The University of Aberdeen will showcase its facilities to thousands of potential students later this summer at its 7th annual Open Day.
To celebrate the hugely popular event, which will run on Tuesday, August 29, the University has launched its 2006 Open Day web pages giving details on what’s on offer and how to book places for the day.
The Open Day is one of the University’s biggest and most important events of the year and is aimed mainly at those interested in coming to study at Aberdeen in September 2007. It is open to people of all ages looking for more information on the University and studying at Aberdeen and late applicants for 2006 entry will also be very welcome to attend.
The Open Day is set to attract upwards of 4,500 visitors from across the UK, Europe and worldwide. This year the website features profiles on current and past Aberdeen students on their experiences of studying at the University and living in the city.
Lesley MacLennan, the University’s Marketing Officer, said the Open Day and accompanying website are designed to give potential students a real flavour of life at the University of Aberdeen. She said: “We aim to make the day as much fun as possible for potential students.
”Aberdeen is one of the UK’s most popular universities and our Open Day allows us to showcase our fantastic facilities and beautiful and historic campus, as well as the huge range of diverse courses and programmes available.”
Fourth year student Nicola Brooks, originally from Lauder in the Scottish Borders, attended the 2002 Open Day and graduated last week with an MA in Geography and International Relations. She said: “Aberdeen’s was the first university open day I attended and it had such a lovely atmosphere. I liked the fact that the majority of the University was on a beautiful historic campus and it seemed separate to the hustle and bustle of the city centre, which is only a few minutes away.
“Everyone at Aberdeen was really friendly and I liked the variety of courses available. Aberdeen is a lovely city with a great university.”
The University of Aberdeen has recently been ranked as the second friendliest University in the whole of the UK*.
“We are a friendly campus in a friendly city and we do everything we can to help our students quickly feel at home,” said Lesley.
“Our support services rank with the best in the UK and we aim to make sure right from the start that students have access to any guidance and support they might need.
“One in nine people in Aberdeen are students and the city is everything a student city should be - historic, international, fashionable, and perhaps most importantly – friendly.”
Visitors to this year’s Open Day will also get the chance to have a sneak preview of the University’s newly refurbished £8million student centre, The Hub.
The Ground Floor of The Hub, which is due to open in September, will be complete in time for the Open Day and will house the general information stands and will also be featured in the Campus Tours during the day. The new dining, leisure and social facility, once fully functioning will house a range of services and will also be the new home for the Aberdeen University Students Association (AUSA), Joblink and the Student Accommodation Office.
The Open Day also features a packed line-up of presentations on issues such as student life, finance, careers, and accommodation. Visitors can take part in departmental visits and campus tours at the University’s King’s College. The School of Medicine programme will this year be available on King’s Campus and will comprise a careers presentation and general information on the University for students hoping to study medicine and medicine-related subjects. Pre-booked students will also get the chance to take part in the interactive demonstrations at the Clinical Skills Centre.
A party at The Union will offer a real taste of student life and there will also be the chance for potential students to stay overnight in the Halls of Residence. A Parents’ Reception has also been arranged for the night before the Open Day - to be held in James Mackay Hall on the King’s College campus.
Visitors are welcome to attend the Open Day on their own or as part of a school party. Parents, teachers and guidance staff are also invited along. There will be a Chill Out Zone especially for adults to enjoy some quiet time during the busy schedule. Selectors and other staff will be visiting the Chill Out Zone throughout the day to chat informally to parents and teachers.
Booking is essential for the Open Day on August 29 and prospective students must log on to www.abdn.ac.uk/openday to register their place or call Student Recruitment and Admissions on 0800 027 1495, or email: openday@abdn.ac.uk