A sophisticated visual identity fit for the business education sector
Challenging perceptions of AI
Hello Waterside – Helping students discover their new campus
Higher education marketing
Inspiring the next step
Choosing what and where to study after school or college can shape someone’s future. Effective higher education marketing needs to capture that sense of possibility while giving prospective students the information and confidence they need to make an important decision.
Higher education providers also have much wider stories to tell. From specialist expertise and research to industry partnerships, graduate outcomes and contributions to their communities, we help higher education institutions communicate what makes them distinctive to prospective students and the many other audiences they need to reach.
We help higher education providers turn their strengths, stories and opportunities into communications that connect with the people they want to reach.
To discuss your next project, contact us today.
HIGHER EDUCATION MARKETING AGENCY SHOWCASE
What sets a higher education provider apart goes beyond the courses it offers. Teaching, specialist expertise, facilities, location and industry connections all play a part, but so does the experience beyond study – from the communities students become part of to the opportunities, connections and experiences that shape their time there.
Our work helps bring those differences to life, turning information into engaging creative communications that support recruitment, reputation and build interest in what the institution has to offer.
AMBS
Identity development and application
King’s College London
AI educational exhibit
Imperial College London
Programme prospectus design
University of Manchester
University prospectus design
What Our Clients Say About Working With Us
Here’s what some of our clients have to say about their experience working with us on their projects – from the clarity of the process and the creativity of the design, to how well the final outcome met their goals and connected with their audience.
“It’s always fun working with the team at Parker Design. I had a very clear vision for the look I wanted to achieve for this recruitment campaign and I’m delighted with the final assets. Thank you for the great service.”
Employer Branding and Recruitment Marketing Partner
AstraZeneca
“Truly a superb experience working with you and your team and you made Passenger Terminal Expo a breeze this year! The booth was well thought-out and helping us achieve all that we wanted during the conference. Especially helpful was all the seating locations. We were able to have 4-5 different meetings going on at once. I know we have all factored in the necessity to work with you and your team again in Madrid next year! Thanks again!”
Americas Aviation Market Growth Lead
Jacobs
“The positive feedback we’ve received on the investment prospectus has been nothing short of overwhelming, in every sense of the word!! The American government have been absolutely blown away by the quality of the document, and just this morning we had a message from someone who’s been working in Sudan for over 20 years, and said the document was the single greatest presentation on Sudan that he had ever seen! So thank you very much again for all of your incredible efforts alongside us to bring it to fruition!”
Director
Noble Capital
“We are on a long journey to turn Presspart from a component manufacturer to a device manufacturer and the team at Parker have been instrumental in supporting us in this journey with the brand work last year, and all the assets they continue to produce.”
Global Marketing Manager
H&T Presspart
“The office branding looks fab, we’re really pleased with it and we’ve had really good comments from staff in the office over the last couple of days which is great. Thanks so much for your help on this. If we have any similar projects in the future we’ll definitely consider Parker Design.”
Brand and Campaigns Manager
TUI
“Thank you for your amazing work with the report design. We are very pleased with the outcome and I feel it beautifully captures the spirit and tone of our brand. We especially appreciate your efficiency and availability to work on this project under such a tight timeline. It’s been an absolute pleasure working with Parker Design again. It’s been really fun! Thanks again for everything!”
Communications Officer
EITI
Frequently Asked Questions
Higher education providers compete for attention in a crowded market, often while communicating with audiences at very different stages of their lives and careers. From school leavers considering their first qualification to mature learners, postgraduates and international applicants, motivations and priorities can vary significantly.
Here are some of the questions we’re often asked about creating effective higher education marketing.
How can higher education marketing engage students who are unsure about continuing their education?
For some prospective students, the decision isn’t which institution to choose, but whether higher education is the right next step at all. Marketing to this audience needs to demonstrate the value of the whole experience, from developing knowledge and practical skills to building confidence, independence, professional networks and future career opportunities.
We help institutions communicate that bigger picture in ways that feel relevant and motivating, showing prospective students what they can gain academically, professionally and personally. It’s about creating buy-in that goes far beyond the excitement of Freshers’ Week, helping students see the opportunities that could open up throughout their studies and long after they leave.
What influences someone’s choice of higher education provider?
The qualification itself is only part of the decision. Prospective students may consider teaching quality, career prospects, location, facilities, flexibility, student experience, industry links, support and the overall reputation of the provider.
Effective higher education marketing brings the most relevant of those factors together into a compelling picture of what studying there could offer. We help institutions identify their strongest points of difference and communicate them in ways that resonate with the audiences they want to attract.
How can higher education providers make student recruitment campaigns more effective?
Different prospective students can have very different motivations. A school leaver exploring undergraduate options may respond to different messages from someone considering a professional qualification, a postgraduate course or returning to education later in life.
We develop recruitment campaigns around those audiences and their decision-making journeys, creating ideas that can flex across channels and different stages of consideration while maintaining a strong, recognisable identity.
How can you reach prospective students across different channels?
The journey towards choosing a course or institution rarely happens in one place. Prospective students might encounter a provider through AI or traditional search or social media, explore its website, download or pick up a prospectus, attend an open day and return to digital channels before making an application.
We connect those touchpoints through consistent creative thinking and messaging, helping institutions create a stronger experience from initial awareness through to application and enrolment.
How do you market higher education to international students?
For international students, choosing a higher education provider can also mean choosing a new country, location and way of life. Communications need to provide reassurance and practical information while building excitement around the opportunities available.
We help providers communicate the complete offer, from courses and specialist expertise to career opportunities, support, location and student experience, with content designed around the needs of audiences in different markets.
How can higher education providers communicate specialist subjects and research?
Specialist knowledge is one of higher education’s greatest strengths, but it can be difficult to communicate outside its immediate field.
We use editorial design, infographics, animation, digital content and visual storytelling to make complex subjects easier to understand and engage with, while retaining the substance and credibility of the original material.
Is prospectus design still important in higher education marketing?
A prospectus now forms part of a much broader mix of recruitment communications, but it can still play an important role in helping prospective students explore courses and imagine themselves studying at an institution.
We approach prospectus design as both an information and recruitment challenge, creating strong editorial structures and engaging visual experiences that help readers navigate course information, discover what makes the provider different and take the next step.
Award-Winning Design, Proven Results
We’re proud to be recognised for our creativity, innovation, and dedication to great design. Over the years, Parker has won multiple awards that celebrate our passion for delivering impactful work – work that doesn’t just look great, but delivers real results. From increased engagement to boosted sales, our designs have helped clients achieve measurable success.
IFOA
Winner of ‘Best Annual Report’ category at the Memcom Excellence Awards.
Exodus
2nd place in the ‘Best Brochure’ and ‘Best Use of Content Marketing’ categories at the Travel Marketing Awards.
NHS
NICEtimes awarded silver in the prestigious CIPR PRide Awards for Internal Communications publication.
Exodus
62% uplift in sales, and an average 22% increase in website traffic YOY (year on year).
Noble Capital
“The American Government have been absolutely blown away by the quality of the document.”
Papa John’s
“Parker’s work is excellent and the responsiveness to accomplish the work in a record time has been superb. Thank you!”
Investing in Design That Delivers
Higher education marketing has to do more than promote courses. It needs to turn qualifications, expertise, opportunities and experiences into reasons for people to engage, whether they are considering where to study, looking for a research or industry partner or already have a connection with the institution.
We combine creative thinking, content and design to focus communications around those goals, helping higher education providers attract attention, strengthen their reputation and build relationships that extend beyond recruitment.
SPEAK TO OUR TEAM TO GET A QUOTE
Higher education marketing projects
AMBS
Business school magazine design
Cambridge Education Group
Student recruitment animation
AMBS
Social media animation
AMBS
Animated banner gifs
AMBS
Recruitment web banners
University of Northampton
Visitor centre design
N8 Research Partnership
Economic report design
University of Northampton
Fair stand design
N8 Research Partnership
WordPress web development
Bournemouth University
University exhibition stand
N8 Research Partnership
Asset management application
Imperial College London
Programme prospectus design
University of Manchester
University prospectus design
AMBS
Identity development and application
AMBS
Printed magazine design
AMBS
Online magazine design
WHY YOU SHOULD CHOOSE US FOR HIGHER EDUCATION MARKETING
Expertise
We understand the challenges of communicating detailed course information, specialist expertise and institutional strengths while keeping prospective students and other audiences engaged.
Versatility
From recruitment campaigns and prospectuses to websites, animation, publications and digital content, we create communications for different audiences, channels and stages of the higher education journey.
Innovation
Competition for attention doesn’t stop when someone starts researching their study options. We explore creative ways to make higher education communications more engaging, using strong ideas and the right combination of print, digital, motion and interactive content.
Trusted
We work closely with marketing and communications teams to navigate multiple audiences, stakeholders, detailed content and established brand requirements, while keeping the objectives of each project firmly in focus.
We’re a higher education marketing agency that gives you way more
If you’d like to discuss a higher education marketing project or get a quote, we’d love to hear from you.