Open Day 2026
City campus
Come along and explore more than 150 career-enhancing study options, join a ‘walk and talk’ tour with tutors, and learn about our comprehensive student support services.
What to expect
- Free parking is available in the Barbadoes Street car park
- Signs will guide you to the main Open Day space (in the Whareora Sports Hall, W Block)
- In the main Open Day space, you can explore study options, join a ‘walk and talk’ session and attend an info session about what to expect when you study at Ara
Health & Social Services
Animal and Lab Science
Tours depart at 3:00pm and 3:30pm.
Sport, Nutrition and Health Promotion
Business
Computing & Info Tech
Engineering
Architecture, Construction, Interior Design
Cookery, Bakery, Hospitality
Hairdressing, Barbering, Beauty & Massage
Language & Education
Creative & Media
Covers Visual Communication, Visual Art, Game Animation and Fashion.
Music, Audio & Broadcasting
Sessions at 3:30pm and 5:00pm.
Campus & Accommodation Tours
Tours depart at 3:30pm, 4:00pm and 4:30pm.
Tours depart at 3:30pm, 4:30pm and 5:15pm.
Nursing, medical imaging & midwifery
Please note that tours of our Manawa campus (where nursing, medical imaging and midwifery are taught) won’t be available this year. However, you can learn about these study options, talk to subject representatives and attend subject-specific information sessions at the City campus.
Timaru campus
Come along and explore study options, talk to tutors, join a campus tour and learn about our comprehensive student support services.
What to expect
- The Timaru campus is located on Arthur Street, Timaru
- Signs will guide you to the main Open Day space (Student café, TE block)
- In the main Open Day space you can explore study options, join a ‘walk and talk’ session and find out about student services
Tours run every half hour and are shaped around your interests, just tell our tutors on the day which trades you'd like to see.
Woolston Trades campus
Come along and explore trades training options, take a look around the facilities and learn about our comprehensive student support services.
What to expect
- The Woolston campus is where Trades programmes are delivered
- Free parking is available off Sullivan Avenue
- Signs will guide you to the main Open Day space (Ōpāwaho, VF Block)
- In the main Open Day space you can explore Trades study options, join a ‘walk and talk’ session and find out about student services
All tours are walk & talk sessions departing from SSB.
Trades tour – Mechanical Engineering
Trades tour – Electrical
Join us on 6 August 3-6pm
Why attend Open Day?
150+ study options
Explore every pathway from trades to hospitality in one event
Expert guidance
Talk 1-on-1 with tutors and industry professionals
Experience Ara student life
Learn about our comprehensive student support services and the Ara student experience
Frequently asked questions
Bring your ID (birth certificate or passport) and we can help you get it all sorted.
Come say hi, check out where you’ll be studying and get a feel for campus life.
Disclaimer: Ara photographers and videographers will be out and about during Open Day. These images may be used in Ara publications and promotional materials (digital and print), and on Ara social media channels. If you would prefer not to be photographed or filmed, just let the person behind the camera know.
Your Pathway to study at Ara
Here's a timeline of our upcoming events that can help you be prepared to study in 2027
Open Day 2026
Explore study options, join tours, and learn all about Ara student life
Get Set for 27
Whether you've applied or in the process of applying, we'll help you get sorted.
Get Set for 27
If you missed our Get Set event in December, there's another chance to get sorted in January.
Semester 1 2027
*Some programmes have different key dates - check your timetable on MyAra for details.
Have any questions? Contact our team