A university’s reputation lies not just in the strength of its foundations, but in its ability to remain authentic and influential in a competitive industry and a fast-changing world. Reputation building is power of influence – your ability to shape sentiment, encourage advocacy, and change perception.​

Take control of your narrative, engage stakeholders, and inspire audiences with THE’s Brand Reputation Framework - a six-stage end-to-end solution designed to empower universities and governments to build and maintain a strong reputation. Whether it’s one stage or six, our team of analysts, consultants and creatives are here to tailor the reputation-building solution that’s right for you.

Often universities feel they need to play it safe, but the ones that will thrive in these challenging times will be those with the strongest voice; those that speak with clarity, confidence and conviction – standing out on the global stage.

The fundamental building blocks for maximising brand capabilities and influencing reputation – setting you up to successfully reach your goals.

Whether your focus is student recruitment, sustainability, or reputation building at a strategic level, we use data-led awareness of the latest challenges and trends in the Higher Education sector, to help you achieve both long and short-term success, no matter the external environment.

Perception research to understand your current brand position, the strength of your offering, and how you are currently perceived.

Using quantitative and qualitative research methods, our Analysis and Diagnostics modules provide an in-depth review of reputational and brand performance, helping inform reputation-building strategies, support brand positioning and direct the allocation of marketing resources.

• Internal Stakeholder Review 


• External Awareness and Perception Analysis 


• Digital Brand and Reputation Diagnostics 


• Customer Experience Analysis

In-depth analysis of your performance in THE’s suite of 
global rankings.

World University Rankings are a direct reflection of how you
are perceived by influential peers in the sector. While Impact
Rankings provide clear proof-points of the positive impact you’re having on society, directly influencing how you are perceived in relation to Sustainability, and other areas.


• THE World University Rankings Performance

• Impact Rankings Performance

• Academic Reputation Survey Analysis

Development of a clear and unique brand proposition, that makes you stand out. Empower your teams to speak to stakeholders and audiences with clarity, conviction, and confidence through a brand proposition that brings your strengths and your uniqueness to life.

• Brand Positioning

➤ Guidelines on your look and feel

➤ Discovery workshop
➤ Value proposition and core idea
➤ Brand Attributes
➤ Brand Articulation

• Visual Identity

• Digital Production

➤ Microsite design and build
➤ Web design

Brand is the DNA of every organisation – it’s what makes you ‘you'. And that DNA is made up of staff and other stakeholders who need to be equipped with practical and strategic skills that can be applied to support reputation, strengthen recruitment and deepen brand distinction.

• Stakeholder mapping 

• Stakeholder engagement planning

• Marcomms training – workshops on brand education and engagement, joined-up storytelling, creative production, and more. 

Consistently review to assess impact on perceptions

Finally, a strong reputation is never finished. Ensuring that you consistently monitor and nurture brand and reputational performance through our range of measurement modules helps sustain a strong reputation and drive long-term success.

• Annual brand tracker 


• Brand and reputation diagnostics health check 


• Reputation measurement framework

Apply to join The World 100 Reputation Network

• International peer-to-peer networking enables members to exchange innovative perspectives on reputation, international relations, and global brand building.

• Exclusive industry-led research and data supports and informs decision-making around reputation building and strategic planning.

Analyse the market and build awareness and positive sentiment with the right audiences at the best time.


Whether it’s addressing a specific goal (e.g. international recruitment, Sustainability), or strategically maximising your marketing spend and capabilities to support reputation building at an institutional level, we’re here to tailor bespoke marketing strategies, content and campaigns, helping you meet both immediate and long-term needs and aspirations.

• Paid Search 

• Paid Social
• Programmatic 

• Email marketing 

• Enhanced university profile

Your university’s reputation is only as good as stakeholders and audiences say it is.