What is a university taster day?
A university taster day is a type of higher education event that provides prospective students with a glimpse of university life and what it's like to study at a particular institution and often a specific subject. Taster days are designed to give students a taste of university-level study and to help them make informed decisions about their future education.
Taster events may be offered for individual students to attend directly, or as part of a school or college group, through a booking by their teacher or careers adviser.
Participants may have the chance to attend a lecture or tutorial that is similar to what they would experience as a university student.
Participants may have the opportunity to explore the university campus and its facilities, including libraries, labs, student accommodation and sports facilities.
University staff will usually provide an overview of the institution and the study programmes, entry requirements, and student life.
Participants could have the opportunity to meet with academic staff and ask questions about the subjects they are most interested in.
Current students should also be available to answer questions about student life and offer their own perspective on the university experience.
The aim of a university taster day is to give prospective students an idea of what university level study is like and to help them make an informed decision about their future education.
Sometimes, yes! But masterclass events may have more of a subject focus. A university masterclass is a type of educational event or workshop where students learn from experts in a particular field. Masterclasses are usually held at a university and will provide in-depth, hands-on learning opportunities for participants. They are designed to give students the chance to deepen their knowledge, develop new skills, and gain exposure to cutting-edge ideas and techniques in a particular subject area.
Masterclasses typically involve lectures, interactive workshops, and opportunities for participants to ask questions and engage with the academic colleagues delivering the session. They may also involve hands-on activities or demonstrations, providing participants with practical experience in the subject area. Masterclasses can cover a wide range of subjects, from the arts and humanities through to the sciences and engineering.
Check out the Uni Guide podcast, with a dedicated episode exploring the different types of university events. Featuring a student panel and expert university guest Emily Day from Lancaster University.