Developing Skills for Life and Practice
At the University of Northampton, we are committed to providing students with a wide range of opportunities to develop their skills, knowledge and confidence in supportive and engaging environments. Whether through workshops, certifications or collaborative projects, our initiatives are designed to help you grow both personally and professionally.
These experiences encourage reflection, teamwork and leadership, while also fostering resilience, compassion and a sense of belonging. They are designed to evolve and grow over time, with new initiatives, events, and resources continually introduced to support your learning journey and career development.
At the University of Northampton, we believe that the best care happens when students learn with, from, and about each other to become productive members of the interprofessional team. Interprofessional Education (IPE) brings together students from health, social care and related disciplines to collaborate, share knowledge and develop the skills needed for truly person-centred care.
You’ll have the chance to take part in a range of engaging learning experiences throughout your course – from workshops and simulation sessions to collaborative projects that bring students together across disciplines. These opportunities help you build confidence in working as part of a team, strengthen your employability, and deepen your understanding of compassionate, collaborative practice that truly puts people at the centre of care.
IPE is recognised globally as a vital part of preparing future practitioners for multi-professional and multi-agency working. Our Collaborative Curriculum in the Faculty of Health, Sport and Behavioural Sciences (FHSBS) provides opportunities for you to learn with, from, and about peers from other professions, enhancing your communication, teamwork, and understanding of holistic care.
Latest Updates and News
Stay informed with the most recent news and articles:
The Centre for the Advancement of Interprofessional Education (CAIPE) is the UK’s leading organisation promoting excellence in collaborative learning and practice. As part of this vibrant and supportive community, you’ll gain access to exclusive learning resources and research, engage with leaders shaping the future of health and social care education, and contribute to improving care through teamwork, collaboration, and mutual respect.
As a Corporate Member, the University of Northampton gives students unique access to CAIPE’s global network of educators, practitioners, researchers, and service users. This partnership opens doors to new learning, research, and networking opportunities that support your growth as a compassionate, capable, and collaborative professional.
You can get involved by exploring CAIPE’s events, webinars and discussion forums, where you’ll have the opportunity to connect with peers and professionals from around the world through CAIPE’s partnership with Interprofessional.Global who host regular free ‘online cafés’ providing learning and networking opportunities on a global scale. As part of this vibrant and supportive community, you’ll gain access to exclusive learning resources and research, engage with leaders shaping the future of health and social care education, and contribute to improving care through teamwork, collaboration, and mutual respect.
For more information, please contact: alison.power@northampton.ac.uk
Schwartz Rounds provide a safe, supportive space for students and staff to share and reflect on the emotional and relational experiences that shape their learning and practice. Originating in the US and now used across the UK, Schwartz Rounds promote wellbeing, compassion, and connection across professional boundaries. Open to everyone within health, sport and behavioural sciences, students are encouraged to take part in Schwartz Rounds sessions held throughout the academic year. These sessions offer a safe and supportive space to reflect on experiences, share perspectives and connect with peers and staff. Taking part helps you build emotional awareness, develop resilience and strengthen your ability to provide compassionate, person-centred care.
Watch the animation video explaining how Schwartz Rounds work.
At UON, our investment in Schwartz Rounds demonstrates our commitment to nurturing inclusive, emotionally intelligent learning environments. Taking part helps you develop reflective practice, emotional resilience, and a sense of belonging within the university and future professional communities.
Latest News
Discover the most recent updates and articles:
To find out more about Schwartz Rounds, contact: alison.power@northampton.ac.uk
The University of Northampton is one of only two universities in the UK that participate in the European Nursing Module (ENM). This partnership offers nursing students the opportunity to undertake a two‑week placement in one of approximately 24 European countries.
Through this experience, students gain exposure to a different healthcare system, culture, and way of life, developing valuable insight into the challenges and practices of nursing in an international context. Placements take place at a negotiated point within the programme, typically during the second year of study, with exchanges usually offered in March and October.
Students are responsible for covering the full cost of the placement, including flights, accommodation, food, and local travel. However, many of these expenses can be reclaimed through the Learning Support Fund: Travel & Accommodation scheme. The two‑week international placement is fully recognised by the NMC and counts towards required practice hours.
The University of Northampton is also proud to offer, in partnership with the Work The World programme, an international learning experience for students in the final year of their course. This initiative provides the chance to travel and undertake a clinical placement in a range of global destinations, including Ghana, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Nepal, and Tanzania. These placements allow students to broaden their clinical understanding, experience different healthcare systems, and develop cultural awareness.
Students may also apply for additional financial support through the Santander Travel Fund, which offers 15 awards of £1,000 to help students undertake an international visit or project that enhances their academic or career development.
Further details about the Work the World programme can be found on the Pre‑Registration Nursing site under the “Student Experience” section.
The University of Northampton is also a member of the Florence Network. The Florence Network is one of Europe’s oldest nursing and midwifery networks established in 1995. The Florence Network compromises 51 Universities (Higher Educational Institutions) from 22 European countries. The objective of the Florence Network is to develop and improve the quality of European higher education in nursing and midwifery by means of international co-operation in the field of education, scientific research and development. In this way the Network aspires to improve the image of the Nursing and Midwifery professions and to improve the quality of European health care. Successful applicants to this program will receive a part funded opportunity to travel with their lecturer to a host institution within the Network and present their work at the annual conference.
The main goals of the Florence Network are:
- To raise the profile of European Nursing and Midwifery
- To stimulate and organise the exchange of students between Florence Network members
- To stimulate and organise the exchange of lecturers between Florence Network members
- To contribute to the quality development of curricula in European Nursing & Midwifery Education
- To identify common nursing and midwifery research interests and develop research collaboration