Edinburgh Napier University

ABOUT UNIVERSITY

Edinburgh Napier University, a public institution in Edinburgh, Scotland, traces its origins to Napier Technical College, founded in 1964 and named after 16th-century mathematician John Napier, born at Merchiston Castle, now part of the university’s Merchiston campus. The college evolved into Napier College of Science and Technology in 1966, merged with Edinburgh College of Commerce in 1974, and became Napier Polytechnic in 1986, acquiring the Craiglockhart campus. It gained university status in 1992 as Napier University, officially becoming Edinburgh Napier University in 2009. The university operates across three main Edinburgh campuses—Merchiston, Craiglockhart, and Sighthill—and serves over 21,000 students, including nearly 9,500 international students from over 140 countries, studying on-campus and through transnational and online programs. Sue Rigby became Principal and Vice Chancellor in January 2025, succeeding Andrea Nolan. Edinburgh Napier has twice received the Queen’s Anniversary Prize, first in 2009 for innovative housing construction improving environmental impact and quality of life, and again in 2015 for advancements in timber engineering, sustainable construction, and wood science. The university’s motto, Nisi sapientia frustra (“Without knowledge, all is in vain”), reflects its commitment to impactful education and research, echoing the City of Edinburgh Council’s motto. In 2009, alongside its name change, Edinburgh Napier introduced its own tartan, distinct from the Clan Napier tartan, marking its unique identity. With a focus on applied learning and global reach, the university continues to contribute to fields like sustainability, engineering, and health through its diverse academic programs and research initiatives, maintaining a strong international presence and a legacy of innovation rooted in its historical foundations.