Web Design

Relaunching Northgate University’s site

A student-first redesign made a university site easier to navigate and fully accessible.

+37%
Application starts
WCAG 2.2 AA
Sitewide
-50%
Search exits

A student-first redesign made a university site easier to navigate and fully accessible.

Overview

Northgate University is a higher education company based in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. In 2024 we partnered with them on ux research, web development, accessibility.

The challenge

Northgate's sprawling site buried key information and failed accessibility standards, frustrating prospective students.

Our approach

We researched student journeys, restructured the information architecture, and rebuilt on an accessible, governed component system.

The results

Prospective students find programs and apply faster, and the site now meets accessibility standards across thousands of pages.

  • +37% — Application starts
  • WCAG 2.2 AA — Sitewide
  • -50% — Search exits

Frequently asked questions

How do you keep a large university site consistent?

A governed component system and clear content model keep thousands of pages consistent and accessible.

Why prioritize student journeys?

Prospective students are the primary audience; structuring the site around their goals increases applications.


Services delivered: UX Research, Web Development, Accessibility. Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.