The University was shortlisted in four categories at the Times Higher Education Awards 2020 including the prestigious ‘University of the Year’ title.
The 2020 Awards, which took place virtually on Thursday 26 November, focused on achievements in 2019/20 – a year in which Staffordshire University secured its TEF Gold rating and climbed to its highest ever position in UK league tables.
Winning the ‘outstanding Marketing / Communication team’ title came just one week after the team scooped a silver Heist award for their ‘well executed and well considered” clearing campaign.
The prestigious THE award recognised Staffordshire University’s new approach to clearing. The University developed clearing-specific messaging, a bold new creative style and an aspirational video campaign to increase student numbers and strengthen Staffordshire’s status as “the UK’s foremost digital university” among prospective applicants.
A revamp of its clearing microsite centred on its online offer calculator, supported by a clear call to action: “Get an instant decision online.” It also integrated new live-chat functionality to supplement its traditional clearing hotline.
The judges said the initiative was “a ‘best in class’ example of a successful clearing campaign utilising a well-coordinated blend of media, marketing and communications activities” that was generating “a significant positive impact on the institution as a whole”.
Commenting on the win, Vice-Chancellor Professor Liz Barnes CBE DL said: “We are very proud of the team who have also claimed a silver Heist award for a stand-out clearing campaign. Our University is committed to supporting people of all ages and from all backgrounds to achieve their potential and transform their life chances – and it is important that all our marketing and communications reflects that.”
Professor Barnes also paid tribute to the work of the universities across the UK in what has been a challenging 2020. She said: “I am so proud of how the entire university sector has worked collectively to support the country during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“For our university it has been a journey and the fact that we have achieved so much this year is down to the individual and collective effort of every member of staff who has gone above and beyond to look after our students and each other.
“I would also like to say as a Connected University how important partnership and collaboration is and I hope as a sector we carry on moving forward together as we help the economic and social recovery following the pandemic.”
Staffordshire University was also shortlisted in the ‘Outstanding Contribution to the Local Community and ‘Outstanding Marketing/Communications Team’ category. Matt Lewis, Technical Specialist – Digital Media Production, also made the shortlist for the ‘Outstanding Technician of the Year’ award.