Edinburgh Napier University
Oilthigh Napier Dhùn Èideann
A career-focused modern university in Scotland's capital, built around the birthplace of logarithm pioneer John Napier.
- Students
- 14,615
- International
- 21%
- of students
- Student–faculty
- 21.8:1
- ratio
- Tuition
- £18,220
- From · 2026-27
- Founded
- 1964
About Edinburgh Napier
Edinburgh Napier University began in 1964 as Napier Technical College, named after the mathematician John Napier, who was born in 1550 in the medieval tower house of Merchiston Castle, now at the heart of the Merchiston campus. It became a polytechnic in 1986 and a university in 1992. Today it has about 14,600 students, around a fifth of them international, according to the data published with the THE 2026 rankings.
Teaching is organised in five schools across three Edinburgh campuses: the AACSB-accredited Business School at Craiglockhart, whose Victorian hydropathic building treated the war poets Wilfred Owen and Siegfried Sassoon; Arts and Creative Industries and Computing, Engineering and the Built Environment at Merchiston; and Applied Sciences and Health and Social Care at Sighthill, with its simulated hospital wards. Courses are practical and many carry professional accreditation, from the Law Society of Scotland to the National Cyber Security Centre.
Like other Scottish universities, Napier runs four-year honours degrees, and applicants with the right qualifications can enter directly into Year 2 or 3. Typical offers range from BBC to BBB at A-level and BBCC to ABBB in Scottish Highers. It suits applicants who want applied, career-focused study in a capital city, especially in computing and cyber security, film and media, business and nursing.
Nisi sapientia frustra
“Without knowledge, everything is in vain” — university motto
Why students choose Edinburgh Napier
Edinburgh Napier says it is the number one UK modern university for Computer Science (The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2026), with degrees such as Computer Science and Cybersecurity and Forensics taught by the School of Computing, Engineering and the Built Environment.
Screen Academy Scotland at Merchiston offers full production and post-production facilities for film and television students.
97% of undergraduates were in work or further study 15 months after graduating (HESA 2021/22), and the Bright Red Triangle incubator supports student start-ups.
Students from England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Ireland pay tuition for only three years of a four-year honours degree, and can receive a university bursary of up to £3,000 a year.
Admissions
2027 entry
Selectivity
Edinburgh Napier does not publish an offer rate. Each course lists a Standard and a Minimum entry requirement (e.g. ABBB standard and BBCC minimum in Highers for Cybersecurity and Forensics), and the university notes that competition varies and meeting the minimum does not guarantee a place. Adjusted offers are possible under its Contextual Admissions Policy.
Typical entry requirements
| Scottish Highers | Year 1 examples: Cybersecurity and Forensics ABBB standard / BBCC minimum; Computer Science BBBB / BBCC; Film ABBB / BBCC including English; Adult Nursing BBC / BCC; plus National 5 Maths for computing courses |
|---|---|
| A-levels | Year 1 examples: Cybersecurity and Forensics BBC; Computer Science BCC; Adult Nursing BC; with GCSE Maths at C/4. Direct entry to Year 2 typically needs BBB including a relevant subject |
| IB Diploma | Cybersecurity and Forensics 29 points with HL 6,5,5; Computer Science 28 points with HL 6,5,4; Film 29 points with HL 6,5,4 including English at 5 |
| BTEC Extended Diploma | DDM in a related subject for Year 1 of Cybersecurity and Forensics; DDD for Year 2 entry |
| English language | IELTS 6 · TOEFL iBT 80 Undergraduate degrees: IELTS Academic 6.0 with no component below 5.5, or TOEFL iBT 80 (L17 R18 S20 W17) for tests before January 2026, or 4 overall with 4 in each skill for tests from January 2026. Some offers require a UKVI SELT such as IELTS for UKVI at the same scores. |
Deadlines
- UCAS equal consideration deadline Non-binding Next deadline · In ~3 months13 January 2027, 18:00 UK time
UCAS equal consideration deadline for all Edinburgh Napier courses (September 2027 start).
- UCAS last date before Clearing Non-binding In ~9 months30 June 2027, 18:00 UK time
Applications after this go into Clearing, which Edinburgh Napier says runs from 2 July to 31 August 2027. UCAS Extra is open from 25 February to 1 July 2027.
Dates are from Edinburgh Napier's 'When to apply' and 'How to apply' pages and UCAS. Edinburgh Napier has no medicine, dentistry or veterinary courses, so the 15 October UCAS deadline does not apply.
How to apply
Apply through UCAS (up to five choices) with a personal statement and reference; applicants can apply for Year 1 or, with suitable qualifications, directly to Year 2 or 3. Shortlisted applicants to some creative and health courses are asked for a portfolio, audition video, interview or the Confident Caring Assessment.
What admissions looks for
- Qualifications at or above the course's Standard (or at least Minimum) entry requirement, with required subjects such as National 5 or GCSE Maths for computing courses.
- For Film, evidence of visual literacy, interpretative skills and engagement with film in a portfolio and interview.
- For Nursing and Midwifery, the attributes expected of a nurse or midwife, assessed through the Confident Caring Assessment, plus a satisfactory PVG check.
- Contextual factors: applicants meeting widening participation criteria may receive an adjusted offer.
Tips for applying to Edinburgh Napier
- 1 Check the Year 2 and Year 3 tabs on course pages: with Advanced Highers, strong A-levels or an HND you may be able to skip a year of the four-year degree.
- 2 If you're applying for Film, prepare for set portfolio exercises and an individual interview; phone interviews are available for overseas applicants.
- 3 International applicants should look for regional undergraduate scholarships, e.g. £4,000 for self-funding students from South East Asia, or £4,000 then £2,500 a year for EU students (September 2026 intake).
- 4 Rest of UK students can apply for the university's Access and Merit bursaries, worth up to £3,000 a year.
Costs & financial aid
2026-27 · figures in GBP
Students from England, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland can receive a university bursary package of up to £3,000 a year based on financial circumstances and/or academic achievement. Current students can apply through Find-a-Fund for awards such as the Baillie Gifford Access Scholarship (£1,500 a year for the whole course). Self-funding international students can receive regional merit scholarships, typically £4,000 in the first year.
- Up to £3,000 per year
- Rest of UK / Ireland bursary package
- £1,500 per year for the duration of the course
- Baillie Gifford Access Scholarship
- £4,000 in year one, then £2,500 a year (up to £11,500)
- European Union Undergraduate Scholarship (Sept 2026)
- £4,000
- South East Asia Undergraduate Scholarship (Sept 2026)
Academics
Academic calendar: Trimesters
Cybersecurity and Forensics (BEng Hons)
Taught at Merchiston in a school the university ranks as the number one UK modern university for engineering and computer science (GUG 2025); ABBB Highers or BBC at A-level.
Computer Science (BSc Hons)
Four-year degree with Year 2 entry possible with BBB at A-level including Maths or Physics; £21,120 overseas fee (2026/27).
Film (BA Hons)
Screen Academy Scotland facilities, with selection by portfolio exercises and individual interview.
Stage and Screen Acting (BA Hons)
Rehearsals, screen acting, industry workshops and festival performance, with an audition video as part of selection.
Nursing (Adult) (BN)
Taught at Sighthill with life-like hospital wards and a clinical skills suite; entry through the Confident Caring Assessment.
Business Management (BA Hons)
Taught at the AACSB-accredited Business School on the Craiglockhart campus.
Research
- The university describes itself as the top Scottish modern university for research power and research impact in REF 2021.
- It reports being a top 10 UK university for generating successful spin-out companies (Octopus Ventures 2023).
- Edinburgh Napier has been awarded the Queen's Anniversary Prize twice, most recently in 2015 for work in timber engineering, sustainable construction and wood science.
Schools & faculties
- The Business School
- School of Arts & Creative Industries
- School of Applied Sciences
- School of Computing, Engineering and the Built Environment
- School of Health & Social Care
97% of undergraduates and 98% of postgraduates in work or further study 15 months after graduation (HESA Graduate Outcomes 2021/22, as reported by the university).
Student life
Edinburgh Napier is a commuter-friendly city university spread across three campuses linked by public transport, with the Students' Association (ENSA) based at Merchiston. First-years from outside the city are guaranteed an offer of university accommodation if they meet the eligibility rules and apply by the guarantee date; residences are at Bainfield near Fountainbridge, Orwell Terrace near Haymarket and Slateford Road. The [EN]GAGE sports centre has gyms and fitness classes across campuses, and the university has been voted top in Edinburgh for overall student satisfaction for seven years running.
- Three campuses: Craiglockhart (business), Merchiston (computing, engineering, creative industries) and Sighthill (health, applied sciences).
- Merchiston is built around Merchiston Tower, John Napier's 16th-century birthplace.
- Craiglockhart's Victorian hydropathic building was the war hospital where Wilfred Owen and Siegfried Sassoon were treated.
- [EN]GAGE sports facilities and a Residence Life events programme in university accommodation.
Housing. First-year and direct-entrant undergraduates from outside Edinburgh (outside postcodes EH1 to EH17) who meet the criteria are guaranteed an offer of accommodation if they apply by the published guarantee deadline (3pm on 18 August for September 2026 entry); a £500 advance rent payment secures the room.
Location
Edinburgh is Scotland's capital, with a UNESCO World Heritage Old Town, the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and more green space than any other UK city, according to the university. Napier's campuses sit in the south-west of the city, from leafy Merchiston and Craiglockhart to Sighthill. The city is popular with students but private rents are in high demand.
Nearest airport: Edinburgh Airport (EDI)
Notable alumni
- CK Carol KirkwoodBBC weather presenter; BA in commerce from Napier College
- LS Lynsey SharpOlympic 800m finalist for Great Britain; LLB in Law (2012)
- BM Bruce MouatCurler: world champion (2023, 2025) and two-time Olympic silver medallist; graduated 2017
- TS Tavish ScottFormer leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats; BA in Business Studies from Napier College
- AF Alan FisherAl Jazeera English journalist, named Chief US Correspondent in November 2025; studied journalism at Napier College
- JW Jim WhiteSports presenter (Sky Sports News, talkSPORT); pre-entry journalism course at Napier College (non-degree)
- MC Moray CallumAutomotive designer, former Ford vice-president of design; studied architecture at Napier (did not complete)
Frequently asked questions
What grades do I need for Edinburgh Napier?
It depends on the course. For Year 1, Computer Science asks for BBBB in Highers (BBCC minimum) or BCC at A-level, and Cybersecurity and Forensics ABBB (BBCC minimum) or BBC.
Can I go straight into second year at Edinburgh Napier?
Yes, advanced entry into Year 2 or 3 is possible with suitable qualifications, such as Advanced Highers, strong A-levels (e.g. BBB with a relevant subject for Computer Science) or an HND.
How much are Edinburgh Napier's tuition fees?
For 2026/27, £1,820 for Scottish students, £9,790 a year for rest of UK and Irish students (for three of the four years), and £18,220 to £21,120 for international and EU students depending on the course. 2027/28 fees are not yet published.
What is the application deadline for Edinburgh Napier for 2027?
13 January 2027 through UCAS is the equal consideration deadline for September 2027. Clearing runs from 2 July to 31 August 2027.
What IELTS score does Edinburgh Napier require?
IELTS Academic 6.0 overall with no component below 5.5 for undergraduate degrees, or TOEFL iBT 80 with minimum component scores.
Sources & methodology
Figures on this page were checked against official university publications, national application services and ranking publishers in September 2026. Each number is shown with the year or admissions cycle it describes. Always confirm deadlines and fees on the university's own website before applying.
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