Eindhoven-based Studyportals, a global education-choice platform, has acquired Amsterdam’s Uni-Life, a peer-to-peer engagement platform focused on student connections and retention.
The acquisition aligns with Studyportals’ goal of improving digital student recruitment for universities. By integrating Uni-Life, Studyportals aims to provide a more comprehensive support system for students before and after enrollment.
With this deal, Uni-Life’s team of 17 has joined Studyportals.
Aim of the acquisition
Founded in 2019, Uni-Life was developed to help students engage with campus life and build social connections. It was created to address difficulties students face in forming relationships within their university.
Over time, it expanded to support students both before and after enrollment, fostering connections from acceptance to graduation while maintaining a focus on student welfare.
By becoming part of Studyportals, Uni-Life aims to extend its reach and continue prioritising student engagement on a global level.
Edwin van Rest, CEO of Studyportals, says, “For years, we have recognised the growing demand for communities in the study choice process. Uni-Life stands out for having student welfare and retention at its core, while also driving strong economical gains for the university. This aligns perfectly with the broader vision of our offerings: best-fit, best for students, great ROI.”
“This acquisition allows us to support students not only in selecting the right study programme but also in building connections and feeling at home even before they arrive. Our university partners will enhance both the enrolment ratio and student success/retention with minimal effort. Acquiring Uni-Life is a natural extension of our mission to empower students and elevate global, digital, direct-to-student recruitment.”
Uni-Life’s platform supports universities in increasing enrolment rates, lowering pre-arrival dropouts, and improving the student experience. It offers tools such as personalised invitations, discussion forums, and peer-led student groups.
Joep Annega, CEO of Uni-Life, adds, “Joining the Studyportals group marks an exciting new chapter for Uni-Life. Our mission has always been purpose-driven – we want to offer every student the best possible university experience. Within the Studyportals ecosystem, students are in control, allowing them to make well-informed choices that lead to higher retention rates compared to other channels.”
“Uni-Life aligns perfectly with this vision, as we have always believed that engaging with other students early on fosters confidence and independence. With Studyportals’ global reach, resources and partner network, we can expand our mission of building authentic, meaningful and vibrant student communities for even more students worldwide.”
Brief about Studyportals: An international study choice platform
Studyportals aims to make education accessible and transparent worldwide. The platform’s mission emphasises both encouraging education as a path to a better future and enabling individuals to make informed choices about their studies.
Founded by international student associations, Studyportals was created to address the lack of reliable resources for comparing study options across countries.
Co-founder and CEO Edwin van Rest, inspired by his experience studying in Japan, launched the platform to improve education transparency.
According to the Studyportals website, it now serves over 51 million visitors annually, featuring more than 245,000 programmes from 3,500 institutions globally.
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