The University of Salford has become the first institution to allow students to use a Tinder-style app to find a course through clearing.

The ‘Match Made in Salford’ app, created by digital transformation firm Squiz, offers essential, allows students to engage in the process of clearing in a way that many of them will be familiar with.

Delivered across mobile, desktop and tablet, the digital clearing tool asks prospective students to ‘swipe left’ or ‘swipe right’ when they are provided with personalised course recommendations based on their grades achieved, course and career of interest.

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Any ‘match’ can be explored in more detail within the service, with information provided about the course and University of Salford. Any matches are then added to a shortlist that can be viewed in full once the user has exhausted all course recommendations.

“Usually students are faced with lengthy lists of available courses, but with this tool we’re making our clearing process student-driven and much more interactive,” said John McCarthy, director of marketing and student recruitment at University of Salford.

“Because users are recommended a course based on their interests and long term goals, it means that when they telephone us they feel more informed about the course they are enrolling on. We want students to be able to find their ideal course partner, and then look forward to a wonderful new life together in September when term kicks off.”

The university saw more than 10,000 unique visitors use the matchmaker to find courses during this summer’s clearing process, with time spent on its website increasing by 264%.

Prospective students have also been encouraged to share their ‘matches’ on social media through the app using #MatchMadeInSalford.

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Roger Warner, Head of Strategy at Squiz added: “18-year-olds use mobile apps daily so it makes sense for universities to offer an experience of clearing which echoes other popular services.

“University of Salford is leading the way in how institutions should be interacting with students during this busy, and sometimes stressful, period. Offering this service as ‘digital first’ allows the university to make the clearing process enjoyable, more personal and engaging.”