarise them with their academic communities. Virtual tours, open days and events are now staple provisions, and these online offerings take various forms and formats depending on the university.

For any students unsure of where to begin, UCAS has supplied an extensive list of virtual tours for UK colleges and universities. Simply looking at campus images and welcome videos can help students gain a feel for a university.

Oxford is offering a series of Virtual Open Days in June/July and September this year, while 360° virtual College tours are available now to view. Cambridge has designed a sleek virtual tour of the whole university which enables students to filter Colleges and libraries based on subject interests, and to click on a city map showing buildings relevant to their chosen discipline. Oxford and Cambridge have also joined forces in hosting a series of Student Conferences in March, with free admission, offering prospective Oxbridge students a full schedule of webinars, live chats with academics and current students, and videos tailored to the student’s region of origin, to give them greater insight into the universities.

All Russell Group unis have curated their own virtual offerings for prospective students, with most now receiving enquiries and registering interest for their 2021 events:

With these various online offerings – and many more for students exploring a wider range of programme options – students should be encouraged to reach out and explore colleges and universities by browsing websites, consulting admissions FAQs, and taking advantage of any live chat, Q&A, webinar or tour options that can serve as visit experiences.

— Katie Musgrave (katie.musgrave@oxfordtutors.com)