Growing as experts in transition ♻️
As a University of Applied Sciences, Van Hall Larenstein connects people who want to work together towards a better earth. It trains people who, as ambitious professionals, make a difference on key social issues around the world through education and research. Professionals who can translate their ideals into innovations, policies, earning models and impact.
The website as an important tool for recruiting potential students
The website is an important recruitment tool for Van Hall Larenstein University of Applied Sciences. It gives potential students an instant overview of what the university has to offer, from courses to career opportunities. On the first visit, the attractive, visual presentation catches the eye. Banners with information on open days, taster courses and highlighted study programmes immediately attract attention and invite further exploration.
The extensive section on study programmes is the core of the website. Visitors can easily filter by area of interest, location or programme level. Each programme overview contains detailed information on entry requirements, study programmes and future opportunities, helping to make an informed choice. It also features personal stories from students and alumni, making the choice process more human and accessible.
The website actively encourages participation in activities such as open days and trial study days. Several places have clear call-to-action buttons inviting visitors to register or request a brochure. The registration procedures for both events and courses are simple and user-friendly, facilitating registration.
Hvhl.co.uk is also fully optimised for mobile devices, which is essential given the young target audience who mainly orientate via smartphones. International students are not forgotten: the website offers extensive English- and German-language information and practical details about studying in the Netherlands.
Combining clear, visually appealing information and user-friendly navigation, hvhl.nl provides everything needed to attract potential students and convert them into actual enrolments, fulfilling an essential role in the college's recruitment process.
From an idea to a website 💡
Creating a website that matches an organisation's vision and goals starts with a clear idea. For the Van Hall Larenstein University of Applied Sciences' (HVHL) website, it was important to develop a platform that is not only informative, but also intuitive and user-friendly for various target groups. The journey from idea to website starts with identifying the key needs of students, businesses and education professionals. Several components of the website were important right from the start:
Target audience and structure
HVHL's website targets multiple audiences, including prospective students, those interested in research. professionals and business partners.To serve these diverse users, the website is clearly structured with a clear navigation bar. On the homepage, you will immediately find links to ‘Programmes’, ‘About HVHL’, ‘Studying at HVHL’ and ‘Research’. These sections help visitors find relevant information quickly.
Bright and visually appealing interface
From the first moment you visit the website, the uncluttered and modern look is striking. The use of colours and visual elements creates an attractive and professional-looking platform. At the top of the page, you will find banners with highlighted programmes and events, which helps to highlight important information.
Accessible information
Each page has been designed and set up in the CMS with usability in mind. For example, the ‘Programmes’ section provides a comprehensive overview of all available programmes, from full-time and part-time studies to post-hbo and masters. You can easily filter by area of interest or level of study, making finding the right course effortless. In addition, the website contains useful links to brochures and open days, allowing interested parties to quickly discover more.
Online applications and contact
A very important aspect of the website is the ability for potential students to easily apply for a programme. The pages on the application procedure and study choice are clear, and each programme page has a direct link to the application page. A chat function and contact form are also available, allowing users to quickly get in touch with the right department.
Connectivity & integrations: SURFconext, Forms and Marketing
In this project, various links and integrations were realised to improve the functionality of Van Hall Larenstein University of Applied Sciences' system and increase the ease of use for students, staff and visitors. One of the most important integrations is the link with SURFconext, which provides back-end authentication. This allows editors of the college to log in easily and securely to perform their work in the system.
In addition, a link has been established with Microsoft Dynamics 365, the college's CRM system. This enables uniform collection of all data and gives users the option to register for events such as open days via online forms. These forms are easily integrated into the CMS, simplifying the work of editors.
To support the marketing team, Google Analytics and Google Tag Manager are integrated. These tools provide insight into user behaviour on the website and help further optimise the marketing strategy.
Technology used 💻
Wagtail CMS is an excellent solution for the multi-faceted website like that of Van Hall Larenstijn University of Applied Sciences.Rinse van der Schoot (HVHL): ‘In the last phase before go-live, when a lot of content (texts, photos, videos, CTAs, documents) still needs to be inserted into the website, we engaged a larger group of people. Then it became clear how accessible and robust Wagtail is as a CMS. The back-end usage is simple and intuitive. Before a page can be saved, Wagtail checks that everything is correct. At the back end, the content manager immediately gets a picture of how the result looks on desktop, tablet and mobile. There is also immediate notification of any digital accessibility issues. This is all in addition to other points that are also weighty, such as the use of modern and future-proof technology, Open Source, and the like.’
Partnership 🤝
The cooperation between Van Hall Larenstein University of Applied Sciences and Four Digits soon resulted in a lasting and productive partnership. Through direct and open communication, future plans for the website are thought out and shaped further.
Rinse van der Schoot (HVHL): Four Digits certainly delivered on the promises made during the tender process. It is a company with young, professional people with whom it is very good to talk. The cooperation, thinking along with us and above all: realising and delivering as promised was excellent. And all within the relatively limited budget we had available as a small college. Of course, a website is never finished. After the delivery of the first version, we look forward to future cooperation for the further development and expansion of our institution website.
Rinse van der Schoot
Visit the HVHL website
Rinse van der Schoot
Hogeschool van Hall LarensteinWe are extremely happy with the choice of the CMS Wagtail and the supplier Four Digits. The way the design was realised in Wagtail exceeded expectations. The design, which we developed in cooperation with Four Digits and other parties, met our functional requirements and wishes as a college, was optimised in terms of UX/UI, met the requirements of digital accessibility, was completely in line with our house style and was realised by Four Digits within budget and time. We consider that an achievement of stature, especially since our house style is entirely based on spheres and round shapes. Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)
About Hogeschool Van Hall Larenstein
Van Hall Larenstein University of Applied Sciences (VHL) is a Dutch university of applied sciences with a focus on sustainability, nature management and international development. With campuses in Leeuwarden and Velp, VHL offers practice-oriented Bachelor's and Master's programmes in agriculture, environmental management, and water management, among others. Known for its hands-on approach, the college prepares students for professions in fields such as agriculture and environmental sciences.
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Get in touch with Maarten
- Maarten Kling
- maarten@fourdigits.nl
- 026 44 22 700