A new digital strategy transforms the student experience at a UK university
A new digital strategy transforms the student experience at a UK university
Our client is a forward-thinking city-based university with an ambition to better meet the digital needs of contemporary students.
Students had high digital expectations
Universities are under pressure to provide a digital service that matches the expectations of young people accustomed to live streams, responsive technologies and instant access to resources. A university commissioned Nous to define the requirements for a digital platform to meet these expectations.
We captured students’ needs through human-centred design and data analysis
Nous used human-centred design and rich data analysis to understand how students navigated the university’s existing digital infrastructure, then co-designed a new digital platform.
First, we conducted qualitative and quantitative analysis to understand students’ needs, wants and feature usage. This involved:
- mapping the current digital environment to identify systems, service integration requirements, functionality duplication and service gaps
- analysing usage patterns across multiple platforms and systems, including the student app, student information system, website, virtual learning environment and lecture capture platform.
Then in an extensive co-design process, we engaged students, academics and professional services staff to detail requirements for a new digital platform. This involved:
- mapping the whole student experience, identifying the events and interactions that contribute to student experience
- helping students prioritise information and features that matter most to them
- turning students’ requirements into wireframe click-through prototypes and asking students to test them, then iterating our designs so the final prototype offered the functionality students want in a format they will use
- engaging with leading global platform developers to identify a preferred partner and developing a release schedule.
The university is improving service delivery and reducing costs
The university is now implementing Nous’ proposed best-in-market platform, along with our recommended internal resourcing requirements, change management and accompanying communications. This is improving service delivery and reducing costs.
What you can learn about digital experience
- Students’ experience of technology shapes their university experience, so data must be consistent across all platforms and accessible 24/7.
- To design for students, you must engage with students.
- System integration must be seamless and coordinated by a long-term digital strategy and infrastructure plan.
