The University of Aberdeen will be holding its third University-wide pre-application Open Day today (Tuesday, August 27), following on from the success of last year's event.
Director of Marketing, Lori Manders, said: "The Open Day is an ideal opportunity for future students to visit and learn about how much the University of Aberdeen has to offer and get a taste of university life. There are so many different courses and universities to choose from, prospective students should visit as many as possible to see which one suits them best.
"We anticipate over 3,000 visitors, some from as far afield as Japan and Italy. The vast majority of visitors will be 6th year pupils yet to apply for university. However, anyone with an interest in higher education is welcome and a considerable number will be parents and teachers, and prospective mature students."
An exciting programme has been devised, all relating to the theme, Innovation - Building on a History of Excellence. Departments will be opening their doors with tours, exhibitions and lectures. Visitors can learn more about the 630+ first degree programmes at Aberdeen and also have the opportunity to speak to lecturers. In addition, student support services will talk about clubs, societies and other support on offer to students and Student Ambassadors will show visitors around the historic campus.
One of the major highlights on display will be the Big Brother style 'live' Diary Room outside Elphinstone Hall. Open Day visitors will be able to have some fun and record their opinions and their experiences of the Open Day on film. A prize will be given for the most interesting footage. Sessions will take place: 10.00-10.45am, 11.15am-12 noon, and 12.30-1.15pm.
The Medical Faculty at Foresterhill will have an interesting programme, including interactive demonstrations at the Clinical Skills Centre. As medicine is a very practical and hands-on career, visitors will be given the opportunity to try their hand at: taking blood pressure; examining hearts, lungs, ears and tendon jerks; practice in surgery suturing "skin" and key-hole surgery; resuscitation and trauma; as well as learning about the skills of healthcare professions. Medical student ambassadors will give their version of life as an undergraduate and senior consultants and GPs will describe their working careers. Photo opportunities will be available at the Clinical Skills Centre between 11.00am and 1.30pm.
The University will have a special exhibit in the Linklater Rooms to showcase Aberdeen's breadth of environmental degree programmes, along with the University's environmental strategy, plans for sustainable development, and the wealth of natural habitat surrounding Aberdeen.
A lander (as featured in the BBC's Blue Planet series) will also be on display in Elphinstone Hall, which will offer a rare chance to see how the groundbreaking research of scientists from the University's Oceanlab facility is revealing a whole new environment in some of the previously hidden depths of the world's oceans.
Mineral prizes and real gold will be up for grabs in the Geology and Petroleum Geology Department. Visitors can try to Beat the Boffin with rocks and minerals to identify. They can also see an earthquake as it happens, or drill for 'oil' using a North Sea model, look for the claw marks of a killer dinosaur, or perhaps try and handle a real volcanic 'bomb'.
If you would like to learn more about the Open Day, or would like further details about the full programme of departmental tours and activities, contact: Student Recruitment and Admissions on freephone:
0800 027 1495, or visit the website: www.abdn.ac.uk/openday