Education

Under the 'education' entry are all the courses. Both the undergraduate and graduate courses and 'other courses,' such as the Language Center's language courses.

Focus

Prospective Students. The main tasks supported here are:

• choosing a study
• applying for a study
• studying
• social orientation

This entrance also highlights what makes education at UM unique. For example, it explains what Problem-Based Learning is. Whether UM and its students cooperate with companies in the region and thus make their mark on society.

The golden rule here is: don't tell, SHOW. Concepts are illustrated with practical examples. Everything is made presentable so that prospective students, as well as other stakeholders, can form an image of Maastricht University. In addition to storytelling, hard evidence is given such as data, awards and third-party rankings - because these are more valuable than advertising material.

What is not included

Avoid broad exposition of “our vision of education. That vision is reflected in the examples. There is one brief explanation of what PBL is, then no more. Then (uniquely for each course) what that means in practice is displayed.

Example

Course 'International Laws

The course is divided into a number of pages. The landing page contains brief information that helps readers make an initial selection “could this be for me?” The Fast Facts gives readers a quick overview of the main achievements of this course.

• on the landing page a number of “acknowledgements. How does International Laws score according to others?
• the interview with the Sarah Wagner, a student doing this course, provides proof. After all, who better than her to know what the course is really like?
• through the Social Media block, prospective students get an accessible glimpse into the study and the faculty to which it belongs

The menu on the right takes you into more depth. What does the program entail and what can you do with it later on? Also a clear roadmap for “applying. A shopping list that gives you what to do if you want to apply for this study. In addition, an overview of all subjects for those who want to know everything.

Research

Under the “research” entry, everything related to research is given a place. The social impact of research is prominently featured. Again, the story is told mainly through (inspiring) examples. In addition to the UM researchers, others also have their say: a collaboration partner, an external specialist, a client.

Focus

Researchers and (potential) collaboration partners. The main tasks supported here are:

• forming an image
• collaborate
• finance
• orient to careers at UM

This is primarily about research. We want to show the (social) effect of that research. The people who do it and the facilities they can use to do so are portrayed. It is therefore less about the organizational units where that research is done. Illustrative examples are also used here.

The target audience is diverse. Here prospective students, a possible business partner, journalists, a peer from another university et cetera are looking. Therefore, it is important to describe the -often complicated- research in such a way that everyone can understand it. It should be accessible, but certainly not stupid.
 

What is not included

No elaborate presentations of research units, no visualization of the organizational structure. Do show what they do, how they do it, and with whom they do it.

Examples

Landing page 'Research'

This page gives a brief first introduction to research at UM. After all, what do they actually do there? The different types of content help both with imaging and quickly finding what is being searched for.

An inspiring short film in which a number of researchers from different backgrounds tell and show something of their daily research reality. But also a search window that offers the user a shortcut in a hurry: go directly to a research institute, a researcher or a publication.

Landing page 'NUTRIM'

The pages give a good insight into the work NUTRIM does. Both in research and education. The Fast Facts put it right into perspective: €16 million per year, more than 400 publications. That's not a small institute. In addition, a number of employees give their opinion through a short quote, their portrait gives (literally) face to a large institute.
 

Life@UM

Within Life@UM, a good picture is painted of Maastricht and what life is like there. This allows a prospective student, researcher or employee to form a picture: do I want to live there? Special attention is given to people from outside the EU. For them, not only Maastricht is new, but also the Netherlands, Europe and our way of living together. It is a magazine-like environment. There is a lot of use of images and video here. The tone here is friendly and approachable.

Focus

• Prospective students and staff. The main tasks supported here are:
• image forming
• life as a student (or employee)
• orient to careers at UM

Life@UM:

• is a shop window with a view of the future work or study environment
• offers access to inspiration and experience, a look behind the scenes of everything-Maastricht
• is not about studying, research and valorization
• shows, feels and experiences what life is like next to study (or work)
   

What is not recorded

This is mostly about inspiration. There are no instructions here on how to arrange something. However, there are references to where these explanations do appear. For example, in a piece about sports, there is a link to support > memberships.

Examples

Sports in Maastricht

A nice, rich page that gives a prospective student or employee insight into everything around sports at UM and in Maastricht. A visual page with various sports, but also with a student who is also a top athlete. In addition, links to the pages where you can become a member of UM SPORT, so it is not just about looking at pictures, but you can also participate.

Studying in Maastricht

An insight into the different locations where you can study. But also an invitation to email or Skype with students. The tone is friendly, and it is clear that here are tips from an insider.
 

News and events

This is the gathering place for news and events. Here you can see what is current at UM. You can also look back through the archive, and look ahead in the calendar.

Focus

The focus here is on all visitors. The main tasks supported here are:

• collaborate
• finance
• orienting on a career at UM

Because we can 'tag' these messages, you will come across them in several places. Like on the homepage and the landing pages at education and research. But also at a program or research.

The news items provide evidence and substance to UM's claims. They provide insight into what is happening (now) at UM. From a news item we can link to related content: other news items, researchers involved, a contact person who knows more.

Events are events that are in the calendar. In the description we make clear what the event entails, where and when it is, and for whom it is intended. In addition, a clear call to action: sign up. Here, too, we can link to related content if necessary.
 

What is not included

This is an overview page. Here are only references to elsewhere. You'll find headings and ankeilers, but not the content itself.

Examples

School leavers on the job market in 2015

A good message because relevant to both a prospective and an incumbent student. Message could perhaps have been a bit more compact: what not to miss? With a reference to the source.

COPD burden of disease meter gives patient and physician grip on treatment

A topical subject that shows where Maastricht researchers are making a difference. There's more to this. Interview with the researchers. On the homepage?

How to curb children's snacking behavior.

Also a very hot topic. Something that concerns many people. Again with more potential. What can every parent do right away to get their children to eat healthier?
 

About UM

Under “about UM,” we describe the organization. What it stands for and how it is structured. This is where all the organizational divisions get a place. It says what the part is, what it does and how to get in touch with it.

Focus

Visitors looking for detailed information and background on UM. The main tasks supported here are:

• collaborate
• finance
• orienting to careers at UM
   

What is not included

So no rich content in this place. 'About UM' is a dry chapter where we list facts. The impact of the work of the organizational unit can be found under 'education', 'research', as a news item or event.

At the faculties, for example, there is a brief summary of their education. But no explanation of the content, and no explanation of practical matters such as: arranging housing, visas, and scholarships. This information can be found at 'support'.

At the language center there is a brief explanation of what they do. But all information about their courses can be found under 'education'.

Examples

Overview of departments under SSC: Student Services > Departments

https://www.maastrichtuniversity.nl/about-um/service-centres/student-service-centre/departments

A clear overview page that names the departments, says what they do and directs users to content (of those departments) relevant to them. And especially no more, we don't want duplicate content.

Working at UM (Landing)

This page provides a clear overview for both current employees and prospective employees who may be primarily looking for the job openings. In addition, the interviews with employees give a picture of (upcoming) colleagues. Who are they and what do they do besides their work? Also some news, and atmospheric impressions of the (future) work environment.
 

Support

'Support' contains information that (prospective) students, staff and researchers need to arrange practical matters. These are things that are not related to education or research. They are those things you need to arrange in order to live in Maastricht as a student or employee/researcher.

Focus

Under 'support' is split by target groups. The main tasks supported here are:

• register for a study
• studying
• life as a student (employee)
• orientating on a career at UM

The 'support' entry is different from the rest of the site. It is mainly instructions, explanations and to-do lists. These are written as concisely and clearly as possible. They are also 'complete': users should find here everything they need to successfully complete their task.
 

One owner

Support always contains content with 1 owner. This owner commits to supporting the user's task optimally: not only through the website, but through all channels. Here we assume an 80/20 rule. We help the largest group. We do not answer all questions. The group that does not find answers right away, UM offers support through other channels: mail, phone, Social Media, or dropping by.

What won't you find at “Support”?

No marketing

Nothing needs to be sold under support. This section contains explanations, education and options. UM may sometimes (if properly justified) express its preference for a choice. This chapter avoids adjectives such as “nice,” “easy” and “fast. After all, users will decide for themselves how fast they find it.

Limited third-party information

External information basically remains external. Especially complex information that can change. In exceptional cases, we can repeat/ paraphrase the text. This is done in 3 cases (or combinations of these):

• the source is poor
• the target group is vulnerable
• the topic is very important to UM or its users
   

Examples

Landing page 'Before your studies begin'

Simple navigation page with one clear goal: to bring users to what they are looking for as quickly as possible. The three short intro texts give interpretation to the chapter and put the underlying information in context.

Before you study > Living in Maastricht > Moving. Enter your new residential address.

This page takes the users' situation as its starting point. They can therefore filter directly on what applies to them. Where depth is needed, the text refers to it.

Sports > Memberships > Student memberships

This page puts all the information together. What are the options and how do you become a member? All this as concise as possible so no sales pitch. Students will find elsewhere how beautiful the new sports center is. Not here.