Postgraduate Marketing Webinar - Postgraduate Student Recruitment: Insights for 2026
Join us for our final on-demand webinar of 2025, where a panel of experts from across UK higher education explored the evolving landscape of postgraduate student recruitment.
 

Building on last year’s popular session, this discussion unpacked the key trends, challenges and opportunities shaping the year ahead. You’ll hear how universities are responding to fluctuating demand, shifting international interest, tighter budgets and ongoing conversion pressures.

Our panel also shared practical strategies, real examples and reflections on what 2025 has taught the sector - and how institutions can position themselves strongly for 2026.

What you’ll gain

  • Fresh insights on undergraduate-to-postgraduate progression
    Understand how student motivations and behaviours are changing and what that means for recruitment planning.

  • A clearer view of global influences
    Learn how international market shifts, policy changes and economic pressures are shaping postgraduate interest.

  • Guidance on hybrid vs. in-person engagement
    Explore the benefits, challenges and outcomes of each format and what students now expect from their interactions with universities.

Who should watch?

Teams working across postgraduate student recruitment, admissions, marketing, student engagement, and faculty-led recruitment initiatives.

A vibrant campus scene with diverse students engaging

Watch on-demand
Meet the speakers 

Mark Bennett    

Mark Bennet is the VP of Research & Insight at Keystone Education Group. Mark leads Keystone’s global research and insight function, helping universities and institutions understand student decision-making in a fast-changing world. With over 20 years of experience in policy, teaching and research, he specialises in turning complex data into actionable strategies for student recruitment and engagement. Mark regularly presents on postgraduate marketing, recruitment and policy topics, having previously spoken at events organised by CASE Universities Marketing Forum (UMF), HELOA, NAGAP, ContentEd, the UK Council for Graduate Education (UKCGE), Westminster Forum and others.

Rachel King    

Rachel King is the Head of Marketing Campaigns at The University of Sheffield, and a Chartered Marketer. With over four years in senior marketing leadership roles within the institution, Rachel specialises in translating prospective student behaviour and trends into sector-leading, multi-channel marketing campaigns. 
 
As a Board Member of the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) Higher and Further Education Group, Rachel has insight into the policy volatility, changing applicant mindsets, and digital challenges that defined the 2025 postgraduate recruitment cycle. She is a strategist, keen on evidencing marketing’s impact and inspiring teams to achieve exceptional results. 

Jack Clare    

Jack Clare is the Director of UK Student Recruitment, Access & Partnerships at the University of Wolverhampton. Jack has over 10 years experience working in higher education in a diverse range of target driven roles covering student recruitment, conversion,  partnerships, widening participation, marketing, digital & creative and events management. Jack’s current role oversees global student recruitment, admissions and marketing activity at the university from initial enquiry through to enrolment at the University of Wolverhampton. 

 

Steve Carruthers    

Steve Carruthers is the Head of Postgraduate Taught Admissions & Student Visa Compliance at the University of East Anglia. Steve has worked in university admissions since 2008 and brings extensive experience across both UK/Home and international student markets, with a focus on navigating complex recruitment trends and compliance requirements. Steve’s insights draw on over 15 years of shaping admissions strategies and supporting diverse postgraduate cohorts.

Wolverhampton    

HELOA (1)    

University of Sheffield (2)    

University of East Anglia