Unlock your future at the Waterside Campus with our comprehensive guide to open days, virtual tours, and essential preparation tips.
Choosing where to spend your university years is one of the most significant decisions you will make. While prospectus booklets and website galleries offer a glimpse of student life, nothing quite compares to stepping onto campus yourself. Attending The University of Northampton open day is your golden ticket to experiencing one of the UK’s newest, most technologically advanced campuses first-hand. Located on the picturesque banks of the River Nene, the Waterside Campus represents a £330 million investment designed specifically to reflect how modern students learn and work.
Unlike traditional, centuries-old universities with sprawling, disconnected departments, Northampton boasts a centralized, eco-friendly hub that promotes collaborative learning and a vibrant community feel. Whether you are leaning towards Business, Nursing, Education, or the Creative Arts, this guide will help you navigate your upcoming campus visit, prepare the most important questions to ask, and ensure you get the absolute most out of this crucial prospective student event.
"I was skeptical about the town-centre location until I actually walked onto the Waterside Campus. The atmosphere was incredibly modern, and the fact that tutors work in open-plan spaces rather than hiding in closed offices made me feel welcome instantly." - Chloe, 2nd Year Psychology StudentThe University of Northampton has pioneered a unique teaching style known as Active Blended Learning (ABL). This means you won’t find yourself sitting in massive, drafty 300-seat lecture halls copying down slides. Instead, teaching occurs in smaller, seminar-style groups where interaction and practical application are prioritized. Experiencing this environment in person is the best way to understand how it differs from traditional university layouts.
During a The University of Northampton open day, you will get to see how these interactive spaces function. You can sit in the actual rooms where your seminars will take place, inspect the state-of-the-art laboratory equipment, and view the purpose-built workshops for creative subjects. It is also your best opportunity to chat directly with lecturers and current students who can give you the unfiltered truth about coursework, exams, and social life in Northamptonshire.
The university hosts several key events throughout the academic year. Booking in advance is absolutely crucial, as popular subject talks and accommodation tours fill up rapidly. You can check the current open day dates directly on the university's official portal. Most events take place on Saturdays during the autumn (September to November) and summer (June to July), allowing prospective students and their families to travel without disrupting school or work schedules.
If you cannot attend an in-person event, do not worry. The university regularly hosts a comprehensive virtual tour experience online, complete with live Q&A sessions, interactive 360-degree room views, and pre-recorded subject presentations. However, if you are able to travel, nothing beats the sensory experience of walking the campus grounds in person.
Getting to Northampton is surprisingly straightforward due to its central location in England. The Waterside Campus is situated close to Northampton town centre, making it easily accessible via public transport or road networks.
Northampton Railway Station (Castle Station) is on the West Coast Main Line, offering direct links to London Euston and Birmingham New Street in under an hour. On official open days, the university frequently runs a complimentary shuttle bus service directly from the station to the Waterside Campus, saving you a 20-minute walk.
If you are driving, Northampton is easily accessible from junctions 15, 15a, and 16 of the M1. However, please note that on-site parking at the Waterside Campus is strictly limited and must be pre-booked during your open day registration. If campus parking is full, the university directs visitors to designated Park & Ride services or nearby town-centre multi-storeys.
| Transport Method | Estimated Cost Range | Travel Time / Details |
|---|---|---|
| Train (from London Euston) | £12 - £35 (with Railcard) | Approx. 46 minutes direct |
| Train (from Birmingham New Street) | £15 - £40 (with Railcard) | Approx. 60 minutes direct |
| Campus Parking | Free (Pre-booking required) | On-site at Waterside Campus |
| Town Centre Multi-Storey | £5 - £10 (Daily rate) | 15-20 minute walk to campus |
A typical open day itinerary can feel overwhelming if you do not plan ahead. To ensure you don’t miss any crucial aspects of the day, we suggest structuring your time into three distinct blocks: academics, accommodation, and lifestyle.
This is the core of your visit. Head directly to the Learning Hub or the Creative Hub (depending on your course) to attend the dedicated subject talks. Here, course leaders will outline the modules, assessment methods (such as exams vs. coursework), industry placement opportunities, and graduate employability rates. Take this time to inspect the physical spaces you will be studying in.
Where you live is just as important as what you study. Northampton offers diverse accommodation options directly on the Waterside Campus (such as the townhouses and halls of residence overlooking the river) as well as off-site options like St John's Halls in the town centre. Queue up for the accommodation tours early in the day, as these are incredibly popular and lines can grow long by lunchtime.
Make sure to visit the Student Union area in the Engine Shed—a beautifully restored historic railway building that now serves as the heart of student social activities. Here, you can speak with advisors from student finance, the disability support team, accommodation services, and various sports clubs and societies.
Do not limit your visit solely to the campus boundaries. Northampton is a historic market town with a rich industrial heritage, famous historically for its shoe-making industry. After finishing your tours, take a short 10-minute stroll into the town centre. Walk down the Cultural Quarter, check out the Royal & Derngate Theatre, and grab a coffee in the historic Market Square. Understanding the local area, transport links, and nearby supermarkets will help you paint a realistic picture of your future daily budget and student lifestyle.
If travel constraints or conflicting dates prevent you from attending a physical prospective student event, the University of Northampton's robust virtual tour platform is the next best thing. Available 24/7 on their website, the virtual portal allows you to navigate through the Senate building, view 360-degree mock-ups of the student accommodation, and watch recorded video guides led by student ambassadors. While it may not replace the physical feeling of standing on the riverside terrace, it is an invaluable tool for narrowing down your choices before making your final UCAS submissions.
To make sure your day runs smoothly, double-check that you have prepared the following essentials:
By preparing thoroughly, utilizing our checklist, and actively engaging with the staff and students on the day, your visit to The University of Northampton will give you the absolute clarity you need to take your next big step into higher education with confidence.