Napier University (Detailed Info)

Founded: 1964 as Napier College; university status in 1992.

Location: 6 campuses across centre and south west of Edinburgh city, plus nursing sites beyond. 3 main sites: Craighouse (grade A listed Victorian campus); Merchiston (historic site, birthplace of John Napier); and Craiglockhart campus (19th century site, newly developed into a state of the art campus and home to business school). 2 further campuses at Canaan Lane in Morningside (health & life sciences), and one in Comely Bank in north of city. Further nursing campuses in Livingstone (West Lothian) and Melrose (Borders).

Getting there: City easily accessible by train, coach from all over the UK; airport 8 miles (cheap flights from London and other centres). All campuses within 15 mins of city centre and well-served by frequent bus services and linked by cycle paths.

Academic features: All courses are vocationally oriented, modular, and taught in semesters. New degree courses include maintenance surveying, transport management, sports technology, internet computing.

Special features: Flexible learning, wide access routes, credit accumulation system; advanced entry possible on relevant degrees for those with HNC & HND.

Awarding body: Napier University.

Main undergraduate awards: BA, BEng, BDes, BMus, BN, BSc, LLB.

Length of courses: 3 years (ordinary degrees and nursing), 4 years (honours).

Library & IT facilities: 7 libraries; 450,000 volumes, 2500 periodicals, 1100 study places. Annual expenditure on information provision, £72 per (FTE) student. Separate IT service. 1400 computers, some sites open 24 hours/day (including 500 PC computer centre at Merchiston Campus); all students have free email and access to library and internet. IT support from 80 staff across main campuses. All rooms in halls have internet access.

Student advice & services: University mentoring scheme (new students work with existing students on the same course, to help orientation and problem solving). Student finance support, student advisers, special needs co-ordinators, medical officers, nurses, counselling, and a chaplaincy.

Careers & Jobs: Information, advice and placement service. Work placements part of many courses.

Amenities: Student association (NSA) facilities at each campus. Shops and bars at main campuses including new restaurant, cafe and bar.

Sporting facilities: Sports dome, small gym; discounts at all local authority gym/sports centres.

Accommodation: 85% of all first years housed who request it - guaranteed for applicants living 30 miles outside city centre who apply by deadline. 918 rooms in university accommodation, for first years only: rents £62-£68 pw for 10 months. Many students live in privately owned accommodation for whole course: average rents £200-£250 a month self-catering.

Living expenses budget: Minimum budget of £590 per month (excluding tuition fees) recommended by university. Advice booklet, Show Me the Money, advises on all aspects of student funding.

Financial help: Hardship fund of £369,000, approx 1300 students helped (average award £290); mature students bursaries of £76,700, 65 students helped (average £1180), childcare fund £69,000, 52 students helped (average £1335). Apply for help to Student Support Services.

Term-time work: University recommends a maximum of 15 hours a week in term-time jobs. University careers service and NSA Job Bank both have information on part-time jobs.