Before · Choose questions a visit can answer
Read the course page first. Then list questions that benefit from being there: how students use facilities, how far accommodation is from teaching spaces, and where support is located. Arrange appointments directly or through an agreed provider; an open campus does not guarantee access to every department.
During · Observe everyday life
Ask about a typical teaching week, group sizes, independent study, practical work and feedback. Observe transport and accessible routes. For a family from Oman, discuss food, prayer facilities, language and communication with home according to the student’s own needs.
Record evidence, not only impressions
Separate what you saw, what someone told you and what remains an assumption. Ask for a link or written confirmation for claims about fees, scholarships, placement or progression. Keep personal photographs respectful and follow the host’s photography rules.
After · Revisit the shortlist
Score each option against your original priorities and note where the visit changed your view. Compare total costs and recognition separately from atmosphere. Write down the one question that would still stop you from accepting an offer.
