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Public Information, Promotion and the Recruitment of Students Policy

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Section 1 - Introduction

Purpose

(1) This policy sets out the principles for the ethical and effective public communication about and promotion of Hibernia College and its programmes, as well as for the recruitment of students to Hibernia College programmes.

Scope

To whom does the policy apply?

(2) The policy applies to all Staff and Faculty involved in the promotion of the College’s programmes and the recruitment of students to them.

In what situations does the policy apply?

(3) The policy applies to all communications with prospective students and with the general public.

Who is responsible for implementing the policy?

(4) The Marketing Director, in consultation with the Programme Director, the Registrar and the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), as appropriate, are responsible for implementing this policy.

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Section 2 - Context

Legal and Regulatory Context

Quality Assurance Guidelines

(5) This policy is designed with regard to the European Standards and Guidelines and the QQI Core Statutory Quality Assurance Guidelines, both of which specify the need for the College to have policies and procedures in place to support the recruitment of students and to regulate information put into the public domain.

Irish and European Law

(6) The Qualifications and Quality Assurance (Education and Training) Act 2012 requires the College to provide specific information to learners in the public domain about the programme on which they are enrolling and any award to which the programme leads.

(7) The General Data Protection Regulation 2016 specifies how we may process and store individuals’ data. This policy and all our marketing and recruitment activities are bound by our Personal Data and Records Policy.

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Section 3 - Policy Statements

Part A - Principles for Public Information

College Information

(8) Information that the College makes publicly available includes, at a minimum:

  1. The legal name of the College and the company
  2. Profiles of:
    1. The company directors
    2. Senior managers
    3. Key academic staff
  3. Details of the College’s legal and accreditation status with all professional, regulatory and statutory bodies
  4. The full Hibernia College Quality Framework (HCQF)
  5. Outcomes of external quality assurance and accreditation engagements
  6. The Hibernia College Erasmus Charter 2014-2020
  7. Key publications
  8. Information about the College’s research activity
  9. Information about the use of personal data and a person’s right to privacy
  10. Contact details for the College

Programme Information

(9) Where a programme leads to an award, we specify:

  1. The award title
  2. The awarding body/bodies
  3. Whether it is an NFQ award and at what level, and award class
  4. Any professional recognition or approval
  5. Its recognition within the countries of the programme’s target learners
  6. Any collaborative partners involved in the provision of the programme
  7. Details of the arrangements for the protection of enrolled learners, where relevant

(10) Where a programme does not lead to an award, we specify that it does not lead to an award.

The HCQF

(11) The College publishes all elements of the Hibernia College Quality Framework (HCQF).

Publication

(12) All published information is:

  1. In plain English
  2. Consistent with the Hibernia College brand
  3. In line with the requirements of any accrediting bodies where it relates to an accredited programme
  4. Accurate and complete
  5. Up to date

Part B - Promoting the College and Its Programmes and the Recruitment of Students

Programme Promotion

(13) Information and communication about our programmes are:

  1. Accurate and truthful.
  2. Up to date.
  3. Complete, including information about:
    1. Accreditation(s)
    2. Qualification/award title(s)
    3. National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) (if any)
    4. European Credit Transfer System Credits
    5. Intended learning outcomes
    6. Modules
    7. The Programme Director
    8. Modes of provision and assessment
    9. Available exit and/or embedded awards
    10. Arrangements for the protection of enrolled learners (where relevant)

Communication with Prospective Students

(14) When communicating with prospective students, we will:

  1. Clearly and honestly articulate all the academic and associated requirements of the programme
  2. Clearly provide detail on any associated professional registration
  3. Explain the qualification available and its recognition in the country of any applicant
  4. Explain any relevant policies and procedures for:
    1. Admission, progression and awarding 
    2. Access, transfer and progression including the recognition of prior learning
    3. The reasonable accommodation of students with disabilities or long-term illnesses
  5. Respond to queries about the programmes promptly and factually
  6. Supply published information in support of any communication

Marketing Materials and Communications

(15) The College may produce publishable marketing material in a variety of media to suit the needs of prospective students and the relevant programme.

(16) Programme documents, handbooks and student-facing information may be used as marketing material.

(17) Elements of the HCQF may also be used as marketing material.

(18) Any partner or collaborator may not publish material in the College’s name without explicit permission.

(19) Any collaborative agreement with another College or organisation will include clauses to address requirements around the provision of information to prospective students.

(20) Photographs and other personal identifiable information will not be used other than where permission has been granted.

(21) Use of social media is accurate, respectful and aligned to the College's mission.

Marketing Methods

(22) The College will promote the programme through a variety of methods to suit the needs of prospective students and the relevant programme.