Case Studies

Background

The international student newsletter is a key communication channel for welcoming new arrivals and introducing essential university services. The Student Experience team planned to include short videos in the newsletter to provide helpful information. However, they wanted to ensure these videos were engaging, accessible, and genuinely useful for students navigating their first weeks in the UK.

Challenge

The team had a strong initial concept but wanted to make sure the videos were impactful and student focused. They sought guidance from members of our Faculty Support Team, Paul Ottey and Poonam Pedley, on:

• Designing content aligned with the student journey and real needs.
• Crafting clear, structured, and concise messaging for international students.
• Applying best practices in video production, including filming, pacing, and accessibility.
• Supporting student ambassadors to confidently script and present content.

Solution

Paul and Poonam listened to the requirements of the team and were able to provide guidance and support in the following areas:

• Strategic Guidance: refined the initial idea into a structured plan focused on student needs.
• Content Development: reviewed storyboards, advised on messaging, and shared templates and examples.
• Practical Guidance: offered clear advice on structuring topics to create engaging videos - covering ideal length, pacing, effective introductions, and techniques to maintain viewer interest.
• Technical Support: shared tips on filming techniques, audio clarity, framing, and accessibility features like captions.
• Student Ambassador Coaching: delivered step-by-step feedback sessions, boosting confidence and skills in scripting and presenting.

This collaborative approach ensured the videos were well-planned, visually consistent, and aligned with university communication standards.

Key Outcomes

• Created a series of structured, accessible videos for international student newsletters.
• Improved clarity, engagement, and technical quality of content.
• Student ambassadors gained confidence and practical video production skills.
• Developed a reusable template for future projects, enabling independent work.

Testimonial of Pranav Pammi, International Student Experience Coordinator, Student Experience Team

“The Digital Learning team transformed our early idea into something purposeful. Their guidance helped us think about the student journey and create videos that genuinely support new arrivals. The feedback sessions with our ambassadors were invaluable - they came away with stronger skills and a sense of ownership. Overall, the collaboration improved quality and accessibility, and gave us the confidence to continue independently.”

Conclusion

The partnership with Digital Learning elevated the quality and effectiveness of the newsletter videos. Beyond improving technical and structural aspects, the team developed a reusable template and gained the confidence to produce future content independently. This project demonstrates how expert guidance can empower teams and students to create engaging, accessible resources that enhance the student experience.