In today’s fast-evolving educational landscape, institutions are under increasing pressure to deliver personalised learning experiences, streamline operations, and improve student outcomes—all while managing limited resources.
Enter Microsoft Dynamics 365 for Education, a powerful platform of CRM apps transforming how schools, colleges, and universities operate and engage.
5 Key Use Cases for Microsoft Dynamics 365 in Education
Here are some of the most impactful ways Microsoft Dynamics 365 for Education is being used:
1. Speak to students (how they want to be spoken to).
Universities can track student interactions across multiple channels, with Copilot suggesting personalised outreach strategies and automating communications.
This can maximise reach to students via email, SMS, social media and other channels, allowing staff to speak to students where they already are.
2. Speed up admissions and enrolment.
Institutions can streamline the admissions process with AI-driven summaries, candidate scoring, and automated follow-ups.
Using Dynamics 365 for Higher Education admin can automate common processes, freeing up staff hours and improving efficiency.
3. Help students better (and keep them safe).
Schools can use Dynamics 365 performance insights to recommend tailored interventions and support plans for students who may be struggling.
Most importantly, Dynamics 365 can also be used to identify patterns of behaviour in students and flag students who may be at risk.
4. Speed up the clearing process.
University staff can access real-time information on clearing application progress, course availability, and applicant profiles. This speeds up the clearing process significantly.
5. Keep track of alumni more easily.
Coordinators can manage alumni information and easily coordinate former students for fundraising, events days, support and more.
It’s easier to manage the student journey, even after graduation.
Dynamics 365 Education Case Study: Aston University
A standout example of this transformation is Aston University. ANS supported Aston University in deploying Microsoft Dynamics 365 Sales and Dynamics 365 Customer Insights – Journeys modules to enhance their management of student data.
Using a pre-configured and automated approach to Dynamics 365, ANS delivered transformative improvements across Aston’s recruitment, marketing, customer service, and project management functions.
With real-time reporting and analytics now at their fingertips, Aston University can make data-driven decisions to optimise operations and elevate the student experience.
The implementation of Microsoft Dynamics 365 offers deep insights that will guide future recruitment strategies and support a more personalised student journey. This positions the university to craft more effective business plans and fully harness the power of analytics.
The results speak volumes:
- 421 hours saved processing applications per month
- 800 hours of manual processes removed monthly
- £1.9 million ROI over three years through increased postgraduate student conversions
By consolidating data into a single view of each student, Aston University has significantly improved its ability to engage, support, and convert prospective students—while freeing up staff time for more strategic initiatives.
“This project was a great success because of ANS’s directness, collaborative spirit, and expertise. Their team is filled with talented individuals who provide valuable insights and consistently deliver on projects.”
— Gary Hughes, Executive Director of Marketing, Recruitment and Communications, Aston University
Ready to Transform Your Institution?
Aston University’s success story is just one example of how Microsoft Dynamics 365 for Education can revolutionise the way higher education institutions operate.
From saving thousands of staff hours to unlocking millions in ROI, the potential for transformation is real and measurable.
Whether you’re looking to enhance student engagement, streamline admissions, or gain deeper insights through real-time analytics, Microsoft Dynamics 365 for Higher Education offers the tools to help you stay ahead in a competitive education landscape.
