Edinburgh Napier University

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Fancy Doing a Edinburgh Napier University Postgrad?

Fancy Doing an Edinburgh Napier University Postgrad?

You may be a student with us who is coming towards the end of their studies and university journey, or you may be a student who has just graduated and is wondering what the next chapter in your career pathway is going to look like. What if we told you that your university career does not have to end here? A postgraduate degree or a Master’s course is essentially a qualification that can be undertaken once you have obtained an undergraduate degree. It allows you to gain specialised knowledge and skillset within a specific area or field of study. Edinburgh Napier University offers a wide range of postgraduate degree courses and qualifications – all of which tie in with our five prominent schools: The Business School, School of Applied Sciences, School of Arts and Creative Industries, School of Health and Social Care and School of Computing, Engineering and the Built Environment. Find out more about postgraduate courses and degree programmes we offer on our Courses webpage.

Fun Fact

Fun fact: Edinburgh Napier University graduates and alumni are offered a 20% discount on tuition fees for any Master’s or postgraduate course of their choice. There are, of course, many more reasons why doing a postgraduate qualification with us can be beneficial to your career progression, employability and skills enhancement.

Benefits of doing a Postgraduate course with us…

  • It can make you a stand-out candidate in terms of employability and career progression. The specialised knowledge and transferrable skills which you can gain from undertaking and completing a postgraduate degree is often very attractive to potential employers whether you are looking to enter a specific career field or progress within an area which you may already work in. It can open many promotional opportunities in the workplace for you, or alternatively, give you the opportunity to gain valuable work experience in a new field or area if you are only just getting started with your career journey, or maybe even looking to retrain and change careers or direction. Many postgraduate courses that we offer are vocational and offer work placement opportunities as part of their course curriculum, which can ultimately give you the opportunity to acquire invaluable experience in a specific industry or field which can be an effective talking point in CVs, job applications and future interviews. In general, pursing and completing a postgraduate or Masters qualification demonstrates and shows dedication, commitment and ambition, and that you embrace new challenges and opportunities to progress – all of which can make you a stand-out candidate in job applications, interviews and the hiring process overall.

 

  • Network Building Opportunities. Doing a postgraduate or Master’s qualification is also great for networking and can sometimes even lead to paid employment or positions being offered within the specific company or industry that your assigned work placement was. Building expertise and a specialised knowledge in a specific area or subject also opens many doors in terms of integrating into a specific academic community or industry. You will often liaise and interact with academics and lecturers who can provide you with guidance and encouragement with your studies as well as exploring your options after university and future pathways. You will also come across many fellow students during your postgraduate course or Masters degree as well, where a chance to build a specialist and professional network may arise!

 

  • Building expertise in a specific field or industry. You may be a student who has just graduated from an undergraduate course, either with us or a different academic institution entirely. There may be a specific area or subject in your field which you feel you barely scratched the surface of and would like to study in further depth. A Master’s degree or postgraduate course usually provides the perfect opportunity to pursue a more specialised knowledge within a specific area or field of study and research. A higher level of independent study, in-depth research and analysis is often expected from individuals who choose to undertake a postgraduate or Master’s. This may sound overwhelming at first, but it provides a great opportunity for you to get stuck in with delving into a topic or subject area that interests you to an extent more than you would at the undergraduate level. This can often lead to further study and the chance to pursue a PhD, should research and academia be where your key interests lie.

 

  • Postgraduate study and Master’s programmes are often quick progression routes. While an undergraduate course can take up to four or more years to complete, a master’s or postgraduate qualification will often only take a year or two at most. This offers a relatively fast and time-efficient route to gain a qualification and transferable skillset to progress in your chosen career path, whether you are a new graduate waiting to start their career in a specific field, looking to advance within your current field or change direction entirely.

Postgraduate Information Event…

If this blog post has made you consider pursuing further study, whether it be a postgraduate degree or a Master’s course, we have a Postgraduate Information Event coming up on Thursday the 20th of November 2025. You can find all the information you need about enrolling on and what it is like to undertake a postgraduate course here. You will have the chance to speak to academics and staff about the degree programme you have an interest in pursuing, as well as advice regarding funding, admissions and student support available. You will also have the opportunity to talk to current postgraduate students about their experience at Edinburgh Napier University.

 

You can find more information and register by going to the link here.

 

By Rachel Downie

Wider Uni Support

Wider Uni Support

 

Edinburgh Napier University libraries can assist you with a range of different queries such as questions about books and how to borrow them, journals, databases, study room bookings, printing and photocopying, scanning, connecting to the Wi-Fi, and many, many more relevant queries regarding how to make the best use of our library resources and support services. Nevertheless, we may not be able to assist you with all queries related to your studies and student life in general, but we will certainly do our best to point you in the right direction and show you where and how to find the relevant teams to assist with your query.

 

Employability and Careers…

 

If you are an ENU student and starting to think about life after university and considering what career paths are most desirable and open to you, our Employability and Careers team are here to help! They can support you with a variety of different aspects of career planning and job finding such as building your CV, writing an effective cover letter, organising work experience and placement opportunities, and putting together job applications. Our Employability and Careers service can also help you find a part-time job that fits in with your studies and offers a range of different resources to help support you with this. They also offer resilient skills training and workshops which can aid with your personal development and career progression by helping to enhance your professional effectiveness, productivity and personal resilience. Looking to start your own business? The Bright Red Triangle is a community and hub of innovation within Napier which can help young entrepreneurs to build and develop on their business idea, social enterprise or charity. These services are entirely free for ENU students, staff and alumni and offer individually tailored advice regarding business and entrepreneurial matters.

You can find out more about how to contact our Employability and Careers Team or book a one-on-one appointment with them through our Careers Support My Napier webpages. Please note that our careers services and support is still available to ENU alumni for up to two years after graduating.

 

International Support…

 

Our Visa and International Support team can help all our international student community with queries regarding a range of different matters such as immigration, visas and visa applications. Regarding visas specifically, they can also give specialist advice on matters concerning applications both within and outwith the UK, visas for employment in the UK during and after your studies, letters for immigration purposes, visas for graduation attendance and attendance tracking of student visa holders. The Visa and International Support Team also frequently work in collaboration with our Admissions Team to ensure that all immigration and travel advice is up-to-date and consistent for new and returning students at Edinburgh Napier University.

 

You can find out more about our Visa and International Support Team and general support for new, returning and graduating international students on our International Students My Napier information webpages. If you would like to get in touch with the Visa and International Support Team, you can contact them directly by phoning 0131 455 2272 or by emailing internationalsupport@napier.ac.uk.

 

Accommodation…

 

The three main student accommodation buildings for Edinburgh Napier University students are Bainfield, Orwell Terrace and Slateford Road. Altogether, they provide a place to live for over 1,200 students across the city of Edinburgh with modern facilities which are maintained and supported by our Accommodation team at Edinburgh Napier University. Although there is a wide variety of information available on our My Napier Accommodation webpages that can cover a majority of general accommodation queries such as applications, rent payments, flat viewings and moving in (or out), our accommodation officers and support team can also help with any questions you may have and can be contacted via email or telephone. We also have a Accommodation FAQs page with advice covering flat contents, what to bring, Wi-Fi, laundry and washing facilities, reception hours and travel.

 

You can find a list of contact details for our Student Accommodation team on our My Napier Contact the Accommodation Team webpage.

 

IT Support and Service Desk…

 

Have you tried turning your device on and off again? Sometimes, this may be the solution, but that may not aways be the case and could be an issue with a university-managed device or software that requires investigation. This is where our IT teams come in – IT support from our IS Service Desk is available 24 hours in the day, seven days a week. Online resources can also be provided to help you get the best use out of our IT systems and equipment. Our Service Desk and IT team can also assist with you issues regarding Wi-Fi connection, setting up your MFA (Multi-Factor Authenticator) and getting logged into the Edinburgh Napier App. You can also visit our campus library helpdesks at any of our three campus libraries or JKCC helpdesk at Merchiston if you would like to speak to our IT team in person regarding technical issues you are having with a university managed device, network, laptop or software.

 

You can contact our IS Service Desk team by emailing ISServiceDesk@napier.ac.uk or alternatively contact them by phoning 0131 455 3000. Outwith the hours of 8:45am-4:45pm Monday to Friday, IT support is provided through our NORMAN helpline where you will receive a reply from the email address e59.servicedesk@normanmanagedservices.ac.uk.

 

Finance…

 

Our finance team can provide guidance and support with a range of queries regarding tuition fee payments, student loan applications and how to access a wide range of funding to assist with circumstances and matters such as living costs or childcare expenses. They can also provide help and advice if you are worried you may not be able to pay your tuition or accommodation fees and even help you to set a budget to manage all outgoings and expenses you may have.

 

You can find contact details for our Finance Team in our Who to contact webpage in the finance section of our My Napier webpages.

 

By Rachel Downie

 

 

 

Don’t forget to check the mynapier webpages and our recent post on library support

 

 

 

ENSA: Your Students’ Association

ENSA: Your Students’ Association

To all Napier students old and new, welcome (back!)

We wanted to give you a brief overview of ENSA (Edinburgh Napier Students’ Association). And how you can use the services we provide to make the most of your time at Edinburgh Napier.

Firstly, if you don’t already know, ENSA is a not a university department, we are an independent charity representing Edinburgh Napier’s students.

We are based in our office at B34 in Merchiston. But have advice offices at both Sighthill and Craiglockhart too. And now have shared use of the Upper Apex at Merchiston and the Hangout (the seating area just across from the Cafe) at Sighthill. We will be holding events in both spaces. Creating a less formal space for students to spend time.

We’re now going to give you a brief overview of ENSA’s areas of work – and how YOU can get involved!

ENSA REPRESENTATION

ENSA exists to both represent the students at Edinburgh Napier University and to facilitate students representing themselves to the university. This is done in a variety of different ways.

Every year the students of Edinburgh Napier elect our 3 Sabbatical Officers, who work with ENSA staff to fulfil their election manifestos and to represent Napier students to key decision-makers at the university. You can find out more about your 3 presidents, Evans, Chika and Ryan, and the work they’ll be doing this year, here.

If you want to get involved in student politics yourself. We have several ways to do so!

Student Council is the place where students come together to debate issues, propose solutions and create positive change.  And if you want to have a say in your education and represent students academically why not become a Programme Rep. Programme leaders will be looking for volunteers at the start of term!

ENSA representation

ENSA ADVICE

ENSA offers Edinburgh Napier students free advice on a range of education and welfare rights issues. We have offices at all 3 campuses and a team of 4 trained, professional advisers to provide students with up-to-date, practical advice, helping them to make informed choices.

ENSA Advice is independent of the University which means that we can give you the best advice possible when it comes to issues. The service is also completely confidential, and the team will not share any information without your consent.

Our Advice service can help you with:

  • Academic appeals
  • Extenuating circumstances and “Fit to Sit”
  • Academic and non-academic misconduct
  • Fitness to practice
  • Complaints
  • Issues with courses
  • Housing
  • Other welfare matters
  • Money advice (student funding, fees, benefits and budgeting)

Students can book appointments online or in person at napierstudents.com/advice

 

ENSA Advice

EVENTS and CAMPAIGNS

Obviously, one of the biggest events in ENSA’s calendar, Welcome Week, is just around the corner, but we also hold many events throughout the year, both on-and-off campus, featuring everything from club nights to cultural celebrations, craft sessions and more.

A lot of events have a focus on student wellbeing, including our Movember and Feel Fab Feb campaigns, and our World Mental Health Day event coming up in October. You can read about how the university and ENSA work together to support student mental health in our recently launched Student Mental Health Agreement.

We also hold regular Give-It-a-Go sessions to encourage students to try new things and encourage a focus on sustainability through regular clothes, book and household items swaps along with other environmentally focussed activities.

The academic year finishes on a high with our all-day Varsity event against QMU and our Societies and Sports Awards Ball, and we offer students the chance to give positive feedback to their lecturers and tutors via our ENSA Excellence Awards.

Events like these all aim to help students make friends and create a sense of community and belonging. So please do come and join in!

SPORTS and SOCIETIES

We have over 30 sports clubs and over 40 societies, providing something for everyone whether you’re into Dance or Dungeons and Dragons, Rugby or Rock and Metal! Whether you want to try something new, or meet people who share your passion, joining a sports

club or society is a great way to make new friends, and get involved in a whole host of events and activities.

Most of our Sports Clubs and Societies run taster sessions at the start of term so why not browse their upcoming events and get involved!

ENSa

By Catherine Jones (ENSA)

 

Edinburgh Napier University Open Days

Edinburgh Napier University Open Days

 

Commencing tomorrow is our first Edinburgh Napier University Open Day of the year for any potential students wishing to join us for 2026 (and maybe even beyond that)! Open Days are a wonderful opportunity to explore different university campuses, speak to academics and staff about course options as well as the student experience, and pick up plenty of flyers and leaflets to read up on and make the big decision of which university to study at. You can also find out about accommodation options, student finance and other specialist facilities – most accommodation buildings even offer you the chance to see inside the building and the flats within them as well! It is a great way to get a feel for where you may choose to study and even the city your chosen university will be situated in. If Edinburgh Napier University is one of your top choices and has the exact course or course options which you are looking for, read on to see the when’s, the what’s, the where’s and the who’s of the upcoming ENU open days this year, and why you should attend if Edinburgh Napier University is where you are considering enrolling as a student.

When are the upcoming ENU Open Days?…

 

There will be an open day taking place tomorrow at Edinburgh Napier university – Saturday the 20th of September. If you cannot make this date, there will be another open day taking place on Saturday, the 1st of November 2025 for all individuals who are thinking about enrolling as ENU students for 2026. The open day will run in all three of our campus buildings: Merchiston, Sighthill and Craiglockhart. It will run from 10am-3pm on both the 20th of September and 1st of November as well.

 

What happens at ENU Open Days?…

A wealth of opportunity to learn about Edinburgh Napier University, its available courses and what it has to offer is heavily present during each open day. You will have the chance to speak with lecturers about different course options or, if you have already decided which course you like to study, the academic professors and professionals within that field of study to get to know more about course content, structure and potential work placement or study abroad opportunities available. Course presentations also run on university open days where lecturers, professors and student ambassadors will discuss specific course content and the overall experience of the course in detail. Student ambassadors will also be present on open days and are happy to tell you all about what they are studying and their experiences as a students of Edinburgh Napier University. Some of our most popular courses are the following…

  • Nursing
  • Computting
  • Enigineering
  • Business

 

Bookable campus and accommodation tours will also run for each ENU campus and accommodation option so that you can have a look around each location and building and ultimately decide whether you can see yourself studying and living there as an ENU student. You can also talk to staff at specific stalls about fundamental matters such as funding, entry requirements and accommodation costs to gage the viability of studying at Edinburgh Napier University as well as it’s desirability to you as a potential ENU student. Furthermore, university open days in general provide a great opportunity to explore the city in which the specific university of interest is located within. Take a look around and explore the local amenities, cafes, restaurants, shops, parks, and public spaces that the city has to offer.

 

Where will the ENU Open Days take place?…

 

Our Open Day activities and events will take place in all three of our campus buildings, which are well-served by public transportation. Parking is also available but limited – it is advised that you plan your journey well in advance, with early arrival meaning you are more likely to secure a space. There are various Lothian bus routes which serve all three campuses, including the 36 Lothian bus which passes by all three campuses in one journey, making it a very convenient travel option for our students (and our open day attendees who would maybe like to explore all the campus buildings)! Merchiston campus is also a 30-minute walk from Haymarket train station, and Sighthill is accessible via tram if you get off at its Bankhead stop.

 

Who will you meet and see at our ENU Open Days?…

 

There will be a variety of different ENU staff members and teams helping at our open days, some of whom are academics and some of whom are professional services staff from teams and departments such as Finance, Visa and Immigration, Accommodation Services, and our Library Services as well. Most of them will be sitting or standing at various stalls set up across each campus building, whilst most academic staff will be delivering presentations about the content of their course and modules that they teach. You are always welcome to, and in fact actively encouraged, even, to approach any of our staff members helping out on the open days and to ask them any questions you may have about courses, accommodation, funding and the student experience at Napier in general. They will also be more than happy to answer any general questions you have about the open day itself.

 

Why should you attend a University Open Day?…

 

Attending a university open day is so worth it! Even if the university you attend the open day for is not the one you choose to study at in the end, it is still worthwhile going along to check out course options , the facilities and support services available there and the general campus life. It will also give you the opportunity to experience the city the university is based in as well as it’s campus life and see if you can imagine yourself living and studying there.

 

Have we convinced you yet? You can find more information in our Open Days Napier webpages, including a quick form to fill out if you wish to attend one of our open days this year.

 

By Rachel Downie

 

 

 

 We might be a modern university but we have a rich history, read about the history of Napier and our 500-year-old Tower. 

Campus Guides 

Campus Guides 

First things first: the two core things a university student (or staff member for that matter!) needs are food and hydration. Our canteens on all campuses are open for Breakfast from 8am to 11am and Lunch from 11.30am to 2.45pm, serving a changing menu every day of the week, from burritos to Bolognese, with a few firm favourites (Baked Potatoes, soup, sandwiches).

In addition, our campus coffee shops (‘Espresso Labs’) are open from Monday to Thursday 8am to 5pm and Friday 8am to 4pm. They serve a range of hot and cold drinks, cookies and crisps. A personal highlight for me has been their iced coffee – perfect for the hot and humid weather we’ve experienced this summer.

 

Campus Guides  Merchiston

 

The Merchiston campus is the oldest dedicated campus in Edinburgh Napier University, home to the arts and humanities collections, as well as the site of Merchiston tower. Like many spaces in Edinburgh, late 20th century architecture mixes with medieval or early Modern structures. Merchiston Tower ties the site to its history as the seat of the Napier family, who give the name to our university – specifically, named after John Napier, the inventor of logarithms. Today, the tower hosts various office spaces, and tours can be arranged of it.

It is the busiest of our campuses, an unsurprising fact given that it’s situated in the middle of the student-heavy Southside of Edinburgh. The campus is a short walk from inner suburbs Bruntsfield, Marchmont, Morningside and Polwarth.

Many key university’s services are headquartered here – e.g sports societies, radio, as well as the JKCC (Jack Kilby Computer Centre). Like the Merchiston library, the JKCC is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week during term time – perfect for working late on an upcoming assignment.

 

Campus Guides  Sighthill

 

Social and life sciences are the major subjects studied here, and the core collection extends over two floors. The roof top conference suited offers amazing panoramic views of the city of Edinburgh. Sighthill is also the location of the main campus gym. The area surrounding the campus was developed mainly as housing estates by Edinburgh City Council in the 1960s and 1970s. While less conventionally attractive compared to the other Napier campuses, the building is modern and energy efficient, and provides an excellent workout should you choose to habitually take the stairs.  Sighthill campus is open from 8am to 9pm on weekdays and 9am to 5pm on weekends.

 

Campus Guides  Craiglockhart

Last but certainly not least. The main building of Craiglockhart campus, built in the late 1800s, originally served as a hydropathic centre where people could go for the ‘water cure’.  It is a bucolic setting, in the shadow of the beautiful Craiglockhart hill. When the sun is out, there is no better place to have your lunch.

A modern extension was made to the building in the early 2000s, exemplified by ‘the Egg’ (the iconic Lindsay Stewart Lecture Theatre). It houses the Business and Law Schools of Edinburgh Napier, as well as the most charming of our libraries (I’m biased of course).

The best-known fact about Craiglockhart is that the building was requisition by the British government during World War 1 to serve as a psychiatric hospital for shell-shocked soldiers. Many officers convalesced here, including the revered anti-war poets Siegfried Sassoon and Wilfred Owen. There is a collection of books, ephemera and documents from this period collected as The War Poets collection, which is housed on the 1st floor. Visitors are free to come and see the collection for themselves, as well as to explore the grounds. The magazine produced by the officers – The Hydra – is memorialised today in the name of our campus’ canteen.

Craiglockhart campus is from open 8am-9pm weekdays and 9am-5pm weekends.

By Kieran Curran

 

Read all about Edinburgh Napier

Joinging us in September, information here

 

Geography of the ENU Campuses

Geography of the ENU Campuses

 

Wait, so there is more than one campus building?

 

There is indeed! Edinburgh Napier University has three campuses: Merchiston Campus, Sighthill Campus, and Craiglockhart Campus. Our oldest campus located in Merchiston was built during the 16th century. Merchiston is home to our School of Arts and Creative Industries as well as our School of Computing, Engineering and the Built Environment. It is also the birthplace of our very own John Napier! Our Sighthill campus hosts the School of Health and Social Care and the School of Applied Sciences. It is our newest campus building. It was fully refurbished in 2011 and is home to our ENGAGE sport and exercise facility. Our Craiglockhart campus only hosts one school,our Business School.  It is also home to our Innovation and Enterprise Centre, as well as the iconic Lindsay Stewart Lecture Theatre – a giant, futuristic-looking dome. Or as we like to call it, the ‘Big Egg.’

 

Now let us show you around, as we explore the geography of our three wonderful campuses…

 

Merchiston Campus

Merchiston campus

Merchiston campus is situated on Colinton Road in the lively neighbourhood of Bruntsfield. And is the closest of the three campuses to the city centre of Edinburgh. Nearby are a variety of independent restaurants, cafes and shops.  Which is great for some retail therapy, breaks from studying, and even socialising with fellow ENU students. Merchiston campus also hosts our Edinburgh Napier Students’ Association. Just around the corner in Morningside is a converted church which the university utilises for performance and rehearsal spaces for our SACI student community.

Due to Merchiston campus being based in the heart of Edinburgh, it is very easily accessible by all types of public transportation. There are seven different Lothian bus services from the city centre. All these will drop you off practically right outside Merchiston campus: the 5, 11, 15, 16, 23, 36 and 45 to be specific. With regards to our train and tram networks, Merchiston campus is approximately a 25-minute walk from Haymarket train station and tram stop – ideal if you are looking to get your steps in! With regards to getting to Merchiston campus by bike, Edinburgh has a wide range of ever-expanding cycle paths, including routes which go to and from Merchiston campus. There are 100 bicycle spaces available altogether at this ENU campus – 48 of these are covered, secure areas and 52 are uncovered. You can find one of the bike parking facilities opposite the Merchiston library entrance to the left, and the other parking facility at the far end opposite the glass box. Parking for those coming to Merchiston campus by car is available between 7am-5pm Monday to Friday for all permit holders. Outside these times and at weekend, parking is free.  

Sighthill Campus

Sighthill campus

Sighthill Campus is based to the west of Edinburgh city centre. And hosts a range of facilities catering to both our School of Health and Social Care and School of Applied Sciences student communities. Some of these facilities include a 1,000 square metre clinical skills centre featuring mock hospital wards and a high-dependency unit, Biotech labs. And a lab for Sports and Exercise Science students. And of course, our Learning and Resource Centre with five floors in total, with library, cafe and IT facilities. Sighthill campus is also close to a few local amenities within walking distance such as Sighthill Shopping Centre. Then there is a Londis gas station with a Subway and Burger King, a Greggs bakery. Nearby is Hermiston Gate, which has various retail outlets as well as a Costa, Krispy Kreme and KFC.

Sighthill Campus is very well-served by various public transportation systems. The tram network runs between Edinburgh Airport and Newhaven. It cuts through Edinburgh City Centre as well. Bankhead Station is the closest one to our Sighthill campus – approximately a ten-minute walk up Bankhead Drive. In terms of getting there by train, South Gyle train station is approximately a 25-minute walk from Sighthill campus and roughly the same distance from Edinburgh Park station as well, which is approximately a 20-minute walk from this campus. From Edinburgh city centre, Lothian bus services 3,21,25,32,34, 36 and Citylink 300 all stop outside Sighthill campus at bus stop ‘Sighthill Shops’ on Calder Road. Services 2,12 and 22 from Edinburgh city centre also stop at ‘Bankhead (W)’ on Bankhead Drive, which is right outside campus grounds as well, giving you a huge variety of options regarding bus services from the city centre overall. For those travelling by car, parking is also available at this campus for permit holders, and can be accessed via the M8, M9 and Edinburgh City Bypass. Secure bike storage facilities are also available at this campus.

Craiglockhart Campus

Craiglockhart Campus

And finally, we have our scenic Craiglockhart campus! This ENU campus is, like our Merchiston campus, also located on Colinton Road, but much further down – closer to Morningside, Kingsnowe and Slateford. It hosts an airy atrium with good natural lighting and an Espresso Lab Cafe, various language and multimedia labs, our large downstairs library with 100 PCs available for use, and our famous War Poets Collection. In terms of cafes and similar local amenities, there are not very many close to Craiglockhart campus aside from a few supermarkets such as Tesco, Sainburys and a large Asda with a Mcdonalds inside. Nevertheless, like all of our ENU campuses, it does host a canteen with a wide variety of food and drink options. Craiglockhart campus is also well-served by public transportation throughout Edinburgh.

 

In terms of which Lothian buses stop right outside Craiglockhart campus, services 4, 10, 27 and 45 all stop on Colinton Road at a stopped specifically named ‘Craiglockhart Campus’ – as does the 36 bus service on Glenlockhart road. Slateford train station is also a short walk from Craiglockhart campus – approximately 15-20 minutes in total. Parking and bike storage facilities are also available at this campus for those travelling by car or bike.

 

By Rachel Downie

We may be a modern university but two of our campuses have a lot of history, read about Merchiston and Craiglockhart

Discovering the Future: Research at Edinburgh Napier University

Discovering the Future: Research at Edinburgh Napier University

When you think of cutting-edge research, you might picture sprawling labs, scientists in white coats, and complex algorithms running on glowing screens. You’ll find all that—and much more—at Edinburgh Napier University (ENU).

Whether it’s developing AI systems to solve real-world problems, helping veterans reintegrate into civilian life, or leading the charge in sustainable construction, ENU is quietly making a big impact. It’s not just a place to study—it’s a place where ideas come to life.

Let’s take a look at some of the exciting research happening across the university—and how you can get involved.

Research with Purpose

One of the things that makes research at ENU so dynamic is its clear focus on real-world challenges. The university’s work is guided by four key themes:

  • AI & Advanced Technologies

  • Health

  • Culture & Communities

  • Environment

These aren’t just buzzwords. They shape everything from collaborative projects to the kinds of PhDs being offered. You can read more on our research webpages.

Cutting-Edge Tech on Campus

In 2024, ENU took a big leap forward by launching ENUCC—a brand-new high-performance computing (HPC) and AI cluster. It gives researchers and students serious computing power to run simulations, analyse big data, and build AI models.

It’s part of a wider push to make sure students and staff have access to the kind of tech that fuels innovation. Read more about it here: ENU launches new HPC and AI cluster

Cool Projects You Should Know About

Cool Projects You Should Know About

ENU is home to some seriously innovative projects and research centres. Here are just a few standouts:

Swarmchestrate: An EU-funded project using swarm computing and blockchain to develop smart, autonomous digital systems. Think of it as nature-inspired tech!

In 2023, a team of Edinburgh Napier University students participated in a pioneering construction project in Guangxi, China. They collaborated with local universities to build the world’s first bamboo-timber composite gridshell structure. This innovative project aimed to explore sustainable building methods to combat climate change. Among the participants were female students like Devika Vijayan, Alice June Davyson, and Zara Anam Rafiq, who contributed their expertise in architectural technology and civil engineering. The project was led by PhD student Yanghao Pei and supervised by faculty members, including Dr. Ahmed Mohamed.

Research into supporting Scotland’s armed forces at the Centre for Military Research and Public Engagement: Housed at the historic Craiglockhart campus, this centre explores topics like PTSD, military transitions, and veteran education.

Innovation Support & Opportunities

If you’re a student, early-career researcher, or even an entrepreneur, ENU has support for you through its Innovation Hub. From Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTPs) to funding for start-ups and seed grants, the university is serious about turning ideas into action.

You can check out what’s on offer here:
ENU Innovation Hub
Research, Innovation & Enterprise Blog

Events & Community

From the ENclusion Conference on equity and inclusion to innovation meetups, ENU offers loads of opportunities to get involved, network, and learn.

One highlight is the annual ENclusion Conference, a day-long event packed with talks, panels, and practical sessions.

The Library

Libraries are essential to research because they provide access to high-quality, credible resources—books, journals, databases, and archives—that researchers need to build on existing knowledge. They offer expert support in information literacy, data management, and referencing, helping researchers work efficiently and ethically. Libraries also preserve knowledge and ensure long-term access to scholarly work, including open-access materials and institutional repositories. Simply put, libraries are the backbone of academic research, connecting people with the information and tools they need to discover, question, and innovate. Start your research journey at one of our campus Libraries or by using our wealth of online resources found at librarysearch.napier.ac.uk.

Don’t forget all the useful information on our Library webpages, including study guides and lists of resources.

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Edinburgh Napier University is fast becoming a major leader in Research. Whether it’s AI, sustainability, social justice, or health tech, ENU’s research is focused on creating a better future.

So if you’re curious, creative, and ready to make a difference, this is a great place to start.

Want to know more? Dive into ENU’s Research and Innovation pages or explore funding and partnership opportunities through the Innovation Hub.

By Juliet Kinsey

Read more on research at Edinburgh Napier University here on our Blog, with our latest post on Women in Stem

International Women in Engineering Day

International Women in Engineering Day

Celebrating Women Engineers: Breaking Barriers, Building Futures

Every year on 23 June, we celebrate International Women in Engineering Day. First launched in the UK by the Women’s Engineering Society, it’s now a global movement. It shines a light on the achievements of women in engineering and encourages more girls and young women to see this as a path for them.

The numbers are improving, but slowly. According to EngineeringUK, women make up 16.5% of the engineering workforce. In 2010, it was just 9%. There’s progress, but much more work is needed.

So, why does it matter?

Diverse teams are better at solving problems. They bring fresh ideas, challenge assumptions, and drive innovation. In engineering, where solutions shape lives—that matters. Gender diversity isn’t a tick-box exercise; it’s essential for future-ready industries.

The UK is home to many trailblazers. Dr. Nike Folayan MBE, co-founder of the Association for Black and Minority Ethnic Engineers (AFBE-UK), champions inclusion across STEM fields. Professor Sarah Hainsworth, a forensic engineering expert and senior leader at the University of Bath, is another standout figure. Their stories are powerful. But for many young women, engineering still feels out of reach.

Education

To get women into engineering, we need to start with early education. A 2022 WISE report showed that girls are much less likely to choose A-level physics, despite doing just as well as boys in GCSE science. Why? A lack of role models. Limited exposure. Persistent stereotypes.

This is where schools, universities, and employers can make a real difference.

Edinburgh Napier University and Women in STEM

At Edinburgh Napier University, change is happening. The School of Computing, Engineering & the Built Environment offers strong support for women entering technical fields. From dedicated mentoring schemes to outreach in schools, the university actively promotes gender balance. Female lecturers and researchers at Napier lead projects in sustainable energy, transport systems, and digital engineering.

Take for example, the work of female PhD students at Napier who are developing smart materials for construction or working on green transport solutions. Their research not only contributes to global challenges but also inspires the next generation of engineers.

Sarah Taylor, a lecturer at Edinburgh Napier University, has been conducting research in smart, light-emitting textiles since 1995. Her work involves integrating optical fibres into woven textile structures, contributing to advancements in smart materials applicable in various fields, including construction.

In 2023, a team of Edinburgh Napier University students participated in a pioneering construction project in Guangxi, China. They collaborated with local universities to build the world’s first bamboo-timber composite gridshell structure. This innovative project aimed to explore sustainable building methods to combat climate change. Among the participants were female students like Devika Vijayan, Alice June Davyson, and Zara Anam Rafiq, who contributed their expertise in architectural technology and civil engineering. The project was led by PhD student Yanghao Pei and supervised by faculty members, including Dr. Ahmed Mohamed.

Women in Engineering  campaigns

Elsewhere in the UK, campaigns like Tomorrow’s Engineers Week, run by EngineeringUK, and events such as She Can Engineer at UCL, continue to highlight female success in the field. INWED itself is packed with virtual events, talks, and case studies—many of them accessible to teachers, students, and parents.

At the same time, the industry is evolving. Companies like Arup, Rolls-Royce, and AtkinsRéalis are investing in inclusive hiring, leadership development for women, and mentoring programmes. But culture still matters. A welcoming workplace—where all voices are heard—makes it easier for women to succeed and lead.

And it’s not just about big firms. Start-ups and SMEs across Scotland and the UK are building inclusive teams, often led by women who studied at universities like Edinburgh Napier.

So, what can you do this International Women in Engineering Day?

  • Share a story of a woman engineer who inspires you.

  • Encourage a girl to explore STEM subjects.

  • Attend a local or virtual event through WES or your local university.

  • Support or volunteer with STEM outreach programmes.

  • Thank the mentors, colleagues, and leaders who make a difference.

Small actions lead to big changes.

Because the future of engineering isn’t defined by gender—it’s built by collaboration, creativity, and courage. Edinburgh Napier University and institutions across the UK are proving that when you back women in engineering, you’re backing innovation for everyone.

By Juliet Kinsey

Read more on women in Science on our blog here: Scottish Women in Science

ENUSEC’s Le Tour Du Hack 2025

ENUSEC’s Le Tour Du Hack 2025

This weekend, Edinburgh Napier University’s Craiglockhart Campus will be buzzing with energy as ENUSEC (Edinburgh Napier University Security Society) hosts Le Tour Du Hack 2025 – the flagship cybersecurity conference that’s become a cornerstone of Scotland’s student-led tech scene. But this year, it’s not just any conference…2025 marks 10 years of ENUSEC, and we’re celebrating with a special edition of Le Tour that brings together students, alumni, industry professionals, and hackers (the good kind!) from across the UK and beyond.

If you’ve never heard of Le Tour Du Hack before, at its heart, it’s a weekend-long event dedicated to cybersecurity, technology, and learning by doing. It’s a mix of technical talks, hands-on challenges, and panel discussions, all designed to spark curiosity and inspire the next generation of cyber professionals. Whether you’re deeply embedded in the world of tech or just curious about what it’s all about, this event is designed to be welcoming, accessible, and good fun.

This year’s event features:

  • three-track technical conference with sessions from top professionals, researchers, and students,
  • A jam-packed Capture the Flag (CTF) competition designed for all skill levels,
  • Some classic lockpicking, and some nostalgic surprises, reflecting back on ENUSEC’s journey so far.

Thanks to the incredible support from our sponsors, speakers, and volunteers, this year’s event is shaping up to be the biggest and most community-focused Le Tour yet. Alumni will be returning to share their stories, advice, and (in true ENUSEC fashion) maybe even a few cybersecurity war stories. Plus, we’ve got plenty of swag, food, and interactive side quests planned to make sure the fun doesn’t stop between sessions.

More than anything, Le Tour Du Hack is a celebration of community and collaboration. Over the last decade, ENUSEC has grown from a small student group in 2015 into a vibrant network of technologists and learners now. This event is a thank you to everyone who’s been part of that journey – and an invitation to those who might want to join in, because the next ten years? They start now.

Want to know more about the event?

You can find all the details you need at https://ltdh.enusec.org/

By Joyee Bashir

 

Sponsors

 

Our School of Computing, Engineering and Built Environment is hosting its Green Horizon Sustainability exhibition/

Celebrating Tartan Day and the Declaration of Arbroath

Celebrating Tartan Day and the Declaration of Arbroath: Scotland’s Legacy of Freedom

Every year on April 6th, Scots and their descendants celebrate Tartan Day. It honours Scotland’s rich heritage and the lasting impact of its people worldwide. But the date is no accident. April 6th marks the anniversary of the Declaration of Arbroath, a historic document that shaped the fight for Scottish independence.

The Declaration of Arbroath: A Bold Statement of Freedom

On April 6, 1320, Scottish nobles sent a letter to Pope John XXII. It declared Scotland’s right to exist as an independent nation. The letter, now known as the Declaration of Arbroath, was addressed to the Pope because he had the power to influence King Edward II of England. Scotland had fought for decades to break free from English rule. This document was a plea for recognition and support.

Written in Latin, the declaration made a passionate case for self-rule. It stated that Scotland had always been free and would remain so. The most famous line reads:

“As long as but a hundred of us remain alive, never will we on any conditions be brought under English rule. It is not for glory, nor riches, nor honours that we are fighting, but for freedom alone, which no honest man gives up but with his life.”

This was a radical statement for the time. Kings ruled by divine right, but here was a document saying a king’s authority depended on the will of the people. If he failed to protect their freedom, they could choose another leader.

The Lasting Impact of the Declaration of Arbroath

The Declaration of Arbroath didn’t immediately win Scotland’s independence. But it strengthened the country’s resolve. Eventually, in 1328, England recognized Scotland’s sovereignty through the Treaty of Edinburgh-Northampton.

Centuries later, the declaration’s words still inspire. Some historians see echoes of it in the American Declaration of Independence. The idea that government exists by the will of the people resonates strongly today.

A History of Tartan

Tartan has a deep history. The Celts wove early versions over 3,000 years ago. By the 16th century, Scots wore it widely. Each region had its own patterns. Families later claimed unique designs.

In 1746, the British banned tartan after the Jacobite uprising. The law aimed to weaken Highland identity. Scots defied the ban in secret. In 1782, the government lifted it. Tartan returned stronger than ever.

By the 19th century, Queen Victoria embraced tartan. It became a symbol of Scottish pride. Today, designers use it worldwide. From kilts to catwalks, tartan remains iconic.

Kinds of Tartan

1. Clan Tartan: Each Scottish clan has its own tartan. Families wear their specific patterns with pride.

2. District Tartan: These represent regions, not families. People from a certain area can wear them.

3. Hunting Tartan: Designed for outdoor wear, these use muted earth tones. They blend into nature.

4. Dress Tartan: Brighter and fancier, often with more white. Traditionally worn for formal events.

5. Mourning Tartan: Darker shades, usually black and grey. Worn to honour lost loved ones.

6. Royal Tartan: Reserved for the British royal family. The Balmoral tartan, for example, is exclusive to them.

7. Corporate Tartan: Businesses and organizations create custom tartans. They use them for branding and uniforms.

The Witches of Scotland Tartan

The Witches of Scotland tartan has recently been released. It honours those accused of witchcraft in Scotland. It features deep purples, blacks, and greys, symbolizing mourning and justice. Designed in 2022, it supports the campaign for a formal apology and pardon. The tartan raises awareness of past injustices and sparks conversations. Many wear it to show solidarity with victims of the witch trials.

Tartan Day: A Modern Celebration

Tartan Day originated in Canada in the 1980s. The idea was to recognize the contributions of Scottish immigrants and to celebrate Scotland around the world.

Parades, Highland games, and cultural events mark the day. People wear kilts and display their family tartans. Pipe bands march through cities, and Scottish heritage groups educate the public about their roots. The day is a reminder of Scotland’s influence around the world.

Why Tartan Day Matters

Tartan Day isn’t just about history. It’s about identity. Millions of people around the world have Scottish ancestry. They take pride in their heritage and in the values of perseverance, independence, and freedom.

Whether you have Scottish roots or simply admire the culture, Tartan Day is a chance to celeb

Resources

Read more on Librarysearch about Tartan and more on Scotland here on our Blog with articles like:

Bridges of Scotland or Scottish Women in Science

By Juliet Kinsey

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