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15 Questions About COVID-19 You Should Ask at a University Open Day
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15 Questions About COVID-19 You Should Ask at a University Open Day
By Chloe Lane
Updated January 28, 2022 Updated January 28, 2022Discover the COVID-19 related questions you should be asking at a university open day.
Whether you visit a university virtually or in-person, attending an open day can sometimes be quite overwhelming.
With so much to take in, from course content, to accommodation, to societies, it’s easy to forget the questions you planned to ask, such as how COVID-19 might impact your university experience.
We’ve come up with 15 COVID-related questions you should ask at your university's open day.
What to ask at a university open day about COVID-19 safety measures
What safety measures are still going to be in place, both in academic spaces and social spaces?
Restrictions will differ from university to university and across different countries. Some universities will still have strict COVID-safety measures in place, such as social distancing, wearing masks indoors and limits on the number of people in a building at one time.
Asking what safety measures are still in place will give you a better understanding of what university life might look like, both academically and socially. If you won’t be able to study in the library, or attend certain social events, this may be a deciding factor when deciding which university to attend.
Will my teaching take place online or in person?
Many universities pledged to bring back in-person teaching for the 2021/2022 autumn term. Unfortunately, however, for some universities this hasn’t been possible due to high levels of COVID-19 cases. If this is the case, find out more about the online facilities available to students.
You might prefer your lectures to be online, in person or a hybrid of the two, but finding out how you will be taught before you start your course is essential as it might influence your decision.
Will exams be sat in person or virtually?
Although this may be dependent on government guidelines, ask whether the university thinks it is likely that exams will be sat remotely. It’s one more thing to factor into your decision.
Will societies still go ahead in person?
This is another useful question to ask if you’re looking to get involved in student activities. It’s likely that some societies will be meeting virtually, and others will meet in-person, but this will vary across universities – and across countries – so it’s worth checking.
I’m an international student. What should I be aware of?
As an international student, you may be required to take multiple COVID tests and isolate for a certain amount of time before moving into halls.
By asking what the university thinks you should be aware of, they may be able to link you to a webpage that offers detailed information about what’s required of an international student looking to study at that university during COVID-19.
What to ask at a university open day about COVID-19 vaccinations
Will I need to be fully vaccinated before going to campus?
Around the world, only 32 percent of people have had their first vaccine. This is higher in countries like the UK, Mainland China, Spain, Chile and Canada, where more than half of people are fully vaccinated.
In these countries, there may be rules about what you can do if you’re not vaccinated. Making sure you have all the information before making your decision is essential.
Will I have to show proof of vaccination at any time?
Some buildings, societies or social events may require you to show proof of vaccination before entering. During the open day, ask if this will be the case both on-campus and in the surrounding area. If so, find out what form of proof these places require.
As an international student, can I get the vaccine while studying abroad?
If you’re unable to get the vaccine in your home country before studying abroad, you might be able to get the vaccine in your university’s country. Find out if this is possible and how you would go about getting the vaccine as an international student.
What to ask at a university open day about self-isolating
Will there be COVID-19 tests on campus?
Most universities have their own COVID-19 test sites, where you can get tested for free. Having a COVID-19 test site in a good indicator that the university is serious about student safety.
What will I have to do if I get COVID?
If you test positive for COVID-19, it's likely you’ll be required to self-isolate for a certain amount of time. Find out what the procedure is for students who test positive for COVID-19 and where you will be expected to self-isolate.
Will I still be able to access lectures if I’m self-isolating?
If you are self-isolating because you’ve either tested positive for COVID-19 or have been in contact with someone who has, you’ll need to know what online facilities are available to you to avoid falling behind.
During the pandemic, most universities invested heavily in online learning, so talk to current students to see how they found online learning during COVID-19.
Will there be additional learning support available to me if I’m self-isolating?
Find out if lecturers offer online open hours where you can discuss any issues you might have with academic work if can't attend lectures in person.
Will placements and study-abroad years still happen? If so, how will they be different?
If you’re interested in studying abroad or completing a work placement, ask how these might be different due to COVID-19. Again, this might depend on government guidelines.
Other COVID-19 related questions to ask at an open day
I’m looking for a job in a student bar. Will inexperienced staff still be able to work in hospitality jobs on campus, bearing in mind COVID-19 safety measures?
Since COVID-19 started, hospitality businesses have had to implement safety measures such as increased ventilation and more frequent cleaning, and there are a lot more rules about how staff correctly handle food.
What this means is that for hospitality staff – particularly those working in catering – will have increased hygiene training. This might make it harder for inexperienced staff to get jobs. If you’re interested in working part-time while studying, this might be worth asking about.
Where can I go for support if the pandemic impacts my wellbeing?
The COVID-19 pandemic has been difficult for everyone, and for some people it has severely impacted their mental health. Find out what mental health and wellbeing support your university offers and where to access it.
This article was originally published in August 2021 . It was last updated in January 2022
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As Content Editor for TopUniversities.com and TopMBA.com, Chloe creates and publishes a wide range of articles for universities and business schools across the world. Chloe has a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from the University of Reading and grew up in Leicestershire, UK.
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