Northeastern University, USA

NU’s defining feature is its experiential learning and cooperative education programme integrating classroom study with professional work experience. Most undergrads complete at least one professional co-op programme   Summiya Yasmeen

Sited on a green, 73-acre campus in the heart of Boston, Northeastern University (NU, estb.1898) is ranked among America’s Top 40 universities by US News and World Report in its Best Colleges Rankings 2017. Also ranked the seventh “most innovative school” in the US, NU’s distinguishing feature is its experiential learning and cooperative education programme that integrates classroom study with professional work experience. About 90 percent of Northeastern undergraduates complete at least one professional co-op during their college years, working with one of more than 2,000 listed employers around the world. Students can choose to complete their degree in four years with two co-op programmes, or in five years incorporating three co-ops. 

“Experiential learning, anchored by our renowned cooperative education programme, is at the heart of academic life at Northeastern. The integration of study with professional work, research and service in 131 countries around the world gives students real-world opportunities and responsibilities,” says a university spokesperson.

Currently, NU’s nine colleges and schools — arts, media and design; business; computer and information science; engineering; health sciences; law; social sciences and humanities; science, and professional studies — offer more than 150 undergraduate majors, over 125 graduate programmes including industry-aligned professional Masters degrees and 39 Ph D programmes to 25,000 students instructed by 1,660 faculty.

Boston. Widely acknowledged as America’s most culturally European city, Boston has perhaps the largest concentration of tertiary education students in the US and a long-established reputation as an excellent centre of learning and education. With its redbrick early 19th century townhouses and black, old-fashioned iron lampposts, Boston is a stroller’s city, rich in street life. Its renowned medical and research facilities and vibrant financial district offer students exciting opportunities for practicums and internships.

The city also hosts museums, theatres and over 400 bars and restaurants, and offers easy connections by road, rail and air to New York, Providence, Portland and Hartford. 

Campus facilities. NU’s 73-acre campus is a unique sanctuary of lush green spaces and tree-lined pathways in the heart of Boston offering state-of-the-art academic, research, residential and sports facilities. The university’s Snell Library houses 1 million volumes, 2.3 million microforms, 8,200 journals and newspapers, and 23,000 audio, video and software titles. Moreover, the Digital Media Commons comprises data analysis, media editing, and creative software centres as well as laptop checkout, walk-in technical support, instructional workshops and a 3D printing facility.

Sports facilities are extensive and include the Marino Center (three basketball and volleyball courts, one roller hockey court, six badminton courts, three-lane suspended jogging track, free weight room, aerobics and martial arts studios); Cabot Center (two racquetball and indoor volleyball courts, indoor track and soccer field, tennis courts, and a 25-yard indoor swimming pool); Badger and Rosen centers (eight squash courts, free weight room, and aerobics and martial arts studios); Mathews Arena (world’s oldest ice hockey arena) and the Parsons Field. Students also have the option to sign up with 400 student clubs and societies and have access to 20 cafes, restaurants, and dining facilities on campus.

The university has also established regional campuses in Charlotte, Silicon Valley and Seattle with an international campus scheduled to open in Toronto this year.

Admission. The eligibility criterion for admission into NU’s undergrad programmes is completion of Plus Two and English language proficiency (TOEFL, IELTS, Cambridge Advanced English Exam or Pearson Test of English). For foreign students applying from higher secondary schools located outside the US, SAT and ACT test scores aren’t required. However, NU strongly encourages applicants to submit one of the following: AP (Advanced Placement) exam results, a full IB (International Baccalaureate) diploma or three higher level IB exam scores, or results from nationally or regionally accredited exam boards signifying completion of secondary education. Students must also complete the Common Application online (https://www.commonapp.org/) and submit secondary school transcripts, guidance counselor and teacher recommendations, essay and English language test scores. Additionally, portfolios are required for admission into music technology, studio art and other majors within the College of Arts, Media and Design. The admission application fee is $75 and deadline is January 1 for admission into the term beginning September.

For further information, contact Office of Undergraduate Admissions, 200 Kerr Hall, Northeastern University, 360 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA 02115-5000; e-mail: admissions@northeastern.edu; website: www.northeastern.edu. 

Accommodation. All first year undergrads are required to live on campus. Housing options include residence halls, apartment and suite-style accommodation. The majority are double-occupancy rooms with a few single rooms available. The residences provide laundry and internet facilities, and meal plans. 

Degree programmes. Northeastern’s nine colleges and schools offer bachelors, Masters, and doctoral degrees in a wide variety of academic disciplines and professional areas (see box).