Applicant Visit Days
Invitation only for all applicants and offer holders
Why attend your Applicant Visit Day
Choosing a university is a big decision, and our Applicant Visit Day gives you the chance to experience Northampton as if you were already a student. Unlike a general Open Day, these invitation only events are designed specifically for people who have applied or hold an offer, so everyone you meet will be on the same journey as you.
You’ll take part in engaging student only taster sessions in your chosen subject, explore the campus and our award-winning facilities, and meet current students who can share their honest experiences of life at UON. You’ll also have access to expert advice on accommodation, support services, and student life both on and off campus – everything you need to picture yourself here.
You’re welcome to bring parents, carers, and/or supporters with you.
What’s included in your Visit Day
Your Applicant Visit Day is built around you – your subject, your interests, and your next steps. Here’s what you can expect:
- Student Only Academic Taster Sessions: Get a genuine feel for your course through hands-on, interactive activities led by your future lecturers giving you clarity, confidence, and a real sense of whether this feels like your university. You’ll meet other applicants who have chosen the same subject – potential future classmates and friends.
- Meet Current Students: Ask questions and get real insight into studying at Northampton – from workload and teaching style to societies, sports, and student life both on and off campus.
- Academic & Student Support Drop-ins: Meet academic staff, student services, and student finance and wellbeing teams at dedicated drop-in desks throughout the day and learn how we will support you to thrive throughout your time at UON and beyond.
- Opportunities Beyond Your Degree: Chat to support teams about subject placements, internships, part time work, and careers information.
- Campus, Town & Accommodation Tours: Explore your future home. Whether you plan to live in halls or commute, you’ll see your options firsthand, supported by student ambassadors and staff.
- Student Fair: Meet clubs, societies, sports teams, and take part in activities showcasing the community you could be joining.
Booking & Next Steps
Your Applicant Visit Day is invitation only – if you have applied to the University of Northampton then your place is already reserved. Here’s what you need to do:
- All applicants will receive an email invitation after 22 January 2026 with a link to book.
- Select the subject you have applied for at UON.
(If you have applied for more than one subject at UON, please only select the course you are currently most interested in. You will still be able to meet academics from your other course application(s) at their drop-in desks and, schedule allowing, attend that subject session. Further information is available in the FAQ section below.) - Guests are welcome – no separate booking needed.
Important Information for Parents & Supporters
The academic taster sessions are for students only. While students attend their subject sessions, we offer a number of activities that parents and supporters can join, designed to support you and answer your questions:
- Specialist talks offering guidance on student finance, wellbeing, and careers.
- Academic drop-ins to speak with lecturers.
- Student services drop-ins for guidance on student wellbeing and safety, transport, and more.
- Or, relax with cafes on campus, and/or explore Northampton town.
Travel Information
Getting to your Applicant Visit Day is simple and affordable:
Free Direct Transport: we offer free return transport from London, Milton Keynes, Bedford, Birmingham, Leicester and Coventry. Further details will be emailed to you when you register.
Travelling by Car: free parking is available for all visitors in Car Park 4 at Waterside Campus. Use the postcode NN4 8RR.
Travelling by Train: our Applicant Visit Day bus stops directly outside Northampton Train Station and provides free transport between the train station and our Waterside Campus. Student Ambassadors in blue uniforms will be on hand to help guide you. Buses run every 30 minutes from 8:30am to 1:35pm. Please note, the last returning bus from Waterside Campus is at 2:15pm.
Stay at Our On-Campus Hotel: stay at the hotel on campus, Sunley Hotel, the night before with a discounted rate of £65 or £70 with breakfast, further details below.
Applicant Visit Days FAQs
Applicant Visit Days are invitation only events for people who have applied to the University of Northampton. If you have applied before the date of the Applicant Visit Days, you’ll receive a personalised email inviting you to register.
If you haven’t applied yet, there are still plenty of great ways to explore the University. We offer Open Days and Campus Tours, and other opportunities to help you get a feel for our courses, facilities, and student life.
Yes. We’d really encourage you to come along. An Applicant Visit Day is different from a general Open Day, and it’s designed specifically for people who have applied to study with us. You can even secure your chosen student perk that will then be ready to collect when you enrol.
You’ll get much deeper insight into your chosen course, with the chance to take part in hands-on activities, taster sessions and workshops, led by the academics who will be teaching you. It’s an opportunity to ask more detailed questions and get a real feel for what studying your course will be like.
Beyond your chosen subject area, you can explore the full range of student support services, find out more about how they’ll support you throughout your studies, and visit accommodation and/or speak with current commuter students about life on and off campus. Join our student heroes Q&A sessions and hear first-hand from our current students who’ll be answering your questions.
It’s also a great opportunity to meet other applicants, many of whom tell us they make new friends and leave with a much clearer picture of what life at UON could look like.
If you’ve been invited, it’s one of the best ways to decide whether we’re the right fit for you – and we’d love to welcome you back.
We do advise that you book your Applicant Visit Day place in advance so that you can get all the relevant pre-event information in good time. If you can’t make it to a certain Applicant Visit Day, there may be other university events available and our campus tours run throughout the year. Check out our campus tours page for more information.
Yes. Guests are very welcome to come with you, and they don’t need to register separately.
Please note that academic subject sessions are for applicants only, but there are plenty of other activities and areas for guests to explore while you’re taking part.
Free parking is available on UON Applicant Visit Days in car park 4 at Waterside Campus. Please use the following postcode NN4 8RR to find us and access the campus via New South Bridge Road.
If you plan to travel to an Applicant Visit Day by train, please plan your journey in advance. When you arrive in Northampton, we’ve got you covered from the train station to campus. The Applicant Visit Day Bus stops at the station and our Student Ambassador (wearing a blue uniform) will be on hand to point you in the right direction. Buses run every half an hour from 8.30am to 1.35pm from the train station.
If you are from London, Milton Keynes, Bedford, Birmingham, Leicester or Coventry, we do also offer free transport to the university, further details will be emailed to you when you register.
*Please note, we require 3 working days in order to book a seat on our transport. Places are allocated on a first come first served basis.
If you’re planning your journey and need somewhere to stay locally the night before, we have an exclusive reduced rate at our Sunley Hotel for those attending a Applicant Visit Day.
£65 room only, per room per night or £70 B&B per room per night. Email sunleyhotel@northampton.ac.uk or call 01604 892020 and quote ‘Applicant Visit Day’ when booking.
If you live over 100 miles away, we have a limited number of complementary rooms available for the night before the Applicant Visit Day. Please contact The Events Team for more details.
*Please note, we require 3 working days in order to book complimentary rooms for anyone eligible. Places are allocated on a first come first served basis.
At the University of Northampton, we endeavour to make all our events completely accessible. However, if you have any specific needs or require additional facilities, please contact us on 01604 892568 or events@northampton.ac.uk.
We understand that some people will need reasonable adjustments to access our university Applicant Visit Days. The University of Northampton Events Team are always happy to help you plan your day to suit your requirements so please do get in touch.
As your well-being and accessibility are our priority, we also offer a quiet tour option for those that need it. Please speak to a member of the Welcome Team when you arrive at registration.
If your course isn’t listed, please email the Events Team and our team will be happy to help.
When it comes to what to wear to a uni Applicant Visit Day, there are no set rules but as you will be touring the campus, comfortable footwear and clothing is recommended.
