Jisc praises social media in student recruitment

Titled Managing Students' Expectations of University , the document says that universities and colleges are using Facebook photo albums, online clips and video briefings to provide information. Examples include the University of Exeter's interactive, online resource for prospective students, which includes video, audio and onscreen interaction, about PhD level study at Exeter and more generally. The resource had a soft launch in May and has now been integrated with Exeter's online postgraduate prospectus. The document also points to Durham University's searchable online database for prospective students, launched in autumn 2010. The database is located on the university's top level web pages, two or three clicks from the home page, and aims to provide headline facts on areas including course details, admissions information, fees and funding and career opportunities The Institute of Education at the University of London is using online media, such as Google, Yahoo, LinkedIn, Facebook, Guardian Jobs Online, and the CBI Directory to inform prospective students about its teaching course. The report was produced by the 1994 Group as part of the Jisc funded Student Expectations of University project, aimed at enhancing applicants' understanding of university experiences. Dr Harriet Dunbar-Morris, who wrote the report, said: "Government proposals to increase graduate contributions will make it more important than ever for universities to demonstrate the benefits they offer. "Prospective students need solid information on what university life will be like, both in and outside of the lecture theatre, if they are going to make informed decisions on where to apply. The examples in our report show some of the steps 1994 Group universities are taking." Malcolm Read, executive secretary of Jisc, said: "By highlighting these examples we want to help the whole sector become more competitive in attracting and retaining students of the highest calibre from the UK and beyond."