What is a UCAS Convention? Your Guide to UCAS Fairs

Choosing your uni – and deciding if you want to go in the first place – can be a little overwhelming. But a UCAS fair is a handy event that can help you make some important decisions.

Whether you’re looking to find out more about prospective universities, or want to learn about different courses, the exhibitions could be useful for you to attend.

In this guide, we’ll explain what exactly a UCAS fair is, how to prepare and what to expect.

What is a UCAS fair?

A UCAS fair is an exhibition event that’s attended by universities to showcase their campuses and courses. Representatives from UK-wide institutions, and UCAS itself, offer advice and information for people who want to learn more about different universities, the application process, uni life and student finance.

These UCAS conventions take place across the UK in most major cities, and they can help you decide which university and course to choose. They can also be helpful if you’re yet to decide whether higher education is right for you, or if you’re simply looking for the next steps to take in your career.

You can find out more about UCAS Discovery Exhibitions on their site.

How do I prepare for a UCAS exhibition?

There are a few things you should do to make sure you get the most out of a UCAS fair:

Make sure you register

You’ll need to book your place at any UCAS Discovery exhibition you want to attend. All you need to do is find the event you want to go to, go to the specific web page, and book your place. Don’t forget, you’ll need your UCAS account details to register. Explore the UCAS exhibition page to find your local fair.

Do your research

Although a UCAS fair is a great place to learn about individual universities and courses, it’s a good idea to do some research before you head there. For example, take a look at the courses that most interest you and how they differ between universities, so you can go armed with questions and a plan.

Plan your journey

Probably the most practical step to take – actually getting there. It’s a good idea to plan your route so you know you have time to do everything you want to do. Getting there with plenty of time to explore the stalls and find all the information you need can help you get the most out of your day.