The Impact of Your Social Media Presence on University Applications

Today, it’s hard to escape social media. It’s a useful tool for all students and is an essential part of most students’ university experiences; whether it be keeping in touch with friends and family back home, joining student support groups, or just finding funny videos of cats, it’s all a rich tapestry.

Despite this, universities are taking more of an interest in students’ social media accounts. While it doesn’t top their list of priorities for most universities who are considering university applications, many have begun taking a student’s online presence very seriously.

Do universities look at your social media?

This depends on the university. Generally, if a university is flooded with applications, they likely will not have the time to look at your social media, however, that’s not to say they won’t.

Universities that have a more rigorous admissions process are the most likely to do so. If they see anything on your social profiles that they dislike, they will most likely think twice about offering you a space.

Of course, that doesn’t mean that you cannot use social media. Our advice to you is to be conscious about what it is you display on your profile; treat your social media as though a university admissions officer will look at your profile.

What should you do on social media?

Social media can be a very helpful and power tool for almost anyone, student or not, so let’s give you a few rules of thumb to live by when considering your digital footprint.

Consider the accounts you have active. Facebook, Twitter (or X as it is now known and we’re slowly accepting…) and Instagram are the most commonly searched accounts. Sites like Reddit are sometimes looked for, but will be more difficult to track, as usernames are often unrelated to the people using them, while Snapchat is generally more private. TikTok is often looked at by admissions tutors, as is the Instagram-owned Threads is a part of Instagram, so is also looked at by admissions tutors.

Keep an eye on your privacy settings

If you really don’t want to curb what you post online, then keeping your accounts private is probably best. If your account is not set to private, then people can easily see what you’ve posted.

Check through your old activity

Who among us doesn’t have a cringey Facebook status from back in the day? If our parents’ generations are spared the embarrassment of their teenage thoughts, current generations will have Facebook memories to remind them.

This goes double for all social media, besides Facebook. Look through your old posts and make sure there is nothing there that may cause embarrassment further down the line. If there is anything you deem a bit objectionable or is generally something you don’t want admissions tutors to see, then delete it.

Choose your photos carefully

As with your old activity, keeping an eye on the photos linked to your account is also a good idea. It typically goes without saying that if there were any photos you didn’t want people seeing, then they likely wouldn’t be on social media anyway, but it is still worth considering the possibilities beforehand.

Try to keep emotion out of your posts

This is often easier said than done. However, sometimes, keeping emotion out of your posts is best. If you’re watching your favourite football team mess up a 2-1 lead, then it’s probably best to keep your verbal diatribes to yourself, rather than an expletive-laden rant on Twitter.

University admissions officers may well take a quick peek at your accounts, if they find them. Seeing posts that have been made in the heat of the moment could cause problems.

Don’t post hateful content

It’s more or less rule number one of any social platform. Whether or not it is adhered to is really down to you as a user but, you should never be posting hateful content regardless.

Universities pride themselves on the quality of their students, wanting them to be a reflection of the values they promote. Any prospective students that could potentially tarnish their reputation and go against their values are not likely to be offered a place on a course.

Should I include any social media links in my university application?

The general rule of thumb is no. Your UCAS application form, as well as your personal statement, likely won’t have any space for links to social media anyway.

That isn’t to say that social media cannot be important. Students who have examples of their work on Instagram, content creation on YouTube or TikTok, may be asked to submit work, however, the university will ask you to provide this information at a later date, maybe even at a university interview.

Do you ever need social media at university?

Social media is an important tool to have in your arsenal at university. It can be a force for good, especially if you’re struggling with homesickness or want to keep up-to-date with what’s going on at your university.

Keep in touch with friends and family back home

Keeping in touch with friends is essential when you go to university. Social media is a great way of seeing what everyone is up to back home, and keeping in contact.

Joining uni support groups

Universities will have plenty of groups related to student society on Facebook. These can be anything regarding student mental health help, lost and found, or even general student accommodation support.

These groups are usually moderated by universities or by specific members of the student union. The groups can be a very good way of meeting like-minded people, and also to find new university societies.

Finding nearby events

It is possible to find lots of student-focused events on social media. Most local businesses will list these events on Facebook, Twitter or TikTok.

You will also be able to find some useful discounts too. Quoting certain codes that are in Facebook event posts can often get you discounts in certain pubs, clubs and restaurants.