Introducing undergraduate (UG) content into a postgraduate (PG) prospectus can be a tempting way to save costs, but there are important considerations to weigh before moving forward. In this article, we’ll explore the pros and cons of combining UG and PG content into one prospectus versus creating a separate UG prospectus with its own license.

While combining UG and PG content into one prospectus can save costs, it comes with significant trade-offs in branding, user experience, and technical risk. A separate license offers greater flexibility and clarity, with fewer compromises. If you’re unsure which approach suits your needs, our team is here to help.

What Are the Challenges of Combining UG Content with PG?

While a single prospectus might seem efficient, there are several potential challenges:

Visual Identity Constraints
Combining UG and PG under a single license means they must share the same branding. If you’ve designed your PG prospectus with a corporate look and feel, this may not appeal to UG audiences. Conversely, tailoring the visual identity for UG could dilute the professional tone of the PG prospectus.

User Experience Complexity
A single prospectus requires users to choose their level of study at the outset. This additional step can be confusing, particularly for UG users unfamiliar with distinctions like PGT (Postgraduate Taught) or PGR (Postgraduate Research). Furthermore, personalisation questions would serve both audiences, limiting the ability to craft distinct journeys.

Technical Risks
Altering course sync settings to accommodate UG courses can introduce risks. Without the ability to fully test changes, issues such as misconfigured tags or downtime could affect the live prospectus.

Single Source of Truth Compromises
While combining UG and PG content under one license aligns with a “single source of truth” ethos, you may still face duplication challenges, especially when tagging shared pages to ensure they appear correctly for each audience.

Why a Separate License Might Be the Better Solution

Opting for a second license offers several advantages that address the challenges above:

Distinct Visual Identities
A separate license allows full control over branding, enabling you to create a tailored visual experience for each audience.

Improved User Journeys
With separate licenses, UG and PG users can enjoy custom personalisation without overlap or unnecessary complexity.

Technical Flexibility
A standalone UG prospectus allows you to test configurations in a sandbox environment before going live, minimising risk.

Enhanced Clarity
Splitting UG and PG content eliminates the need for extensive tagging, making it easier to manage and maintain consistency.

What’s the Cost?

We understand budget concerns, which is why we offer the following benefits with a second license:

Discounted Cost: If you have a non-discounted licence, additional licenses are available at a 50% discount.
Course Sync Included: No additional cost for syncing UG courses.
Design Support: We’ll help with the design and layout of UG-specific pages at no extra charge.

Still Considering a Single License? Here Are Some Tips...

If budget constraints mean a single license is your only option, here’s how to mitigate some of the risks:

Tag Content Carefully: Ensure UG-specific content is tagged appropriately to avoid it appearing in the wrong places.
Test Personalisation Questions: Delay adding UG-related questions until just before launch to prevent accidental access.
Plan for Downtime: Be aware that changes to live configurations carry risks. If issues arise, consider temporarily disabling access to your prospectus.