Thousands of local and interstate students are expected to swarm onto the four university campuses and Canberra Institute of Technology on Saturday as part of a combined recruitment drive by the institutions.

Started in the late 90s as a way for the ACT to capitalise on its education city potential, Canberra Tertiary Open day has become something of a tourist attraction. It draws not only prospective students and their families to the ACT from across the country, but also provides a worthwhile day out for locals - even if they have no plans to enrol.

The Australian Defence Force Academy is hopeful of drawing a good crowd despite this week's negative publicity surrounding the Skype sex scandal.

ADFA Undergraduates Group Captain John Davidson said as many as 8000 people were expected to tour the facilities.

He said the activities and displays available at ADFA were a bit more exciting than your average university tour.

Anyone over the age of 14 could fire a weapon in the weapons simulation training area, a helicopter would hover over proceedings and would-be pilots could check their skills in a flight simulator.

Royal Australian Airforce Forces dogs would be put through their paces and members of the Red Berets would display parachute-packing techniques.

The Australian National University similarly cited high expectations of a good turn out despite continuing industrial unrest over recent budget cuts.

A spokeswoman said website visits were up this year on last and the ANU was far from alone in having to cope with budget cuts as a result of sector-wide funding cuts initiated by the Federal Government.

The ANU Harry Potter Club would provide a house hat sorting and wand making service and a Quidditch match on Chiefly Meadows. Members of the Street Performers Academy roam the crowds performing juggling and magic acts and, on matters more academic, the Science Circus team would hold a range of demonstrations.

Meanwhile, the ANU Sustainability Learning Community Garden would give away potted seeds and offer soup tasting from a recent harvest.

The University of Canberra has enlisted the help of Skywhale to draw crowds to its Bruce campus as well as having members of the UC Brumbies on hand for a spot of celebrity watching.

Visitors could engage with reptiles under the careful eye of environmental scientists or perhaps learn the secrets to growing slime or crystals. High-tech labs offering games and virtual world demonstration were likely to be popular.

Vice-chancellor Stephen Parker said the event was not only enjoyable for prospective students but "an opportunity for the Canberra community to enjoy a day out".

There would be activities by student-led clubs and societies, children's entertainment, market stalls, and music.

Similarly, CIT promised to be a family-friendly event, offering everything from cooking demonstrations and tastings, hair styling and massage sessions and the chance for prospective tradespeople to wield a welding gun.

The Australian Catholic University's Signadou campus was expecting 1000 visitors or more, and would provide several practical displays including a mock medical emergency in the main courtyard showcasing paramedic skill.

Campus Dean Patrick McArdle said the open day provided broader appeal than in earlier years.

"A few years ago we used to find that the majority of participants were seeking information about the following year, now we get more people coming from Years 10 and 11 or with a view to more distant study options. In other words, Open Day is an investment in the future, a chance for ACU to build a relationship with possible students, with their families and friends."

ACT Chief Minister Katy Gallagher said the day was one of the premier marketing opportunities for the ACT and she expected a huge turnout. She encouraged "prospective students, young and old, to take advantage of Canberra's tertiary open day.''