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Why I chose the University of Northampton

Date 11 August 2025

Ishmam explains why he chose to study at the University of Northampton.

Ishmam Yaseen Taha

Deciding where to study

In early 2023, I started researching studying in the United Kingdom and evaluating which university I wanted to attend. During my research, I found out about the University of Northampton, and by April, my heart was set on attending this university. I chose to study the course Bachelor of Arts in International Business Management, along with an optional placement year.

During my evaluation, I had multiple factors for my ideal university, and the University of Northampton met many of my criteria.

Here are some of the reasons I chose the University of Northampton:

Location

The university is located in Northampton, with easy access to prominent cities, such as London, Birmingham, Coventry, Milton Keynes and Leicester. The town has good transportation links with these cities via train, bus and car.

Access to major cities means I have a window of opportunity, whether it’s job opportunities or attending networking events, which is significant for an early-career starter like me.

Moreover, it also provides an opportunity for exploration, whether it be sightseeing at historical locations, shopping, or at festivals.

The town itself is a very closely-knit community, as well as having a rich history. Moreover, the town is quite lively, but not too chaotic, which matched my vibe.

A group of people are gathered around a table working on a craft project with paper, bottles, and other materials in a classroom setting.

Cost

The tuition fee was quite affordable, and along with a generous 30% scholarship, it was a no-brainer for me to choose this university. Moreover, the cost of living in Northampton is affordable, with well-priced student housing found across the town offered by both the university and private landlords.

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Funded study trips

As part of the course, I was offered the chance to go on funded study trips; as part of my course, we went overseas. In the first year, our class went to Spain, and in the second year, we went to Turkey. These trip help to get practical insights into the daily operations of an international business. Moreover, it provides an opportunity to network with various individuals. For example, when we went to Turkey, we had a seminar with the students of Yalova University, and we socialised, therefore being able to make brand new connections and an avenue for opportunities, and I was able to help a student there to network with one of our module leaders, as the student was interested in researching.

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Employability Promise

The Employability Promise provided by the university after graduation caught my eye as it meant that it reduces my stress of job hunting slightly, provided I meet all the necessary criteria set by the university.


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Ishmam Yaseen Taha

Ishmam is a second-year international student from Bangladesh, studying BA International Business Management. In his spare time he watches football, cricket and Formula 1 and volunteers as a show producer at NLive Radio.