UCAS is enhancing its partnership with Unibuddy by introducing a novel feature that fosters personalised connections between prospective and current students. This feature automatically pairs applicants with students already enrolled in their desired course, at a university or college of interest, or in a preferred location.
For international students, this function connects them with students from their home country, offering insights into the experience of relocating to the UK for studies.
Surveys conducted by Unibuddy have highlighted the significance of such connections, with 78% of prospective students expressing a desire to interact with university students during their decision-making process. Additionally, 65% of applicants are more likely to choose universities where they can communicate with student ambassadors. These statistics underscore the value of peer-to-peer interactions in guiding students’ educational choices.
Prospective students can already engage with ambassadors through their UCAS Hub account, a feature 92% of students find beneficial in their university selection process. The new feature enriches this interaction by instantly matching students based on their profiles and preferences upon account creation.
In light of current challenges like reduced open day attendance due to cost-of-living concerns, identified by 39% of students in UCAS research, this online tool offers a vital, cost-free resource for exploring and deciding on future educational paths.
Dave Penney, Director of Marketing at UCAS, commented: “UCAS is thrilled to continue our partnership with Unibuddy, delivering an exciting discovery product for all those exploring their next steps. The ability for prospective students to be automatically connected with current students just like them will allow them to hear first-hand about the excitement of uni life and what their course could entail, as well as learn about the clubs and societies on offer when they arrive.
“The improved peer-to-peer service will also be of huge benefit to universities and colleges, allowing them to engage directly with prospective applicants to make more informed choices. By giving universities and colleges a more personal, proactive route to communicate with future cohorts, we can facilitate that connection at the earliest touchpoint to support them throughout their journey into higher education.”
Diego Fanara, Unibuddy Chief Executive Officer, said: “Unibuddy is excited to continue our partnership with UCAS to empower students to feel confident throughout their decision-making process. Uni-bound students are more overwhelmed than ever before by the choices in front of them. And our data show that today’s generation demands nothing short of a personalised experience. We are able to meet these challenges head-on with the new service we are launching today.
“Prospective students will be matched and instantly connected with a current student who can share their lived experience. It’s a better, faster and easier way to really unearth what sets an institution apart, and gives the guidance students need to propel forward in their journey. Best of all, our hundreds of institutional partners can engage with students early, understand what’s top of mind, and tailor their outreach accordingly. It’s a win-win.”
