In short
- Start from what a prospective student needs to understand, not from what the campus looks like.
- Film real activity: talks, labs, tours and students answering questions.
- Have the institution check every claim about courses, facilities and outcomes before publishing.
- Plan short clips for each faculty alongside one main film.
An open day video works when it answers the questions a prospective student quietly has: what would my days look like, who would teach me, and will I belong here? Good footage of the campus helps, but real activity and real people do more.
What should the video help a visitor understand?
Start with the decisions your visitors are making. A school leaver choosing between universities, a parent asking about safety and support, and a working adult looking at a part-time programme all need different things.
Agree the top three messages with your recruitment team. For example, they might be that the course has practical lab work, that students get academic support, and that the campus is easy to get around. Everything you film should help one of those messages. Anything that does not can be left out.
Which moments are worth filming?
| Moment | What it shows a visitor | Things to check |
|---|---|---|
| Course or faculty talk | How staff explain the programme | Slides contain only current, approved information |
| Lab, studio or workshop visit | What hands-on learning looks like | Safety rules, and who may appear on camera |
| Campus tour | Where students live, eat and study | Walking route and timing, so crowds do not block shots |
| Student Q&A or panel | Honest answers from current students | Students agree to be recorded and quoted |
| Scholarship or admissions desk | Practical next steps | No fees or deadlines shown unless confirmed as current |
A short interview with two or three students often does more than any narration. Plan a quiet spot for it, as open days are noisy. Our page on event interview filming explains what is involved.
How do we keep recruitment claims accurate?
The videographer films and edits, but your institution is responsible for what the video says. Ask one person to own accuracy. Before release they should check:
- Course names and what each course includes.
- Facilities shown, so they match what a new student will actually use.
- Any statement about rankings, results or graduate outcomes, with an approved source behind it.
- Dates, deadlines and fees, which are best left out of a video that stays online for a long time.
Keep a written note of what was checked and by whom. It makes the next update quicker.
Which videos should we commission?
Many open days work well with:
- One main film that gives an honest, warm picture of the university.
- Short clips per faculty or programme, ready for social media or advertising.
- A highlight film for parents, partners and schools; see event highlight films.
- A full recording of important talks, for people who could not attend.
To choose among these, try the event video chooser. Livestreaming a talk is available on request, confirmed for each event.
What should we plan with the crew?
Open days move around campus, so a clear plan matters more than extra cameras.
- Run sheet: which talks and tours happen when, and where they overlap.
- Priority list: the few activities that must be filmed well.
- Access: lab rules, restricted buildings, parking and who can open doors.
- People: how visitors are told about filming, and how students who prefer not to appear are handled. See our guide on people who do not want to appear.
- Review: who gives feedback, in how many rounds, and who approves the final version.
Where we can help
We can film university open days and recruitment events and plan the day around your programme. Student organisers can start with our page for student societies and clubs, and the universities guide lists other campus event topics. For the wider service, see event videography.
If you can share the open day programme, the faculties taking part and who approves recruitment claims, we can suggest what to film and which videos suit your channels. Send the date and campus by WhatsApp and we confirm the crew and travel.
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