Colombia Market Development Project 2026
Awareness, applicant engagement and student recruitment outcomes.
The 2026 project developed the University of Salford's presence and postgraduate recruitment activity in Colombia through targeted promotion, scholarship-led engagement, institutional outreach and structured applicant preparation. It generated 23 University applications and resulted in six Colombian professionals joining Salford across six postgraduate disciplines.
Market Awareness
Multichannel promotion through digital and institutional networks.
Applicant Preparation
Webinar engagement and independent preparation through QualiHub.
Student Recruitment
Applications, scholarship participation, individual follow-up and enrolment.
2026 outcomes
The strategy moved prospective students from initial awareness to information, preparation, formal application and enrolment.
Awareness
Engagement
Application
Recruitment
The figures represent different stages of engagement and progression rather than a strict advertising conversion funnel. Advertising impressions, costs and clicks are not included.
Delivery timeline
Awareness and information
Digital promotion, institutional networks and scholarship information sessions.
Independent preparation
Prospective students used QualiHub's workshop and practical resources.
Applications and follow-up
Candidates progressed through applications, scholarship forms, offer conditions and visa preparation.
Colombia visit and enrolment
Institutional meetings, pre-departure activities and six students joining Salford.
Independent preparation through QualiHub
QualiFly's free digital learning ecosystem for independent applicant preparation.
Planning
Programme, documents and timelines
Budgeting
Tuition, living costs and financial readiness
Practice
Tutorials, checklists and application preparation
University of Salford visit to Colombia
Nick Croft's visit connected the recruitment project with institutional engagement, funding conversations and direct preparation of the 2026 student cohort in Bogotá and Medellín.
Stakeholder engagement
The programme provided opportunities to follow up on the scholarship collaboration, present Salford's postgraduate offer and explore areas for future institutional engagement.
ICETEX
Follow-up on the scholarship collaboration and priorities for the next recruitment cycle. A short promotional video featuring Nick Croft was also recorded at ICETEX to support continued campaign communications.
COLFUTURO
Discussion of postgraduate funding pathways and financial planning for Colombian students considering study in the United Kingdom.
Universidad de los Andes
Introduction to Salford's postgraduate offer and an initial discussion of areas with potential academic and institutional alignment.
Universidad EIA
Engagement with a university community focused on engineering, science, innovation and applied education.
Universidad EAFIT
Discussion of Salford's offer across business, engineering, technology, creativity and interdisciplinary education.
Universidad EAN
Although a visit could not be scheduled, Universidad EAN responded to the initial contact and expressed interest in exploring potential collaboration. The contact was referred to Salford's Global Engagement team for follow-up.
Visit websiteVisit itinerary and student events
Institutional itinerary and the pre-departure activities delivered with scholarship recipients and their families.
Bogotá
- ICETEX
- COLFUTURO
- Universidad de los Andes
- Pre-departure session
- Scholarship certificate presentation
Medellín
- Universidad EIA
- Universidad EAFIT
- Pre-departure session
- Scholarship certificate presentation
2026 student cohort
Daniela Arango Pulgarín
MA Documentary Production for TV, Film and Digital Media
A journalist and documentary filmmaker whose work explores memory, culture and social transformation.
Kelly Parra
MSc Public Health
A medical doctor and palliative care clinical lead focused on evidence-based public health and health inequalities.
Mayra Caicedo
MSc Digital Marketing
A business and marketing professional with experience in entrepreneurship, sales systems and market analysis.
Ingri Carolina Mosquera Moreno
MSc Operations Management and Business Analytics
A process engineering graduate with experience in data analytics, process improvement and business analysis.
Nicolás Peña
MA Interactive Music and Advanced Studio Production
A Colombian musician and producer developing his work across studio production, interactive composition and audio technology.
Sofía Morales
MSc Environmental Assessment and Management
A biologist working across environmental assessment, biodiversity conservation and community engagement.
The cohort reflects the breadth of Colombian professional talent engaged and supported through the 2026 strategy.
Student perspectives
Daniela Arango Pulgarín
MA Documentary Production for TV, Film and Digital Media
Kelly Parra
MSc Public Health
Nicolás Peña
MA Interactive Music and Advanced Studio Production
Ingri Carolina Mosquera Moreno
MSc Operations Management and Business Analytics
The people behind the project
The project combined University expertise, a Colombia market strategy led by QualiFly®, applicant support, local knowledge and audiovisual production.
Nancy Cooke
Director of International Development
University of Salford
Provided institutional direction and strategic oversight, including the ICETEX relationship and alignment with Salford’s international development priorities.
Nick Croft
Senior International Officer, Americas
University of Salford
Coordinated recruitment on behalf of Salford, supported the webinar and scholarship process, led the Colombia visit and followed students through offers, CAS, visa and pre-departure stages.
Ángela Carrasco
Colombia Project Lead · QualiFly®
Led the development and delivery of the Colombia project, coordinating digital campaigns, institutional outreach, events and applicant engagement. She also created QualiHub’s step-by-step preparation pathway.
Juan Franco
University of Salford Alumnus
Audiovisual Production and Local Project Support
Delivered the March information sessions, supported the Bogotá and Medellín visit, and produced the audiovisual record, student interviews, short-form content and copywriting.
Acknowledgements
This project came together thanks to the support, care and commitment of many people across the University and in Colombia.
Special thanks to Jo Purves, Pro Vice-Chancellor Partnerships and Global Engagement; Nancy Cooke; Nick Croft, who designed the scholarship certificates and showed great patience with Bogotá’s traffic, particularly during a two-hour journey from the city centre; and Juan Franco, whose local knowledge and practical support made a real difference throughout the visit.
We are also grateful to the Admissions, CAS Assessment, Marketing, Legal and IT teams for their support. Finally, thank you to the students, families, ICETEX and participating institutions. Their trust and engagement made this project possible.
2027 applicant journey
Building on the 2026 project, two complementary Spanish-language routes now support prospective Colombian students through information, preparation and application.
Salford Colombia
A dedicated Spanish-language page covering the scholarships, programmes, requirements, key dates and three-stage application process.
QualiHub
QualiFly®’s free preparation ecosystem, offering a guided workshop, practical tools and step-by-step resources to help prospective students plan, calculate their investment and prepare independently before applying through Salford’s official channels.
Understand
Review the scholarship, programmes, requirements and application process.
Prepare
Use QualiHub’s workshop, guides, tutorials and budgeting tools.
Apply
Submit the application directly through the University's official channels.
The 2027 cycle is now underway, with scholarship information published and prospective students already engaging through new enquiries and QualiHub registrations.