The ENU getting started checklist
From council tax and free bus travel to timetables and healthcare—whether you’re joining us at Edinburgh Napier for the first time or returning after a break in study, make sure you've ticked off everything you need to do when you arrive with our helpful checklist!1. Make sure you’re not paying council tax if you don’t have to!
Did you know most full-time students are exempt from paying council tax? We'll send your details to the City of Edinburgh Council after the start of the trimester if you are a registered full-time student and have an Edinburgh term-time address – so make sure your student record is up to date on eStudent records!
You’ll also need to confirm your term-time address with the council by completing their online form.
If you are asked to complete a council tax exemption form, you can download this via eStudent records.
Find out more on our Council Tax page2. Look after your health by registering with a GP
Your health and wellbeing are important, so don’t wait until you need a doctor to register with one! One of the first things you should do after moving in is to register with a local doctor (GP) and dentist. It will mean that you can easily access health services if you need to.
You can find local doctors and dentists via the NHS 24 website:
It’s also important to make sure you’re up to date with your vaccinations, as infectious diseases can spread easily in university communities. The most important vaccines to get are for:
- Measles, mumps and rubella (MMR)
- Meningitis ACWY
For more information on how to get vaccinated, visit the NHS inform website.
3. Take advantage of free bus travel around Scotland
If you're under 22 and are living in Scotland for more than 6 months of the year, you can enjoy free bus travel throughout Scotland (and trams, if you’re resident in Edinburgh!) This is great for exploring and also helpful for getting to and from campus.
To get your free bus travel, you will need to apply for a National Entitlement Card or Young Scot National Entitlement Card.
Visit freebus.scot to find out more about the scheme and apply.
Other ways of getting to campus
Travelling by bus is a great way to get around our campuses, but there are also other options such as cycling. Find out all the different travel options available to you on our Getting to Campus page.
4. Get everything you need in one place with the Edinburgh Napier app
Don’t forget to download the Edinburgh Napier app! The app, known as My Account, gives you everything you need to navigate student life at Edinburgh Napier. Access your emails, view your timetable, top up your print credit, view your digital student card and more.
You can also access the interface from a browser by visiting myaccount.napier.ac.uk
Find out more and download the app5. Check out your personalised timetable
My Timetable is where you will find the details of all timetabled teaching events, whether on campus or online. You can access your timetable via your Office365 Calendar, My Account and from My Napier.
The benefits of your individual timetable are:
- You only see the classes you attend so you don’t have to look through the full programme information
- It is available on a mobile device and via Office 365 Calendars
- You will receive up to the minute changes to your timetabled activities such as a room change
If you’re a new student, remember you must complete the registration process and choose any optional modules before you will be able to access your individual timetable.
6. Find out everything you need to know about our computing and library services
We're lucky to have some amazing facilities available in our libraries and computer suites across all three campuses. To gets to grips with our services, make sure to check out our 'Introduction to the University's Computing and Library Services' module on Moodle. We have friendly library introduction sessions, both in class and available online, which will help you to find the books and journal articles you need for your course. See Library - Getting Started.
We also run 'Get Connected' IT support sessions, which will help you set up Multi-Factor Authentication, connect to the free university Wi-Fi, and offer other helpful tips on our computing services. Visit the Get Connected page for full details.
If you're looking for information on what kind of equipment you might need to buy when you start university, including laptops and textbooks, visit our Equipment for your studies page.
7. Understand what our Student Charter means for you
The Student Charter is an important document which explains how you are to behave as a student. As a member of the Edinburgh Napier community, you're expected to adhere to our Student Professional Standards, which means agreeing not to engage in inappropriate behaviour.
But it's not all just one way—the Student Charter also states what level of service and support you can expect from the University as part of our commitment to your learning experience.
Find out more about the Student Charter8. If you’re starting to struggle, our wellbeing team are here to help
Starting at university is an exciting time, but we know it can have its challenges as well. Moving into a new home, making friends, getting used to academic life and your studies—there’s a lot to take on!
It’s completely normal to feel a bit unsettled or overwhelmed, especially at the beginning of your university journey. But don’t worry—you’re not alone! We’re here to support you, whether it’s as simple as having a coffee and a chat or offering you more specialised advice.
If you find yourself starting to struggle, the University's wellbeing team is here to help with advice, counselling, CBT and free resources like Togetherall. We also have teams to help with money problems and disability support, so make sure to reach out if you’re going through a hard time.
Discover our full range of wellbeing support services
9. Take advantage of our free period products
Edinburgh Napier provides free period products to all students who need them! They’re available across all campuses and accommodation sites, with products including:
- Tampons
- Reusable pads
- Period pants
- Menstrual cups
You're more than welcome to take whatever you need, whether it's a full box or loose items. For more information on where the products are located, visit our Free Period page.
10. Check out all the facilities across campus
You'll be spending a lot of time on campus, so you'll have plenty of opportunities to make full use of all the facilities.
- Feeling hungry? Grab a bite to eat at one of our catering outlets. They're all cashless, and it's easy to pay using your debit card, student card or Enjoy catering app.
- Looking for a student friendly gym at an affordable price? Check out ENGAGE Fitness at Sighthill campus, which has a fully-kitted fitness suite, sports performance gym and two full-sized sports halls. Memberships start at just £20 a month, or you can grab a student trimester pass for just £55!
- Want to look the part? The Edinburgh Napier online shop has all the official uni merchandise, from t-shirts and hoodies to loungewear and accessories.
11. Get involved with ENSA
ENSA is your students’ association and it offers lots of opportunities for you to make new friends, develop skills and try out exciting activities. Be sure to take a look at all ENSA has to offer.
- Check out the list of sports clubs and societies that you can join.
- Find out about all the Welcome Week activities.
- Learn about ENSA’s free advice service that can offer support whenever you need guidance with education or welfare issues.
- Follow ENSA on Instagram and Facebook for regular updates on student news and events