History, Affiliations and Rankings
One of the youngest universities in the UK, the University of Northampton is already leading the way to become the United Kingdom's best with its high social impact. Established in 1999 as the Northampton Technical College, it was granted University status and degree-awarding powers in 2005. Northampton is also the first UK University to be named the Changemaker Campus in 2012, particularly for its social impact. The University of Northampton is a co-sponsor of the Silverstone University Technical College and has academic partnerships with 19 institutions in the UK along with collaborative international partnerships. As part of its Changemaker mission, the university collaborates with a variety of international academic partners to increase access to higher quality education and improve students' learning experiences. The mechanisms that support these activities were created in accordance with the Higher Education Quality Code. The Times Higher Education ranks the University of Northampton in the band #101-150 in Impact Rankings for 2021 and globally, the University ranks in the bracket #1001-1200 according to QS World University Rankings 2022.
Infrastructure, Campuses and Courses
In 2018, the former two campuses of the University of Northampton - the Avenue Campus and the Park Campus - were shifted to the new site, called the Waterside Campus. A modern 21st-century campus, it comprises state-of-the-art learning facilities - Laboratories, Computing Suites, Media Suites, Studios which are equipped with Macbooks and digital cameras, and Professional Skills Suites and Workshops, which promote practical learning. There is also a Tannery for the students pursuing Leather studies, which also makes Northampton the first UK University to integrate leather with fashion, technology, marketing and business. At the University of Northampton, students can pursue a breadth of degree programs across 29 subject areas, including Psychology, Social Work, Performing Arts, Leather courses, Law, Fashion, Business, Sciences and more. Courses in these and other disciplines are available at the Undergraduate, Postgraduate and Doctoral levels. As a student at the University of Northampton, your tuition fees will include multiple perks, including a laptop, funded trips and paid internships!
Accomplishments and Alumni
In the brief since its establishment, the University of Northampton has attained a long list of achievements. In 2021, the University was featured in the world’s top 30 Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) for tackling social inequality in THE Impact Rankings, being placed at the 27th position out of 699 HEIs in the world. The University’s Learning Hub is a featured winner of the Royal Society of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) award. Further, the university was awarded the Social Enterprise Gold Mark for putting the welfare of society first. Also, the University’s first social impact report showed that it over £800,000 worth of student volunteering to the local community. UON also strives to maintain good partnerships with HE providers in Northamptonshire, neighbouring counties, and London, including FE colleges, hospitals, and private providers, as the county's lone university. The Academic Partnerships Office (APO) has collaborated with nations such as Finland, Greece, Poland, Spain, the Netherlands, and Ireland across Europe. The APO has established effective collaborations in China, Hong Kong, Nepal, Mauritius, Myanmar, New Zealand, Singapore, and Sri Lanka as a result of its joint efforts. Some of the notable personalities who have graduated from the University of Northampton include the likes of, Owen Paterson (Former British Politician), Dallas Campbell (British Television Presenter and Actor), Will Alsop (Architect and Professor of Architecture at the University for the Creative Arts Canterbury School of Architecture), Andrew Collins (British writer and broadcaster), and Jon Bewers (Former British footballer).
Student Diversity and Visiting Companies
With a student population of around 13,000 students including 20% international students (in the year 2020-21), the University of Northampton embraces diversity, both in cultures and ethnicities as well as in gender. Around 66% of the overall student body comprises female students. Furthermore, the University of Northampton is dedicated to creating a lively, ethical, and long-term work, study, and residential environment that values equality, diversity, and inclusion. This dedication, together with legal and moral requirements, creates a welcoming atmosphere for all employees, students, and members of the public who may be affected by its actions. The institution has also declared that all kinds of hatred, including bullying and harassment, discrimination, and violence, would be met with zero tolerance. The University of Northampton offers what they call the Employment Promise. According to this, all eligible Northampton alumni can secure a three to six month paid internship, or assistance to progress into Postgraduate studies if they have not secured employment.
