University of Northampton drops 10 places in national league table

The town’s university, which has dropped from 73rd to 83rd out of 138 higer education institutions, is ranked seventh out of nine higher education institutions in the East Midlands, behind Loughborough, Leicester and Nottingham.

A spokesman for the University of Northampton said there were a number of positives in the Complete University Guide, despite the drop in league table rank.

He said: “While our placing in this highly competitive league table has dropped slightly, the findings relating to the university have highlighted many positive aspects.

“This includes a rise in our student satisfaction rates, which remain well above average, plus rises in the amount we have spent on both academic services and facilities – this demonstrates our commitment to maintaining and improving our current campuses ahead of our move to a new campus at Waterside in 2018.

“The findings also show a rise in the percentage of graduates achieving a first or upper second class honours degree at the University, and an increase in the percentage of those who complete their course.

“There is also a slight rise in our entry standards, which is great news as we remain dedicated to widening participation with Higher Education, as demonstrated by our links with other local educational institutions such as University Technical Colleges, Northampton, Tresham and Moulton colleges.”

Victor Agboola, president of the University of Northampton Students’ Union, said he also thought the results showed some positive and encouraging findings.

He said: “I’m delighted to see the results show an increase in our student satisfaction score, a score that is consistently above the sector average.

“A student’s University experience is so much more than just its physical spaces and at the University of Northampton we always seek to go that one step further to ensure the best possible time, whether that is a unique offer like free sports and societies for all students, the comprehensive pastoral support offered through personal tutors and residential staff or the introduction of a new student staff committee which embeds partnership in course design.”