This was the challenge issued to students at the University of Aberdeen by Student Recruitment and Admissions Services Director, Lori Manders to help in the University’s recruitment campaign.
“We decided to involve students in our campaign because recent research had shown there were some misconceptions about the City of Aberdeen and the University among prospective students,” said Lori Manders,
“The Institute of Employment Studies carried out a survey on our behalf which showed that some students were put off applying because the University was seen as far away and because of the perceived unattractiveness of the city.
“1249 students from the University were involved in the survey. One of the most interesting and, for us encouraging, results was that this University was clearly seen as belonging to the first division. It has a reputation for helping students get a good degree whilst simultaneously offering a great social life.”
The University launches tomorrow a full scale media campaign throughout Scotland and the North of England to counteract these misconceptions with radio and press adverts as well as newspaper inserts. Eight current students have taken part to develop and record the scripts and text.
Under the general campaign slogan of “Secure a world class future at the University of Aberdeen”, the students came up with a number of key phrases:
“the University offers the most flexible courses in the country and on a brilliant campus”
“coming to the University of Aberdeen was the best decision of my life”
“the University of Aberdeen will not only give me a head start when looking for a job from a world class university but the whole Aberdeen experience has given me so much more besides”
Lori Manders continued. “The campaign starts on 3 November and will last for three weeks. It runs concurrently with our 24-hour hotline which offers information for prospective students before the UCAS deadline of 15 December for completed University entrance application forms.”
The campaign embraces the key strengths of the University as described by the representative sample of its students: academic reputation, the sociability and attractiveness of the University, offering graduates a head start in gaining successful employment (some 96% of graduates are in employment or further study within 6 months of graduating.
The University Student Hotline number is 01224 272090 and will be available 24-hours a day between 3 – 24 November inclusive.