For parents of students in Year 12, it can be difficult to know when university visits should move onto the family calendar. If your child is already in Year 13, you may be wondering whether there is still time to look around before they apply.

There isn't a point by which Open Days have to be ‘done’. UCAS says university Open Days take place throughout the year, and returning after an offer can serve a very different purpose from visiting before an application. What matters is where your child is in the decision-making process and what they are trying to find out.

The roadmap below shows how those opportunities can fit around the UCAS application journey.

Year 12 is when students start thinking more seriously about what they might want to study and where, but they don't need to have it all figured out before they begin looking at the options. If your child is unsure, we've looked separately at how you can help if they are not yet clear what they want to study.

Open Days are only one way to explore. Depending on the university, there may also be subject tasters, summer schools, webinars and online events that can help students investigate subjects or experience university learning.

Although Open Days take place throughout the year, late Year 12 is one of the main periods to watch. Many universities schedule undergraduate Open Days in June and early July, giving students an opportunity to explore before Year 13 and the application process gathers pace.

It isn't a cut-off. Another common window comes in the autumn at the start of Year 13, so you do not necessarily need to have visited every university you are considering by the end of Year 12. At this stage, the aim is to explore, compare and begin narrowing down the possibilities.

The second important window is in the autumn of Year 13, when many universities hold further Open Days. These can be particularly useful as students narrow down their options and their applications start to take shape.

The timetable is tighter for some. For 2027 entry, conservatoire music applications have a 1 October deadline. Applications to Oxford and Cambridge and most courses in medicine, dentistry and veterinary medicine/science have an equal consideration date of 15 October. For most other undergraduate courses, it is 13 January 2027.

This makes late Year 12 university visits particularly important for those who need to finalise their choices to apply in October. For most other applicants, autumn Open Days can still form part of their research and decision-making before the January deadline.

Schools and colleges may set earlier internal deadlines for applications and choices, so check your child's timetable as well as the UCAS dates.

Submitting the UCAS application doesn't necessarily bring university visits to an end. As decisions arrive, universities may invite applicants to Offer Holder Days, Applicant Days or other events. With fewer options now under consideration, the next step is to take a much closer look at the course and what studying there might actually be like.

Before applying, your child is largely asking, ‘Should I apply here?’ Once they hold offers, the question becomes, ‘Would I choose to study here?’ Ultimately, they need to decide which university will be their firm choice and which will be their insurance choice.

That can make returning worthwhile, but it doesn't mean you need to see every university twice. An Offer Holder Day is an opportunity to gather the information your child needs to make their decision, rather than another stage they have to complete.

Formal Open Days showcase courses, facilities and accommodation, with plenty of opportunities to speak to staff and students. But dates can clash, universities may be a long way from home or there may be other reasons why attending isn't practical.

If a date doesn't work, check university websites to see what else they offer. There may be virtual options, bookable campus tours or self-guided routes. You might be able to simply explore the campus independently during term time and get a better sense of day-to-day university life. In these situations, access to accommodation, teaching spaces and specialist facilities will vary, so if there are specific areas you want to see, check before making the trip.

As part of the application process, your child might be invited to an interview, audition or another in-person selection activity, which provides a natural opportunity to look around. Check whether there will also be time or access to explore beyond the formal appointment.

Your child may know a former student from their school or college who is now studying somewhere they are considering. It may be worth getting in touch to see if they are happy to talk about their experience or meet up if you are visiting. One person's experience won't tell you everything, but it can offer a different perspective on the course and student life.

The UCAS University Open Days search is a useful starting point. Once you find an event, check the university's own website for the latest date, programme and booking information, as well as other ways to visit.

For an organised Open Day, look at the programme beforehand. Some talks or activities may need to be booked or prioritised, and knowing what your child particularly wants to find out will help you make better use of the day.

There is no target number of universities that every student needs to see. What matters is whether the research they do is helping them make their choices. Timing is only part of the picture. We've also looked at what parents often miss at university Open Days, and how to get more from the day when you are there.

In Year 12, looking around can help your child discover possibilities. As the application approaches, it can help turn research into a shortlist. Later, returning as an offer holder can help them decide where they would actually like to study.

There is no right number of Open Days to attend. Rather than asking how many you should have done by now, think about what your child needs to reach a decision.

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