The University of Northampton

Summary

University Environment

There are two main campuses at the University of Northumbria. Both are North of the main city centre. 

Park Campus

Park Campus, the bigger of the two University campuses, is set in 80 acres of open green parkland in Kingsthorpe a suburb north of the city centre. Park Campus is home to the Schools of Social Sciences, Health, Education and Business. Facilities available on-site include a sports hall, a Students’ Union, a Student Centre, shops, a bar, a nightclub and student accommodation. Park Campus is within easy walking distance of a busy, local shopping area, complete with banks, supermarkets, shops and pubs.

Avenue Campus

Avenue Campus is located just two miles away from the Park Campus and the two are linked by a regular and free weekday bus service. This Campus is located just north of the city centre. It is home to the Schools of Arts and Science and Technology. Avenue Campus has an excellent reputation as an ‘Arts Centre for all’, boasting theatre performances, exhibitions and its own art gallery.  Facilities available on-site include a Halls of Residence, the Students’ Union, a Student bar and nightclub. 

History

Education in Northampton has a history dating back to the thirteenth century. The University of Northampton however has its roots in the Northampton Technical College, established in 1924. The college as located on what is now the Avenue Campus. At this site, the School of Art opened in 1937. In 1972, the College of Education opened at the Park Campus and in 1975 it merged with the Technical College and the School of Art to become Nene College. In 1999, Nene College became the University College Northampton and six years later it was given full university status as the University of Northampton. 

Academics

University Schools

• Northampton Business School
• The School of Education
• The School of Health
• The School of Science and Technology
• The School of Social Sciences
• The School of the Arts

Research

In the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2014, the University of Northampton submitted to nine Units of Assessment. 'World-leading' research was identified in their submissions for the Allied Health Professions, Art and Design, English Language and Literature, History, Geography and Environmental Studies and Education Units of Assessment.

In History, 22% of research was rated as 'world-leading'. In Art and Design, 20% of submissions were ranked 'world-leading' for their impact. 'International excellence' was identified in the submissions in Business and Management Studies, Engineering and Psychology units of assessment.

International & Industrial Opportunities 

The University of Northampton’s Study Abroad Programme is an opportunity for students to live and study in another country as part of their degree. The university has partner universities in countries from the USA to Singapore. University of Northampton students can also apply for a period of study or work abroad via the Erasmus Plus Programme. This allows full-time, part-time, undergraduate postgraduate and international students, to study abroad for a between three months and one year, at approximately 40 Erasmus partner institutions throughout Europe.

Many of our undergraduate courses offer the opportunity for students to apply for a one-year work placement. These can be completed in England or abroad. The University also runs a number of study trips, fieldwork, placements and front-line work with communities locally and overseas. 

Fees & Finance

Scholarships

There are a range of scholarships and bursaries available to prospective students at the University of Northampton. 

The High Achievers Scholarship offers a £2,000 cash payment to UK and EU applicants, paying £9,000 tuition fees, who have achieved AAB (or equivalent) or higher in their A Levels. All applicants will be automatically assessed and entered for the scholarship. 

There are also two scholarships available to students from the Northampton Area. The Sir Thomas White Scholarship provides a £4,500 scholarship to students who have lived in the Borough of Northampton for at least five years and have a household income of £40,000 or less. The Wilson Endowment Scholarship provides a £1,500 scholarship to students born in Northamptonshire, or who have lived in Northamptonshire for a minimum of three years. 

A number of subject specific scholarships are also available. See the University’s website for details. 

The University’s highest-performing sports people are also supported by an athlete development programme. This includes strength and conditioning training, physiotherapy support and nutritional guidance as well as financial support for accommodation, travel and equipment.

Bursaries

The University of Northampton Bursary gives a £500 cash bursary each year to students paying £9,000 fees that have a household income of £25,000 or less. This bursary is income related bursary and does not have to be repaid. Students will be automatically assessed as to their eligibility through student finance. 

There is also a fund for students who need support paying for training, travel, research etc. The Chancellors Fund gives out awards of between £100 and £1,500 bi-annually.

Facilities

Learning Facilities

The University of Northampton has two libraries one on each of its campuses. The Park Campus library is open 24 hours a day during term time. Both libraries hold collections of books, journals, multimedia and internally generated resources such as research output. The University also has an online learning environment allowing students to study from anywhere in the world. Here students can find all the information they need about their courses as well as all of the University’s study support packs.

Students can access timely and accessible learning support delivered online and face-to-face, embedded within courses or as personalised help. This support comes in various formats including one to one, telephone or etutorials, drop in sessions, bespoke workshops for groups of students and house study packs and rough guides on all academic skills including statistics, essay writing, critical analytical writing, dissertations and numeracy. Each student is also assigned a personal tutor who can offer support and guidance on issues with mitigating circumstances, extensions and personal development planning. 

Any students suffering from personal issues, disabilities or mental health issues can also receive help and advice on issues such as obtaining books in alternative formats, access to study rooms and assistive equipment, help with locating, reaching for and carrying material within the library and tools for reading and planning assistance. 

Other university learning facilities include workshops, laboratories and computer-aided design suites, a theatre, its own art gallery and NVision, the high-tech 3D immersive technology and visualisation centre.

Sporting Facilities

Around 1,500 students take part in some form of formal physical activity each week, at the University of Northampton. Northampton is one of only two universities in the country that provide sports activities free to its students. The university offers sport for students of all ability; there are over 30 competitive sports clubs and a range of fitness classes, including Zumba, Aerobics, Boxercise and Yoga, as well as a sports centre and gym with technogym, cardiovascular and resistance equipment. The university’s main sports hall is at park campus, however there are facilities for classes on both campuses.

The highest-performing students are also supported by an athlete development programme, which includes strength and conditioning training, physiotherapy support and nutritional guidance as well as financial support for accommodation, travel and equipment.

Students' Union

Students’ Union

The University of Northampton’s Students' Union is run by three full-time student-elected officers along with a number of part-time officers and over 450 elected Student Representatives. Students can impact their university experience by either taking part in elections or running as a representative themselves. 

Throughout the year, the union run campaigns to raise awareness about local and national issues important to students. They also run a number of events representing the diverse and varied interests of the student community, these have previously included National Interfaith Week, LGBT History Month, International Women’s Day, National Student Volunteering Week, Employability Week, RAG (Raising and Giving Week), Fairtrade Fortnight and National Money Week.

Facilities in the students' union include bars, entertainment venues and a café. The union is committed to providing entertainment and activities for students, these include quiz nights, cake-making and the global society.

The union also provides student support on issues with courses, queries about accommodation, problems with friends or flatmates, or homesickness. The Student Advice Service, staffed by trained professionals, provides independent, confidential support and advice in a private, friendly, relaxed office based on Park Campus location.

Student Support

Religion & Spirituality

The University of Northampton has a team of Chaplains from different faiths who work together to serve everyone at the University. The Multi-Faith Chaplaincy Centre, on Park Campus offers a space for students to talk, meet or simply enjoy some quiet time. Multi-Faith prayer rooms with washing facilities are provided in the Chaplaincy Centre at Park Campus and are also available at Avenue Campus. Events run by the chaplaincy include drop-in lunches, Buddhist relaxation and meditation sessions and yoga classes.

Health & Wellbeing

The University of Northampton has a doctor’s surgery on Park Campus that is available to all students and open five days a week. Students can make appointments with a doctor or a nurse and a number is provided for out-of-hours emergencies. The University also offers a free, confidential and non-judgemental service to students throughout their time at University. Furthermore, specialist information and advice about referrals can be found through the Counselling and Mental Health Team.

The University's Additional Student Support and Inclusion Services Team (ASSIST) work to promote equal opportunities and enable disabled students to achieve their full potential. This service is available to all students who have disability-related needs, including those with physical and sensory impairments, specific learning differences such as dyslexia, autism spectrum, mental health difficulties or medical conditions. They provide students with a diverse range of support including: accessing Disabled Students’ Allowance, providing dyslexia screening tests, arranging extra time in exams, priority accommodation arrangements and one-to-one specialist study skills support. Academic support available is available on issues like coursework, exam arrangements, specialist study skills and studying more effectively and independently.

Career Facilities

The University of Northampton’s Centre for Employability and Engagement works with students to develop the professional and personal skills needed to enter the workplace at a graduate level or to progress into further studies. They offer students confidential one-to-one careers interviews, CV support, mock interviews, employability programmes, an online vacancy database advertising full-time graduate vacancies, placements, work experience and internships at home and abroad, an annual careers fair and a range of skills workshops and ‘Meet the Employer’ events held throughout the year.

The university also supplies a variety of spaces, which provide affordable workspaces with excellent facilities to fledgling businesses within specific sectors. Students who themselves wish to set up a business can find support in the Enterprise Inc. programme. This award-winning programme provides grant and investment funding for some new businesses as well as accelerated access to the Northamptonshire Growth Hub, a business support service for all businesses in the county. 

Through the university’s Changemaker Campus commitment to social enterprise and innovation, all students are given the opportunity to work in a social enterprise as a paid employee, volunteer or through a work placement. These opportunities enable students to earn money, apply their skills to benefit regional social enterprises and significantly enhance their employability. 

The University also offers a number of awards which help to increase students’ employability. The Northampton Employability Award is a non-credit bearing, voluntary scheme awarded to undergraduate students who go above and beyond their degree whilst at the university. The Award is a certified programme designed to help students understand and articulate the skills they developing through their extracurricular activities. 

Northampton’s Changemaker Award also allows students and graduates to stand out from the crowd. The award focuses on developing an understanding of how students can solve social problems and become 'Changemakers' of the future. It allows students to develop an idea, addressing a problem in the world through a new social venture. They will then be supported by University finance and design experts, prior to launching their venture when they graduate. Graduates of the programme will be internationally recognised by Ashoka U as Changemakers of the future.

Accommodation

The University of Northampton provides over 1,600 bed spaces on campus. There are a variety of different room types available, catering for different needs and suiting all budgets. The majority of rooms are en-suite and all are self-catered and the cost of heating, lighting and water is included in the rent. Single rooms cost between £82 and £121 a week and shared rooms cost between £61 and £90 a week. The Residential Life Team, which is made up of existing students and staff, provides pastoral support and guidance. 

There is also a university hall in the city centre close to shops, restaurants, supermarkets, the Beckett’s Park Marina and the buzz of Northampton’s Cultural Quarter. The St John’s Halls offer 437 single en-suite bedrooms, seven twin studios and five single studios. Each flat contains six or seven rooms and a large communal kitchen with seating area. Prices range between £92 a week for a shared room and £133 for a studio flat.

International

English Language Requirements

All international students at the University of Northampton must meet the minimum English language requirements. These may vary from course to course (see the university’s website for more details) but generally students must have at least IELTS 6.0 (or equivalent) for undergraduate study. 

Students who do not meet this have the option of signing up for one of the university’s pre-sessional English language courses or applying for the International Foundation Programme. 

International Support

Each year the University of Northampton welcomes more than 1,000 international students from over 100 countries.

The University’s international student support service supports students throughout their studies. Each student is allocated a personal tutor who is concerned with both studies and wellbeing. International students also have access to free English language support throughout their studies, as well as visa and career guidance.

For international students arriving in September and January who sign up for this option, the University offers a free ‘Meet and Greet’ service at London Heathrow Airport. 

To ensure that international students settle in quickly and receive all the practical advice and guidance they need, the University will be invites students to join their International Welcome Programme, which takes place immediately prior to the beginning of your course. During this programme students will be given detailed information about issues such as opening a bank account, obtaining a part-time job, getting a National Insurance number and registering with a doctor. There are also a range of social activities put on during this week.

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