Virtual open days often attract strong registration numbers.
But registrations alone do not tell the full story.
Prospective students arrive with very different questions depending on where they are in their decision journey. An undergraduate applicant may want to understand campus life and course structure, while a postgraduate student may be focused on research opportunities, supervisors, or funding.
When every attendee receives exactly the same experience, those differences can be lost.
Personalised virtual open days help universities address this challenge by shaping the experience around the needs and interests of different audiences.
Designing Experiences for Different Student Audiences
One of the biggest advantages of virtual open days is the ability to tailor content for different groups.
Rather than running a single generic programme, many universities structure their events around dedicated pathways such as:
Undergraduate course discovery
Postgraduate research and funding sessions
International student guidance
Subject specific discussions with academics
This allows prospective students to explore the information most relevant to them without feeling overwhelmed.
Clear navigation between sessions also helps students move through the event in a way that reflects their priorities.
Bringing Student Voices Into the Experience
Prospective students are often most interested in hearing from those already studying at the university.
Student panels, live Q&A sessions, and informal campus tours help provide authentic insight into what studying at the institution is actually like.
These sessions frequently generate some of the highest engagement levels during virtual open days.
They also provide opportunities for students to ask the questions that matter most to them, from accommodation and student life to workload expectations and support services.
When prospective students hear honest experiences from current students, it often helps them picture themselves studying there.
Using Polls and Interaction to Understand Student Interests
Interactive features such as polls and live Q&A do more than keep audiences engaged.
They also provide valuable insight into what prospective students are thinking about.
For example:
Which courses are attracting the most interest
What concerns students have about applications or entry requirements
How confident students feel about their next steps
These insights help universities adjust the conversation in real time and better understand the priorities of their audience.
They can also inform future events and recruitment messaging.
Turning Engagement Into Recruitment Insight
One of the most valuable aspects of virtual open days is the engagement data they generate.
Session attendance, questions asked, and poll responses all provide signals about student intent.
When this information is connected to recruitment systems through CRM integration, admissions teams gain a clearer picture of how prospective students are progressing through the decision journey.
For example:
A student attending multiple subject sessions may be close to deciding on a course.
Someone asking detailed questions about entry requirements may be preparing an application.
These signals allow admissions teams to personalise follow up communication and provide the right information at the right moment.
Personalisation Helps Students Make Confident Decisions
Virtual open days are not simply about sharing information.
They help prospective students imagine themselves studying at a particular university.
When events are structured to reflect the needs of different audiences, include opportunities for interaction, and provide insight into real student experiences, they become far more effective at supporting decision making.
Personalised virtual open days help universities move beyond broad presentations and create experiences that feel relevant to every attendee.
If you are exploring how virtual events can support global student recruitment and engagement, you can learn more here:
https://info.workcast.com/solutions/virtual-events
