Recruiting student ambassadors can feel challenging when your student body is large and diverse. These tips will help you find students who are enthusiastic, representative, and motivated to engage with prospective students.
1. Build a diverse team
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Recruit ambassadors from different backgrounds, study areas, and levels of study so prospects can hear a range of perspectives.
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Include first-year students (who are relatable to new applicants) and later-year students (who can share deeper academic insights as well as career prospects).
2. Promote the opportunity widely
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Social media: share posts across student groups and official channels.
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Freshers’ Fair / orientation events: reach a broad audience, especially new students.
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Academic staff: ask lecturers or tutors for student recommendations by subject area.
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Email campaigns: target specific faculties or groups with an invitation to apply.
3. Run a clear application process
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Create a simple online form, or request a CV and short cover letter.
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Ask applicants to share:
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Why they want to be an ambassador
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What skills or experiences they bring
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What they hope to gain from the role
- A piece of content submission - this is important for the content aspect of the role
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4. Hold relaxed interviews
Interviews (in-person, phone, or online) help you get to know applicants better. Ask about:
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Their motivations for applying
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What they think the role involves
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Strengths, interests, and areas they’d like to develop
👉 This is also a chance for students to learn what the role entails and decide if it’s right for them.
5. Test content creation skills (if relevant)
If your ambassadors will focus on content, ask them to demonstrate their creativity:
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Content planning: draft a simple social media schedule for a campaign.
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Content creation: produce a short video, photo series, or post that represents student life.
Key takeaway
Every ambassador programme should not only support recruitment goals but also help students develop valuable skills. By promoting inclusively and selecting thoughtfully, you’ll build a team that reflects your institution and inspires future students.
👉 Next step: Learn how to incentivise and support your ambassadors and how to train your ambassadors