Wednesday 15 January
| 10:00 | Registration opens Arrive from 10:00 onwards that works for you and your travel arrangements. On arrival you will join your group chair for registration as well as networking with your group members. Bags can be left with the hotel to be collected after check-in. | |
| 11:00 | Group Catch-up Travel allowing, please arrive by 11:00, to join your group chair for your conference catch up with your group. If you can not arrive before 12:00 then you will be able to register at the conference help desk. | |
| 12:00 | Lunch | |
| 13:15 | Conference opens | |
| 13:30 | Keynote A VC Perspective on the State of the Sector and What’s Next Professor Ken Sloan | Harper Adams University | |
| 14:15 | Table networking A chance to network with those on your assigned table. The tables will be arranged by job role/time in the sector to allow you to meet a range of delegates. | |
| 14:45-15:15 | Refreshment break/Networking/AGM drop in The refreshment break is a chance to network with delegates and all members of the executive team will be available if you have any questions, in particular, about the upcoming Annual General Meeting and reports. |
Workshop 1 (15:15-16:15)
1.1: Delivering Unique and Bespoke Outreach Sessions
David Metcalfe | Student Recruitment Coordinator | Newcastle University
Lauren Perry | Regional Student Recruitment Officer | University of South Wales
Helpful hints and tips on how to prepare and deliver unique and bespoke sessions to a variety of audiences.
1.2: The Transition to University: The Value of Pre-Entry Support
Becky Naylor-Teece | University of Southampton
This interactive workshop introduces a lifecycle approach to student support, which emphasises supporting students before they access university, during their course, and after they complete their studies. The Learn with US Transition Programme at the University of Southampton will be used as a case study to demonstrate the impact pre-entry support can have, especially for students who are underrepresented at university. The programme provides free interactive workshops and guidance to state schools offering the EPQ (Extended Project Qualification).
A joined-up approach is essential, and the Learn with US Transition Programme is an access focused component of the first intervention strategy we have developed in our Access and Participation Plan (APP) as a response to the OFS’ Equality of Opportunity Risk Register (EORR). This session will demonstrate how other pre-entry programmes such as Ignite Your Journey work together, and how sustained support across the student lifecycle continues for students who study at the University of Southampton.
1.3: SUPPORTER SESSION | Supporting Students From Priority Groups Through Their University Journey: Academic Attainment, University Access and Successful Transitions
Helen Foster | Interim Director of Access Programmes | The Brilliant Club
This session explores the particular impact that targeted interventions can have on attainment, access and transition for those students who are most underrepresented in Higher Education, such as care-experienced young people, and those from refugee or migrant backgrounds. The session considers the importance of tailoring programme design to meet the needs of different student groups, rather than adopting a one-size-fits-all approach.
Alongside sharing The Brilliant Club’s own experience of running access and success programmes with over 100,000 students, the session will give the audience space to reflect on the different student groups their institutions are prioritising for attainment, access and success work, and the design, implementation and evaluation of interventions targeted towards these groups.
1.4: Postgraduate Led Networking Room
Connect with HE professionals from across the UK who specialise in PG. The session will feature focused discussion topics, with a member of the HELOA UK Committee in every room to facilitate engaging conversations.
1.5: SPONSOR SESSION | The Big Green Quiz: What I’ve Learned About Sustainability in HE Marketing
Nathan Monk | Co-Founder | Prospectus+
Join this enlightening and interactive workshop where personal
insights meet sustainability in higher education marketing. Tailored for HE professionals,
this session revolves around a fun and engaging quiz, sharing the hard truths and valuable
lessons learned on the journey of creating a digital-first alternative to the traditionally
printed prospectus.
Discover practical, eco-friendly strategies through dynamic quiz questions and real-world
university case studies. This session aims to provide you with the knowledge and tools to
lead your institution towards a sustainable future. Prepare for an hour of learning, collaboration, and a touch of competitiveness, with “The Big Green Quiz”.
1.6: SPONSOR SESSION | How to Work with External Companies to Deliver Skills-focused Outreach Sessions
Vivi Friedgut | Founder & Chief Executive Officer | Blackbullion
Getting into schools can be competitive and outreach alone can be tough. This session will focus on how collaborating with external companies can help you deliver truly impactful, skills-focused outreach activities. We will:
Share insights on what young people want and need from outreach activities
Show international and UK best practice case studies on how to build an outreach ecosystem and demonstrate how Blackbullion has collaborated with teams
Try out a suite of skill-building tools on budgeting, goals and developing long-term money management and confidence
Discuss and vote as a group on what should be the standards of skill-building within outreach sessions
1.7: EXTERNAL COMPANY SESSION | Stepping Up Without Burning Out
Katy Murray | Coach and Catalyst | Katy Catalyst/ Catalyst Collective
What kind of challenges are you dealing with every day, and how are you centering your wellbeing as you navigate them?! A reflective and interactive session to explore how you can step up in your leadership, without burning out, even through disruptive times. Come open, curious and prepared to share… expect practical tools and compassionate challenge!
| 16:15 | Check in and down time The HELOA executive team will also be available until 5pm if you have any questions, in particular about the upcoming Annual General Meeting and reports. |
| 16:30-18:30 | Demo time This is an optional session. Delegates will have the chance to have a detailed session with some of our conference sponsors to find out more about their products and services. |
Stealable secrets from the Blackbullion ecosystem
Blackbullion partners with 75+ universities, colleges and businesses to bridge outreach/recruitment and student support teams. Bringing financial literacy, wellbeing and confidence to current and prospective students – to empower them with the money skills to thrive while studying and beyond.
Come and chat to us about best practice from across our partner community, so you can steal their secrets! You’ll also get to see the supertools they’re using:
- Financial education as you’ve never seen it before, plus tools that give students their ‘Financial Wellbeing Score’ and money personality
- The first student money management app for budgeting, cutting spending and achieving financial goals
- The UK’s largest hub of support funds, scholarships and grants (with millions of pounds for students to apply for!)
- The leading end-to-end funding solution for universities that staff say they “can’t cope without”
- Powerful, actionable insights and more!
Datafiltr – the leading Schools and College platform for Higher Education
Why not come to our drop in session and discover how to improve your ROI from
your schools liaison work
This drop in session will demonstrate how a data-led approach to schools targeting will lead
to enhanced schools liaison activity and potentially an improved student recruitment rate.
During this short session, and please feel free to join us at any time, we will show how
Datafiltr can benefit your schools liaison team and a wider internal stakeholders.
I will be joined by Jack Cooper from Leeds Trinity University, who will explain how Datafiltr
has become a cornerstone for analysing, evaluating and reporting on all their schools liaison
activity.
The drop in will be open from 4.30pm and we will be offering refreshments as well. It will all
be delivered in a relaxed and open fashion, but we will be doing a short demo of Datafiltr at
5.30pm for 15 minutes.
So if you haven’t seen Datafiltr in operation, please feel free to pop in.
| 18:30-20:00 | Evening Buffet Served in the main dining room. Come down at a time which suits you best before the evening entertainment starts. |
| 20:00 | Evening entertainment including the annual HELOA Quiz The quiz is sponsored by Blackbullion and is optional but super fun. |
Thursday 16 January
| 07:00-09:00 | Breakfast opens for full delegates N.B. Full delegates can also use the leisure facilities from 06.30 | |
| 08:30 | Arrival & registration for day delegates and group networking | |
| 09:00 | Conference opens | |
| 09:15 | HELOA Annual Awards – Presentations The finalists for Best Practice in Widening Participation, Outreach and Access & Best Practice in Student Recruitment will present their entries, and member institutions will vote for the winners. Voting for awards must be complete by 14:30 via the paper voting form. Reminder: You have one vote per institution. |
Workshop 2 (10:00-11:00)
2.1: STRATEGIC PARTNER SESSION | Home or Halls? Exploring Prospective Undergraduates’ Decisions to Stay at Home or Move Away for University
Aimee Johnston | Head of Agency Partners | The Student Room
Paul Cernicharo-Terol | Commercial Director | The Student Room
Join us for an insightful session that looks into the decision-making process of prospective undergraduate students as they choose whether to stay at home or move away for university. Based on the latest market research by The Student Room insight team, this presentation will offer data and insights into the factors influencing students’ choices, the implications of these decisions, and the support they seek during this pivotal time.
2.2: Widening Access and Participation Led Networking Room
Connect with HE professionals from across the UK who specialise in Widening Access and Participation. The session will feature focused discussion topics, with a member of the HELOA UK Committee in every room to facilitate engaging conversations.
2.3: EXTERNAL COMPANY SESSION | Connection Counts
Hannah Simnett | Founder and CEO | Cherished UK
Are you seeking to foster deeper connections with students who are difficult to reach? Join us for ‘ Connecting with Challenging Students,” a dynamic and interactive seminar designed to equip educators with the skills and strategies needed to create meaningful and lasting relationships with all students.
In this workshop, we will explore effective techniques for engaging students who may be resistant, disengaged, or otherwise challenging to connect with. Participants will gain insights into understanding the underlying causes of these behaviors and learn practical tools for creating an environment where every student feels seen, heard, and valued.
Key topics covered include:
– Understanding Student Behaviours: Discover the root causes of challenging behaviors and learn how to respond with empathy and understanding.
– Effective Communication Strategies: Learn proven communication techniques to break down barriers and build trust with students.
– Creating Impactful Experiences: Explore ways to create memorable interactions that leave a positive, lasting impact on students.
– Practical Tools and Techniques: Gain access to a toolkit of resources and strategies that can be implemented immediately in your classroom or school environment.
This workshop will provide you with the knowledge and confidence to connect with every student, fostering a supportive and inclusive community. Join us and be empowered to make a difference in the lives of students, creating connections that resonate far beyond the classroom.
2.4: STRATEGIC PARTNER SESSION | To PG or not to PG? – A data-driven soliloquy on Masters & PhD audiences for 2025
Mark Bennett | Director (Audience & Insight) | FAU
Something has been rotten in the state of UK postgraduate recruitment and
the ghost of previous policy decisions stalks the ramparts of student finance and international
offices. But 2025 doesn’t have to be a tragedy and the right insight can make Masters and PhD
recruitment less of an existential problem.
This session will pull from FindAUniversity’s unique data sources to reveal the audiences
searching for UK postgraduate study in 2025, understand how they’re evolving and highlight
opportunities to engage and support them.
2.5: Recruit more students or we’re all F##ked!
James Kerr | Head of Student Recruitment and Admissions | University of Buckingham
Collaborative Approach: Understand the importance of making student recruitment a shared mission and learn how to get buy-in from all stakeholders.
Case Studies: Dive into examples of what worked (and what didn’t) from James’s experiences at various universities.
Interactive Learning: Engage in discussions and activities that will help you apply these strategies in your own context.
James Kerr, Head of Student Recruitment and Admissions at the University of Buckingham brings a wealth of knowledge and practical insights to this session. Having successfully led teams and projects that bridge the gap between recruitment and marketing, ensuring a cohesive approach to attracting students.
2.6: Understanding Neurodivergence in Higher Education
Gemma Spencer | Lecturer in Pre-Registration Nursing | University of Central Lancashire
Applications to higher education institutions (HEI’s) from learners who identify as Neurodivergent have increased year on year. This increase, coupled with the difficult to navigate transition to higher education highlights the need for increased awareness and support around neurodivergence. This session will explore common definitions and terminology, the legal, moral and ethical responsibilities of HEI’s as well as provide tips to supporting Neurodivergent students in HE.
2.7: SUPPORTER SESSION | New government, same challenges – factors driving student decision-making
Camilla King | Director of Client Partnerships, UK | IDP
Aryan Bhattacharya | Account Manager | IDP
A unique look at the latest trends in student demand from 2025 applicants accessing university rankings, course information and peer-to-peer content on Whatuni and Complete University Guide as they navigate applying to university in this ever-changing Higher Education landscape
| 11:00 | Refreshment break With opportunity to liaise with HELOA Partners, sponsors and visit the Best Practice Awards Showcase |
| 11:30 | Keynote – 35 Years Celebratory Progression Panel |
To celebrate 35 years of HELOA, we have invited past HELOA Chairs to join us and share their insights and experiences of the sector as well as their HELOA memories! So get ready for a story or two…
The panel will be chaired by the current HELOA Chair, Reena Littlehales and HELOA Vice-Chair (Finance), Fiona Curry.
Reena Littlehales | HELOA Chair | Undergraduate Student Recruitment and Access Officer, Keele University
Fiona Curry | HELOA Vice-Chair (Finance) | Strategic Lead, Access and Participation, University of Cumbria
Jonny Atkinson-White | Customer Success Manager | Revolution Viewing Ltd | HELOA Chair: 2019 – 2023
Joining HE in 2013 Jonny quickly took up the role of VC Training in the North West & Northern Ireland group. Fast forward 10 years later and he was stepping down after 4 year as HELOA Chair at his 10th HELOA conference. The motivation to take on these roles and eventually the lead of the organisation came from the amazing members, the will of people who want to improve themselves and support their friends and colleagues in the process.
Joe Bradbury-Walters | Head of Outreach | National Film and Television School | HELOA Chair: Jan 2019 – Sept 2019
I have been in outreach for nearly 20 years now, It’s been called different things along the way. I started as a school, then Education, Liaison Officer at the University of Portsmouth, By the time I left, I was a Recruitment and Outreach Officer. I moved on to the University of Surrey and led a team there as Widening Participation and Outreach Manager.
Robbie Pickles | Director of Global Student Recruitment and Admissions | Keele University | HELOA Chair: 2017 – Jan 2019
Robbie is Director of Global Student Recruitment and Admissions at Keele University where he leads the teams responsible for admissions, recruitment, marketing, and widening access activities. Since finishing his first role as President of the Students’ Union at Lancaster, all of his roles have been in student recruitment and outreach, including at Oxford, Sheffield, Lancaster, and Bath. There are very few Travelodges he hasn’t stayed in!
Mike Nicholson | Director of Recruitment, Admissions and Participation | University of Cambridge | HELOA Chair: 2005 – 2007
Mike joined the University of Cambridge in October 2021, having previously worked as Director of Undergraduate Admissions and Outreach at the University of Bath (2014-21) and University of Oxford (2006-2014), and Head of Undergraduate Admissions and Student Recruitment at the University of Essex (1998-2006). He is Chair of the UCAS Council, the stakeholder advisory group that advises the UCAS Trustee Board on sector issues. He is also a Trustee and Treasurer of the Council of International Schools (Chairing the Finance Committee) and a Trustee of the AQA Exam Board and chairs their Higher Education Advisory Group. He has recently joined the Sutton Trust’s Education Advisory Board, and the Rethinking Assessment Advisory Board.
Liam Owens | Pro Vice-Chancellor (Marketing, Student Recruitment and Student Administration) | Edge Hill University | HELOA Chair: 2010 – 2014
Liam was appointed as Pro Vice-Chancellor (Marketing, Student Recruitment and Student Administration) in October 2023. Liam first joined Edge Hill in 2007. During his 16 years at the University, he has held many senior roles including the Director of Student Recruitment and Administration. Liam provides strategic leadership for the University’s recruitment activity, including international recruitment. He is also responsible for Marketing, Admissions, Careers, Corporate Communications, Academic Registry and The Arts Centre.
| 12.30-14.30 | Networking what works for you sessions + Business Expo and Lunch Delegates will be split into group A and group B. |
Workshop 3 (14:45-15:45)
3.1: The Power of Collaboration
Meg James | Recruitment Officer | University of Sheffield
Sarah Bertram | Senior Marketing and Communications Officer | Sheffield Hallam University
A student recruitment and marketing case study around the Sheffield City collaborative campaign. This session will explore how the two universities came together to address a shared challenge: low awareness of Sheffield as a student destination amongst key UGH market. We will cover how the collaboration was started, how the two institutions have worked together to extend the Sheffield City collaboration to UCAS and other student recruitment events, the impact we’ve seen from the collaboration and top tips for other institutions and organisations to tap into the power of collaborative working.
3.2: SPONSOR SESSION | Empowering Access: Understanding Disadvantaged Students’ Priorities in University Research
Ashley Walshe | HE Partnerships Manager | Unifrog
Emily Kay | HE Partnerships Manager | Unifrog
Join Unifrog for an in-depth exploration of the priorities of students from disadvantaged
backgrounds as they navigate their next steps. This session will reveal trends from the 2025
cohort, including subject preferences, regional differences, and the key factors important to
prospective students.
We are also privileged to have input from our Unifrog teachers, sharing their perspectives on
university access schemes and the most effective strategies for supporting disadvantaged
students in pursuing higher education.
3.3: The Dragon, The Thistle and The Shamrock
Ben Kibble-Smith | Wales Group Chair | HELOA UKC
Vicky Bannerman | Scotland Group Chair | HELOA UKC
Niamh Gallagher | Digital Comms Manager | HELOA UKC
Join us for this interactive session to learn about the qualifications and HE systems in Northern Ireland, Scotland & Wales as well as an insight into the student finance differences. Myths will be busted, prizes to be won, no Welsh nor Gaelic/Gaeilge required!
3.4: Approaches for Undergraduate to Postgraduate Progression
Emma Price | Head of Postgraduate Recruitment | University of Derby
Alice Brereton | Postgraduate Recruitment Manager | University of Bristol
Delve into the world of postgraduate recruitment with two universities sharing valuable insight, experience and practical tips. This session will focus primarily on Undergraduate to Postgraduate progression from the internal market/continuing students. You will explore central and faculty activities, internal stakeholder engagement, incentives, streamlining the admissions process and benchmarking/evaluation.
3.6: Regional Recruitment: Improving your engagement
Gemma Polatajko | Regional Student Recruitment & Access Officer (West Midlands) | University of Reading
Finnuala Jenkins | Student Recruitment Officer | University of Brighton
When your university isn’t based in the region you work in, it can provide certain obstacles when trying to engage with schools and colleges, but also when trying to engage with your office team on-campus. Join us for a discussion and some tips to help steer your engagements.
3.7: EXTERNAL COMPANY SESSION | Optimising Engagement: How university advisors can avoid wasting time in secondary schools, sixth forms and colleges
Elizabeth Lloyd | Independent Careers Advisor | The Careers People
You have spent endless hours stood in cold, draughty school halls waiting for students to come along and engage with you. Only for a bunch of year 7’s to come in after the ‘freebies’. Time is precious and we need to talk about how we can maximise your engagement and exposure to pre and post 16 students and target those who will benefit the most from the conversation. With many years of experience working in the education system, I can give you some quick wins for optimising your time and engagement.
| 16:00 | Wellness Hour An optional session to give you chance to try something new, relax or unwind while also having the chance to network with other delegates. Options include a book swap, board games, a ceilidh, craft room, jog, yoga, use of the hotel pool, leisure facilities and gym as well as a walking tour of Stratford upon Avon. |
| 17:00 | Downtime Full delegates can use the leisure facilities till 9pm. |
| 19:00 | Awards and ‘HELOA’s 35th Birthday’ Gala Dinner The evening starts with a drinks reception sponsored by Unifrog from 18:30, doors open at 19:00 – We ask that all delegates are seated by 19:15 for the awards presentation to start. The awards and gala will be followed by a disco. |
Friday 17 January
| 07:00-09:00 | Breakfast opens for full delegates N.B. Full delegates can also use the leisure facilities from 06:30. |
| 09:00 | Arrival and registration for day delegates |
| By 09:15 | Check out for full delegates N.B. Bags can be left with the hotel until conference close. |
Workshop 4 (09:30-10:30)
4.1: STRATEGIC PARTNER SESSION | Maximising UCAS resources for 2025 Discovery events and beyond
Kathryn Mead | Senior Event Sales Manager | UCAS
Samantha Sykes | Customer Success Manager | UCAS
Aimee Okafor | Head of Events | UCAS
Join UCAS to get valuable first-hand insight from your audience and hear what is influencing young people’s future choices. Find out how to maximise all the UCAS resources available to support you as you prepare for both 2025 Discovery events and the start of the 2026 cycle.
4.2: SUPPORTER SESSION | Transforming WP Engagement: Insights from the Gen Z Student Lifecycle
Tom Haywood-Pope | Chief Operating Officer | Zero Gravity
Alex O’Connor | School Strategy Lead | Zero Gravity
Sophie Radford | Head of Employer Partnerships | Zero Gravity
This session will provide data-driven insights and practical strategies for enhancing WP student access and outcomes. Our expert speakers will share comprehensive perspectives on WP students’ journeys, reveal gaps in current APP strategies, and offer actionable takeaways for immediate implementation.
Engage in interactive discussions to address key challenges and collaborate on innovative solutions to support Gen Z students effectively.
4.3: Right Queer, Right Now.
Kirsty McLaren | Senior Widening Participating Officer | King’s College London
Recognising LGBTQ+ students as WP target groups and interventions to support them.
This session is split into two sections:
(1) an overview of what issues are faced by LGBTQ+ students in school and university.
(2) an introduction to the Pride Power Programme pilot years, and how universities can develop their own schemes.
4.4: “It’s not our fault if they don’t apply”: debunking myths about the postgraduate pipeline
Nuala Murray | Postgraduate Widening Participation Manager | University of Cambridge
The University of Cambridge has had a dedicated postgraduate widening participation team since 2020, working on initiatives such as contextual data, the Close the Gap project, research experience placements and the AIM applicant support programme. During this time, the team has been working to understand the postgraduate pipeline and the challenges faced by applicants from underrepresented backgrounds in accessing Postgraduate study at Cambridge. In this session, Nuala Murray, Postgraduate Widening Participation Manager, will share information about the team’s findings and work to address inequalities in postgraduate admissions.
4.5: Getting The ‘Reel’ Student Insight: Utilising and Nurturing Students Content Creators to Support Student Recruitment Efforts on Social Media.
Chris Green | Social Media Manager | Imperial College London
With social media having the potential to reach so many of our key audience, how can we make sure that the content we post is genuinely resonating?
In this session, Chris Green, Social Media Manager at Imperial College London will discuss how nurturing student content creators to support student recruitment has resulted in the creation of viral content that has truly resonated with the university’s target audience.
4.6: EXTERNAL COMPANY SESSION | Own Your Space
Matthew Powell | Engagement Manager | Speak Easy
We know that public speaking and presenting can be nerve-wracking, especially when engaging with students, new clients and staff, but don’t worry, we’ve got your back. Our experienced trainers will give you the tools and techniques you need to communicate with confidence and clarity. During this workshop, you’ll learn how to captivate your audience, use body language effectively, and create powerful, engaging presentations. We’ll also cover how to deal with nerves and handle unexpected challenges like a pro.
But this isn’t just a workshop on public speaking and presenting, it’s also a team-building experience. You’ll get to know your fellow participants through fun and engaging group activities. Our goal is to create an environment where you feel comfortable taking risks and pushing yourself out of your comfort zone. So, whether you’re a seasoned public speaker or a complete beginner, this workshop is perfect for you. You’ll leave feeling more confident, more energised, and ready to take on the world. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to grow your communication skills and have a blast doing it!
4.7: Leadership Led Networking Room
Connect with leadership HE professionals from across the UK who specialise in areas of student recruitment (UG & PG), outreach, marketing and widening participation. The session will feature focused discussion topics, with a member of the HELOA UK Committee in every room to facilitate engaging conversations.
| 10:30 | Refreshment break |
Workshop 5 (10:45-11:45)
5.1: Student Recruitment Led Networking Room
Connect with HE professionals from across the UK who specialise in areas of student recruitment (UG & PG). The session will feature focused discussion topics, with a member of the HELOA UK Committee in every room to facilitate engaging conversations.
5.2: Guardians of Healthcare – A co-designed Widening Participation and Equality, Diversity and Inclusion project, exploring the barriers of Scottish working-class boys into caring professions
Glyn Morris | Lecturer | Queen Margaret University
Suzanne Ewing | Widening Participation Officer | Queen Margaret University
We wish to improve understanding, confront stereotypes, and increase participation of working-class boys into caring professions. By taking a co-design approach, we will include Scottish working-class boys in the dialogue and include their voices in this project.
The Scottish NHS records that only 1 in 10 of the nurses are male, and that only 2 in 10 of the allied healthcare professionals (AHPs) are male. In terms of education, 15% of AHPs surveyed by the Health Care Professional Council (HCPC) reported that they attended independent schools, which is significantly higher than the national average of 6.5%. An equal representation of society within the healthcare sector is vital for equity, diversity, and inclusion, and can lead to improved health, social and economic gains.
The overall aim of this project is to examine perceptions of male masculinity in the context of healthcare professions. In the longer term, this research may reveal interventions to help raise aspirations of working-class boys, particularly into healthcare careers. This project takes place August to December 2024. As part of our presentation, we wish to share our co-design approach and methods with you, introducing the scope, aims and potential impacts that this innovative project will have.
5.3: SUPPORTER SESSION | Engaging schools and colleges: The Power of Language Before Your Event and Effective Presentation Skills During It
Jon Cheek | Founder and Director | UniTasterDays
Simon Fairbanks | Consultant | UniTasterDays
You already know that you need engaging presentation skills once you enter the
classroom… but how do you get into the classroom in the first place?
Teacher engagement. We must value this every bit as highly as student engagement.
This session will offer you top tips for your two-fold task. You will learn:
- How to engage teachers with emails that are opened, read, and actioned
- How to engage students with talks that are immersive, memorable, and inspiring.
You will discover:
- Best practice for standing out in a crowded inbox
- Ways to improve your email readability through words, structure, links
- Powerful delivery techniques for your next school and college session
- Examples of interactive examples to make sessions more engaging
- Insights from the UniTasterDays university guidance survey.
5.4: STRATEGIC PARTNER SESSION | Postgraduate Student Finance – the facts, the figures and then what?
Stephen Jones | Account Manager for North West England and North Wales | Student Loan Company
Becky Barritt | Postgraduate Recruitment Manager | Edge Hill University
Join us as we focus on finance for postgraduate masters and doctoral students. We’ll start by exploring funding available, eligibility criteria, the application process and repayments. Equipped with knowledge from the experts at the Student Loans Company, we’ll then ask what next? How do we best support prospective postgraduate students to navigate student finance? Explore the role that we can play, with plenty of chances to share best practice and top tips between us.
5.5: SPONSOR SESSION: Bridging the Gap: Aligning Student Recruitment with Career Advisors’ Insights on Student Decision-Making
Jo McLaughlin | New Business Consultant | SMRS
Smita Chohan | Client Partner | SMRS
Gain a competitive edge by tapping into the unique insights of career advisors on how prospective students are exploring and making decisions about their post-18 destinations. This session will provide you with the key takeaways from our recent research, helping you understand students’ motivations, concerns, and decision-making processes as they navigate their future education and career paths and our recommendations of how to ensure your marketing approach hits the mark with this audience.
Explore how marketing strategies can better address the evolving priorities of students, from employability and skill development to career readiness. Plus, discover what tactics can enhance your approach, offering real-time engagement insights and improving targeting for successful, student-centred recruitment outcomes.
5.6: International Recruitment 101
Andy Cotterill | Head of Global Undergraduate Student Recruitment and Access | Keele University
Brian Greenwood | Associate Director of International Student Recruitment | University of Exeter
An introduction and overview of international student recruitment for those who are either interested or looking to make the move over to international! In this session, we will cover the history of international recruitment, understanding why it is so important today, as well as current trends, examples of roles/responsibilities in those roles, and how your skills may transfer into the international sphere.
The session is led by two professionals from different international set-ups who will share their backgrounds and experience to help with your career planning.
5.7: EXTERNAL COMPANY SESSION | How To Market Courses That Just Won’t Grow
Penny Eccles | Founder and CEO | Marketing Partnership
Feel like you’ve tried everything to revive an existing course or launch a new one? There are still a few levers yet to pull!
In this session Penny Eccles will share her top tips to critically assess the growth potential of a course and how to make the real and lasting changes required to reach new applicants and enrollers. [Spoiler alert: you need to work with your academics!]
| 11:45 | Refreshment break |
| 12:00 | Keynote Making Every Penny Count: Helping Students Conquer University’s Financial Challenges Tom Allingham | Save The Student |
| 12:45 | Conference closes |
| 13:00 | Networking lunch or Grab & Go sandwich available |