The University of Northampton

The University of Northampton (UON) works to benefit society and empower its postgraduate students through the provision of quality education that helps students make an impact on their world, as well as research and campus activity that is directly linked to social improvements. 

The university is one of the youngest in the UK, and stands out as a modern, progressive university that has been built from scratch. Without the restraints of convention and a blank slate, Northampton has been offering unique postgraduate opportunities from its Waterside Campus since 2018. 

This £330 million site sits on the water and allows students to live and learn among a mixture of parkland, trees and modern, sustainable facilities. With cutting-edge specialist equipment, digital integration across the board, and spacious social or study spaces, it is truly a future-focused campus.  

Located on the banks of the River Nene, the university’s campus is just a short journey from the centre of Northampton and is accessible through direct cycle lane links from campus to town. Northampton is a bustling hub in the East Midlands, popular due to its mixture of excellent national transport links, dozens of parks, historical sites and vibrant centre. 

With a strong and energetic student community, there’s always plenty to do – whether it’s events or society activities on campus, or a buzzing student nightlife just minutes away in the town centre. 

The University of Northampton offers master's programmes which are the perfect way for you to supercharge your career prospects or transform your professional focus.  The university offers courses across a wide range of subjects, from computing to counselling.  

It’s also possible to study across a range of academic levels at Northampton. As a result, students who are pursuing a CPD short course or postgraduate diploma will rub shoulders and exchange ideas with master’s and doctoral students across the campus community. 

As a modern university, Northampton is committed to a progressive and flexible model of education. Master's students can choose to study many courses on a part-time basis if preferred, allowing you to gain empowering qualifications alongside your career or other commitments. A range of online, distance learning courses are also on offer so you can study from home, anywhere in the country. 

Northampton hosts renowned academics and industry professionals across many sectors and disciplines, but is particularly noted for its academic strength in areas like accounting, fashion, and education.

Prospective students will need to meet the entry requirements for their chosen postgraduate programme before they can enrol. These admissions criteria are typically academic, but students may be evaluated based on their professional experience and application or interview strength, too. 

Students applying for the MSc in International Marketing Strategy will need to have a 2:2 or higher grade at undergraduate level to be considered for this programme.  

Students applying to the MA in Social Work should ideally have a 2:1 or higher undergraduate degree in an area relevant to social work. Equivalent professional or international qualifications will be considered. C grades at GCSE level for English and maths are also required, as well as six months or more of professional experience in a social work or care setting. 

Entry requirements vary between courses and may differ depending on the level of study chosen. They may also change over time, so students should check the university site before applying. 

Student employability is at the heart of postgraduate education at the University of Northampton. The university goes beyond the standard approach to graduate prospects, embedding it in the curriculum and incorporating professional development into different parts of the student experience. 

The university’s Careers and Employability team drive a lot of these innovations, and work to equip students with the skills and outlook they’ll need to thrive in a rapidly changing, modern society. 

The service provides access to a variety of extra-curricular and co-curricular activities throughout postgraduate study pathways, allowing students to get real, hands-on experience. 

The university also maintains a Graduate Attributes Framework, which uses feedback from actual employers to identify key skills and behaviours – which are then reflected across the careers services at Northampton. 

Students can directly access a range of careers support, advice and guidance. This might be in the form of one-to-one appointments, tailored to a student’s needs, or various online tools across topics such as assessments and interviews, or CV writing. 

Industry-led events, careers fairs and skills workshops are also available across each academic year, allowing students to learn and connect with their potential employers as a graduate. 

Accommodation

The University of Northampton recognises the importance of suitable living arrangements for student success and satisfaction. That’s why the university invests in a range of university managed halls of residence, as well as dedicated support for postgraduate students who are looking for private accommodation in the area. 

There are spaces for more than 2,250 students across the university’s accommodation. There are three halls in total, one of which is on the Waterwise Campus. One is in the centre of Northampton, while the last is the leafy Scholar’s Green Student Village on the northern outskirts of the town. 

All spaces in halls are secure, comfortable and affordable. Students can choose from single or twin rooms, as well as en-suite options and self-contained studio apartments. All options are furnished and include bills, security and access to the accommodation’s modern facilities in the price. 

It’s not uncommon for postgraduate students to explore private accommodation for their time at Northampton. The town is relatively affordable when it comes to student lets, and is known for its safety, history and ease of travel locally or nationally. The university has a private accommodation officer who is on hand to help students identify and secure their perfect accommodation. 

Postgraduate students at the University of Northampton benefit from access to a broad range of scholarships, bursaries and other financial awards. They’re a great way to help cover the costs of studying or be rewarded for academic achievement. 

Available scholarships and bursaries include: 

• The UON graduate discount scheme, which provides students with a 20% discount to their postgraduate tuition fees if they have already graduated from a degree programme at Northampton. This discount cannot be combined with other scholarships or discounts. 
• The Sir John Lowther Scholarship, which provides an award of up to £2,000 for postgraduate students pursuing a course in the arts. 
• The Dr. Mike Daniel Research Degree Scholarship, which was designed in recognition of the financial difficulties that postgraduate research degree students often face. It provides an award of £500 to successful applicants. 

Students can find the full range of funding options, as well as links to external scholarships and bursaries, through the university’s website.