Derby, Surrey and Brighton's ads featured stunning photography, but the Royal Veterinary College's striking image of a leopard literally leapt off the page. Winchester's vibrant magenta background and colourful illustration could not be missed. Clever messaging included UEL's print headline 'where learning leaves the page' and Essex University's series of adverts featuring a play on words, such as 'The answer is Clear: ring Essex'.  

​​​Clearing advertising 2015 continued...


Print still had its place despite the surge in digital advertising and the fact some universities boycotted print altogether. Traditional national publications included The Telegraph Official UCAS Listings, Guardian, Independent, iStudent Guide and Times on results day. The Telegraph and Guardian were the most used, but there was substantial advertising in the London Metro and London Evening Standard. Sussex was the only university to advertise in all of the above publications, though the University of Law was dominant in both print and online. Greenwich University and AAT (Association of Accounting Technicians) were the only providers to advertise run of paper in the Guardian.

Design trends of note included:

  • Bold headlines and striking typography
  • Big blocks of colour to contrast, complement and frame
  • Large, eye-catching photographs
  • Students and graduates ‘in situ’ photographs
  • Illustration
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