University of Western Australia Engaging Students Every Step of the Way

Challenge: Supporting and Informing prospective students in a digital environment

The University of Western Australia, ranked in the top 100 universities globally, initially launched with Unibuddy to better support international prospects and applicants. They chose to recruit student ambassadors from a diverse range of majors and regions to connect with their future students online, and be the voice of their institution. 

Building on the success among international students, UWA made a strategic decision to expand the platform to cater domestic students as well. This expansion was driven by the university’s commitment to providing a supportive environment for all students, where they can get access to information, resources and ambassadors, regardless of location or circumstance.

Solution: Leveraging a range of Unibuddy’s capabilities to inform marketing and messaging

UWA harnessed the diverse tools offered by Unibuddy to engage students at various points in their academic journey. Using Unibuddy Chat, prospective students gained direct access to faculty, advisors, and ambassadors, ensuring an authentic and authoritative source of information.

In a strategic move, the university also tapped into user-generated content by encouraging student ambassadors to share firsthand experiences through blogs and vlogs on Unibuddy. This content seamlessly integrated into UWA’s marketing efforts, providing prospective students with genuine insight into campus life.

Additionally, the university optimized its understanding of student needs through Unibuddy’s conversation insights that help higher ed teams uncover topics that are top of mind across Unibuddy chats. This valuable information not only guides their marketing strategies but also shapes the messaging to align with the concerns and interests of the student community.

Result: 30% increase in international applications compared to last year

In just a little over a year, Unibuddy has connected more than 2000 students from 133 different countries on behalf of UWA. “The impact has been substantial—within 15 months of integrating Unibuddy into our outreach strategy, we’ve witnessed an impressive 30% surge in international applications compared to previous years,” shares Trish Rechichi, Director of Future Students. Applicants who chat on Unibuddy are also significantly more likely to accept their offer and enroll at the institution. 

Rechichi goes on to emphasize the importance of peer-to-peer recruitment methods facilitated by digital platforms like Unibuddy. “Unibuddy allows our current students to share their personal stories and provide valuable advice, creating a more authentic experience for prospective students. As a result, we’ve found that conversion rates are significantly higher for students that have communicated with a Unibuddy ambassador, proving its effectiveness as a recruitment tool.”