5 Digital Opportunities to Create a Seamless, End-to-End Experience
As the University Open Day season gets underway across the eastern states of Australia, universities are preparing to welcome thousands of prospective students and their families onto campus.
But despite the extensive planning behind these events, many universities are still missing a critical opportunity: using digital to create a seamless, connected experience - before, during, and after the day.
In 2024, Global Reviews’ Open Day Benchmark study found that some universities still relied heavily on printed pamphlets, physical signage, and university representatives for directions and support. Meanwhile, students were snapping photos of schedules on their phones, texting themselves reminders, and trying to mentally track sessions of interest - a clear substitute for the lack of digital tools that could simplify (and improve) the process.
Even the increasing use of QR codes hasn’t solved the problem. In many cases, QR codes just lead to static brochures or webpages, rather than offering the dynamic, real-time support students need on the day.
This approach falls short of meeting the expectations of today’s tech-savvy students, who are used to seamless, mobile-first experiences in every other part of their daily lives.
The Reality: Digital is Still an Afterthought
Global Reviews’ Open Day Digital Benchmark (2024) reveals a consistent pattern:
- No university scored over 50% in our digital experience assessment
- Many visitors pick up flyers, photograph posters, or capture nothing at all
- Students build personalised planners’ pre-event, but often can’t access them on arrival
- After the day, 86% want to revisit content - but most universities don’t offer an easy way to do so
The result? A fragmented experience that leaves visitors juggling different channels and trying to piece the day together themselves - instead of being supported by a connected, digital experience that guides and enhances their journey.
What We’re Hoping to See at Open Days in the Coming Months
We’re hoping to see a move beyond QR codes and brochures and make digital a meaningful part of the Open Day journey - from discovery to consideration and ultimately a decision.
Here are five key improvements we’d love to see in the months ahead:
1️⃣ An Open Day Mobile Experience that Supports Both Planning and Spontaneity
We hope to see more universities launching dedicated Open Day mobile experiences or apps that:
- Help visitors plan ahead
- Show live schedules and reminders
- Provide real-time directions across campus
- 74% of Allow visitors to take notes or bookmark sessions digitally
74% of students say they’d use an app like this - it’s time to deliver on that expectation.
2️⃣ Seamless Access to Personalised Schedules on Arrival
Many universities encourage students to pre-plan their day online - but when visitors arrive, that plan often isn’t easily accessible.
We’d love to see universities:
- Make pre-planned schedules mobile-friendly
- Ensure tools are cross-device (since 44% register on desktop)
- Allow real-time updates and easy adjustments on the day
No one wants to ‘start again’ when they arrive.
3️⃣ Location-Based Support and Smarter Wayfinding
In 2024, we were still seeing visitors wandering campuses with paper maps or asking staff for help - a task easily solved with technology.
We’re hoping to see:
- Interactive campus maps
- GPS-powered directions between sessions
- On-the-go prompts for what’s happening nearby
These features can help visitors feel more confident and get the most out of the day.
4️⃣ On-Demand Content and Post-Event Follow-Up
Open Day doesn’t end when visitors leave campus. In fact, 85%of students want to revisit content after the event - to compare options, review sessions they missed, or refresh their memory.
We’re hoping to see:
- Post-event content hubs
- Access to session recordings and materials
- Smart follow-up content that provides tailored and useful information
5️⃣ Bridging the Physical and Digital Gap with Hybrid Support
While most visitors prefer in-person Open Days, digital still plays a vital role - especially for students who can’t attend on the day (47% said they missed Open Days because they were busy).
We’d love to see universities:
- Offer live-streamed or recorded sessions alongside the onsite experience
- Provide interactive virtual campus tours as a follow-up
- Give students multiple ways to engage, regardless of where they are
Final Thought: It’s Time to Make Digital Central to the Open Day Experience
Open Day shouldn’t leave visitors juggling paper maps, snapping photos of posters, or scrambling to find someone to answer a question - only to forget half of what they saw by the time they get home.
With the right digital support, universities can transform their Open Days into a seamless, connected, and memorable experience - one that keeps prospective students engaged long after the event ends.
There’s still time to take part in our Open Day Digital Benchmark.
Global Reviews can help you see which universities are leading the way in digital Open Day experiences - and why.
Gain insight into what best practice looks like, understand where your experience stands, and identify the most important improvements to better meet student expectations.
