The Quickstart Guide to Modernising Your Higher Education SaaS Platform

Let’s face it – university admissions teams have been grappling with technology challenges for years. And while digital transformation isn’t new, the stakes have never been higher.

With competition intensifying and student expectations evolving, institutions can’t afford to lose prospective applicants because of outdated systems, clunky processes, or poor communication. The good news? There’s a better way.

Modernising your admissions and enrolment platform with an all-in-one SaaS solution can help you engage prospective students more effectively, work more efficiently, and deliver the kind of experience today’s learners expect.

Here’s how to get started – and what to watch out for along the way.

The Common Barriers to Modernisation

Higher education doesn’t resist change – it just tends to happen slowly. And sometimes, well-intentioned upgrades can cause more issues than they solve. Here are some of the most common challenges institutions face when trying to modernise:

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1. Incomplete or Siloed Data

If your data is patchy or scattered across different systems, your strategy will suffer. You can’t optimise student recruitment if you don’t have a clear view of what’s working – or who’s falling through the cracks.

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2. Manual, Inefficient Processes

Too many admissions teams are still relying on spreadsheets, email chains, and manual follow-ups. Without automated workflows or integrated tools, staff spend valuable time on admin instead of building relationships with students.

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3. Rising Expectations from Gen Z

Today’s applicants expect a seamless digital experience. If your communications are slow, your forms aren’t mobile-friendly, or your portal feels clunky, they’ll notice – and they might just choose another university.

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4. Generic Software That Doesn’t Fit

Many institutions try to retrofit generic CRMs to meet their needs. But if the platform wasn’t built for higher education, it likely won’t support your admissions lifecycle properly – which means missed opportunities and unnecessary friction.

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5. Poor Integration Between Teams

Marketing, admissions, and IT often use different tools that don’t connect well. If your email platform doesn’t integrate with your CRM, for example, key data may be lost – and leads can easily slip through the net.

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Why SaaS Is the Smarter Choice for Admissions

Consolidating your admissions and enrolment activity into a single SaaS platform makes everything easier – for your staff and your students.

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Visibility Across the Funnel

With one system, you can track every prospect’s journey – from first touch to final enrolment. No more guessing where students are in the pipeline.

A Better Experience for Students

Applicants benefit from intuitive forms, mobile-friendly design, personalised content and real-time updates – all in one place.

Smarter, More Personal Communication

With built-in automation and segmentation tools, you can tailor your messaging and stay in touch at exactly the right time.

Significant Time Savings

By removing repetitive tasks and centralising data, your team spends less time switching between platforms – and more time adding value.

Powerful, Real-Time Reporting

Advanced dashboards give you full insight into what’s working (and what isn’t), so you can continually improve your approach.

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Practical Tips for Modernising Your Platform

Ready to get started? Here are some steps to make the process smoother – and more successful:

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1. Map Your Admissions Journey

Before you implement any new tools, take time to understand your full lead-to-enrolment journey. Define each stage and consider the data, actions and touchpoints involved. This will help you pinpoint what to automate and where to personalise.

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2. Choose Tools That Support Your Workflow

Once you’ve mapped the journey, identify what’s missing. Do you need better application forms? A student-friendly portal? Automated reminders? Look for tools that solve your biggest bottlenecks – and that work together seamlessly.

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3. Focus on Data Quality and Governance

Centralising data isn’t enough – it also needs to be clean, consistent and secure. Create a clear data management strategy to ensure your CRM becomes a reliable source of truth for your entire team.

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4. Track the Right Metrics

Don’t just count leads. Measure conversion rates at each key stage – from enquiry to application, from application to offer, and from offer to enrolment. These insights will help you spot drop-off points and refine your approach over time.

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5. Partner with a Higher Ed Specialist

Generic CRMs might do the basics, but they weren’t built with higher education in mind. Choosing a platform like Full Fabric – designed specifically for universities – means you’re getting tools, support and expertise tailored to your world.

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Why Choose Full Fabric?

We’ve spent over a decade helping higher education institutions modernise their admissions and enrolment processes – and our platform reflects that experience.

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With Full Fabric, you’ll get:

• A user-friendly, all-in-one CRM built for student recruitment and engagement.
• Seamless integrations with platforms like Turnitin, PayPal, Kira Talent and more.
• Customisable workflows that mirror your student lifecycle.
• Built-in analytics and lead nurturing tools.
• A trusted partner who understands your goals – and the challenges you face.

We’ve helped universities across Europe streamline operations, boost conversion rates and deliver more engaging applicant experiences. And we’d love to help you do the same.

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Final Thoughts

Modernising your admissions platform isn’t about buying more tech – it’s about simplifying your processes, empowering your team, and creating a better experience for your students.

With the right SaaS solution, you can bring everything into one place, gain clarity over your pipeline, and build stronger connections with the students who matter most.