External Communications: An Oxford Education
"We wanted potential applicants to see Oxford as a worthwhile investment"
We wanted to give external audiences an insight into the Oxford experience from applying through studying to the career achievements of our alumni.
We wanted them to understand: the investment we make in widening participation and access; the rigour of the application and interview process; the benefits afforded by tutorial teaching, access to state-of-the-art facilities, and being taught in a multidisciplinary college environment; and the skills that our graduates take with them into the workplace.
By producing a printed document and associated webpages we brought all this information together, and featured case studies of students and alumni to give our messages authenticity.
We wanted potential applicants to see Oxford as a worthwhile investment, offering them an exceptional education and improving their long-term employment prospects. We also wanted politicians and the media to see that the admissions process is fair and rigorous, and that an Oxford education offers value for money, contributes to the UK economy, and improves the UK’s international standing.
The document was sent to employers, politicians, donors and the media and the webpages promoted to a wider audience including potential applicants and school and college teachers. The webpages give the project longevity because they can be constantly updated with new text and case studies.
The document was a useful lobbying tool during the Browne Review of Higher Education Funding and Student Finance and continues to be promoted to external audiences – particularly potential applicants and their teachers – who want an insight into the Oxford experience, its quality and benefits for graduates and society.
