Types of UC websites
UC websites have different types according to purpose. Site type determines the template, design and layout used for the pages in the site.
Portal page
A portal page is a single page with a collection of links aimed at a specific user group. It is a jumping off point for a collection of sites.
Example - the Current Students portal page contains links to key information that current students need to use on a regular basis.
College site
College sites contain information specific to the College, for all user groups that may be interested in the College's activities.
Example - the College of Engineering website contains announcements and news specific to the College of Engineering, outlines of degrees and subjects offered through the college and its different disciplines. The site has information for prospective, undergraduate and postgraduate students, contact information for the college, and information about college people and research they are conducting. It also contains various types of other information specific to them, eg health and safety.
Department and school site
(Academic) Departmental and School sites are similar to College sites except that the information contained in the site is specific to the department or school.
Example - The School of Languages, Culture and Linguistics website contains information on the programmes you can study within with school, including what courses are offered and course advice. Information is specific to the School of Languages, Culture and Linguistics for prospective, prospective, undergraduate and visitors and community. It also has news and features specific to the school and other information including research undertaken within the school, contacts, relevant journals, scholarships and its people. The quick links are tailored to the needs of users.
Other examples
School of Literacies and Arts in Education, Geography Department, Civil and Natural Resources Engineering, Management Department
Service unit
Service Unit sites correspond to those units within the university that offer services to staff and students. Information within the site is specific to the service unit and assists students and staff in using the services provided.
Example - the Enrol at UC website has links grouped under the headings: About, Resources and Contact us. (The third column on the home page has an image and link to the 'Enrolment Handbook'). Links under these headings all go to pages within the site.
The right hand column News and Features is tailored to enrolling.
Other examples
Canterbury Educational Printing Services, Liaison Office, Student Support.
Research centre site
A Research Centre Site contains information about the research that is being conducted by that centre. It will also have information for prospective and current students on future research to be carried out and relevant scholarships. Research Centre sites help promote UC research areas to the world and thus support the university profile.
Examples
National Centre for Research on Europe, Social Science Research Centre.
Exceptions and customisations
Exceptions will be approved by the Web Team Leader where these are needed to meet specific needs that do not fit the above site models. Some of these exceptions are:
- Large sites with very many links and less features and news (e.g. Library).
- Applications which cannot be fully customised to the whole UC template (e.g. UC Research Repository) and/or may have specific needs outside the above standard site models (e.g. UC Student Web).
In all circumstances, all customisations of the template must be done by the Web Team in collaboration with the site owner and approved by the Web Team Leader.