Otago Open Days, 4-5 May 2025
Our Open Days are a great way to get a feel for university and find out if you’d like to live and study in Dunedin.
You’ll be able to attend information sessions on your study options, tour our campus and residential colleges, and find out more about University services and clubs.
We’ll be releasing the full programme of events and our Open Days app at the end of Term 1. You can use the app to build your itinerary on your phone, tablet or computer. Once you arrive on campus, use our guest Wi-Fi to keep track of your schedule and receive any updates.
Join us for Open Days 2025
Sign up to attend Open Days, and to receive information about Otago and planning your visit.
Sign up to attendProgramme
View the full Otago Open Days 2025 programme (PDF)
Sunday, 4 May
A small number of academic information sessions will be running (which cover the main degrees on offer) along with some hands-on activities. The day runs from approximately 9:30am to 3pm, with the academic and student support expos open from 10am to 2pm.
Colleges are open for tours throughout the day. Most colleges are a short walk from campus or you can use the free, hop-on hop-off shuttle. Campus walking tours will also be available.
Monday, 5 May
The full programme of academic information sessions takes place on Monday. Presentations and activities run from 9am to 3pm, although a few presentations may run until 4pm.
The academic and student support expos are open from 9am to 3pm, and our colleges are open for tours. Most colleges are a short walk from campus or you can use the free, hop-on hop-off shuttle. Campus walking tours will run every hour.
Otago student experience
Student life at Otago
Deals
Super Shuttle has great deal for Otago Open Days visitors needing transport between Dunedin Airport and the city. Book at the link below using the promo code openday2025 to receive a 10 per cent discount. The promo code will run from Thursday, 1 May until Wednesday, 7 May, so if you want to arrive early or stay on after the event you’ll still be able to use the discount.
Toroa College has short-term, self-catered guest accommodation available Friday, 2 May-Tuesday, 6 May. Guests can share a five- or seven-bedroom unit with a shared lounge/kitchen area and bathroom. All rooms have king single beds, kitchens are fully equipped, and bedroom linen, tea towels, and hand towels are included.
Cost: $63.25 per person, per night for shared accommodation (private house available at an extra cost)
Contact the Accommodation Office for bookings and queries.
Email accommodation@otago.ac.nz
$229 - includes Accommodation, Breakfast and Parking
Period applicable for bookings: 2-6 May 2025
Take advantage of free access to Unipol Recreation for all Otago Open Days attendees on Saturday, 3 May-Monday, 5 May - including group fitness, games, gym and court spaces.
No need to book anything - just drop in to Unipol (130 Anzac Ave, beside the stadium) and mention you are attending Otago Open Days.
Visit the Unipol Recreation website
View the group fitness timetable
Surfboard and bike rentals (and associated gear) available at Unipol Recreation. Explore recreation on the Otago campus doorstep!
Find out more about out gear rentals
Experience the excitement of the Inter-College Competition live - drop in to Smithells Gymnasium (beside the Union Lawn) on Sunday, 4 May.
Experience a central piece of University of Otago student life by attending a Highlanders match.
On Sunday, 4 May, the Highlanders play Moana Pasifika under the roof at Forsyth Barr Stadium - less than 10 minutes' walk from central campus, and the world’s only permanently covered stadium with a real grass pitch.
As a welcome to students and whānau attending Otago Open Days, the Highlanders are offering 2-for-1 tickets.
Highlanders v Moana Pasifika
Sunday, 4 May, kick-off 3:35pm
Find tickets (To unlock this deal, enter the password OD2025)
Enjoy some exciting local attractions with special discounts for Open Days visitors.
Royal Albatross Centre
25% off the Unique Taiaroa, Albatross Classic or Fort Taiaroa tours. Applicable to prospective students and parents/caregivers. The code will work both online and in person at the Royal Albatross Centre
Discount code: OTAGOISOPEN
Available 27 April – 11 May 2025
Visit the Royal Albatross Centre website
The OPERA (The Otago Peninsula Eco Restoration Alliance)
50% discount for anyone attending Otago Open Days (Valid tours: Wildlife & Penguin Tour, Twilight at the OPERA & Canopy to Coast Tour)
This discount code can be used for online bookings, direct or over the phone when mentioned
Discount code: opendays50
Available 1 May – 12 May 2025
Visit The OPERA website
Tūhura Otago Community Trust Science Centre
All Otago Open Days attendees receive $10pp entry into the Tūhura Otago Community Trust Science Centre / Tropical Forest
Only available in-person at Tūhura Otago Museum (not online)
Discount code: opendays25
Available 2 – 5 May 2025
Monarch Wildlife Cruises & Tours
50% off our One-hour Wildlife Cruise and the City to Sea Wildlife Cruise for all Otago Open Days attendees
Discount code: opendays50
Available 1 – 6 May 2025
Visit the Monarch website
Olveston Historic Home
Get treated like a local - $20.50/person and $13.00/student
Book on the Olveston website via the Otago Open Days 'Events Calendar' listing
Available 28 April – 14 May 2025
Visit the Olveston website
Larnach Castle
10% discount on Castle and Garden Entry or Garden Entry
Discount code: LARNACH10
Purchase online only using the Fareharbor code LARNACH10 (discount will not be applied at the gate)
Available to students and their families visiting Otago Open Days
Available 2 – 6 May 2025 (can be purchased ahead of time)
Visit the Larnach Castle website
FAQs
The full programme of academic information sessions takes place on Monday. It’s a normal working day at the University so there’ll be lots of students around. Sunday includes fewer presentations (although the main degree courses are still covered) and a more laidback vibe.
Many people like to attend both days so they have enough time to get a feel for the campus and city, attend the information sessions they’re interested in, and have plenty of time to talk to staff at the expo.
Head to one of our information tents, where you can pick up programmes and maps, meet for tours, and ask questions.
There is limited parking around the University on a weekday. We recommend you book accommodation within walking distance or use public transport to get to campus.
Yes, you can use guest Wi-Fi on campus.
The majority of colleges are a five-minute-or-less walk from campus.
A free, hop-on hop-off bus will depart approximately every 20 minutes outside the Visitors' Centre (near St David). The bus will loop around the following off-campus colleges: Knox, Salmond, Aquinas, Caroline Freeman, Toroa, Carrington, Cumberland. You can choose to walk to other nearby colleges or back to campus from these stops.
The bus will run on Sunday and Monday from 9am to 3pm.
Colleges may be able to offer separate tours on Saturday, 3 May - please contact individual colleges to arrange a time.
192 Castle College
192 Castle St
Aquinas College
74 Gladstone Rd
Arana College
110 Clyde St
Caroline Freeman College
911 Cumberland St
Carrington College
57 Heriot Row
Cumberland College
250 Castle St
Hayward College
110 Frederick St
Knox College
3 Arden St
Salmond College
19 Knox St
St Margaret's College
333 Leith St
Selwyn College
560 Castle St
Studholme College
127 Clyde St
Te Rangihīroa College
15 Forth St
Toroa College
8 Regent Rd
University College (UniCol)
315 Leith St
This is the University of Otago’s only open day event this year. However, you’re welcome to visit us at any time. You can explore the campus at your own pace or contact our schools’ liaison team to arrange a guided tour.
Find out more about our campus tours
Schools' Liaison also run information evenings and other events around the country.
360-degree tour of Dunedin
More information
Contact us
Please contact us for more information.
Email opendays@otago.ac.nz