Guide · Universities & Higher Education · By the AutoScribble Team · Published 22 September 2026
Planning animated student orientation and onboarding videos
Short answer
List the questions new students ask most in their first fortnight, group them into six to ten short topics, and make one 60- to 90-second portrait video for each from your existing guidance pages. Send them before arrival and pin them in your student app or VLE so students can rewatch when the question actually arises.
Who this guide is for
Student services, admissions, welcome teams and department administrators. It's part of our universities & higher education resources.
What you'll need
- Your FAQ log or enquiry data
- Existing guidance pages
- Key dates for the term
Step by step
- 1
Mine the questions
Your enquiries inbox tells you what students actually ask. Start there, not with your org chart.
- 2
Group into topics
Timetables, enrolment, IT accounts, wellbeing support, money, accommodation.
- 3
Go portrait and short
Students watch on phones. 60–90 seconds per topic.
- 4
Use a warm, direct tone
Speak to one student: ‘you'll get your timetable…’.
- 5
Release in stages
Pre-arrival essentials first, then week-two topics when they become relevant.
Illustrative orientation series
| When | Video | Length |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-arrival | Enrolling online in three steps | 60s |
| Pre-arrival | Setting up your IT account | 60s |
| Week 1 | Reading your timetable | 75s |
| Week 1 | Where to get wellbeing support | 90s |
| Week 2 | How extenuating circumstances work | 90s |
| Week 3 | Booking a careers appointment | 60s |
Illustrative example written for this guide.
Copy the AutoScribble prompt
Complete prompt
Make a 75-second portrait whiteboard video for new undergraduate students explaining [topic], using only the guidance below. Speak directly to one student in a warm, reassuring tone, draw each step as a numbered card, and finish with where to get help. [Paste guidance here]
Common mistakes
- One long welcome film
- Using internal names for services students don't recognise
- Releasing everything at once
Review before publishing
- Dates and links are current
- Service names match what students will see
- Accessible alternatives available
Questions
Can international students watch in their language?
Narration is available in 15 languages. Keep on-screen text short and check translations.
Can we brand the videos?
Yes — add your logo and colours.