Improving information
HEIs’ provision of online financial information.
Summary
The recent changes in fees and funding for higher education have highlighted the need for clear and concise information for students. HEI websites are often the first stop and, although young people are highly computer and internet literate, these sites need to make it as easy as possible for them to find the right information.
In Autumn 2006, OFFA commissioned Ipsos MORI to carry out a small scale research study which looked at the financial information needs, expectations and experiences of prospective students and the extent to which they felt satisfied financial information was clear and accessible on institutions’ websites.
The qualitative research involved depth interviews with key stakeholders in higher education, discussion groups with current HE students and depth interviews and accompanied web browsing with prospective students, their parents, advisers and teachers.
The conclusions of the research identified a number of points for good practice to be used by practitioners in institutions including student support, finance, marketing and communications and web design professionals.
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[Word version] Good practice checklist
[Adobe PDF] Improving information: HEIs’ provision of online financial information