Get the most out of your UEL campus visit with our ultimate guide to open day dates, transport tips, and key questions to ask.
Choosing where you will spend the next three or four years of your life is one of the most significant decisions you will make as a prospective student. While course modules, league tables, and employment statistics are incredibly important, nothing quite compares to the feeling of walking onto a university campus and instantly realising, "Yes, this is where I belong." If you are considering studying in the UK's capital, attending The University of East London open day is your absolute golden ticket to discovering if this modern, career-focused institution is the right match for you.
Spread across two highly distinct, vibrant campuses in East London—Docklands and Stratford—The University of East London (UEL) offers a unique blend of cutting-edge educational facilities, multicultural student communities, and unparalleled access to the capital's creative and financial hubs. This comprehensive guide will walk you through exactly what to expect from a physical campus visit, highlight upcoming open day dates, explain how to navigate the campuses, and list the crucial questions to ask during your visit.
"Seeing the planes take off from City Airport while sitting by the Docklands waterfront during the open day made me realise how connected UEL is to the real world. It was an instant yes for me!" - Priya Patel, BSc Business ManagementBefore booking your place at a prospective student event, it is absolutely essential to know which campus your chosen subject is based at. UEL operates across two main hubs, and while they are connected by a free university shuttle bus, they offer totally different environments and host entirely different departments.
Located right on the Royal Albert Dock, the Docklands Campus is a striking, self-contained modern student village. It is characterised by its iconic circular residential halls, sweeping views of the water, and the sleek architecture of its academic buildings. This campus is the primary home for courses in:
The Docklands Campus is also home to SportsDock, UEL's world-class, multi-million-pound sports facility which served as the training base for Team USA during the London 2012 Olympic Games.
Set in the heart of one of London's fastest-developing cultural and retail districts, the Stratford Campus combines historic brick buildings with highly advanced scientific laboratories. It offers a bustling, urban environment just minutes away from the Westfield Stratford City shopping centre and the beautiful Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. This campus is the primary home for courses in:
An open day at UEL is highly structured to ensure you get the absolute maximum value out of your trip. While you are free to explore at your own pace, following a balanced itinerary will help you avoid missing out on crucial presentations. Here is a typical timeline of how a successful day unfolds:
Arrive at your designated campus. You will be greeted by enthusiastic Student Ambassadors wearing bright UEL t-shirts. They will scan your registration QR code, hand you a campus map, and point you toward the central registration hub where you can grab a complimentary hot drink.
Do not miss this! The Vice-Chancellor or a senior academic leader will deliver an inspiring keynote presentation detailing the university's mission, its industry-led teaching philosophy, and how the 'Mental Wealth' curriculum prepares you for the jobs of the future.
Head to the designated lecture theatres or laboratories for your chosen subject. This is where you meet your future lecturers, see the equipment you will be using, and hear directly from current students about the workload, placement opportunities, and assessment styles.
Join a guided tour led by a student ambassador. If you are at the Docklands Campus, this is your chance to look inside the waterfront student accommodation. Seeing the rooms in person is highly recommended to get a real sense of space, storage, and communal kitchen setups.
Spend time in the exhibition hall. Here, you can speak one-on-one with advisors representing:
Travelling to London can sometimes be expensive, but with a little planning, you can make your trip to the UEL open day highly cost-effective. Both campuses are exceptionally well-connected to public transport networks.
| Transport Mode | Destination Campus | Average Single Fare (Oyster/Contactless) | Approximate Travel Time (From Central London) |
|---|---|---|---|
| DLR (Docklands Light Railway) | Docklands (Cyprus Station) | £3.70 - £4.70 | 25 minutes from Tower Gateway |
| Elizabeth Line | Stratford / Custom House (Docklands transfer) | £3.70 | 15 minutes from Tottenham Court Road |
| London Underground (Jubilee / Central) | Stratford Station | £3.00 - £4.00 | 20 minutes from London Waterloo |
| Local London Bus (Route 101, 262, 473) | Stratford & Docklands | £1.75 flat rate | Varies based on traffic |
If you are travelling from outside of London, look into purchasing a 16-25 Railcard, which gives you a 1/3 discount on national rail services. Booking your train tickets several weeks in advance using services like Trainline can also slash your travel costs significantly.
An open day is a two-way street. The university is pitching itself to you, but you are also interviewing them to see if they deserve your tuition fees. Do not be shy—academic staff and student ambassadors are there to help. Here are some of the most revealing questions to ask during your visit:
We understand that not everyone can make it to East London in person due to travel costs, work commitments, or geographic distance. Fortunately, UEL offers an incredibly immersive virtual tour platform.
The 360-degree interactive digital experience allows you to wander through the Docklands waterfront, step inside the high-tech bioscience labs at Stratford, explore the accommodation modules, and view the high-tech clinical simulation suites for nursing students. While a physical visit is always best to capture the atmosphere, the virtual tour ensures that international and long-distance prospective students are never left in the dark. You can easily access this online portal via the official UEL website at any time of the day or night.
The University of East London hosts prospective student events throughout the year, with major open days taking place in Autumn (September, October, and November) and Spring (January and March). Places fill up quickly, particularly for competitive subjects like Nursing, Psychology, and Computer Science.
To secure your spot, simply head to the official UEL website, navigate to the study section, and locate the 'Open Days' page. Select your preferred date, choose whether you want to visit Stratford or Docklands, and complete the quick registration form. You will receive an instant email confirmation with your digital ticket, arrival instructions, and helpful transport tips.
Make the most of this opportunity—take lots of photos, chat with as many people as possible, and get ready to experience the energetic, multicultural spirit of East London. Your future academic journey starts here!