Plan Your Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art Open Day
Discover world-class studios, portfolio secrets, and creative life in Dundee with our comprehensive campus visit guide.
Updated 6 min readDuncan of Jordanstone College of Art
Your Gateway to Creative Excellence: The DJCAD Open Day
Choosing where to spend your formative creative years is one of the most exciting decisions you will ever make. Located on the bustling main campus of the University of Dundee, the Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art & Design (DJCAD) is widely recognised as one of the UK's leading institutions for art and design. Attending a Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art open day is your opportunity to step inside this powerhouse of innovation, explore its world-class facilities, and determine if it is the perfect launchpad for your artistic career.
A physical campus visit provides a sensory experience that no website or prospectus can replicate. You will smell the oil paint in the fine art studios, hear the hum of the 3D printers, feel the texture of hand-woven fabrics in the textile departments, and see the cutting-edge digital labs where future animators and games designers hone their craft. This guide covers everything you need to know to make the most of this vital prospective student event.
"Walking into the Matthew Building during the open day, I immediately felt a sense of community. Seeing the actual workspaces and talking to current students convinced me that DJCAD was where I belonged." - Fiona McAllister, BA (Hons) Illustration GraduateWhy Visiting DJCAD in Person is Essential
DJCAD is not just an art school; it is a collaborative community nestled within Dundee—the UK’s only UNESCO City of Design. The college is housed primarily across two interconnected landmark buildings: the Matthew Building and the Crawford Building. Each floor of these structures is dedicated to fostering unique disciplines, from traditional fine art and printmaking to high-tech digital interaction design.
While digital resources like a virtual tour are outstanding for preliminary research, attending a live event allows you to interact directly with academic staff and current students. You can ask specific questions about module selections, industry placements, study abroad opportunities, and the transition from school to higher education.
How to Find and Register for Open Day Dates
The University of Dundee schedules several university-wide open days throughout the academic year, typically in the late summer and autumn (September, October, and November). Because DJCAD is fully integrated into the main university campus, its departmental tours, portfolio advice hubs, and studio exhibitions run concurrently with these broader university events.
To secure your place, you must register online via the University of Dundee’s official website. Slots for specific workshops, portfolio reviews, and departmental presentations can fill up quickly, so early booking is highly recommended.
What if You Can't Attend in Person?
If distance, budget, or scheduling conflicts prevent you from making a physical trip to Dundee, don't worry. The university offers a comprehensive virtual tour online. This interactive digital tool allows you to explore the studios, 3D workshop bays, and digital suites from the comfort of your home. Additionally, virtual open days and online Q&A webinars are regularly hosted for international students and those unable to travel.
Planning Your Visit: Travel and Budgeting
Dundee is highly accessible by rail, road, and air. The main campus and DJCAD are situated right in the heart of the city, just a 10 to 15-minute walk from Dundee Train Station and the central bus station.
To help you plan your journey, we have outlined a typical budget breakdown for an overnight or day-trip visit to Dundee for a prospective student and one guardian:
| Expense Category | Estimated Cost (Day Trip) | Estimated Cost (Overnight Stay) | Money-Saving Tip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Travel (Train/Bus) | £20 - £50 | £20 - £50 | Book advance tickets or use a 16-25 Railcard for 1/3 off fares. |
| Accommodation | £0 | £60 - £110 | Look for budget hotels on the Waterfront or near the city centre. |
| Food & Drink | £15 - £25 | £40 - £70 | Explore student-friendly cafes along Perth Road, adjacent to DJCAD. |
| Campus Parking | £5 - £10 | £10 - £15 | Use city centre multi-storey car parks; campus spaces are highly limited. |
What to Expect on the Day: A Step-by-Step Itinerary
A typical prospective student event at DJCAD is packed with activities. To make sure you don't miss anything, it helps to break your day down into structured blocks:
1. The Welcome Hub & General Registration
Your day will begin at the central university registration point. Here, you will collect your campus map, event timetable, and a guide to the specific art and design presentations happening throughout the day.
2. Departmental Studio Tours
This is the highlight for most creative applicants. You will be guided through the dedicated studio spaces for your chosen discipline. DJCAD offers specialised tours for:
- Fine Art
- Graphic Design & Illustration
- Animation & Games Design
- Textile Design & Jewellery
- Product Design & Spatial Design
3. Portfolio Advice Sessions
Perhaps the most valuable segment of the day is the portfolio workshop. Academic tutors will show examples of successful digital and physical portfolios, explaining exactly what they look for in terms of creative process, experimentation, and technical skill.
5 Essentials to Bring to Your Portfolio Advice Session
- A digital device: Show your work-in-progress on an iPad or laptop if physical pieces are too bulky.
- Sketchbooks: Tutors value your thought process and mistakes just as much as finished pieces.
- A notepad and pen: To write down specific, invaluable feedback from admissions tutors.
- An open mind: Be prepared for constructive critiques that will help you refine your final UCAS submission.
- Your questions: Have a list of questions ready about formatting, size limits, and digital upload requirements.
Crucial Questions to Ask Tutors and Students
An open day is a two-way street. While the university is showcasing its best assets, you need to ensure the course aligns with your personal career aspirations. Here are some critical questions to ask during your visit:
Questions for Academic Tutors:
- What ratio of the course is practical studio work versus theoretical, written essays?
- Do you offer industry placements or live collaborative briefs with external design agencies?
- What specific software, hardware, and physical workshop machinery will I have access to?
- How does the assessment process work—is it based on a continuous portfolio review or end-of-term exhibitions?
Questions for Current Students:
- What is the studio culture like? Do students from different disciplines collaborate?
- How easy was it to find suitable student accommodation near the Matthew and Crawford buildings?
- What is the cost of materials, and does the college provide any basic supplies or printing credits?
- What do you love most about living and studying in Dundee?
Exploring Dundee: UNESCO City of Design
Your campus visit shouldn't end when the academic tours finish. Dundee is a vibrant, compact, and highly affordable student city that has undergone a massive cultural renaissance. Spend an hour or two exploring the local area to see where you could be living.
Take a walk down the Perth Road, which is lined with independent coffee shops, vintage boutiques, and art supply stores. Head down to the transformed Waterfront district to visit the spectacular V&A Dundee—the first design museum in the UK outside of London—and the contemporary arts hub at Dundee Contemporary Arts (DCA), which features a cinema, print studio, and galleries.
Final Checklist: Getting Ready for Your DJCAD Visit
To ensure a stress-free and productive day, run through this quick checklist before you set off:
- Register early: Ensure your place is confirmed for both the general university open day and the specific DJCAD presentations.
- Plan your route: Check ScotRail or bus timetables for any scheduled maintenance on your travel day.
- Wear comfortable shoes: DJCAD’s multi-level buildings and the wider campus involve a lot of walking and stair-climbing.
- Check the weather forecast: Dundee is famously Scotland's sunniest city, but a waterproof jacket is always a sensible backup!