Marketing your courses in a competitive environment

The issue

As education funding is reduced and the cost to individuals rises, the market for further and higher education is becoming more consumer-led. Student expectations are also increasing.

Prospective students are now more likely to find information about courses via their laptops than in a printed prospectus, so universities, further education and skills providers are looking to digital technologies to help publicise and market their courses.

What you can do

Understand your market

Get started with our business intelligence guide.

Polish up your communication skills

Our workshops can help you improve skills in writing for the web, podcasting, social media and web design.

Our advice can help you make sure your marketing is accessible to all students, whatever their needs.

Tap into the network of online course information

The Online Learning Task-Force study found that online distance learning courses are often particularly difficult to find in websites.

Our information model called XCRI-CAP  can help you publish online prospectus information in a standard format, making it easier for agencies such as UCAS, the National Learning Directory or 14-19 Prospectus websites to collect and share.

Use open educational resources to attract prospective students

Our Open Educational Resources guide will help you get started.

Develop a systematic approach to managing your relationship with potential students and their schools, colleges or workplace.

Social software can also open up new ways to communicate and collaborate online.  Find out about other ways to stay in touch using our relationship management resources. 

Looking to the future

By sharing and aggregating course information across the UK, there is huge potential for prospective students to explore and compare courses. To achieve this, we will be shortly be launching a programme of work to build a group of institutions adopting the standard XCRI-CAP.