In the time since the financial meltdown of 2007-09 and following changes in leadership in the political arena in the United Kingdom, Higher education policies have been reorientated towards measuring the success of students by the student's experience and results and expanding the role of the market. As a result of this marketization that has taken place, higher education has started to be viewed less as an issue for the public, and more of an individual good, which makes students more like consumers and buyers. As a result, institutions of higher education have to compete with one another in order to sustain their financial stability and consolidate their standing in the market. This typically means that every university or college must identify its strengths and develop the unique qualities that make it stand out.
In the new context, the University of Northampton must change its position in the competitive market for higher education which is why our task is to sell our commitment to social mobility to increase social value and to create that the financial benefits accrue to the students, staff and the local our community. How do we bring these values together in an overall strategy that can draw students in and assist the university in meeting the standards set by regulations? Our solution has been to integrate "changemaking"--the method of generating innovative solutions to social problems at the center of our strategy, which is Northampton's competitive advantage.
A small, primarily teaching institution located in the middle of England, Northampton has an campus community of about 11,500 students. Of these, about 7,700 are students from the UK with international students making up the remainder.
Students generally arrive with mid-low-end entry levels and have greater assistance in adjusting to university than those with better grades or a greater support system or prior experience in higher education.
Graduating employability is among the most important indicators that demonstrate the value of financial education, which is why it was the primary focus on the Northampton University's "Changemaker Campus" strategy. The long-standing tradition of the University of engagement with the community was a natural extension of its commitment to social impact and is described in the strategic plan " Transforming Lives, Inspiring Change. The unique learning experience through changemaking improves the future prospects of graduates and career opportunities. The initial consultation with employers in the wake of the Northampton's Changemaker labeling of its campus, and the research literature that studies graduate employability, showed that the abilities and skills related to changemaking are highly sought-after in today's labor market. Additionally, the expression of the Changemaker mindset and experiences can help distinguish a student when applying to competitive jobs in the field of graduate studies and, in turn can help differentiate Northampton in the wider educational market.