Student radio stations – why they’re a great idea
There’s a lot to be said for student radio. From inclusiveness and community, to building a raft of technical broadcasting skills, student radio stations have a great deal to offer. Yet their worth is sometimes undervalued. In this briefing we explore the importance of these assets both to the students that work on them and to their wider institutions.
With student satisfaction scores being of ever-increasing importance in the higher education sector, there’s no getting around the fact that, today, student experience matters in a way that it simply didn’t before. And that’s one compelling reason why, if you don’t yet have a student radio station, you really ought to get cracking and set one up. And if you already do have one, you should probably invest in it more! Let’s explain why.
The arts of presenting and production
There are now more than 50 university student radio stations in the UK. Between them, they’ve launched the careers of a raft of high-profile celebrity DJs. Annie Mac, Simon Mayo, Greg James, Scott Mills and Rich Clarke all began in student radio stations.
Enthusiastic undergraduates involved in running a student radio station quickly learn what is needed to make it a success: devising and running daytime shows and specialist programmes, broadcasting drama, comedy and news.
And, even if they’re not drawn to the idea of becoming the next Zane Lowe or MistaJam, they may be attracted to the behind-the-scene role of production work – planning features, being involved in the day-to-day running of the show and stopping presenters overstepping the mark and inadvertently causing offence.
The importance of the music industry
Record companies take University radio stations very seriously. That’s why they send student radio stations many tracks every week to gain exposure for their music. Much of it, to be frank, isn’t great, but somebody has to sift through the offerings and air the best. There’s also a distinct chance of students actually meeting and interviewing their favourite band. Student satisfaction ratings, needless to say, are likely to rise.
The role of the engineer
No sphere of life is free from banana skins of various sorts and they’re certainly strewn around the world of broadcasting and radio. Things break, glitches arise out of nowhere and dead air time threatens. Engineers keep the station broadcasting and tech-savvy students could gain invaluable experience in this field.
Audio production
No one likes dreary adverts and cheesy jingles. Students with a talent for writing and wordplay, with a gift for all those bangs, pops and whooshes that bring airtime to life, can learn the often delightful arts of audio production on a student radio station.
So, why not set one up?
We haven’t even mentioned other dimensions to the student radio experience, like the need for creative advertising and marketing, the prospects of outside broadcasting and DJing, and making the station available to online audiences.
It’s hard to dispute the fact that a lively, well-run student radio station, fizzing with engaging content and great presentation, can help put universities on the maps of the very people they’re seeking to attract: prospective undergraduates. In addition, they can gain real recognition for their efforts in university broadcasting and radio, too: BBC Radio 1 and Global support the star-studded Student Radio Awards every year.
With our equipment booking software, connect2, running in the background to help students to book equipment and studio space, student radio stations have never been easier to manage.
Lorensbergs’ connect2 equipment booking and management software has been developed to support university journalism, film production and multimedia courses. It optimises resource access, promotes usage and provides invaluable analytics to support new equipment investment.
To find out more, contact Lorensbergs on 01992 415505 or email enquiries@lorensbergs.co.uk
