Edinburgh Napier University

Edinburgh Napier is the #1 Modern University in Scotland (THE World University Rankings 2023) and a Top 10 UK Modern University (Times/Sunday Times GUG 2023). We have also been voted the #1 University in Edinburgh for overall student satisfaction for four years in a row (NSS 2020, 2021, 2022 & 2023) and we are the top Scottish modern university for research power and research impact (REF 2021).

We’re here to make a difference. We’re here to support big dreams and bright ideas. We’re here to provide education, support, resources, connections, advice, late-night coffees and bags of encouragement.

Whether you’re a prospective student or staff member, industry partner or graduate employer, you’ve come to the right place.

Why study with us?

• A great location: We have three campuses in Edinburgh offering advanced facilities for learning, teaching and research. Based in an iconic, prosperous city and a stunning, ambitious, forward-thinking country, Edinburgh Napier is a great place to live, work and study.

• Academic and research excellence: Edinburgh Napier comprises six schools with an international focus, each committed to growing our academic reputation, delivering an excellent personalised student experience and building innovation, enterprise and citizenship.

• Values and strategy: "Our vision is compelling – to be an enterprising and innovative community, renowned internationally, with an unrivalled student learning experience."

• Environmental sustainability: Edinburgh Napier University has been named the top university in Scotland for environmental sustainability and ethics for the second consecutive year, according to the 2022 People and Planet University League. Find out what we're doing to achieve net carbon zero in our operations by 2030.

Facts and figures:

At Edinburgh Napier University, we believe in the importance of making a difference. While we’ve risen in rankings and grown in scope over the years, we’ve stayed true to our heritage as an applied technical institution. For our students and researchers, this means that learning and discovery doesn’t just take place in the lab or the classroom, it happens in the real world. That’s what makes us different. Year on year, we deliver personalised education, work-related learning and innovative research that matters—making positive change not just a distant goal but a daily reality.

• #1 Modern university in Scotland (The World University Rankings 2023)
• #1 University in Edinburgh for overall Student Satisfaction (NSS, 2020, 2021 & 2023)
• Top Scottish Modern University for both research power and research impact (Ref 2021)
• THE Awards 2022: We were delighted to be the only Scottish university to be shortlisted for University of the Year at the Times Higher Education Awards 2022.

Academic excellence:

• According to the REF 2021, we are the top Scottish modern university for both research power and research impact, with more than two-thirds of our research assessed as internationally excellent or world leading.

• In the 2019 QS Stars international university rankings, the quality of our teaching, internationalisation and employability were all officially recognised, with the University scoring five stars in each category and four stars overall.

• In 2015, we were awarded the Queen’s Anniversary Prize for our internationally acclaimed work in timber engineering, sustainable construction and wood science. This is the most prestigious award for the UK higher education sector for the impact of research on business, industry, environment and society – nationally and internationally. This was the second triumph for our School of Engineering & the Built Environment following a previous success in 2009.

• We are in the top quartile of UK universities for student professional development, as shown by the 2019 Postgraduate Research Experience Survey.

• We have the only Trimble Technology Lab in Scotland, expanding our leadership in training and research in 3D building design, digital fabrication and the sustainable built environment.

Making a difference:

• Our researchers have helped create a new world-class centre of excellence for Scottish mountain biking, protected Kenyan tropical forests and Brazilian tidal crabs, contributed to the battle against cybercrime, and explored tourism's impact on social change.

• Through our work, we are making tangible everyday differences to cardiovascular healthcare, sustainable building, modern policing practice and the future of artificial intelligence.
• We are committed to achieving net zero carbon by 2030 at the latest and have made sustainability an integral part of our strategic plan.

• In 2021, the University removed all direct investments from fossil fuel companies, including investments through share providers.

• We were named a top-tier university in Uswitch's 2021 eco-friendly university league, recognising our on-site solar PV panels and CHP as well as our environmental sustainability actions, commitments and initiatives.

• We have been named as the top university in Scotland for environmental sustainability and ethics for the second consecutive year, according to the 2022 People and Planet University League.

Jump in. Let’s build a better future together.

Admission requirements vary from country to country. Kindly contact our admissions counsellor for more information!