As a TikTok agency, we evaluated the top UK universities on TikTok considering their following, engagement rate, content quality, posting frequency, and how well they have interpreted TikTok’s native style.
Nearly half (47%) of undergraduate students use TikTok daily, with 75% of these users leveraging the app to assist with their schoolwork.
Universities are shifting from traditional prospectuses to TikTok to authentically communicate their values, attributes, and atmosphere in real-time.
This approach helps universities engage with prospective students effectively, making it essential for them to invest in and adapt their recruitment strategies to resonate with the next generation of learners.
Here are our Top 5 UK Universities on TikTok:
5. University of Manchester
The University of Manchester‘s account has the perfect blend of informative content and humour, covering attention-grabbing topics like the ‘manc accent’ survival and clever supply stocking.
Their ‘life as…’ series highlights commuter and distance learning experiences, easing potential student concerns.
They offer practical tips like low-cost meals and mental health advice, creating a friendly and highly relatable vibe.
Manchester sets a standard for university accounts, striking the right balance between engaging content and helpful information.
4. University of Birmingham
The University of Birmingham has a highly engaging TikTok presence, consistently updating their content with the latest trends, incorporating popular effects, memes, and sounds into their videos.
Their approach is characterised by creativity and enjoyment, exemplified by a video featuring two international exchange students who bring infectious enthusiasm for the university.
This creative approach widens the target audience and their strategy for attracting and engaging students from all over the world, ultimately enhancing the university’s reputation and appeal.
3. Imperial College London
Imperial College London‘s account showcases the university’s best features through diverse student experiences and themes.
Notably, their post on applying for the Global Summer School garnered a remarkable 6.9 million views, sparking engaging conversations among viewers.
The high level of viewer engagement, seen in the comments section, amplifies their reach, attracting prospective academics to their page.
Their feature highlighting a student’s journey from Morocco to Imperial is particularly compelling for international students, offering encouragement and reassurance – incredible work!
2. University of Oxford
The University of Oxford‘s TikTok account stands out with its dynamic and diverse content, earning a top spot on our list of must-follows.
From curated playlists featuring mental health tips and study techniques to captivating campus tours and engaging “day in the life” videos, the account offers an immersive experience of student life at one of the world’s most prestigious universities.
With fascinating insights into the university’s role as a setting for Harry Potter and a passionate commitment to sustainability, including tips on discussing climate change, the account never fails to intrigue and inspire.
Whether you’re a prospective student or simply curious about life at Oxford, this TikTok account is sure to leave you eager for more.
1. University of Chichester
The University of Chichester dominates TikTok and comes as no surprise it’s made the no1 spot!
They captivate both prospective and current students as their account embodies student life and has the perfect blend of humour, authenticity, engagement and uniqueness.
Their posts, filled with inside jokes, spark lively discussions and promote a strong sense of community.
This account also provides valuable insights into campus resources, events, and academic opportunities, making it an indispensable hub for both current and prospective students.
Leveraging FAQs like “Where is Chichester?!” for content inspiration, they effectively amplify their reach, positioning themselves as a top choice for higher education. Other universities, take note – this is how it’s done!
Key Takeaways
Here are our top takeaways from this evaluation of Top UK Universities on TikTok:
- Maintain a consistent, authentic presence with diverse content reflecting unique university identity.
- Create TikTok-specific content rather than repurposing traditional marketing materials.
- Highlight relatable student experiences to foster genuine connections and community.
- Plan content strategically, considering recruitment seasonality and competition.
Universities should focus on building authentic communities through TikTok, engaging both current and prospective students.
Read our Top 70 UK Universities On TikTok 2024 report here!
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