Semester in Edinburgh
Edinburgh Napier University
Wake up in down-to-earth Edinburgh
Study at Edinburgh Napier University, a top-notch rigorous institution with three distinct campuses: focus on applied sciences in the new sleek buildings of Sighthill Campus, daydream about the Scottish highlands (and your studies) in the turreted Merchiston Campus building with humanities classrooms at the top of a winding staircase, or plan your financial future gazing out of the large windows of the Craiglockhart business school. The charm of this enchanting hilly city, romanticized by poets and ghost stories, will stay with you long after you’ve returned home.
What to Expect:
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Language: English
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Average Courseload: 3 courses (12-15 US credits)
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GPA Requirement: 2.5
Highlights:
- Learn from industry professionals alongside local students in project-based classes
- Explore the bustling capital city with castles and captivating old-world charm
- Vibrant campus life with numerous sports teams, clubs, and volunteer opportunities
- Centrally located in the UK, with easy access to air, train, and bus travel
- Live, study and socialize with students from Scotland and 100+ other countries
- Stunning campuses with buildings dating from the 16th to the 21st centuries
Program Details
Edinburgh Napier University
Edinburgh Napier University is one of the largest universities in Scotland and was recently rated one of the top two “new” universities in the UK. The three main sites of this multi-campus university (Sighthill, Merchiston, and Craiglockhart) are linked by free shuttle, with quick access to the city center. The modern university is grounded in tradition, as evidenced by the grand 16th-century architecture that merges with cutting-edge facilities. Students respect the university for its innovative and enterprising approach to learning.
Edinburgh Napier University was founded in 1964 by John Napier, inventor of logarithms and the decimal point. The university’s origins as a technical college have given it a foundation in applied learning, deep relationships with industry, and responsiveness to the job market. It offers a diverse range of courses in business, computing and creative industries, engineering, health, and life and social sciences. All of these courses will be available to you. And the university’s connected interlibrary loan system (with knowledgeable librarians ready to help you navigate their electronic resources) means students rarely need to purchase textbooks.
The community is as diverse as the course offerings; over 30 percent of the University’s more than 15,000 students are international. You’ll meet people from all over the globe as well as local Scottish students. Enjoy the vibrant campus life with numerous sports, clubs, and volunteer opportunities.
Accreditation(s): Recognized by the Privy Council and a member of the Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU and the European University Association (EUA)
Areas of study with 8 or more classes available
- Art & Design
- Business
- Communications
- Engineering
- Health
- Humanities
- Natural & Applied Sciences
- World Languages
Don't see your major listed here? There may still be courses available. Browse our programs by major.
Course descriptions and catalog:
To view the courses available to study abroad (“visiting”) students, visit the Modules Choices page. Please be sure to read the guidelines linked at the top of that page first.
You will take three “modules,” or courses, per term. Please approve at least six at your home institution in case you come across any scheduling complications.
Every visiting student that studies at Edinburgh Napier is assigned an academic member of staff from one of the University’s three Faculties. The three Faculties are “Business,” “Health and Social Sciences,” and “Engineering, Computer Science, and Creative Industries.”
You will be assigned to a school based on the modules you have selected and therefore must try to select at least two modules from the same Module Choice Group. “Accounting,” “Building and Surveying,” and “Psychology” are examples of Module Choice Groups. Ideally, you will select three modules from the same Module Choice Group, or two from one group, and one from the ‘General’ group.
Selecting a minimum of two modules from one Module Choice Group ensures quicker responses to applications. When selecting modules from different Module Choice Groups please be aware that you may be required to travel between the three campuses to attend lectures and tutorials.
Important note if you are interested in the Music or Film and Creative Arts programs:
The University offers only a few spaces in the Music and Film and Creative Arts programs to study abroad students. You must be a major in these programs at your home university and take all of your coursework in the programs (i.e., you can’t take any gen eds). You’ll also need to submit a portfolio of your work with your application. For select Music courses, you may be required to submit a CD of performances. Musical instrument courses may have additional instruction costs.
The Business Faculty (located in the Craiglockhart Campus) and Health & Social Science Faculty (located in the Sighthill Campus) do not pre-approve your module choices or register you for your modules ahead of time. This means that you will be registering for your modules in these Faculties during your orientation at Edinburgh Napier University, and will need to be flexible enough with your module needs to register for modules upon arrival. However, these Faculties typically have a lot of modules available for study abroad students, and you will be registering very early in the semester, so getting the modules you would like to take should not be a problem.
The Faculty of Engineering, Computer Science, and Creative Industries is located in the Merchiston Campus, and they do pre-approve and register students for modules ahead of time. This means that if you choose to study modules offered by this Faculty, you will be contacted by Faculty members and your modules will be confirmed before you arrive.
There are 4 levels of study at Edinburgh Napier. Module levels are equivalent to the year of study. When choosing your courses keep the following in mind:
SCQF 7 = First Year (Freshman)
SCQF 8 = Second Year (Sophomore)
SCQF 9 = Third Year (Junior)
SCQF 10 = Fourth Year (Senior)
SCQF 11 = Graduate Level (Not available to Study Abroad bachelors students)
For all visiting students, course selection cannot be confirmed prior to the first week of each semester when the module timetable is confirmed. As you are taking only three modules, please do confirm that your course load is considered full-time at your US institution, but again, classes typically count for four or five US credits.
Why Life in Edinburgh
Edinburgh is a quirky mix of historic meets modern. Life is booming here in Scotland, which means you’ll walk along cobblestone streets and gaze upon cutting-edge, modern architecture. You’ll step into a wifi hotspot with the Edinburgh Castle as your backdrop. The city is also making waves for its commitment to “green” and sustainable practices. You’ll never be far from Edinburgh’s expansive parks and craggy cliffs, where you can take in amazing views, have a picnic, or just relax and enjoy the great outdoors.
The Scots in Edinburgh adore their festivals, and you’ll love them, too. To name a few, you might enjoy the International Science Festival, the Jazz and Blues Festival, or the Festival Fringe. You can tour the Edinburgh Castle that’s been dominating your view, or visit attractions like the Camera Obscura, the Royal Museum, or the Royal Yacht Britannia. Unwind and chat with the locals at a pub, where you can work up your courage to take a bite of haggis, the national dish.
From Edinburgh, you can explore the highlands and other haunts of Scotland, or you can even hop over to England or Europe for the weekend!
Live The Local Life
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Volunteering
Meet locals and your wider community in one of the many volunteer opportunities. There is, for example, the John Muir Trust, a conservation charity dedicated to protecting and enhancing wild places.
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Farmer Markets and Food Festivals
You’ll find weekly local markets with fresh local produce, and regular food and drink festivals countrywide.
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Skiing and snowboarding
Scotland’s five ski centres offer a very different experience to mainstream Europe.
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Hiking
A popular weekend pursuit with 283 separate mountains (now known as the Munros) reaching over 3000 feet.
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Ceilidh
A traditional Gaelic social gathering, which involves playing folk music and dancing.
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Live music
Music sessions pop up regularly in most bars and clubs. Some traditional sessions go back years.
Housing in Edinburgh
Location
Semester in Edinburgh offers a range of University-owned housing in the center of the city and within easy reach of the campus. From your ”flat,” you can easily reach shops, restaurants, cafés, bars, cinemas, and sports facilities. You’ll share your flat and its kitchen and living room with four to eight other students, but you’ll have your own bedroom and en-suite bathroom. You’ll also get a “bedding pack” with linens and a pillow upon arrival.
Check out the photo gallery to get a sense of what your housing might be like.
Meals
Your flat comes equipped with standard kitchen appliances including a microwave, oven, and refrigerator so you can cook your own meals. Dishes, pots and pans, and cutlery can be purchased at low cost at nearby stores.
Inclusions and Amenities
- BathroomEnsuite
- Bed linens
- CommutePublic TransportationWalking
- Desk
- Kitchen Equipment
- Single Room
- Wi-Fi
What's Included
Inclusions
Program fees are in U.S. dollars and include the following:
- Full-time tuition and fees
- Housing
- Medical and accident insurance
- Academic advising
- Financial aid counseling
- Pre-departure orientation
- Assistance with travel arrangements
- CIS Abroad support services before, during, and after the program
- Airport pickup
- On-site orientation
- Student Union fees
- Edinburgh Napier University official transcript
- The Local Life cultural program
Welcome & Orientation
Upon arrival, you’ll be picked up the airport (nothing like a friendly face after a long flight!) and checked in at your accommodation. In the first few days, take part in both the University and CIS Abroad orientation program, where you’ll learn practical tips for living in Scotland like where to go out, how to stay safe, where to shop. Then, it’s off to explore the capital, Edinburgh, and enjoy a welcome meal.
Farewell & Re-Entry Program
Many alumni stay in touch, and some revisit Scotland with friends and family. Going back home after being abroad and the personal growth during that time can be a shock to your system. Your Site Director will walk you through some of the things to expect, and reflect on your experiences abroad so that you can remember the highlights. We never say goodbye in Scotland, so before you go, we share a “haste ye back” meal to celebrate your time here and make sure you know the “Scottish welcome is always open.”
Program Excursions
The Old and New Towns of Edinburgh World Heritage Site
Wander through the Old Town or explore the majestic terraces of the New Town. You’ll want to bring your camera to capture these UNESCO World Heritage sites.
Mountains and Lochs
Towering mountains, glittering lochs, thick woodlands, and miles upon miles of golden beaches—Scotland’s landscapes really will take your breath away. Tour the rolling hills and lush farmland of the Lowlands and drive through deep glens surrounded by mountains in the Highlands.
Hebridean and Outer islands
These Scottish Western Isles of the Outer Hebrides are a diverse chain of interconnected islands with their own unique way of life. So stunning are the beaches that the Thai Tourist Board used pictures of them in their own tourist material!
Site Director
Travel Tip:
Plan ahead of your program! Do your research and reach out to our Alumni to make the most of your time in Scotland. There are so many free and affordable activities, including public galleries and museums, live music sessions, open-to-roam landscape, and a great range of clubs and societies on and off campus!
Travel Tip:
Plan ahead of your program! Do your research and reach out to our Alumni to make the most of your time in Scotland. There are so many free and affordable activities, including public galleries and museums, live music sessions, open-to-roam landscape, and a great range of clubs and societies on and off campus!
About:
Jeanna was born overlooking Loch Ness and grew up in the Highlands of Scotland. She studied in Edinburgh, and after majoring in science went on to work in local and central government. She believes in lifelong learning and remains a student of life! Jeanna has eight years of experience with CIS Abroad (seven as Site Director) and strongly believes in equity and accessible education for all.
“Learning and education has been a strong influence in my family over generations. Education goes beyond the school. Studying abroad is a life changing experience. It allows you to see the world from a new different perspective and to be better prepared for your future in the increasingly globalised world we live in. My job to help you make the most of the many opportunities studying and living in Scotland affords you, and to ensure you have a successful, fun and memorable experience. I have strong Scottish heritage. My Celtic roots give my family our language, music, fun, compassion and culture which continues to this day. Like many Scots, I enjoy the unspoilt nature and landscape here, from great sailing, (and yes surfing) in the West, off-road motorcycle, hiking and skiing in the Highlands to the diverse cultural and multi cultural activities flourishing in many aspects of daily life here.”
Your Support Staff
You’ll be supported every step of the way!
Advising
Kaylee Klinger, our student advisor and 2x CIS Abroad alum, can help match you with a program that fits your academic and personal objectives. It’s not always an easy choice, but you can’t go wrong! Once you’ve decided, we’ll guide to you submit an online application.
Enrollment
Once you’ve submitted your initial application and the fee, you’ll be assigned a Program Enrollment Coordinator. We’ll work closely together to guide you through the enrollment process and prepare you for a life-changing experience!
Make sure to explore the city that you’re in! Although the beauty of study abroad is you have the chance to travel all over the country and to other countries as well, sometimes people forget how many amazing things there are right there in the city they’re studying in! Make some local friends, participate in holidays and festivals, find that local beloved restaurant. Although I have many travel memories to talk about, some of my fondest or most nostalgic moments I have were the ‘in betweens’ so to speak – going grocery shopping with friends, hanging out in the school courtyard at night when the temperature outside was finally bearable, saying hello to the neighborhood cow (yes, there was in fact a neighborhood cow). Don’t neglect what you have right in front of you!
Dates & Prices
ADVISOR TIP: Please WAIT to book flights until you have received confirmed dates in your acceptance paperwork. Dates posted here are subject to change.
- Application Deadline: Oct 1
- Arrival: January 12
- Departure: June 2
- Price: $18,590
- Application Deadline: May 1
- Arrival: September 1
- Departure: December 16
- Price: $19,490
- Application Deadline: Oct 1 (Estimated)
- Arrival: January 11 (Estimated)
- Departure: May 31 (Estimated)
- Price: $19,490 (Estimated)
As with all study abroad programs, you should count on a few additional expenses.
CIS Abroad reserves the right to alter fees at any time due to currency fluctuations and/or fee changes made by our partner universities.