Personally, I attend at Merchiston Campus in Edinburgh, studying in the Faculty Of Engineernig And Computing. I doubt those who have studied at Sighthill Campus (holds the Business School) have a pleasent experience, due to its out of town location and its sheer ugliness. HOWEVER, there is good news; this is all being shutdown and sold off because the new Craiglockhart campus is finished by the end of academic year 2004 (see below for more detail!); we're right in the middle of the university's plan for undergoing radical changes to both its estates and programmes. Add to this the beautiful Craighouse campus and the lovely little satellite campuses (Comely Bank, Canaan Lane, Redwood, Marchmont, Morningside Church... all in Edinburgh) and you've got the basis of what forms Napier University's facilities.
As far as I'm concerned, the administration staff at the university couldn't be better (in terms of organisation and willingness to help students). They're fast to respond to questions and the university uses an impressive logging system to manage all modules (WebCT and NIMWEB). It all seems very... streamlined! :) As for the lecturers, of course there are variations. Some are better or more enthusiastic than others, but I've never met a lecturer that I would simply class as "bad" all round.
Anyway, my top ten good things about Napier University are:
1. "Twelve", the student union bar at the Merchiston Campus... it's got great food (in terms of quality/price) as well as the fact that it transforms itself more into a night club in the evening, open until the early hours. Plus, it's unlimited free pool if you buy a traditional breakfast on Saturdays :)
2. Napier Students’ Association. Don’t really know about other years, but the student reps of 2003/2004 couldn’t have been better to champion student problems (and let’s not forget their kick-ass revamp of the NSA website and their arrangement of the fantastic, booze-fuelled Fresher’s Week!).
3. … and whilst we’re at it, we’d better not forget the staff at Veritas, the university fortnightly student-run newspaper and its accompanying website, Veritas Online. The Veritas staff pride themselves in being completely independent in their reporting, often going against the university, in the spirit of being open and honest, and principally aiming to help students (not always well, but they do try, bless ‘em… i.e. the blooper where they published details of how to bypass certain software barriers, after they felt students had a right to access certain (unapproved) programmes, only to realise their methods completely compromised the security of the network… eek!),
4. The socially-inclusive atmosphere. In my entire time here, I’ve never witnessed problems between students from a social point of view (ethnic minority, nationality, age, religious beliefs etc.). It’s amazing that such a varied range of students, in particular those who have such alien customs and cultures to our own, fit in so well, especially with so many students attending the university across its multiple campuses! (The only arguments I’ve witnessed so far have been the usual you-aren’t-pulling-your-weight, in group-work situations… ugly, ugly stuff!).
5. The JKCC (Jack Kilby Computing Centre); highly prized, architecturally-acclaimed 24-hr computing centre right in the middle of Merchiston Campus. So good the university has had continuing problems with Heriot-Watt University and Edinburgh University students sneaking in with Napier pals’ network passwords and using the machines into the wee hours (or until security kick ‘em out!).
6. The diversity of degrees and programmes available; from the respected mathematical or technical fields, where the university has its roots, to studying Law, Medical Biology, or even a completely customised programme that's taken module-by-module from the various Schools, there’s something for everyone at every level (Bachelors, Masters, Diplomas or PHDs).
7. The atmosphere of individual attention and support; in the first year, Year Leaders are available, but for a more personal approach there are tutors assigned to around six students, who are expected to help students come any type of personal crisis (academic, financial, emotional!). The Independent Student Advice Service (ISAS) is also part of the Student Support Services, which offers free, confidential advice on a walk-in or booked appointment basis with qualified counsellors.
8. Edinburgh itself… one of the greatest cities in the UK, it’s got all those normal shops that you find in the high streets but boasts some of the strangest/most interesting independent stores you’ll ever see (note: Bruntsfield, etc.). The city is also just big enough to enjoy varied nights out (clubs, pubs, stand up comedy, theatre, cinema), without being overwhelming.
9. The atmosphere of innovation (from the Campaign the university is running over the next few years with its estates, i.e. the beginnings of the Centre for Creative Industries and the brand spanking new business school, the largest in Scotland, at Craiglockhart as well as at the Centre for Entrepreneurship at Napier University which encourages students to set up their own business!).
10. And, last but not least, the amazing Principle of Napier University, Professor Joan Stringer CBE; the first EVER female Principle of a university in Scotland and chair of the Scottish Executive’s Strategic Expert Group on Women, she’s a real role model for us students in the Faculty Of Engineering And Computing who are on courses dominated by men. Go, girl!