News and Events
See below for our most recent University news and updates, as well as information on any upcoming events.Summer 2021 Graduation ceremonies cancelled
Last week, we wrote to both our Class of 2020 and 2021 with an update on this summer's Graduation ceremonies.
Unfortunately, due to ongoing uncertainty caused by the pandemic, we will be unable to host our ceremonies in the Usher Hall this summer.
Class of 2021 - if you are due to graduate this summer then you will receive further instruction to your Edinburgh Napier email in due course.
Class of 2020 - if you graduated from Edinburgh Napier last year and would like to be a part of this summer's digital celebrations, you will need to opt in by Friday 9 April through the online graduation survey - full details can also be found in the email correspondence.
We know that this will be disappointing news for you. However, as soon as is practical once restrictions are lifted, we are planning to give you the opportunity to get gowned up for photographs on campus and for class of 2020 and 2021 reunions where you will be able to celebrate with your classmates.
Until then, alongside our digital celebrations, we are planning something that shows everyone just how proud we are of you. We want to shout about your success and get your name out there. More on this will be revealed soon.
Postgraduate Virtual Open Day - 28 April
We know that planning for the future can be challenging, especially right now, so we want to make sure you have the tools you need to build the future you want.
As an Edinburgh Napier graduate, you’ll be eligible for 20% off Masters tuition fees, so you can step forward with the skills, experience and network you need to get where you want to go.
Explore your options, answer your questions and get all the information you need at our Postgraduate virtual Open Day on 28 April.
You’ll be able to:
- Chat to academics - Find out specific course details about the courses you’re interested in and ask about what to include in your personal statement.
- Get all the answers you need - Our Admissions, Student Finance and Student Recruitment Teams will be on hand to answer all your questions about your application, course fees and funding options.
- Uncover life at Masters level - Hear from current postgraduate students and join our presentation on studying a Masters at Edinburgh Napier to see your University from a different perspective.
Join our Postgraduate virtual Open Day on 28 April. Visit our website to register now.
Chaplaincy event - Set for Ramadan
A conversation with Honorary Chaplain Amin Buxton and Zainab Hussnain
6.30pm Tuesday 6th April
In association with:
- Napier Islamic Association
- Islamic Society of Edinburgh University
All Muslim students are invited to join a discussion on Ramadan and how to best prepare for it physically, mentally and spiritually in the current climate. We are joined by Amin Buxton, Muslim Chaplain at Edinburgh Napier University and Zainab Hussnain, who graduated from the University of Edinburgh in Psychology and is a Support Worker for children and young people.
The session will be interactive and we would love to hear your comments and take your questions.
For further details, visit Napier Islamic Association on Facebook.
Library and IT Easter Opening Hours: Friday 2 April - Tuesday 6 April
Edinburgh Napier University Library and JKCC opening hours will change for Easter weekend, from Friday 2 April to Tuesday 6 April.
Merchiston Library will be open from Friday to Tuesday 9am-5pm. The JKCC, Sighthill LRC and Craiglockhart Library will be closed. See Library Opening Hours and Computers on Campus.
Services Update – What can you do at the moment?
Our libraries and computer suites remain open for essential access for current students and staff. We will update you as and when we have further information about Government changes to Covid-19 restrictions.
You can:
- Book a study space in advance using Resource Booker. You must book a space to use study desks/computers, but you can visit without booking to collect items you have requested, borrow laptops, return books or release items from printers.
- Use Click and Collect to request books before you visit the campus. Library staff will collect books from the shelf and have them ready for you at a collection point near the helpdesk in each library. For more information, including pictures of the collection points, see Click and Collect.
You can’t currently:
- Work together in groups - All library and computer suite users are expected to observe 2 metre social distancing.
- Browse or access books on library shelves.
- Get help in person, as all library and computer suite helpdesks are closed.
You must wear a face covering at all times while you are in libraries and computer suites (apart from those exempt). Other arrangements for your health and safety will continue as outlined in Library Services and Covid-19.
We will continue to update the central Library Services and Covid-19 and Computers On Campus webpages with the latest information, so please check these before you plan a visit.
Get help 24/7
Help is still available around the clock, even when libraries and computer suites are closed. Out of hours, calls will be answered by our Out Of Hours service partner, NorMAN.
- For library help – email library@napier.ac.uk or call 0131 455 3500.
- For IT help – email ISServiceDesk@napier.ac.uk or call 0131 455 3000.
Police Scotland scam warning
- Do not give out any personal information or credit card/ banking details over the telephone. No genuine caller will ever ask you to do this.
- If in doubt about who is calling, hang up and find the advertised contact details for that agency. Do not redial the telephone number used to call you.
- Do not click on any attachments or links provided in an email or text message.
Gender Based Violence
(Warning – this message contains reference to sexual violence)
On behalf of our University community, we are deeply saddened by the murder of Sarah Everard and the important issues it has raised. Our thoughts are with all those who have been affected by this tragedy.
An event of this nature is shocking. We know it will have had an impact on both students and staff. For some it may trigger memories of personal trauma, for others it will generate feelings of anger, fear and heightened anxiety. If you are affected by any of these issues you can find information on support here.
We want to reiterate all forms of gender-based violence are wrong – any form of sexual violence is always a crime and is never acceptable. The fault always lies with the perpetrator and is never the fault of the survivor/victim. The University and ENSA have worked together over the last three years to improve our response to gender-based violence but recognise this is a wider societal problem and our work in this area continues to require a strategic and sustained response.
Over the last three years our commitment to tackling gender-based violence has seen us introduce the Report and Support online platform, deliver a Zero Tolerance campaign and provide resources to support in-person and online training for our staff and students. More recently, working together with Edinburgh Rape Crisis and the other Edinburgh universities, we’ve introduced the Student Survivors project. We also recently appointed a new Student Safeguarding and Equality Manager to lead on the University’s response to all forms of hate crime and gender-based violence.
However, our commitment to tackle gender-based violence requires everyone in our community to accept their responsibility and play their part. This involves understanding your responsibilities, signposting colleagues or students to resources and to services, and understanding how to be an active by-stander to de-escalate or step in when you see or hear unwanted behaviours. We particularly encourage our male colleagues and students to engage in the conversation
We all want Edinburgh Napier to be a safe place to study and to work so please take the time to remind yourself about the resources, policies and reporting pathways outlined below. By coming together and acting as one, we can make Edinburgh Napier as safe as possible – a place where we take a zero-tolerance approach to gender-based violence and hate crime.
Over the last week, we have seen that the national conversation about gender-based violence take on added impetus. We would encourage everyone in our community to engage, take part in this and to listen to the voices of women to develop better understanding, empathy and to take action to prevent and end violence against women.
We’re also aware of the barriers for women in sharing their experiences. If you have experienced any form of gender-based violence, or any form of hate crime, please consider reporting and seeking support via our Report and Support system.
If you have been affected by any of the news surrounding the death of Sarah Everard or about women’s safety, please reach out to our Counselling and Wellbeing service if you are a student or to the services and resources offered by Human Resources if you are a member of staff.
Students can also reach out for specialised support from the Student Survivors Project.
Other useful contacts and resources include:
- Wellbeing and Inclusion
- Human Resources
- Student Code of Conduct
- Dignity at Work Policy
- ENSA Advice team
- Consent Matters, a Moodle course for students
- Responding to Disclosures of Sexual Violence, a Moodle course for staff
- The Consent Collective, resources for student and staff around the issue of consent
- Gender-based violence (uhi.ac.uk), online training on the nature, extent and impact of Gender-based violence
If you or someone else is in danger, call the emergency services on 999 or the University’s Security Team on 0131 455 6119.
For further information, advice and support, contact Kirstie Farmer, Student Safeguarding and Equality Manager.
Andrea Nolan
Principal, Edinburgh Napier University
Heloisa Fyfe
Vice President, Reps and Volunteers, Edinburgh Napier Students’ Association
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
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.
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.