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. Whether you’re looking to find out more about prospective universities, or want to learn about different courses, we’ll explain what exactly a UCAS fair is, how to prepare and what to expect.

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.

Take a bag

You’ll be given lots of prospectuses, pamphlets and freebies throughout the day, so a bag is essential. You don’t want to lose that important booklet because you rolled it up and stuck it in your pocket.

Make notes

Collecting literature is one thing, but you’ll also be given lots of verbal information throughout the day. With this in mind, taking a notebook and pen to jot down any notes is always a good idea. One of the UCAS experts might answer an important question, or you could attend an interesting seminar and wish you’d made notes afterwards.

Prepare any questions you might want to ask

A UCAS convention presents a great opportunity to ask questions you might not necessarily be able to ask elsewhere. These questions don’t have to be limited to the course itself, you could also ask about campus facilities, finance options and student accommodation.

Choose your top three exhibitors to talk to

Experts and university representatives from across the country gather at UCAS fairs, which means you’ll be spoilt for choice. When doing your research beforehand, it might also be a good idea to make a note of the top three exhibitors you want to talk to – just so you’re not missing out.

Use your ticket

When you register for a UCAS Discovery exhibition, you’ll be sent a ticket with a unique code. This is used to get into the event itself, but exhibitors can also scan your ticket so you can receive personalised info from them via email.

Keep an open mind

It’s great that you’ve got a few key stalls in mind that you want to visit, but UCAS fairs are packed with variety. Keep an open mind while you’re exploring and don’t hesitate to learn more about options and courses you may not have previously considered.

What to wear to a UCAS fair

There’s no reason to dress in your Sunday best when you head down to a UCAS convention – but you’re obviously more than welcome to. The events are more about you learning from the experts, rather than making a good impression with any prospective unis.Importantly, though, you should make sure you wear some comfy shoes. The day will probably involve a lot of walking around, standing and listening – so a good pair of trainers is recommended.

Questions to ask at a UCAS convention

When doing your research beforehand, it’s also a good idea to take note of any questions you want answered. Going to a UCAS fair prepared is a good way to ensure you’re getting what you want out of the day, and making the most of the opportunity to speak to higher education experts.Some questions you may want to ask include:

• What courses do you offer in the area I want to study?

• What grades do I need to get onto this course?

• How many hours per week will I need to be in university?

• What are the modules like for this course?

• What clubs and societies are there?

• What

  student accommodation options

  are there?

• What are the student finance options?

• What’s campus life like?

• What’s the city like for students?

• Are there good public transport links to the university?

• Where should I go to find out more information?

Can parents attend a UCAS fair?

Parents and guardians can also attend UCAS fairs, but they’ll need to register with you and use their own tickets. This is to ensure that the events aren’t over capacity.

You can also make group bookings through the UCAS site. Read the step-by-step guide to registering for a UCAS fair.

UCAS fairs: FAQs

What happens at a UCAS fair?

A UCAS fair is a casual exhibition event that allows you to speak to universities and higher education experts. You can gather info and browse the different course options, to help you decide which institution to choose.

Where are UCAS fairs held?

UCAS conventions are held up and down the country, and bring together a variety of UK universities and colleges. You can search for your local Discovery exhibition on their website.

How do I talk to people at a UCAS exhibition?

University stallholders and UCAS experts are there to answer your questions. It takes a bit of confidence, but don’t hesitate to approach people and start conversations. Don’t forget to come prepared with questions so you know you’re getting the info you need. There’s no such thing as a stupid question!