University of Northampton

Overview

The University of Northampton’s mission to transform lives and inspire change seeks to ensure your time at the University is fulfilling, satisfying and enjoyable. Northampton University courses are taught on a brand new campus and the University actively focuses on making sure you have all the support you need at this important stage of your life. Face-to-face teaching is enhanced by the latest developments in technology to give students flexibility in the way they learn. In addition, Northampton has a unique commitment to social impact, supporting staff and students to have a positive effect on the world. Courses and extracurricular activities are designed to promote the idea that everybody has the power to make a positive impact on society – small changes that add up to make the world a better place.

The new campus - Waterside - is located just a few minutes walk from Northampton town centre. It is purpose-built, designed to deliver a new personalised experience of teaching and learning, plus excellent opportunities to develop academic knowledge and life skills. Teaching is based on seminars or tutorials, encouraging closer interaction between students and academic staff, with more opportunities to ask questions, exchange ideas, develop teamwork and receive detailed feedback.

The University of Northampton's acceptance rate is 20%, and its courses, including placement opportunities, will set you up for a rich and fulfilling career. A key University of Northampton ranking includes being named one of the world’s top 30 Higher Education institutions (HEIs) for tackling inequality in the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings.

Services for International Students

A dedicated International Student Support team at the University of Northampton helps students settle in quickly with a Welcome Program offering social activities and all the practical advice needed about opening a bank account, finding a part-time job, getting a National Insurance number and registering with a doctor.

Changemaker Hub – the UON’s Careers and Employability team - is dedicated to equipping students with the skills to thrive, adapt and innovate in our ever-changing world. They have received a national award, ‘Overall Winner for Developing Employability’ for two years running (2017 & 2018) and one of the ‘Top 20 University Careers Services of the Year' (2017).

Unitemps, a dedicated in-house student recruitment agency, provides flexible employment to current students and graduates both on-campus and in local businesses to fit around course commitments. The UON’s Counselling and Mental Health service are ranked Top 10 in the country’s first-of-its-kind HUMEN University Mental Health League Table, with high scores in satisfaction, awareness and service provision.

Ranking

• 125th in the Times University Guide 2025
• 113th in the Guardian University Guide 2025

REF 2021 results show the University of Northampton has made significant progress in building and developing its research base, with the total percentage of research outputs to be ‘world-leading’ (4*) and ‘internationally excellent’ (3*) rising from 30.7 per cent in 2014 to 41.7 per cent this year. The University submitted research from more staff and more subject areas – known as units of assessment.”

Accommodation

The University of Northampton's new on-campus student village is just a few meters from the academic buildings where you will be learning. Students have the choice of living in one of the five-storey flats or one of the four-storey townhouses with landscaped courtyards. While most students will love the convenience of living on-campus, the University also offers a range of rooms to suit all budgets in Halls of Residence based off-campus.

Whatever you choose, all student accommodation at Northampton is fully furnished with utilities included in your rent, although you will have to pay for a TV licence if you have a television. Rooms have network and WiFi access, providing links to the University's computer network. The University takes student safety seriously with round-the-clock on-campus security cover, CCTV cameras and the Residential Life Team providing pastoral support and guidance.

Location

Northampton is within 90 minutes of Leicester Square in central London and easy travelling distance of major centres such as Birmingham, Luton, Milton Keynes and Leicester. Served by five international airports, Northampton also benefits from excellent road and rail links to all parts of the UK and Europe.

Nationally acclaimed music venues and theatres located close to campus, multiplex and arthouse cinemas, a wealth of restaurants, bars and cafés offer students a genuine urban experience, while the county known as ‘The Rose of Shires’ boasts rolling countryside, castles and canals waiting to be explored.