The Application Process

Applying to Edinburgh Napier University through UCAS involves a few key steps, so we’ve put together a helpful checklist to guide you through the undergraduate application process.

• Create your UCAS account 
• Note our institution code (E59)
• List your subjects and grades 
• Find your course (Explore subjects)
• Check your course entry requirements
• Find your chosen course's UCAS code (See below)
• Draft your personal statement (Explore our guide)
• Find your references (Visit UCAS to learn more)
• Pay the UCAS Application fee (See below)

UCAS charges an application fee of £28.95, which will allow you select up to 5 courses of your choice.

For courses starting in 2026, if you have been in receipt of free school meals at any point during your secondary education, you will be eligible to have your application fee waived (visit UCAS to learn more). 

To apply to Edinburgh Napier University, you’ll need to use our institution code (E59 ENU) and your chosen course's UCAS code to submit your application. This allows UCAS to understand where you're applying to and what course you wish to be considered for.

You can find the UCAS course code on your chosen course's information page in the 'overview' section. Not sure what course you wish to study? Explore our subjects.

Your UCAS personal statement is one of the most important sections of your undergraduate application.

For 2026 entry, the way you write your personal statement has changed.

Instead of a free-form essay, you’ll now answer three questions, making it easier for you to structure your statement whilst giving our admissions tutors the information they need to consider your application. They'll want to hear about your passion for the subject, how your past studies have prepared you for your chosen course, and learn about your additional work and life experiences.

Remember that every institution you apply to receives the same personal statement, so allow yourself plenty of time to plan, draft, and proofread your answers.

Follow the link below to explore our expert guide and get everything you need to know about writing your personal statement, including how to use AI responsibly.

Once you have applied through UCAS, they will confirm the application has been received before passing a copy over to our admissions team.

We will then review your application, at which point you will receive an acknowledgement email from us with an Edinburgh Napier application number. Keep this number handy as you may need to reference this if you contact us directly regarding your application. 

Depending on your chosen course, we may invite you to attend an interview, submit a portfolio or perform an audition before we can make you an offer. 

You can track your application's progress and decisions made by exploring UCAS Hub at any time. 

It's crucial that you monitor your application and review any offers made. Learn more about what happens after you apply, the offers you may receive and how to respond.

If you've been offered a place at Edinburgh Napier University, you can choose to delay starting your studies for one year. It's important to know that deferred entry is granted at the discretion of our admissions team, so we strongly advise that you contact them before applying for deferred entry.

• For undergraduate applications: ugadmissions@napier.ac.uk
• For international student applications: international@napier.ac.uk

If you're planning to study at Edinburgh Napier University and you're from outside the UK or the Republic of Ireland (or you're currently in the UK without permanent residency), you’ll typically need a student visa or another form of valid immigration permission. Our team is here to guide you through the visa application process and offer support throughout your studies.

To find out more about visa requirements, Learn more about our visa and immigration section. 

For any queries about visas, entry requirements and applying contact our international support team through our enquiry form or call +44 (0)333 900 6040.

Applicants from college may be given advanced entry to a number of undergraduate courses at Edinburgh Napier University. For example, students with a HNC are normally accepted into year two of a degree course, while students with a HND could go straight into year three of an undergraduate degree.

You can check the 'entry requirements' section of your chosen course page to learn more about advanced entry and the qualifications you'll need. 

We also offer an Associate Student scheme with our partner colleges in Scotland, guaranteeing you an offer of a place at Edinburgh Napier for select courses. Learn more about becoming an associate student. 

If you're still unsure about where your college qualification could take you at Edinburgh Napier, contact us using our enquiry form. 

The UCAS deadline for undergraduate applications takes place from September - January and is considered the first application period for courses starting in September. This is sometimes known as the ‘equal consideration deadline’, meaning that if you apply by the deadline (14 January, 2026), you’ll have the full choice of all our courses.

For international students, the application deadline is 30 June. 

Anyone can apply at this time, but if you're still studying for your Highers or A Levels, you'll need to have completed these by the time you start your university course.

If you have missed the UCAS deadline in January, you can still submit an application through UCAS to your chosen course, and our admissions team will consider you if there are places available. You can also get in touch with us to ask if places are still available on your course before you apply.

If you’ve applied through UCAS by the equal consideration deadline, you can still add additional courses to your application through UCAS Extra between February - July. However, there are some important things to consider. 

You can only use UCAS Extra if...

• You’ve applied through UCAS by the January deadline.
• You’re not holding any offer or waiting for a decision from any of your initial applications.

You can contact our admissions team directly if you have any questions, to see if you're likely to be accepted on your chosen course, or if there are any additional entry requirements (such as a portfolio or online assessment).

Learn more about how to add choices through UCAS and what happens next. 

Clearing is the final university application period that opens at Edinburgh Napier between 2 July - 31 August, 2026. This gives you the chance to apply for any available undergraduate courses starting in September. Clearing is a more direct application to the university, giving you the chance to contact us and talk about your options, regardless of whether you have applied through UCAS or not. 

You can apply for Clearing if...

• You're applying to ENU from 2 July
• You haven't received offers from other universities
• You haven't met the conditions of your offer
• You'd like to decline your offer and find a new place

If you're thinking of applying to study a part-time course at Edinburgh Napier University, there are no specific deadlines for submitting your application. 

All applications are submitted online from your chosen course page and are not processed through UCAS. However, we would still encourage you to submit your application as early as possible to secure your place. 

Unfortunately, we cannot accept international students onto part-time courses due to visa restrictions. 

Still considering what course you want to study? Learn more about our part-time courses. 

When you decide on a course, click the "apply for" button at the top-right of the page to open your application window (if the link is not available, the course is either full or closed at this time).

You'll then need to supply the following information so we can consider and respond to your application:

• A valid email address
• Your Educational details
• A personal statement (Explore our step-by-step guide)
• Your references and their contact details
• Scanned copies of your qualifications
• Proof of language proficiency (if English is not your first language)

Graduate Apprenticeships combine our high-quality academic learning with practical, on-the-job experience. As a Graduate Apprentice, you benefit by being both an employee and a matriculated student at Edinburgh Napier University. 

There is no age limit and all Graduate Apprenticeships are fully funded through the Scottish Funding Council, which means there are no additional costs to you or your employer. You'll also be supported by workplace mentors and university mentors alike. Explore apprenticeship opportunities and the application process.

When you're ready, get in touch through our enquiry form to arrange a chat. You will need support from your employer, and your job role must be relevant to your chosen subject area.

You can also apply for Graduate Apprenticeships on Apprenticeships.Scot. You'll need an up to date CV, and we also recommend checking the website regularly for new vacancies.

If you’re interested in studying at Edinburgh Napier University, but don’t meet the standard entry requirements, an access course could be the ideal route into your chosen degree.

These courses are designed for adult learners and are delivered by colleges across Scotland, either full-time or part-time, in subjects aligned with your intended university degree. You can apply for any access course through your chosen college's website and they typically run between August - June. 

Edinburgh Napier is a partner of the Scottish Wider Access Programme (SWAP), which supports adults returning to education. Explore access courses available in east Scotland. We also consider other access programmes for degree entry, so we advise you to contact us for further guidance.

Considering a transfer from a UK University to study at Edinburgh Napier? 

We have a wide range of support available for transfer students, but there are a few key things that you'll need to consider. Firstly, we strongly advise that you contact us directly so we can discuss your circumstances. Our teams will be able to help determine your eligibility, year of entry and course availability.

For international students, you may be considered for a transfer if you are already in the UK studying a bachelors program. If you would like to transfer any credits from a University outside the UK, you'll need to list your educational qualifications so we can assess if these meet our minimum entry requirements. 

You will also have to apply through UCAS, giving full details of all the modules you've already studied, and any marks you received (even if you haven't completed the year, or have not done as well as you expected). Explore UCAS advice on transferring to another university.