The University of New England (UNE) is preparing for its largest Open Day in recent years, with more than 1,300 prospective students registered to attend the Armidale campus on Friday, 1 May.
The event is expected to draw students from more than 40 schools across New South Wales, as well as individual visitors from Queensland, including Townsville and Rockhampton, highlighting UNE’s reach beyond the region.
Designed for students in Years 10 to 12, the Open Day will showcase UNE’s courses, facilities and support services, with staff providing guidance on early entry, study options and career pathways. Information on relocation, costs and student life will also be available.
“Choosing a university can feel uncertain, particularly for some students,” said Bryn Griffiths, Director of Future Students and Engagement. “Open Day gives them the chance to ask direct questions, understand their options and get a realistic sense of what studying at UNE involves.”
Visitors will have the opportunity to experience the UNE campus firsthand, including tours of residential colleges and accommodation facilities, and meetings with staff across scholarships, wellbeing and academic support. Student clubs, societies and sporting opportunities will also be on display.
More than 20 tours and activities will be offered, including access to the UNE SMART Farm, nursing simulation laboratories, the student radio station and the archaeology lab, providing insight into UNE’s teaching and research environments.
Interactive sessions will run throughout the day, including at the UNE Museum of Antiquities, the Business School’s Next Gen Business Leaders program, and activities with the School of Psychology. A purpose-built AI tool will also be introduced to help attendees navigate the event.
UNE’s student support network will be represented on the day, including the Oorala Aboriginal Centre, Dixson Library, counselling and wellbeing teams, the Academic Skills Office and the Learning Abroad exchange team.
Food will be available on campus throughout the day, with breakfast, morning tea and lunch provided, alongside additional food vendors.
“UNE Open Day is the most significant student recruitment activity for the university,” Griffiths said. “There will be more people on the campus on this day than any other day of the year.”
A range of external organisations will also attend, including Armidale Regional Council, TeachNSW, Kurri Kurri Study Hub, Headspace Armidale, Centacare, Burraga and the Army Reserve.
Further information, including registration and the full program, is available on the UNE’s Open Day website.
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