“Explore ENU” held on 14 & 15 October, was an immersive two-day experience of university life at Edinburgh Napier University, that invited S5 and S6 pupils to our campuses to experience our courses, facilities, and student life.
On Day 1, pupils could learn more about several subject areas including Business, Nursing & Midwifery, Law, Arts and Creative Industries, Engineering, and Computing, through a variety of workshops, lectures, Q&A and practical sessions. Prospective students shared that they “enjoyed meeting new people that otherwise they would be too anxious to speak to in other circumstances”, while it also helped debunk myths as one student shared that the event “has given me a better knowledge of the courses I can do, and I am aware of all the support I could get from the uni”. At the end of the first day, one student was excited to say, “I think Napier might be my top choice!”
On Day 2, pupils also received 1-1 UCAS application support from our School Outreach Team who shared their expertise regarding the application process, how to write the perfect personal statement, or how to make the most of their time at university.
Both days were supported by different teams across campus such as Bright Red Triangle, Graduate Apprenticeships, and the Formula Student Team Napier.
Nicola Kennedy, Senior Outreach Officer was proud to see how the event came together and the impact it had on future students. “Our flagship Explore ENU schools outreach event allows us to engage with a key group of young people in S5 & S6 from throughout Scotland. The two days have given them a unique opportunity to experience university life firsthand while exploring our subject areas in depth and showcasing our amazing facilities. It is also a great example of cross-university collaboration that wouldn’t be possible without the Schools Outreach team, Academic, and Professional Services colleagues who supported the. We look forward to hosting Explore ENU in 2025!”
Hear from subject area Academics:
“The Explore Business event gave school pupils the chance to develop both their soft skills and subject knowledge through a virtual business simulation. In groups, they made decisions around research and development, sales and marketing, production and purchasing, whilst managing financial, human and physical resources of the business. They loved seeing the real-time impact on bank, profit, net assets etc., learning how interconnected all these aspects are to running a business, whilst having fun!” Dr Sarah Borthwick Saddler, Lecturer – Accounting
“The Explore Engineering event is a fantastic way for us to engage with local schools, and particularly those pupils in the senior phase. The event allows us to ensure that potential students can make informed decisions about their future when they leave school and increases the chance of ENU featuring as part of those plans. Pupils who engaged in the programme of event were a credit to their schools and themselves, all were diligent, highly focussed, and great fun to work with” Dr Kenneth Leitch, Head of the Civil, Transportation and Environmental Engineering
“At the Explore Law event, we ran two sessions: a mock criminal trial; and a problem-solving exercise involving consumer protection law. The visiting pupils rose to both challenges superbly! We also got some of our 3rd-year students involved in acting out various witness roles. I hope all who took part enjoyed it and found it worthwhile. It was a most rewarding event to be involved in!” James McDougall, Lecturer – Law
“Explore Napier gave school pupils an insight into all fields of nursing and midwifery with practical examples/ real world applications. The students have been motivated and responsive and many will be nurses in the future of that I have no doubt” Ian Stables, Lecturer – Nursing and Midwifery
If you are interested in getting involved in Explore ENU or working with schools, please email our schools outreach team: outreach@napier.ac.uk