Get Set for ‘26
Get study ready in a day!
Whether you’ve already applied to study with us in 2026, you’re in the process of applying, or you’re just looking at your options, come along to Get Set for ‘26 and we’ll help you get sorted. Then you can kick back, enjoy summer and hit the ground running when your course starts next year!
🧾 Get it sorted
- Application assistance
- ID verification
- Portfolio pre-approval
- Course-specific workshops
- Subject-specific tours
- Study-Ready workshops
- Student finance
- Budgeting advice
- PPE familiarisation
- Pathway guidance
- Student life information
💡 Discover great student hacks
- Where to park
- Best coffee
- Low-cost lunch & dinner ideas
- On-campus deals (haircuts, beauty treatments, massage and more!)
💬 Talk with our guests
- StudyLink
- Budget Advisors
- Youth Services
🎉 Score some free stuff
- Free kai
- Prize draws
- Giveaways
City campus schedule
Wednesday 3 December
10:00am
General
How to apply workshop (15-20 mins)
This workshop walks you through the full application process - from hitting “apply” to what happens behind the scenes, plus how to make sure your place at Ara is confirmed.
This workshop walks you through the full application process - from hitting “apply” to what happens behind the scenes, plus how to make sure your place at Ara is confirmed.
Academic
Engineering Pathways info session
10:30am
General
Student Life Hacks
Created by students, for students, this session covers everything our learners wish they knew on day one - from the best student freebies and discounts to flatting tips and how to set yourself up for study success.
Created by students, for students, this session covers everything our learners wish they knew on day one - from the best student freebies and discounts to flatting tips and how to set yourself up for study success.
Get Set
Campus Tour
11:00am
Get Ready
Ara Pacific
Academic
Construction Management info session
11:30am
Get Set
Campus Tour
Academic
Student Services and Success Planning
This session will introduce you to Ara’s key support teams — Student Support, Learning Services, and Disability Services — and show you how they can help you plan for success.
This session will introduce you to Ara’s key support teams — Student Support, Learning Services, and Disability Services — and show you how they can help you plan for success.
12:00pm
General
Kai and Korero
12:30pm
General
Find your starting point
Keen to study but not sure how to begin? This session breaks down Ara’s open-entry and easy academic entry requirement programmes and shows you where they can take you - from starting out to future career pathways.
Keen to study but not sure how to begin? This session breaks down Ara’s open-entry and easy academic entry requirement programmes and shows you where they can take you - from starting out to future career pathways.
Academic
Outdoor Ed Info Session
1:00pm
General
How to apply workshop
This workshop walks you through the full application process - from hitting “apply” to what happens behind the scenes, plus how to make sure your place at Ara is confirmed.
This workshop walks you through the full application process - from hitting “apply” to what happens behind the scenes, plus how to make sure your place at Ara is confirmed.
Get Ready
Scholarships Workshop
Discover the scholarships you can apply for at Ara and get practical tips on how to write a strong application that gives you the best chance at extra study funding.
Discover the scholarships you can apply for at Ara and get practical tips on how to write a strong application that gives you the best chance at extra study funding.
Academic
Architecture Info Session
1:30pm
General
Student Life Hacks
Created by students, for students, this session covers everything our learners wish they knew on day one - from the best student freebies and discounts to flatting tips and how to set yourself up for study success.
Created by students, for students, this session covers everything our learners wish they knew on day one - from the best student freebies and discounts to flatting tips and how to set yourself up for study success.
Get Set
Campus Tour
2:00pm
Event Wraps Up
Thursday 4 December
10:00am
General
How to apply workshop (15-20 mins)
This workshop walks you through the full application process - from hitting “apply” to what happens behind the scenes, plus how to make sure your place at Ara is confirmed.
This workshop walks you through the full application process - from hitting “apply” to what happens behind the scenes, plus how to make sure your place at Ara is confirmed.
Academic
Art & Design Portfolio preapproval (1.5hr)
10:30am
General
Student Life Hacks
Created by students, for students, this session covers everything our learners wish they knew on day one - from the best student freebies and discounts to flatting tips and how to set yourself up for study success.
Created by students, for students, this session covers everything our learners wish they knew on day one - from the best student freebies and discounts to flatting tips and how to set yourself up for study success.
Get Set
Campus Tour
Academic
Art & Design tour (20 mins per tour)
11:00am
General
Student Life Hacks
Created by students, for students, this session covers everything our learners wish they knew on day one - from the best student freebies and discounts to flatting tips and how to set yourself up for study success.
Created by students, for students, this session covers everything our learners wish they knew on day one - from the best student freebies and discounts to flatting tips and how to set yourself up for study success.
Get Set
Ara Māori
Academic
Art & Design tour (20 mins per tour)
11:30am
Get Set
Campus Tour
Academic
Student Services and Success Planning
This session will introduce you to Ara’s key support teams — Student Support, Learning Services, and Disability Services — and show you how they can help you plan for success.
This session will introduce you to Ara’s key support teams — Student Support, Learning Services, and Disability Services — and show you how they can help you plan for success.
12:00pm
General
Kai and Korero
12:30pm
General
Find your starting point
Keen to study but not sure how to begin? This session breaks down Ara’s open-entry and easy academic entry requirement programmes and shows you where they can take you - from starting out to future career pathways.
Keen to study but not sure how to begin? This session breaks down Ara’s open-entry and easy academic entry requirement programmes and shows you where they can take you - from starting out to future career pathways.
1:00pm
General
How to apply workshop
This workshop walks you through the full application process - from hitting “apply” to what happens behind the scenes, plus how to make sure your place at Ara is confirmed.
This workshop walks you through the full application process - from hitting “apply” to what happens behind the scenes, plus how to make sure your place at Ara is confirmed.
Get Ready
Scholarships Workshop
Discover the scholarships you can apply for at Ara and get practical tips on how to write a strong application that gives you the best chance at extra study funding.
Discover the scholarships you can apply for at Ara and get practical tips on how to write a strong application that gives you the best chance at extra study funding.
1:30pm
General
Student Life Hacks
Created by students, for students, this session covers everything our learners wish they knew on day one - from the best student freebies and discounts to flatting tips and how to set yourself up for study success.
Created by students, for students, this session covers everything our learners wish they knew on day one - from the best student freebies and discounts to flatting tips and how to set yourself up for study success.
Get Set
Campus Tour
2:00pm
Event wraps up
Woolston campus schedule
Tuesday 2 December
10:00am
General
Find your starting point
Keen to study but not sure how to begin? This session breaks down Ara's open-entry and easy academic entry requirement programmes and shows you where they can take you - from starting out to future career pathways.
Keen to study but not sure how to begin? This session breaks down Ara's open-entry and easy academic entry requirement programmes and shows you where they can take you - from starting out to future career pathways.
Academic
Painting and Decorating Workshop
10:30am
Get Set
Campus Tour
11:00am
General
Student Life Hacks
Created by students, for students, this session covers everything our learners wish they knew on day one - from the best student freebies and discounts to flatting tips and how to set yourself up for study success.
Created by students, for students, this session covers everything our learners wish they knew on day one - from the best student freebies and discounts to flatting tips and how to set yourself up for study success.
Academic
Wood based Trades tour and talk
11:30am
Academic
Student Services and Success Planning
This session will introduce you to Ara's key support teams — Student Support, Learning Services, and Disability Services — and show you how they can help you plan for success.
This session will introduce you to Ara's key support teams — Student Support, Learning Services, and Disability Services — and show you how they can help you plan for success.
Get Set
Campus Tour
Academic
Electrical tour and talk
12:30pm
General
How to apply workshop
This workshop walks you through the full application process - from hitting "apply" to what happens behind the scenes, plus how to make sure your place at Ara is confirmed.
This workshop walks you through the full application process - from hitting "apply" to what happens behind the scenes, plus how to make sure your place at Ara is confirmed.
1:00pm
General
Student Life Hacks
Created by students, for students, this session covers everything our learners wish they knew on day one - from the best student freebies and discounts to flatting tips and how to set yourself up for study success.
Created by students, for students, this session covers everything our learners wish they knew on day one - from the best student freebies and discounts to flatting tips and how to set yourself up for study success.
Get Set
Campus Tour
1:30pm
Academic
Metal based Trades tour and talk
2:00pm
Event wraps up
Key Details
Location
Ara – City, Woolston & Timaru campuses
Time
02 Dec 2025 10:00am - 02:00pm
03 Dec 2025 10:00am - 02:00pm
04 Dec 2025 10:00am - 02:00pm
10 Dec 2025 03:00pm - 08:00am
0800242476
Email us