Contact details

  • Lead name: Laura Manning, Postgraduate Secretary, l.manning@bath.ac.uk
  • Dept/Service: Computer Science
  • Project Duration: until 1st June, 2009

Background

What are you planning on doing and why will SMS texting help?

The Department of Computer Science are planning to use the Edutxt software to aid our taught postgraduate recruitment for 2009/10 entry.  Our target audience will be potential students with initial inquiries, following them throughout the application process through to registration.

Applicants will reach set points in their application process which will elicit contact from us, and also fortnightly news items keeping them in touch with things happening in Bath and aspects of studying at Bath to look forward to.

Examples of SMS content:

  • Tiny URL links to general City of Bath, University and Departmental related news/information/events/publications
  • Course content updates
  • Updating on the status of an application
  • Reminder of missing application documentation required
  • Tiny URL links to registration and reading list information for firm acceptances

The new SMS system would be beneficial as it would inform our target audience of up to date news items, events and achievements at the University, helping them to feel part of the community and more likely to select our institution.  The SMS system enables us to offer more choice about how people want to be informed about the relevant news, as well as their application status.  Applicants who do not log into their email account very often are also benefited, as they can receive requests for missing application documentation in another format.   If we need to send an email regarding their application, this can then be followed up with a text to state that an important email has been sent to them.

How will this be managed?

The Postgraduate Secretary will be the primary user of the SMS system, contacting MSc prospective students and current applicants as relevant news and information appears, and also at set points during the application process at the request of the Taught Postgraduate Director of Studies and the Head of Department.

Mobile phone numbers will be uploaded from SAMIS where possible, and requested from the applicant via email if the number is not already given.  When contacting participants to request their mobile number, they will be given the option not to take part.  The first SMS sent to each person will also contain full details of how to opt out, whether this is by reply text message, or via email as a free option. They will also be reminded of the option to opt out at a later date.

Subgroups will be created within the applicant population, such as the course theme they have applied for, where they are in the application process, which country they are from, so that information can be tailored to their specific needs.

What questions are you trying to answer?

The Department of Computer Science are interested in evaluating whether the SMS service can aid postgraduate recruitment.  We will be investigating whether more personal and frequent communication can improve the attendance on our Masters courses by increasing the number of potential students that successfully pass through each stage of the application process.  We will also be keen to discover whether or not applicants will prefer to opt out of the service.