University of Northampton

The University of Northampton is a public university based in Northampton, Northamptonshire, England. It was formed in 1975 as Nene College of Higher Education by the amalgamation of a number of training colleges and gained university college status as University College Northampton in 1999 and full university status as the University of Northampton in 2005. The town had a university in medieval times between 1261 and 1265 of the same name, established by royal charter after approval from King Henry III in 1261. It was the third university in England, after Oxford and Cambridge, and the 22nd in Europe. After being advised by bishops and magnates that Northampton was a threat to Oxford, Henry III dissolved the university in 1265, and signed a Royal Decree that banned the establishment of a university in Northampton.