How To Use QR Codes in Higher Education Enrollment Marketing

The use of QR codes isn’t a new concept but not all marketers at colleges and universities have jumped on board. Why? In our experience it’s either one of two things, they don’t believe that QR codes should be included due to an old stigma carried over from years ago when actually scanning a QR code was a clunky process, OR they aren’t sure of the best way to incorporate the QR code into their enrollment marketing strategy.

The good news is that prospective students are using, and in most cases expect, to see QR codes on the material they receive from college and universities, so in order to reach and connect with these prospective students, you need to meet them where they’re at and utilize the QR code as a tool to better facilitate your enrollment marketing. 

Here we are sharing some of the best and easiest ways that QR codes can be used in your marketing for student recruitment and enrollment in higher education.

Use QR Codes to Simplify the Application Process

This is one of the easiest but important ways to incorporate QR codes into your recruitment and enrollment marketing strategy. The application process for prospective students can be overwhelming for some, so a good method for combatting this is to reduce the effort needed to take the next step by including a QR code that links directly to the application. 

Now that you have them at the application site you’ll want to ensure every step beyond that is easy as well so they don’t end up getting frustrated and stop their application. Make sure the application site is mobile friendly since the QR codes are being scanned on the applicants phone.

Use QR Codes to Provide Full or Partial Campus Virtual Tour

The key to turning a prospective student into a student who has applied, is successfully getting the student “on campus” to see all the things you have to offer. But it’s not easy for some students to make the drive to your campus and scheduling conflicts can make it difficult to organize video chats or phone calls to talk about the benefits your college or university has to offer. An easy way to share what your campus looks like, the activities available, interviews with students, student life in general, and the advantages your school offers is to use a QR code that links to a campus virtual tour and video that students can watch and engage with.

The great thing about this is that it is cost effective for you and the student, plus the prospective student can choose to engage in the virtual tour on their own time.

Use QR Codes at  Recruitment Events

Some of the most meaningful recruitment conversations happen at student recruitment events or college fairs where admissions reps get to meet with prospective students. These events are a critical piece to a higher ed marketing strategy and are used to get to know potential students, learn about their interests, what they’re looking for in a school and to excite them about what your school can offer them. 

QR codes can be used in a lot of ways at these events. You can include a QR code to a newsletter sign up where you send out information to prospects about upcoming events. You could have a QR code specifically for a student to start the application process. You could even have a code available for students to scan and enter to win tickets to a sporting event. The opportunities here are endless and makes connecting and capturing prospective student information that much simpler. 

The list could go on regarding the different ways QR Codes can be used in student recruitment, admissions, enrollment and higher education marketing. But what we’ve shared here is a good starting point that if used will ensure better results and a better experience for prospective students.