University News Last updated 15 July 2016
After becoming the first University to offer Clearing places via social media, Birmingham City University has been recognised for its innovative campaign at this year’s HEIST Awards.
The University scooped silver in the ‘Most Effective use of Social Media’ category, and bronze for ‘Best of Innovation in Education Marketing’.
The annual awards, now in their 26th year, celebrate extraordinary work within the education marketing sector. The winners were unveiled during a glitzy award ceremony at the Palace Hotel in Manchester on Thursday 7 July.
The Clearing process allows students to apply for University places after they receive their A-level results and the clamour for spaces can lead to busy phone lines for anxious applicants.
The decision to make offers on Twitter and Facebook was made after University staff noted an increase in the number of 16 to 24 year-olds choosing to interact via social media rather than through traditional communication forms like the telephone.
During the Clearing process the University received 151 social media enquiries from potential applicants, and more than 1,000 interactions.
A total of 61 students were offered places online with 56 going on to join the University in September 2015.
Commenting on the University’s campaign, the judges said:"In a University first, Birmingham City University provided a full social media service for the 2015 clearing period. We commend BCU for being bold and creative while providing effective communication to an anxious audience during a stressful period."