To encourage students to learn about credit and increase financial literacy, Experian has partnered with brand experience agency Seed to create an immersive educational experience, Credit Quest. 

Blending live gameplay with bite-sized learning and opportunities to win prizes, the experience transforms the city of Manchester into a live treasure hunt. 

Targeted at students from the University of Manchester, Manchester Metropolitan University and the University of Salford, the experience will take students on a journey around the city with credit-themed clues across physical locations. As the students progress through the trail they will unlock bite-sized financial tips, rewards and prizes.

The journey starts on campus, where participants will complete a series of credit-related challenges. Each stop reveals practical guidance on topics such as credit scores, financial habits, and managing money at university. 

Participants who complete the campus quest advance to a city centre finale, where the fastest participants can earn ‘Credit Quest Champion’ status. There will also be the opportunity for one student to win a year’s rent while instant-win prizes will be available throughout the experience.

The quest has been designed to align with Experian’s “Better your score, better your story,” brand platform, which sees the brand strive to better educate people on credit. Where university is often one of the first places young people have to manage their own money, the experience aims to educate students at a pivotal stage of life.

“Money and credit can feel intimidating for students, particularly when it’s framed in overly formal or complex ways. By turning financial education into a city-wide game, we’ve created an experience that feels social, competitive and motivating, while still delivering clear, practical learning. Credit Quest shows how education can be driven through participation and play, not lectures,” says Jen Anderson, managing director at Seed.  

Alongside the event, the campaign is supported by a student brand ambassador programme with ambassador-led content designed to continue engagement post-event and encourage students to complete Experian’s Money Modules platform.

Through gamification, the brand is able to create a fun and memorable experience that will provide students with money management skills for life.