2016 Winners

            BEST UNDERGRADUATE PROSPECTUS                     

The Shortlist:
Buckinghamshire New University
Lancaster University
Leeds Beckett University
Loughborough University
Newman University
The University of Manchester
University of East Anglia
University of Glasgow
University of Leicester
University of Worcester
The Winners:
GOLD AWARD WINNER

Lancaster University

Judge’s comments: ‘’Lancaster University have produced a stand out prospectus with a bold and confident design. The re-imagining of their prospectus fits seamlessly with the university’s wider brand development.’’

SILVER AWARD WINNER

University of Worcester


​Judge’s comments: ‘’By borrowing concepts from elsewhere, such as bike catalogues and magazines, Worcester have created a very classy and contemporary publication.''


​​BRONZE AWARD WINNER

Leeds Beckett University
​

Judge’s comments: ‘’This is a slick publication by Leeds Beckett University who have strived to put the student experience at the heart of their prospectus while reflecting the University's wider brand position.''
​
HIGHLY COMMENDED 
University of East Anglia

BEST PROSPECTUS FROM A SPECIALIST INSTITUTION

The Shortlist:
​Harper Adams University
Manchester School of Art
Royal Conservatoire of Scotland
Scotland's Rural College
Sheffield University Management School
Swansea College of Art
The Courtauld Institute of Art
The Glasgow School of Art
The Winners:
GOLD AWARD WINNER

Royal Conservatoire of Scotland


Judge’s comments: ‘’This prospectus ‘makes the case’ for the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland from the outset in a powerful and dynamic way. This is an exciting and engaging publication which gives you a real feel for the institution, the city, its students and most importantly, its personality.''

SILVER AWARD WINNER

The Glasgow School of Art


​Judge’s comments: ‘’This is a big, bold and brave publication by the school which is a development of last year's award-winning Reflections on an Art School book. A very thoughtful prospectus from an institution that fully understands their audience.''
BRONZE AWARD WINNER

The Courtauld Institute of Art

​
Judge’s comments: ‘’The Courtauld Institute of Art's Postgraduate Prospectus was a complete re-design of previous publications evolving from a bold re-imagining of their History of Art Prospectus to form a new suite of publications.''

BEST POSTGRADUATE PROSPECTUS 

The Shortlist:
​Harper Adams University
Loughborough University
University of Leicester
​The Winners:
GOLD AWARD WINNER

Loughborough University

Judge’s comments: ‘’Loughborough have tried to push the boundaries of a prospectus. This publication has lots of personality and excellent integration with online, digital and social channels.''

​SILVER AWARD WINNER

University of Leicester

Judge’s comments: ‘’A great idea from Leicester to change from a bulky prospectus to simpler booklets that are well laid out with easy to access and digestible information.''



​BRONZE AWARD WINNER

Harper Adams University

Judge’s comments: ‘’Harper Adams have created a prospectus with a very strong brand image that is both welcoming and distinctive. This is a very well planned and researched publication.''

BEST POSTGRADUATE STUDENT RECRUITMENT INITIATIVE

The Shortlist:
​Harper Adams University
Should I do a Masters?
Loughborough University
Loughborough University London Launch
​University of Birmingham
Postgraduate Virtual Open Day Platform
University of Leicester
Postgraduate Distance Learning Campaign
The Winners:
GOLD AWARD WINNER

Loughborough University

London Launch

Judge’s comments: ‘’Launching the London campus was a major strand of Loughborough’s strategic plan Building Excellence. This was an ambitious and difficult project which exceeded targets against a drop in budget and lots of barriers to success.''
SILVER AWARD WINNER

University of Leicester

Postgraduate Distance Learning Campaign

Judge’s comments: ‘’Leicester's integrated postgraduate distance learning campaign was developed in direct response to a downturn in recruitment and inefficient deployment of budget. Their new approach to print and digital promotion centres on appealing to sectors and professions within the market, rather than individual courses than before, has led to a clear improvement.''
BRONZE AWARD WINNER

University of Birmingham

Postgraduate Virtual Open Day Platform

Judge’s comments: ‘'The effort invested in this project is considerable and there is much that others could learn from this approach. They have developed a good platform for developing future events.''

BEST UNDERGRADUATE STUDENT RECRUITMENT INITIATIVE

The Shortlist:
​​Birmingham City University
‘I will shape the world'
Brunel University London
Clearing Campaign - I'm #goingtobrunel
Loughborough University
#LBOROWINNER
Manchester Metropolitan University
Step-In, Jump-In, Join-In
University of Central Lancashire
#TheUCLanExperience
​​University of Gloucestershire
Discover your computing profile
University of Liverpool
Challenge Convention
University of Salford
Match Made In Salford
University of South Wales
Make Your Mark
University of Sussex
Let's Change 
The Winners:
GOLD AWARD WINNER

University of Gloucestershire

Discover your computing profile

Judge’s comments: ‘’The ‘Discover your computing profile’ campaign supports the University's strategic vision to develop Gloucestershire as a high tech knowledge and skills hub, making it a regional force for cyber security. The results of this creative approach speak volumes against a reasonable budget.’’


​SILVER AWARD WINNER

University of Salford

Match Made in Salford

Judge’s comments: ‘’A great example of an institution working every bit as hard as is required. Not only is this fun, it provides a level of service to qualify and assist students.''

​BRONZE AWARD WINNER

Brunel University London

I'm #goingtobrunel

Judge’s comments: ‘'Brunel set out ambitious recruitment targets for the 2015 Clearing period after reviewing their ability to convert pending offers had been insufficient. The campaign had excellent results which beat their initial targets.''
HIGHLY COMMENDED 
Manchester Metropolitan University
Step-In, Jump-In, Join-In

BEST INTERNATIONAL INITIATIAVE

The Shortlist:
Heriot-Watt University
ChoosingHeriot-Watt to Go Global
University of Huddersfield
Improving the international student experience
University of Sheffield
Developing and Showcasing True Partnership with China
University of Sussex
Sussex China Internship Scheme
The Winners:
GOLD AWARD WINNER

University of Sussex

Sussex China Internship Scheme

Judge’s comments: ‘’This is what international initiatives should be about; employability and new experiences. The Sussex China Internship scheme supported up to 300 students to spend time in China on a variety of work placements via the British Council.''
SILVER AWARD WINNER

Heriot-Watt University 

Choosing Heriot-Watt to Go Global

Judge’s comments: ‘’This campaign has successfully built a strong foundation to be able to market externally drawing on an authentic brand position and Heriot-Watt’s offer of a truly global student experience.''



BRONZE AWARD WINNER

University of Sheffield

Developing and Showcasing True Partnership with China

Judge’s comments: ‘'Brunel set out ambitious recruitment targets for the 2015 Clearing period after reviewing their ability to convert pending offers had been insufficient. The campaign had excellent results which beat their initial targets.''

BEST ALUMNI, DEVELOPMENT OR FUNDRAISING INITIATIVE

The Shortlist:
Goldsmiths, University of London
Goldsmiths Reunite: Around The World In 7 Days
Loughborough University
#LboroGrad2015
The University of Sheffield
The Big Walk 2015
The Winners:
GOLD AWARD WINNER

Loughborough University 

#LboroGrad2015

Judge’s comments: ‘'Their breadth of media choice and ability to do it all on such a low budget was very creative. This appears to be a well considered campaign with a strong brand tie in.''


​SILVER AWARD WINNER

Goldsmiths University

Goldsmiths Reunite: Around The World in 7 Days

Judge’s comments: ‘’Goldsmiths Should be congratulated for taking an existing concept and making a success of it!''

BEST MARKETING INITIATIVE TO PROMOTE RESEARCH EXCELLENCE 

The Shortlist:
​​Durham University
Blowing the Whistle
Sheffield Hallam University
Changing Lives
Swansea University
Research as Art
The University of Manchester
On Devo
University of Bradford
The science behind successful relationship building
​University of Dundee
‘Identifying the Dead'
University of Kent
‘Think Kent' video lectures
University of Sheffield
Communicating Research Excellence in Sustainability - COP21
University of Warwick
REF campaign
The Winners:
GOLD AWARD WINNER

Sheffield Hallam University

Changing Lives

Judge’s comments: ‘’This was a clear favourite. Very emotionally engaging with focus on real people's stories and how research has improved their lives. It makes you want to find out how Sheffield Hallam's research is making the world a better place.''
SILVER AWARD WINNER

The University of Manchester

On Devo

Judge’s comments: ‘’On Devo was an innovative campaign to promote research expertise by putting The University of Manchester’s academic thoughts right at the heart of the debate on devolution.''
​
BRONZE AWARD WINNER

Swansea University

Research as Art

Judge’s comments: ‘’Simple, effective and a great way of getting research stories out there.  A different approach to communicating difficult topics.''

BEST USE OF INNOVATION IN EDUCATION MARKETING

The Shortlist:
Arts University Bournemouth
Storytelling from an Original Point of View
Birmingham City University
BCU Clearing 2015
Harper Adams University
Edible Bugs Challenge
Loughborough University
Mathscard
Manchester Metropolitan University
Step-In, Jump-In, Join-In
​Middlesex University
Interactive Prospective UG Student Journey
University of Derby
Guide to Expertise
University of East Anglia
UNIBOX
University of Hertfordshire
Clearing Live
University of Reading
Reading Backstage Pass 2015
The Winners:
GOLD AWARD WINNER

Middlesex University

Interactive Prospective UG Student Journey

Judge’s comments: ‘’Middlesex created an incredibly valuable piece of work for the marketing and recruitment effort of their institution. To ensure the marketing team and University academics understood the stages of the prospective student journey, Middlesex created an interactive online tool that simplifies some very complex concepts.''
SILVER AWARD WINNER

Arts University Bournemouth

Storytelling from an Original Point of View

Judge’s comments: ‘’Arts University Bournemouth created an innovative solution to a practical problem by developing a partnership between first year Costume students and the marketing department to promote undergraduate courses.''
BRONZE AWARD WINNER

Birmingham City University

BCU Clearing 2015

Judge’s comments: ‘’By providing Clearing offers through social media in a University first, Birmingham City University have developed a fascinating and truly innovative concept to bring new communications methods to a key recruitment period.''

BEST INTERNAL COMMUNICATIONS CAMPAIGN OR INITIATIVE 

The Shortlist:
Heriot-Watt University
GoGlobal@Heriot-Watt
Loughborough University
#MyLboroMoment
Oxford Brookes University
The Brookes People Awards
Royal Holloway, University of London
The 2015-2016 campus communications programme
Sheffield Hallam University
The Insiders Guide ​
Staffordshire University
Campus Transformation
University of Central Lancashire 
Telling the Central Lancashire Story
University of East Anglia
UEA2030 Vision
University of Glasgow
#UofGFullStop Campaign
University of Gloucestershire
Brand You ​
The Winners:
GOLD AWARD WINNER

Heriot-Watt University

GoGlobal@Heriot-Watt

Judge’s comments: ‘’Lovely,high quality imagery; strong, eye-catching design; great campaign consistency and visibility. A well executed idea!''
SILVER AWARD WINNER

University of Gloucestershire

Brand You

Judge’s comments: ‘’As a result of an honest and self-critical assessment, The University of Gloucestershire set aside dedicated space throughout the academic year for increasing skills, career preparation and personal development.''
BRONZE AWARD WINNER

University of East Anglia


​UEA2030 Vision

Judge’s comments: ‘’This was a thorough, well written, researched and strategic approach to university wide communications. This is great thinking in terms of making a BIG effort to ensure staff understand the University’s strategy.''

BEST COMMUNITY/BUSINESS ENGAGEMENT CAMPAIGN 

The Shortlist:
​Alliance Manchester Business School
From MBS to Anywhere
Arts University Bournemouth
Making ties and saving lives – AUB24
Bournemouth University
Festival of Learning
Harper Adams University
Edible Bug Challenge
New College of the Humanities
Art of the CV​
​The University of Manchester
Manchester Policy Week 2015
University of Central Lancashire 
The UCLan and Ri Young Scientist Centre
University of East Anglia
Brilliantly Placed
University of Sunderland 
Ha'way the Grads
The Winners:
GOLD AWARD WINNER

University of Central Lancashire

The UClan and Ri Young Scientist Centre

Judge’s comments: ‘’This is a real engagement project by the University of Central Lancashire which aims to inspire the next generation of scientists and engineers from all backgrounds to consider education and career pathways in STEM.''


​SILVER AWARD WINNER

Arts University Bournemouth

Making ties and saving lives - AUB24

Judge's comments: ''It's certainly a creative approach with two local organisations who would certainly have benefited from the approach.''
BRONZE AWARD WINNER

Harper Adams University

​Edible Bug Challenge

​Judge’s comments: ‘’This is an interesting and creative idea that has clearly enjoyed success in spreading the message and the name of the brand.''

MOST EFFECTIVE USE OF SOCIAL MEDIA

The Shortlist:
​​Arts University Bournemouth
Do what you love and amazing things can happen…
Birmingham City University
BCU Clearing 2015
Guildhall School of Music & Drama
Guildhall School Online Tour
Harper Adams University
#harperbound 2015
Keele University
Academics Read Yik Yaks
​Loughborough University
#MyLboroMoment
University of Bradford
Clearing 2015: Brick by digital brick
University of Glasgow
Social Media promotion: Discovery of Gravitiational Waves
University of Huddersfield
Step into your Future
University of South Wales
Fresher's Facebook Group and Content
The Winners:
GOLD AWARD WINNER

University of Glasgow

Social Media promotion: Discovery of Gravitational Waves

Judge’s comments: ‘’Very rarely give a 10 but this deserves it for range of effectiveness. WeChat is the best in China at the moment and not ignored. Engagement levels are brilliant. Yes, the story landed on a plate in a way BUT Glasgow well and truly maximised the opportunity with their content strategy. A great campaign.''

SILVER AWARD WINNER

Birmingham City University

BCU Clearing 2015

Judge’s comments: ‘’In a University first, Birmingham City University provided a full social media service for the 2015 clearing period. We commend BCU for being bold and creative while providing effective communication to an anxious audience during a stressful period.''


​BRONZE AWARD WINNER

Keele University 
​
Academics Read Yik Yaks

Judge’s comments: ‘’This was a brave choice to use Yik Yak and engage students leading up to results day and clearing. This approach should be celebrated.''

BEST WEBSITE 

The Shortlist:
Bournemouth University
Goldsmiths, University of London
Havering College
​Lucy Cavendish College
Royal Conservatoire of Scotland
University of Gloucestershire
The Winners:
GOLD AWARD WINNER

Goldsmiths, University of London

Judge’s comments: ‘’Goldsmiths are very clear about their brand identity and how the website should deliver this, along with an ambitious aim to attract the brightest thinkers from a global audience and make the best University website in the world! Overall, the website design is attractive, enticing, clean yet characterful.''
SILVER AWARD WINNER

Royal Conservatoire of London

Judge’s comments: ‘’This is a well-designed website for a small institution, particularly the simple navigation and the Digital Hub – a home for all digital content that houses imagery, news articles, podcasts and video in one place.''
​BRONZE AWARD WINNER

University of Gloucestershire

Judge's comments: ''From the sites opening visual statement of an engaging video which visually describes the offer, to the static images across the site and soft feel to design, the site conveys a real sense of space. Gloucestershire have made a very creative but user friendly website.''

BEST EMPLOYER MARKETING INITIATIVE

The Shortlist:
​Arts University Bournemouth
The art of attraction
The University of Sheffield
Sunday Times Best 100 – external
Loughborough University
Four Stars - employer marketing initiative
The Winners:
GOLD AWARD WINNER

Arts University Bournemouth

​The art of attraction

Judge’s comments: ‘’Pleasing to see 'student recruitment marketing' applied to 'employer marketing' and also great to see a 'long term brand' focus. The biggest 'plus' here is that the departments have worked together for success and we all know this can be difficult across universities.''
SILVER AWARD WINNER

Loughborough University 

Four Stars - employer marketing initiative

Judge’s comments: ‘’The Four Stars campaign was a consolidated advertising approach aimed at up and coming researchers in a wide variety of disciplines. The campaign focused on a single, striking advert with a strong brand identity linked to core institutional messaging.''
BRONZE AWARD WINNER

University of Sheffield

Sunday Times Best 100 - external

Judge’s comments: ‘’The University of Sheffield set out to enhance their reputation externally as a remarkable place to work in order to attract talented staff. Knowing the Sunday Times Best 100 was held in high regard globally, they formulated a campaign to be the only University to make it onto the list.''

BEST 'LOW BUDGET' INITIATIVE 

The Shortlist:
​Arts University Bournemouth
Building a brand for less than 5 grand -
Bournemouth Film School
Harper Adams University
Edible Bug Challenge
Leeds Beckett University
Improving applicant communications for
undergraduate students joining us in September 2015
Loughborough University
#LBOROWINNER
Manchester Metropolitan University
Step-In, Jump-In, Join-In
​​University of Chester
#MyChesterStory - The Yellow Sofa Campaign
University of Glasgow
Promotion of the discovery of Gravitational Waves
University of Gloucestershire
Ace Your Teacher Training Interview
University of Sheffield
#GetRalphHome
Westminster Kingsway College
Make the Right Choice
The Winners:
GOLD AWARD WINNER

Leeds Beckett University

Improving applicant communications for
undergraduate students joining us in September 2015

Judge’s comments: ‘’Leeds Beckett University have produced an innovative applicant communications programme that is grounded in fantastic insight. It puts the customer at the heart of the journey and meets their applicant’s diverse needs while ensuring Leeds Beckett remain their first choice. The 100 Day Fresher’s countdown is brilliant.''


​​SILVER AWARD WINNER

University of Sheffield

#GetRalphHome

​
Judge’s comments: ‘’This campaign demonstrates the impact creativity can have in improving the day to day business of universities and not just recruitment. A great way of getting students to complete the dull task of updating their address details through creative video content.​''

​BRONZE AWARD WINNER

University of Chester

#MyChesterStory - The Yellow Sofa Campaign

​
Judge’s comments: ‘’This was a great crossover campaign by the University of Chester that engaged both current and future students. Both eye catching and friendly, Chester have shown how the use of an experience alongside social media can work wonders for student engagement.''
​
HIGHLY COMMENDED 
Arts University Bournemouth
Building a brand for less than 5 grand - Bournemouth Film School

THE STUDENT VOICE AWARD

The Shortlist:
Aston University
Harper Adams University
Keele University
Loughborough University
Nottingham Trent University
Queen Mary, University of London
​The University of Manchester
University of Bradford
University of Central Lancashire
University of Chester
University of East Anglia
The Winners:
GOLD AWARD WINNER
Harper Adams University

SILVER AWARD WINNER
Loughborough University
BRONZE AWARD WINNER
Nottingham Trent University

HEIST AWARDS' MARKETING TEAM OF THE YEAR

The Shortlist:
​Arts University Bournemouth
Bournemouth University
Harper Adams University
Leeds Beckett University
Loughborough University
Middlesex University
University of Dundee
University of East Anglia
University of Lincoln
University of Wales Trinity Saint David
The Winners:
GOLD AWARD WINNER

Bournemouth University

Judge’s comments: ‘’Bournemouth’s submission referred to specific marketing thinking that is being applied to work that is bringing clear successes to the University. They are showing a well thought out, creative and strategic approach and have set themselves up as a very strong HE marketing team. They have shown real impact across a range of areas from Brand Building to student recruitment and involvement in the community with clear impact on enrolments. Well done Bournemouth!''

​SILVER AWARD WINNER

University of East Anglia

Judge’s comments: ‘’This was a very strong entry showing a team that has made an enormous effort to re-group and plan for the future in a strategic and well-informed way. The results are plain to see and the organisation that the team has brought should bring success for years to come, which is no mean feat in higher education!''

​BRONZE AWARD WINNER

University of Lincoln

Judge’s comments: ‘’The Marketing Team at Lincoln has leveraged its heritage as a city to instil a sense of identity into this new institution. Particularly impressive are Lincoln’s web figures, which are comparable with much larger and more established institutions.''