Boughton Green Road
Northampton NN2 7AL

Tel 0800 358 2232

study@northampton.ac.uk

www.northampton.ac.uk

Sunday Times ranking 99= (101)

Teaching excellence 27.8%

Student satisfaction 74.8%

Head teacher ranking 47= (95=)

Peer ranking 116= (114)

Research quality 14.5%

A/AS-level points 214

A-levels for entry 76%

Unemployment 6.8%

Firsts and 2:1s 57.8%

Student/staff ratio 20.8:1

Dropout rate 19% (18%)

Undergraduates 6,762 (2,416)

Postgraduates 398 (1,055)

Teaching staff 297

Applications/places 10,530/1,667; 6.3:1 (+20.7%)

Clearing entry 12%

Bursaries 60%: £500-£1,000

Scholarships Various: £50-£5,000

EU/overseas 1.4%/2.2%

Mature 28.6%

State school 97%

Lowest social classes 38%

Low-participation areas 20%

Live in 25% (100%) £36-£76

Northampton aims to make higher education accessible to the widest number of people that it can. Flexible ways of learning mean students can balance study with other commitments. They can take the traditional route and live in some of the least expensive halls of residence in the country; they can take foundation courses via one of nine partner colleges; or study while at work. Distance and part-time learning are also options. The reward for such flexibility is an application rate up by more than 20% this year.

The university has two campuses, Avenue and Park, the former in receipt of multi-million-pound investment that will add a new school of education (Northampton’s teacher training course is rated excellent), as well as the latest digital media studios as part of an expansion of its technology and arts activities. Links with industry will be developed thanks to the tripling in size of the innovation centre for creative industries, which subsidises space for start-up companies. Currently housing 16 businesses, it will offer student entrepreneurs more opportunities.

Northampton’s inclusive approach is evident in its bursary scheme. Means-tested bursaries of £1,000 are awarded to all students who qualify for a full maintenance grant from their local education authority, reducing on a sliding scale as family income rises.

Open days October 6; November 10; June 8, 2008; August 22.

Student view Richard Hardwick, students’ union president:

USP We are a small, growing university, so you are not just another number.

Worst feature We have the homely feel, but not the huge facilities.

Location Two campuses, one surrounded by countryside and the other in town.

Social scene Comedy nights and events with an international flavour, we don’t just offer club nights.

Rated excellent (5) Anatomy and physiology; art and design; materials technology; nursing; teacher training.

Degree of student satisfaction 74.8%

Physical Geography and Environmental Science 82.5; Sports Science 80.1; English-based studies 79.9; Finance and Accounting 79.7; Other subjects allied to Medicine 77.7; Business 77.5; Sociology, Social Policy and Anthropology 77.5; Performing Arts 76.5; Psychology 76.0; Teacher Training 75.8; Law 75.4; Education studies 72.1; Social Work 70.3; Computer Science 68.3; Art and Design 67.7; Communications and Information studies 62.5

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