Hundreds of local high school students will converge on the University of Newcastle Ourimbah campus next week for the annual School Visits Day.

Year 11 and 12 students from schools across the Central Coast are invited onto campus on Friday 18 May.

Pro Vice-Chancellor and Director of the Central Coast campuses, Professor Stephen Crump, said it was a unique opportunity to experience life on a university campus.

"School Visits Day is a great opportunity for students coming to the end of their high school education to gain the information they need to make decisions about their future," Professor Crump said.

"Students will hear about the range of different programs and subject areas they can study at the Central Coast, which will give them valuable help in making choices about tertiary education.

"The Ourimbah campus gives local students a great opportunity to gain a top class tertiary education without having to leave the region.

"With the broad range of programs on offer, there will be something for every student interested in furthering their study and gaining a university or TAFE qualification.

"In addition to the program of lectures and presentations, students can head to Campus Central for live lunchtime entertainment and get a taste of the other side of university life."

Presentations will provide information across the range of programs offered at the Ourimbah campus, including Sports Science, Psychology, Marine Science, Food Science and Human Nutrition, Nursing, Teaching, Engineering, Computer Science, and Podiatry.

Students who register at the beginning of the day will be provided with lunch vouchers and go into the draw to win an iPod.