For thousands of our graduates, their Sussex story began at an Open Day, and on the first Saturday in June our campus welcomed nearly 1,500 bright-eyed potential students (and their families), hoping that Sussex will become part of their story. This was one of our most successful open days for years, with 55% more prospective students attending compared to the same event in summer 2024.
Making Sussex the number one choice
Open Days are some of the most important days of the University’s calendar – they are a time to pull out all the stops and make campus extra welcoming. Every year we hold three of these events and they are no mean feat. Our hope is that as many as visitors as possible love Sussex enough to make it their first choice. But we’re competing in a busy market, so it’s crucial that we make the Sussex Open Day the one that our visitors remember for the right reasons.
Kevin Betts, Head of UK Student Recruitment, says: “We know that prospective students who visit campus for an Open Day are much more likely to apply here. And we also know that if they subsequently apply and come to an Applicant Visitor Day in the spring, they are even more likely to end up registering as a student.”
To help convert these visitors to students, specially targeted communications are sent to them as a follow up. This helps them stay interested in, and develop an affinity with, Sussex.
Success needs volunteers
Delivering our Open Days is a Herculean effort involving the UK Recruitment team and the Faculties. But without many staff and students coming together from across campus to help at the days, the events would never go ahead. Kevin says: “I think there's a strong claim that our Open Days are the most department-diverse events in the University's calendar. No other event has so many elements of the University, both Academic and Professional Staff, actively involved at the same time.We've noticed a real culture shift in the last couple of years where staff from across campus have made huge commitments to support our events. Without such joined-up working, it would be impossible for us to deliver such wide-ranging and engaging events. We talk with people from almost every part of the University to ensure visitors get the best possible experience. Without such a big effort, we'd never be able to deliver such important events."
The range of tasks performed by these helpers is vast. They host information stands where students can learn more about accommodation, activities and wellbeing; hold talks and lectures, highlighting our varied and interesting course offer; meet and greet in our cafes, treating visitors to some of Sussex’s foodie delights; guide and support our visitors as they navigate our fascinating campus, and more besides.
A packed day for visitors
Visitors are given the chance to explore every corner of our campus. As well as touring our academic buildings, they can be guided to the campus boundary, where they experience a calm connection with our neighbouring South Downs; they can visit Falmer House, and the Library - two of our original 1960s Sir Basil Spence buildings, which are proud holders of Grade I and Grade II* listed status, respectively. The Falmer Sports Complex is open and provides a welcome insight into the host of activities that are available on campus, boosting student wellbeing and enhancing University life. And the accommodation tours are always popular and provide reassurance to students and parents alike.
Room for improvement
Every Open Day we seek feedback on how we can continuously improve visitors experience – and it’s important that we get this from visitors, staff and students alike. One prospective student told us " I love the campus, it’s beautiful. I've visited other campuses which are much more built up. I love that there is so much green space at Sussex. I've had a great day.” Others told us that they were a bit confused about how things work on the day – such as finding the housing tours, paying for parking, and how the Atrium Market works. But they also told us that they loved the Open Day guide and coloured arrows for finding their way around, as well as the prospect of being able to live on campus beyond their first year.
One staff member said: “This is our opportunity to put on our best face. The course presentations are pivotal to inspiring our future students and convincing their parents or carers that we are a great choice for their children. They are make or break for these decisions and need to be taken seriously. We must field the best of the best on the day to secure their decision as ‘Sussex’.”
Another said: “I asked a lot of the visitors who visited my stand in the Student Centre how their day was going, and all of them replied positively saying they were having a great day and were appreciating the breadth of information available – from course information, financial support and accommodation to sport and student life – visitors wanted the full picture to help form their view of the University and the choices they’d be making.”
Our Autumn Open Days will be held on Saturday 4 October and Saturday 1 November 2025.