The best university recruitment videos
Ok, we’ll put our hands up, that is indeed a rather click-bait blog title: the best university recruitment videos. After all, what counts as best? Is it the one with the most likes? The most comments? Perhaps the most student admissions? Maybe all of the above? Or is it the one that uses the latest video production techniques or the best cinematic approach?
Ultimately, there can be no one winner of ‘best university recruitment videos’. It will depend on who is watching and how they are judging. For that reason, we’ve taken three different viewpoints and have them choose their favourite university recruitment video.
The best university recruitment video: from a current A-Level student
We talked to a prospective undergraduate recently who has been trawling UCAS to find the right universities to apply to. They loved, liked, and loathed a range of university videos. Calling some out with ‘no personality’ but loving others with large-scale productions. One of their favourites was this from the University of Winchester:
Why? Well, they want to go to a university that isn’t in a city. And, this one clearly shows the lifestyle of Winchester with big open spaces combined with more vocational courses. There is no voiceover just the band playing over a sequence of cinematic-style shots. A high production value but one that can be achieved with a smaller crew.
The best university recruitment video: from our Client Services Director
Our team regularly keeps track of the latest videos from universities. Higher education is a core specialism for us and we make it our mission to understand the latest trends. We want to know what is connecting with prospective students, current students, and wider university audiences too. One of our favourites is this one from the University of Sunderland:
The story – or features and benefits of the university – is clear and delivered with impact. The shots move at a pace and work together or individually. You can see how the video can be reused into stills or shorter content for social media. The sound design also sets this video apart, adding to the energy of the video.
You can see how it would attract a different prospective student than the University of Winchester but both tell their story effectively.
The best university recruitment video: from a Marketing Manager
A slightly biased view from the Marketing Manager we spoke to who picked a favourite from their university: Birmingham City University. This video has a grittier, creative feel that feels less polished than others but in a good way. It targets itself clearly to those who want to study in a big diverse city. And creates its own hashtag along the way #iambcu. Simple yet effective.
Searching across social media for #iambcu shows university created content alongside user-generated content. Not only does it create a community of current students it enables prospective students to easily see what to expect. We caught this video advertised at a cinema within the Midlands, showing how the right video can be used across channels for recruitment.
A few final thoughts on video in university recruitment
If you work in university marketing you’ll already know that UCAS is the place for applications and all users will be looking for something different. However a big cinematic production, can also be pushed out across TV, radio, and print-based advertising. But by combining video with a strapline – or hashtag – allows for wider marketing opportunities in copy and still graphics too.
The ‘best’ examples we’ve picked out are great examples of hero content but if you’re working in university marketing it is important to think about hub and help content along the user journey too. Different types of content might also be important to influencers such as parents or carers alongside reels and stories for prospective students.
We’re offering a free brainstorming strategy session to universities with our production team. We can work with you to develop a brief for your in-house team or to put to tender. Email Ant@Humanoid.uk to set up a meeting.
