News and Events
See below for our most recent University news and updates, as well as information on any upcoming events.Friday 26 Feb - A message from Richard Lochhead, Minister for Further Education, Higher Education and Science
As Minister for Further Education, Higher Education and Science, I know the huge impact that Covid is having on your lives and your studies. I want to thank you for your patience as we work through the safest way for all of us to get back to normality. Many of you are anxious about when you can go back to your college or university campus, and I know it is especially worrying for those of you with placements or practical and creative elements to your coursework.
This week we set out plans to gradually reduce restrictions. For the moment, the vast majority of learning must continue to be online. However colleges and universities can restart some in-person teaching and learning, with numbers kept as low as possible. This will be a cautious approach with priority for students on work placements in critical sectors, for example health and social care and early learning and childcare, or university and college students whose learning is time-sensitive to their course or assessment which cannot be delivered remotely. This phased return will be managed in compliance with all of the public health measures to keep you safe.
For anyone who needs help, please talk to your institution about the support that is available, whether financial help for anyone in hardship, support with wellbeing or mental health, support in relation to completing your course, or regarding any concerns you may have around being academically disadvantaged as a result of the pandemic.
We continue to work with your institutions to plan the phased return of students. I wish to assure any of you who may be concerned about the implications for your education that we are urgently working in partnership with colleges, universities, and staff and student representatives to investigate all practical solutions available to help and support as many of you as possible complete your courses.
In the event that courses can’t be completed by the time originally planned, then we will do everything possible to support you to gain your qualification or degree. Please keep up to date with current advice by visiting www.studentinformation.gov.scot
Yours sincerely,
Richard Lochhead
Tuesday 23 Feb - The Napier Big Read Anthology is looking for submissions
Submissions are still open for the Napier Big Read's new Anthology, Learning in Lockdown.
Napier Big Read is our shared reading scheme at Edinburgh Napier, using books to bring people together. This year, we are launching a brand new initiative where students and staff are invited to contribute to a new Anthology.
The finished book - Learning in Lockdown - will be published by our own publishing imprint (Merchiston Publishing) and copies will be distributed across the entire University.
This is a bold and innovative project - it will be the first time any university has collected, recorded and published the experiences of its community during a pandemic. It will be a snapshot of an extraordinary year; an archive for the future. It will allow us to understand each other’s perspectives and come together. Crucially, our Anthology will act as a reminder that none of us are alone.
We invite you to get involved and submit your work for inclusion in our Learning in Lockdown Anthology. The deadline for submissions is Tuesday 23 March. Check out the submissions guidelines or follow Napier Big Read on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter!
Thursday 18 February - Change to Password Policy
As part of ongoing improvements to information security, the University’s Password Policy has changed – passwords need to be longer, however they’ll require less complexity. They’ll also need to be changed every 365 days.
Over the coming weeks, if you have not changed your password within the last 365 days you will receive an email from IS advising you to change your password and update the password on all your devices.
We strongly recommend you change your password now (or at a time that is convenient for you) to avoid being forced to change your password at a time when you might require access to online services.
You should also give yourself time to update the password on all of your devices - your account can become locked if even one device still has the old password saved on it.
What do I need to do?
Change your password to meet the requirements of the new Password Policy.
The main changes are:
- The minimum password length has changed to 15 characters.
- There will no longer be complexity requirements, i.e. you won’t need to use a mixture of upper and lower case letters, digits and special characters.
- Passwords will expire every 365 days, and must be changed whenever they are suspected of being, or known to be compromised.
Although the number of characters has increased, the removal of complexity means that you can use passphrases or random words to generate your password which will make it easier to remember – guidance on what makes a good password can be found on My Napier.
You can change your password at by clicking here.
Further security enhancements coming soon
Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA), also known as second factor authentication will soon be activated on your University account.
If you use mobile banking you will probably be familiar with Second Factor Authentication – you may need to enter your login details and then use your device to generate a code to verify your identity and access your account.
Further information about MFA is coming soon, in the meantime you can prepare for MFA by logging in to the Self-Service Password Reset Service and ensuring you have registered a mobile device or have downloaded and are registered to use the Microsoft Authenticator app.
Where can I find further information?
Further information about your password can be found on My Napier.
If you have any questions or concerns please do not hesitate to contact the IS Service Desk in the first instance.
Wednesday 17 Feb - Security is on the move!
Our security control room based at Sighthill will be moving to Merchiston on Thursday 18 Feb.
The new control room will be located in Merchiston B5, which is around the corner from current office towards the internal entrance to the library. The new security office at Sighthill will now be based in 1.A.02, the small office in the foyer which is located directly in front of the main entrance.
Any lost property should still be handed into each security office location it is found. The only change is that it will find its way to Merchiston control room after 4 weeks rather than Sighthill.
The phone numbers for contacting security will remain the same – extension 6119 / 4444 in an emergency, and you can also email the team at securitycontrol@napier.ac.uk.
For more information, please visit our Lost Property, Safety and Security page.
Tuesday 16 February News - eStudent Records Downtime
eStudent Records Upgrade - Service unavailable from Monday 22 February
Every year we have to upgrade to the most recent version of eStudent Records to ensure that the system continues to run smoothly and efficiently. To apply this upgrade and then bring it back up safely and securely, eStudent Records will be offline for two to three working days from Monday 22 February 2021.
This means that you will be unable to update your personal details, view module enrolments, results and board decisions. There will also be delays to any module enrolments, letters, transfers and suspend studies or withdrawal notifications etc. Any urgent requests should be directed to your School Office until the upgrade is complete.
To keep up to date when the system will be up and running again, you can sign up for notifications by logging into Service Status.
Information Service thank you for your understanding and patience during this essential upgrade.
Friday 12 Feb - Important update on international travel restrictions
From Monday 15 February, all international arrivals to Scotland will be required to book and pay for managed isolation in quarantine hotels to help protect against the transmission of Coronavirus (Covid-19). There is also a requirement to take two Covid-19 tests during your quarantine in addition to the test taken pre-departure.
It is the advice of the University that you stay at home and delay any travel until you are told by us that in-person teaching is due to resume on your course. We know, however, that some international students travelling back to university from outside the UK have already returned, or have booked and paid for travel to return to Edinburgh.
Arriving in Scotland
If you are flying directly into Edinburgh or another Scottish airport from overseas, you should follow current quarantine advice set by the Scottish Government. You will be required to:
- Undertake a Coronavirus (Covid-19) test and get a negative result during the 3 days before you travel.
- Before departure, book and pay for managed isolation in a quarantine hotel for at least 10 days from arrival. This applies to arrivals from all countries outside the Common Travel Area and includes British citizens.
- Complete an online passenger locator form before travelling, and provide contact details, travel details and the address of your final destination. You will need to enter the booking reference for your managed isolation package.
- Be tested on day of 2 and 8 during of your 10 day quarantine.
- Follow the national rules on Coronavirus in Scotland.
Arriving in England
If your point of entry to the UK is in England, you should follow the UK Government quarantine advice. You are also required to undertake a Coronavirus (Covid-19) test and get a negative result during the 3 days before you travel.
From 15 February, if you arrive in England and have travelled in a country on the banned travel list (sometimes called the 'red list') in the last 10 days, you will need to quarantine (self-isolate) in a government quarantine hotel for 10 days. You will need to book your hotel before you travel and there is a requirement to take two COVID-19 tests during your quarantine in addition to the test take pre-departure. If you are travelling from a country not on the banned travel list, you can travel to Scotland without having to quarantine in England, however you must self-isolate when you arrive in Scotland.
If you arrive in England and fly immediately to Scotland, you are not required to isolate in England but you are required to self-isolate at home in Scotland. You should refer to the current quarantine advice set by the Scottish Government.
We understand you may have questions therefore please contact our Visa and International Support Team by emailing internationalsupport@napier.ac.uk
Thursday 11 February - Important update on Covid-19 measures on campus
We hope that you are settling back into University life well and staying safe during these difficult times.Please remember to observe social distancing when you are on our campuses and follow the rules we have put in place for your safety.
Here is important information about how to stay safe when visiting our campuses or studying with us throughout this trimester:
You must confirm your attendance at classes using the Student Check-In service
Please remember you must check-in using My Account – the Edinburgh Napier app – to confirm your attendance for any timetabled learning event taking place on campus or at one of our other teaching venues. This is mandatory.
Please also check-in to any timetabled learning events taking place online. Although doing so is not mandatory, this information does help us support your wellbeing and identify any engagement issues.
You can check-in using My Account – the Edinburgh Napier app. Find out more on the Check-in to class page on My Napier.
Sign In To Campus
Whenever you come on campus you must sign in using the QR code displayed at the entrance of each campus.
Please use the QR code reader in your Edinburgh Napier app. Find out more on My Napier.
Booking study space on campus – Resource Booker
To book a room, PC, lab, library space, and a range of different types of equipment, you must use Resource Booker.
You must book your equipment through Resource Booker before you come on campus. Find out more on My Napier.
Access all of these tools by downloading the Edinburgh Napier app – My Account
The Edinburgh Napier app will give you everything you need to register your attendance on campus and in classes (on campus and online).
You can also use it to book study space on campus, access Covid-19 information, and other important changes.
Find out how to download and access My Account on My Napier.
Wednesday 3 February - Your Results via the Edinburgh Napier App
You will be able to find out your overall Programme Assessment Board results via the Edinburgh Napier app.
This will be available only for UK based students who will receive your overall Trimester 1 Programme Assessment Board Result in February 2021.
From 11am on Monday 8 February you will be able to view your overall Programme and Assessment Board result via an “Exam Results” tile on the app.
You can log in to eStudent Records throughout the day to view your individual module results however you will be able to see your overall result on the app.
Don’t yet have the Edinburgh Napier app? Installation instructions and further information can be found on My Napier.
If you have any questions please contact the IS Service Desk in the first instance.
NSS 2021 - Take part in the National Student Survey
Take part in the National Student Survey and share your experience of life at Edinburgh Napier University.
The National Student Survey is open for all final year undergraduates and is a great chance to reflect on your experience at the University.
If you’ve had a good time and enjoyed learning at Edinburgh Napier – it’s the perfect way to say thank you.
And if there are things that could have been better, this is where you can feed back on that too.
All eligible students will have been sent an email with a link to the survey. You can also fill the survey in by visiting www.thestudentsurvey.com.
Monday 18 Jan - The Jack Kilby Computer Suite at Merchiston Reopens on Monday 25 January
The University is delighted to announce that our flagship computer suite, the Jack Kilby Computer Centre (JKCC) at Merchiston, will reopen its doors to welcome students on Monday 25 January.
The JKCC has been refurbished: it now has a new leak-proof roof, it has been redecorated and has endured a thorough deep clean.
You can book a computer within the JKCC using Resource Booker, remember you must make the booking before you come on campus.
You’ll notice we’ve adjusted the space to accommodate social distancing, there are fewer machines however the PCs and Macs that remain within the JKCC are of a higher quality. Plans are in place to replace the existing, outdated artwork with student design project work.
Due to the current restrictions the JKCC will initially open 8am-10pm Monday to Sunday.
Further information about our Computer Suites can be found on My Napier: Computers on Campus.
Monday 18 Jan - Changes to Library Opening Hours
Following the latest Scottish Government guidance and to protect students and staff, Library opening hours will be changing from Wednesday the 20 of January. See Opening Hours.
Please check opening hours and book a space before you visit. We are also limiting access to some spaces, and most study rooms will no longer be available. All helpdesks are closed, but you can contact us at any time at library@napier.ac.uk or call 0131 455 3500.
We will continue to update the central Library Services and COVID-19 webpage with the latest information following any Government changes.
Tuesday 5 Jan - Catering services closed
Due to current Covid-19 restrictions, our catering services will be closed until Friday 26 February. This includes our Click and Collect service.
We'll update you about re-opening as soon as possible, and thank you for your patience and understanding at this time.