Bringing university life to schools through AR

Client

University of East Anglia

Sector

Education, Arts and Culture

Tech

Augmented Reality (AR), Immersive Apps

Augmented reality for student outreach

The University of East Anglia’s Outreach team works with students from underrepresented backgrounds to raise awareness of higher education. To make sessions in schools more engaging and informative, they wanted a tool that could spark curiosity and break down barriers. We designed an AR app that brings the idea of university to life – anytime, anywhere.

The challenge

UEA’s Outreach team supports students of all ages – from primary through to mature learners – helping them explore higher education options and overcome misconceptions. But without access to campus facilities during school visits, it was difficult to illustrate the realities of university life. The challenge was to create an engaging, portable tool that could showcase the breadth of student experiences, from academic study to social opportunities, while also providing clear guidance on practical issues such as finance. Above all, it needed to encourage conversation and excitement, helping students make informed decisions about their future.

The process

We built an iPad app using markerless AR to trigger a stylised, animated 3D campus model. Around the model, interactive hotspots revealed different aspects of university life – from study choices and career opportunities to finance, living options and friendships. To keep students engaged, content was delivered in a variety of formats including 360º video, 2D film, images, GIFs and infographics, supported by concise copy. Each session began and ended with multiple-choice questions, enabling the Outreach team to benchmark understanding. Pre-loaded onto iPads, the app offered nearly 30 minutes of interactive learning – ideal for school group activities.

The outcome

The AR app transformed UEA’s outreach sessions, offering an immersive way to engage students in discussions about higher education. By blending interactive technology with informative content, it allowed learners to visualise university life and explore key topics in a dynamic, memorable way. Teachers praised the tool as both accessible and stimulating, while the Outreach team gained valuable insights through pre- and post-session questionnaires. The app made it possible to deliver a consistent, high-quality experience in schools across the region – helping UEA reach more students, dispel common myths and inspire confidence in the benefits of higher education.