Print isn’t dead… But it on might be on life support.
There was a time when a beautifully designed, 100-page printed prospectus was the gold standard of student recruitment. It was something to flick through, something to hold. It was the way universities showcased their courses and campuses.
Fast forward to today, and things look a little different. Students research institutions online, expect instant access to personalised content, and rarely read brochures cover to cover.
Printing thousands of prospectuses is expensive. But it’s also incredibly wasteful, outdated, and frustratingly rigid. Institutions need a smarter way to engage students. That’s where Prospectus Plus comes in.
Comparison Table: Prospectus Plus vs. Printed Prospectuses
Prospectus Plus
Bespoke Solution
Personalisation
Customised content based on student interests.
One-size-fits-all (or no-one).
Accessibility
WCAG AA-compliant, mobile-friendly, and accessible to all.
Difficult to read for some users, no supportive tools.
Updates & Accuracy
Real-time updates, no costly reprints.
Outdated as soon as it’s printed.
Interactivity
Video, animations, interactive campus tours, and more.
Static text and images.
Cost
No printing costs, infinitely scalable.
Expensive to print, store, and distribute.
Sustainability
Zero print waste, fully digital, and powered by green energy.
High carbon footprint: paper, ink, transport.
Engagement Tracking
Real-time analytics show what students are actually engaging with.
It is impossible to measure who reads it.
Where Print Fails (And Why Digital Wins)
Print Is One-Size-Fits-All: But Students Expect Personalisation
Printed prospectuses gives every student the same experience, regardless of their interests. That might have worked when choices were limited, but today’s students expect custom content tailored to them.
With Prospectus Plus, institutions can personalise every prospectus based on the student’s course preferences, location, and career goals—giving them exactly what they need, without the clutter.
Print Is Expensive (And It Only Gets More Costly)
Printing, storage, shipping—it all adds up. A typical university prints thousands of prospectuses each year, only to find them left behind at fairs, discarded in halls, or outdated within months.
A digital prospectus eliminates print costs entirely, freeing up budget for smarter, more effective recruitment efforts.
Print Is Static, Digital Is Dynamic
Once a prospectus is printed, that’s it: no changes, no updates, no corrections. Got a last-minute fee change? A new course? A typo? Too late.
With Prospectus Plus, content can be updated in real-time, ensuring students always have the most accurate, relevant information.
Print Has No Data, Digital Gives You Insights
Printed prospectuses are a black hole. Once it’s handed out, there’s no way to know if it was read, shared, or just thrown in the bin.
Prospectus Plus tracks student engagement, showing exactly what content is resonating. That means smarter follow-ups, better marketing, and higher conversion rates.
Print’s Environmental Impact Is Huge
Let’s not sugarcoat it: printed prospectuses are a sustainability disaster. Paper waste, ink, carbon emissions from transport… it all adds up.
Universities are under pressure to reduce their environmental impact, and a digital-first prospectus is one of the quickest, easiest ways to make a difference.
The Bottom Line: It’s Time to Move On.
A print prospectus had its moment. But today’s students expect more.
They want personalised, engaging, accessible content. They want something they can access anytime, anywhere. They want instant, relevant information. Not a glossy brochure that’ll end up in the recycling bin.
“Prospectus Plus isn’t just a product we use – it’s part of how we’re redefining digital recruitment at the University of Surrey.”
Clare Tomes, Head of Digital, University of Surrey
