Staffordshire University

Supercharging digital learning and collaboration

The Client

Staffordshire University is home to over 22,000 students and is known for its forward-thinking approach to education.

Faced with rising expectations from digitally native students, the university recognised the need to evolve its services and deliver a more modern, engaging experience. Their goal was to move beyond traditional enrolment methods and create a platform that supports lifelong learning and student empowerment.

Node4 was integral to the success of the project, their App Dev knowledge and skills drove the project from start to finish.

Gareth Hall

Lead Architect at Staffordshire University

The Challenge

Staffordshire University was relying on a legacy student management system to handle everything from applications to degree awards. While a web front end existed, it offered limited self-service functionality and didn’t meet the expectations of today’s students. Adoption was low, and the portal lacked the flexibility and usability that modern digital services provide. The university needed a solution that would not only streamline processes but also enhance the student experience across the entire lifecycle.

The Solution

We worked closely with Staffordshire University to develop a new student portal, designed with students at its heart. Using a user-driven design approach, we focused on creating a platform that offered intuitive self-service tools and simplified key processes. Students could now request letters, upload photos, and update personal data, all in line with GDPR standards. Development, test and production environments were used to ensure robust functionality before launch. We also supported factory acceptance testing using DevOps methodology to validate requirements and address security concerns early.

Gareth Hall, Lead Architect at Staffordshire University, said that “Node4 (formerly risual) was integral to the success of the project, their App Dev knowledge and skills drove the project from start to finish.”

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Student Portal

Self-service

Digital Transformation

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The Results

The new portal quickly proved its value. Within the first month, usage surpassed that of the previous system. Students generated 53 bank letters, 232 confirmation of enrolment letters, and submitted 65 data change requests. The platform empowered students to take control of their university experience, and the streamlined processes improved efficiency across the board. With strong adoption and positive feedback, Staffordshire University is now exploring further enhancements to the portal to deepen student engagement and support high-quality education.

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The Node4 Difference

We put people first. By working hand-in-hand with Staffordshire University, we delivered a solution that genuinely improves student life. Our approach combined technical expertise with a deep understanding of user needs, ensuring the portal was not just functional but meaningful. The success of this project reflects our commitment to helping organisations evolve through smart, human-centred technology.