Services

University PR

We partner with universities to elevate their public profile, build trust, and showcase their impact through strategic public relations. Our work spans proactive media engagement, thought leadership campaigns, stakeholder communications, and reputation management. Whether promoting world-class research, highlighting student success, or enhancing community relations, we help universities tell their stories with clarity, purpose, and credibility.

A logo featuring a knight holding a shield with a cross, accompanied by stylized text that reads "Crusader." The design has a medieval theme with a monochromatic color scheme. The Times Logo A logo featuring a knight holding a shield with a cross, accompanied by stylized text that reads "Crusader." The design has a medieval theme with a monochromatic color scheme. The Times Logo

We help universities strengthen their voice and protect their reputation

We support universities in building credibility, raising their public profile, and navigating reputational challenges through expert PR and communications strategy. Our comprehensive services include media relations, stakeholder engagement, issues management, leadership profiling, and strategic messaging.

In today’s complex higher education landscape, reputation is everything. How your university is portrayed by the media, spoken about by stakeholders, and understood by the public can make all the difference in attracting students, academic talent, funding, and partnerships.

Public perception is shaped by both long-term reputation and short-term events. Our experience shows that universities that communicate clearly, consistently, and authentically are best equipped to lead in times of opportunity—and resilient in moments of crisis.

Whether you're a research powerhouse, a teaching-focused university, or an emerging institution with a distinct mission, we tailor our PR support to your goals, audiences, and challenges.

Specialist PR Support for Universities

We offer a full suite of public relations services designed specifically for higher education institutions. Whether your focus is on thought leadership, media visibility, or risk mitigation, we help you communicate with clarity and impact. Our services include:

Strategic Communications Planning
We work with senior leadership and comms teams to craft clear, consistent narratives that align with your mission and priorities. These messages guide all public-facing communications—from press statements to speeches.

Media Engagement and Coverage
We build strong relationships with journalists across education, national, and specialist press. Our team delivers stories that showcase your university’s strengths—whether it’s groundbreaking research, student success, or institutional impact.

Event PR and Academic Milestones
From campus openings and honorary degrees to policy launches and research festivals, we help your major events gain traction with media and stakeholders, driving both visibility and prestige.

Leadership Profiling and Thought Leadership
We position your academic and executive leaders as trusted voices on education, research, and public policy through interviews, op-eds, and media briefings—reinforcing your university’s authority and influence.

Reputation Management and Crisis Comms
From media storms to sensitive student issues, we help universities respond with confidence, transparency, and professionalism. We create robust crisis comms frameworks and act fast when reputations are on the line.

Stakeholder Engagement and Public Affairs
We support your university in developing communications that engage alumni, policymakers, local communities, and industry partners—building long-term trust and alignment.

Media Training and Spokesperson Preparation
We coach academic and senior leaders on how to engage effectively with journalists, handle interviews, and represent the institution with confidence and clarity.

We understand higher education communications

We’ve worked with universities of all types—research-intensive institutions, one-site colleges, multi-campus international institutions—so we understand the sensitivities, expectations, and pressures that come with managing a university’s public profile.

Our team has deep sector knowledge and follows higher education policy, media trends, and the evolving expectations placed on universities in the public sphere.

A trusted PR partner for universities

Our work in university communications spans proactive media work, leadership positioning, and reputation management. We’re experienced in delivering fast, strategic support as well as long-term brand building.

Recently, we worked closely with Kutaisi International University:

KIU – Global Higher Education Launch – We led the global PR campaign for the launch of KIU, coordinating media engagement across the UK, US, and Europe, securing features in ForbesTimes Higher Education, and Business Insider.

Your one-stop shop for university PR

Our school PR support can include:

Key messaging • Multimedia strategy • Photography • Video production • Media training • Press release writing • Press release distribution • Interview pitching • Journalist outreach • Crisis Communications • Reputation Management • Media tracking • Social media branding • LinkedIn Management • Facebook Management • Social media writing • SEO

Further reading on PR and reputation in higher education

  • HEPI – The Unique Digital Future of Marketing and PR in Higher Education
    This article explores how digital transformation is reshaping marketing and public relations in universities. It highlights the growing importance of real-time engagement, data-driven messaging, immersive content, and personalization—demonstrating why institutions must equip students and staff with new skills to thrive in a digital-first communications landscape. Read More.

  • Forbes – Lessons in Higher Education Public Relations
    This article shares essential PR insights tailored to universities. Key takeaways include: responding with urgency, pitching timely and newsworthy stories, targeting the right reporters, and ensuring your institution is easily discoverable by media professionals. These lessons remain foundational for higher education communications teams seeking credibility and media impact. Read More.

  • ResearchGate - The Role of Public Relations in Educational Development in Higher Education Institutions
    This research examines how PR can be integrated into every phase of university development—from planning to evaluation—using McLean’s organizational development model. It finds that effective PR strengthens institutional image, supports communication with diverse stakeholders, and enhances competitiveness in a global higher education environment. Read More.

FAQs

University public relations (PR) is the strategic management of a university’s communication with its key audiences—including students, faculty, alumni, media, policymakers, and the wider public. It involves promoting achievements, managing reputations, handling crises, and ensuring consistent, positive messaging across channels.

PR plays a vital role in shaping how a university is perceived. Strong, proactive PR helps to build credibility, attract students and staff, secure partnerships, increase media visibility, and manage reputational risk. In a competitive sector, the way a university tells its story can be a key differentiator.

We offer comprehensive PR services tailored to the higher education sector, including media relations, press release writing, thought leadership development, stakeholder engagement, crisis communications, reputation management, event publicity, and communications strategy.

We help universities prepare for reputational challenges with robust crisis communication planning. If a crisis arises, we provide media handling, message development, stakeholder communication, and strategic counsel to ensure a clear, measured, and effective response.

We maintain strong relationships with journalists and editors across education, business, lifestyle, and international outlets. We pitch stories that align with current media trends—whether it's student success, cutting-edge research, or community impact—to generate meaningful, high-quality coverage.

Every institution has its own strengths—be it research excellence, student experience, or subject specialism. We begin with discovery sessions to understand your goals, audiences, and differentiators, then develop bespoke strategies to highlight your value and reach the right people.