How to Attend an Open Day at Chichester College

Chichester College runs open days so you can explore the campus and find out what studying there is actually like. The college's own site describes them simply as a chance to "explore our campus to find out about studying at Chichester College," with more detail available through the open days section of the website. If you're considering a course — whether you're a school leaver, an adult learner, or looking at university-level study — an open day is the most direct way to see the facilities and talk to staff before you commit.

What an open day is for

The college frames open days around campus exploration and course discovery rather than as a formal application step. In practice, that means you can use the visit to:

• See the campus itself, which sits in the heart of Chichester with views of the cathedral
• Get a feel for the facilities and support services
• Ask about the specific course route you're interested in
• Compare study modes if you're unsure which fits — the college lists Distance Learning, Full Time, Part Time, Short Course, and Work Based Learning

Before you go: decide which route you're exploring

Chichester College serves several distinct groups, and the open day information you need depends on which one you are. The site organises its offer into four main areas:

Knowing which of these applies to you means you can target your questions on the day instead of gathering generic information.

How to find open day details

1. Go to the Chichester College website (chichester.ac.uk).
2. Look for the Open days section — the site's own heading for this is "Open days," with a "Find out more" link leading to the arrangements.
3. Check the date and time options listed there, and note anything you need to book in advance.
4. If you already know your subject area, use the course search on the site first (filter by study mode) so you arrive with specific courses in mind.

The site also publishes a New adult course guide 2026/27 for adult learners and a 2027/28 prospectus for full-time students aged 16–19. Downloading the relevant guide before your visit helps you match what you see on campus to actual course listings.

Planning your visit

• Check the current open day schedule on the website first. Dates and formats can change, and the site is the authoritative source.
• Bring your questions about your specific route. For apprenticeships, for example, the college highlights on-the-job training, earning while you learn, and a recognised qualification — worth confirming how these work for your chosen sector.
• If you're applying for university-level study, note that the college supports both direct application and application via UCAS, so you can ask which path suits your situation.
• Use the visit to test the location. The campus is central, which matters if you'll be commuting.

Common sticking points

• Assuming one open day covers everything. With four distinct audiences, check that the event you're attending is relevant to your route.
• Arriving without a course shortlist. The course search and study-mode filters on the site let you narrow down before you go, which makes conversations on the day far more useful.
• Missing the guides. The adult course guide and the 16–19 prospectus are separate documents for separate audiences — download the one that matches you.

If you can't attend an open day, the same website sections (course search, prospectus downloads, and the university-level pages) let you research remotely, though you'll lose the chance to see the campus and facilities in person.