University of Northampton

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This article is about The University of Northampton in the present day; for the University in existence from 1261 to 1264, see University of Northampton (thirteenth century)

The University of Northampton is a university in Northampton, England.

Formerly known as Nene College of Higher Education and then University College Northampton the University received full university status in 2005. In the same year, it also received the power to validate its own research degrees, which formerly had been validated by the University of Leicester. This year, in the graduation ceremonies (July 2006), seven students received the first seven doctoral degrees to be validated by The University of Northampton, during the university's graduation ceremonies in the week July 10 to July 14. A number of people received honorary degrees during these ceremonies, including the Radio Four broadcaster and film columnist, Andrew Collins.

[edit] History

The University of Northampton today occupies two sites, the Park Campus (in a suburb of Northampton called Kingsthorpe) and the Avenue Campus, which is nearer to the town centre of Northampton. The site of the latter had at one time been the site of a college of technology.

At the beginning of the 1970s, Northamptonshire was one of the few counties in England to lack a teacher training college. A teacher training college in Liverpool lost its home, and was transferred to what is now the Park Campus of The University of Northampton. In 1975, this teacher training college amalgamated with the college of technology to become Nene College, a College of Higher Education, taking its name from the River Nene in Northamptonshire. This later became known as Nene-University College Northampton, and later still, as University College Northampton.

The rector of the university is currently Ann Tate. Her predecessor in this position was Martin Gaskell.

Prominent alumni include Matty Herring, Dave Bowers, Ant Dunn and Andrew Harris.

[edit] Sporting Success

Club Captains Andrew Harris alternatively know as 'MLT' or 'Guy In Many Pictures' (G.I.M.P) , Lewis Done nicknamed the " Harry Potter of the Hockey World", lead the University of Northampton Mens Hockey XI team had a highly successful 2005/06 season, leading them to the Universities European Cup final (also know as the Calella Plate).