Student Recruitment at University College Cork

1. Student Recruitment at University College Cork

2. Before we start …… Two Case Scenarios Group 1 Imagine you are a 17 year old student from Dublin in your final year at school and you are trying to decide what to do when you leave school. What factors are involved in making your decision and where do you look for information? Group 2 You are in your final year of a primary degree in Chemical Sciences at UCC and you wish to undertake a postgraduate programme at either taught Masters or PhD level. What factors are involved in making your decision and where do you look for information?

3. What are the main factors? • programme choices • the location* • reputation* • cost • academic excellence • peer choices • branding and marketing*

4. Location, Location, Location

5. Information Sources • Word of Mouth • School Visits • University Open Days • University Prospectus and Brochures • Website • Facebook, twitter and other social media • Electronic Newsletters

6. Our Target Market • Undergraduate Students • Postgraduate Taught Students • Postgraduate Research Students • International Students

7. UCC’s SWOT Analysis • Strengths • ‘Where Finbarr taught let Munster learn’ • UCC attracts 92% of its student population from the province of Munster. • At postgraduate level almost 50% of our places taken by UCC graduates • Excellent track record in attracting research income, • World-class research centres such as the Tyndall National Institute • A stunning campus which lies within walking distance of the City Centre.

8. UCC’s SWOT Analysis • Weaknesses • Difficulty in attracting students from outside Cork and Munster at undergraduate level • Strong competition from Cork Institute of Technology and University of Limerick

9. UCC’s SWOT Analysis • Opportunities • internationalisation of education has opened up previously untapped markets • Threats • Private Institutes and the IoT sector have taken a societal marketing approach and have responded quickly to changing demands. • Other universities have increased resources for marketing their programmes and recruiting students.

10. Mastering the Digital Universe

11. Academic Worries

12. Attracting Postgraduate Research Students • Funding • Expertise in Research Area • Reputation of Research Group and Supervisor • Location • Unique Selling Points of the University • UCC Doctoral Showcase • Boolean Research Journal • Postgraduate Skills and Training Modules • Student Induction and Support Programme • Work Placement • Erasmus Mobility Funding

13. From ‘Interest’ to Application • Undergraduate Programmes • Students apply to the Central Applications Office by • 1st February of year of Admission • - up to 10 programme choices • www.cao.ie • Postgraduate Programmes • Students apply to the Postgraduate Applications Centre • - varying closing dates • Up to 5 programme choices for taught programmes • www.pac.ie

14. Why is student recruitment so important? • Quality of Students • Quantity of Students • Key Performance Indicators • 1st preferences (undergraduate programmes) • No of applications • No of offers • No of students entering with over 500 points • Conversions of offers to acceptances • Conversion of acceptances to registrations • Retention Rate • Number of different nationalities represented on campus • Quality in means quality out

15. Questions For any queries please contact Michelle Nelson, Graduate Studies Office, UCC m.nelson@ucc.ie +353 21 4903076 www.ucc.ie/en/graduatestudies