The University’s One Hour Degree has been shortlisted in the Guardian University Award 2020 in the Digital Innovation category.
This category is for those projects which that really stood out for the judges in terms of providing insights and experiences to current and future students, utilising the latest in digital innovation or directing the technology in a way not used before.
The final results are expected in October.
Launched in 2019, the One Hour Degree is an online simulation game designed to provide the complete university experience for those contemplating taking the three-year academic route.
Created by the Student Success Project, it enables potential students to take an immersive series of “quests” designed to give authentic insight into the university experience, all within one hour. These quests include Welcome Week, the first assignment, and attending exams. Each quest contains multiple options for the player/student to choose from, in the style of the famed “Choose your own adventure” genre of books. Players are able to choose to participate via either the Canterbury or Medway campuses.
The One Hour Degree was developed in collaboration with a number of specialists across the University. The game was written and developed by Alison Webb, Systems Development Manager in the Student Success Project, following interviews with Kent students across the three years so as to ensure the information from choices was accurate and up to date for prospective students. Within its first 24 hours it had been played in over 40 countries.
Not only will the One Hour Degree provide insight for potential students, it also serves to remind current students of the facilities, services and opportunities available to them as Kent students.
Alison Webb said: ‘We have been overwhelmed with the positive reaction from players to the One Hour Degree. The global reach of the game has been far greater than any of us anticipated, and activity within the UK has shown that many prospective students have had the chance to try out life at Kent virtually. We are confident that the One Hour Degree will continue to be beneficial to both prospective and current students, highlighting the uniquely different experiences that are on offer at our Canterbury and Medway campuses.’