Promoting DLHE

 

 

There is an intrinsic link between those institutions who extensively promote DLHE and those who exceed the target response rates, and therefore it is a vital stage in preparation. Raising the profile of DLHE and ensuring it becomes part of institutional culture at both a student and staff level can be achieved through targeted and comprehensive promotion.

There are many different ways of promoting DLHE within an institution, and which ones are used will depend on the type of institution:

 

Internal publicity

Displaying promotional material such as eye-catching posters and results charts on notice boards and within the student union will raise the profile of DLHE so future leavers are aware of what it is and why it is important to respond.

You may also wish to consider promoting DLHE within staff areas of the institution as staff buy-in can be an important tool in increasing response rates - due to the information they possess about student destinations and contact details.

 

Graduation ceremonies

 

Graduation ceremonies are an ideal opportunity to promote DLHE with leavers. It may be the last contact the institution has with the student and therefore should be used as a chance to update contact details and remind them that they will receive a survey soon and why it is important to complete it.

dialog-information.pngConsider including a poster or flyer in graduation packs which the leavers receive. Including the information in the same packs that guests also receive will raise their awareness of the survey and might help with third party responses.

 

Graduate contact

 

Contacting leavers through the career service is a good way of offering leavers support whilst simultaneously updating contact and employment information. Contact can be made through emails promoting the services your careers department offers as well as the DLHE survey. Regular alumni events are also an opportunity promote DLHE.

 

Offering prizes/rewards

Some institutions offer prizes/rewards to those who respond to the survey via post as a method of promoting DLHE and improving response rates. The offer of a raffle prize (be it money or otherwise) can encourage leavers to respond by post to the survey, increasing response rates and reducing the burden on resource allocated to telephoning non-responders.

dialog-warning.pngInstitutions have reported mixed success using rewards/prizes as an incentive for students to reply. Some report significant gains in response rates whereas other institutions have introduced the scheme and seen little improvement. Consider your student body and whether or not it would work - having introduced the scheme ensure you monitor its effectiveness.

 

Poster, flyer and postcard designs

 

HESA have produced a range of downloadable designs which institutions can use to publicise and promote DLHE. These designs can be used alongside institutional information to raise awareness of the survey, encourage its completion and contain details of the online survey address. The designs are available to download for free in A3, A4 and A6.  


 

To view the PDF documents you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader. If you do not have it installed, you can download it from the Adobe website.

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