Student Recruitment at University College Cork

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? 2

What are the main factors? programme choices the location* reputation* cost academic excellence peer choices branding and marketing* Not a huge range of options – fill in our survey

Location, Location, Location It can be confusing – different offices responsible for different things!

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

Our Target Market Undergraduate Students Postgraduate Taught Students Postgraduate Research Students International Students

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. 7

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 8

UCC’s SWOT Analysis Opportunities Threats 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. 9

Mastering the Digital Universe

Academic Worries

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

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 13

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 14

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