Higher education: find a career you love at one of the country’s best universities for graduate prospects
And now this has been recognised by two leading higher education guides, with the institution named among the top five UK modern universities in both The Guardian’s Good University Guide 2024 and The Times and Sunday Times’ Good University Guide 2024.
Modern universities – meaning those established since 1992 – are traditionally more aligned to the skills gaps identified by businesses and to the needs of employers, an area in which Edinburgh Napier University (ENU) excels.
"Napier was founded in 1964, actually as a Technical College, and ever since then we’ve built our distinctiveness on programmes that are really connected with industry, and graduates who are highly valued by employers,” says Christine Cross, Dean of The Business School.
"Helping people enter careers that they love is something we do exceptionally well."
In its 2024 Good University Guide, The Guardian ranked ENU among the top five in the UK for career and graduate prospects, reflecting its focus on employability and work-based learning, and the continuing close links with industry that help shape the curriculum for all its courses.
“At both postgraduate and undergraduate level, these are moving with the demands and expectations of employers; to reflect issues such as sustainability, the circular economy, and the impact of big data on decision-making in business,” adds Christine.
Working closely with industry
Behind the scenes, Industry Advisory Groups made up of industry professionals and alumni help to develop the curriculum in all subject areas to ensure it’s as relevant as possible, as well as offering input, advice, networking and fundraising opportunities.
Edinburgh Napier also supports placement and employment pathways – in fact, many programmes benefit from direct work experience in the third year, something very much valued by potential employers.
There is also an extensive range of graduate apprenticeships in which you can develop fundamental industry skills in a paid job whilst studying for a university degree, giving you the power to earn while you learn.
The Business School that means business
The vision for the Business School is to be the business school of empowerment, enterprise and employability for all.
And they’ve reason to celebrate after three subject areas were ranked among the top 10 for UK modern universities by The Times and Sunday Times this year: law; hospitality, leisure, recreation and tourism; and accounting and finance.
The Business School’s courses are accredited by professional bodies including the Chartered Institute of Marketing, the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development, and the Institute of Data and Marketing, as well as the Law Society of Scotland.
And last year it was accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) in recognition of its excellence in teaching, research, curriculum development, and student learning – making it among just six per cent of institutions around the world to have earned the accreditation.
You can join the graduate apprenticeship in Business Management or the new graduate apprenticeship in Business Management with Tourism introduced this academic year.
Help and advice all round
The team at ENU are aware that when we talk about employability, that includes the softer skills that employers value so highly such as communication, creative thinking and collaboration.
That’s why they have created a new personal and professional development programme that all undergraduate students follow throughout their four years of study. It offers both an academic and a practical focus to enable students to develop the skills they need across different year groups in order to succeed in their future careers.
There is also expert advice and support for students and alumni with the help of the Career and Skills Development team – read more here.
Help after graduation
The changing world we live in has placed new demands across all sectors, making it more important than ever to keep honing your skills and understanding of current issues.
ENU offers short courses that cover a wide range of skills and industries to help you upskill or continue your professional development. And good news for permanent Scottish residents: many courses can be fully funded, thanks to money from the Scottish Funding Council.
Discover more today here.
Get the information you need to advance with a Masters
If you’re interested in learning more about post-graduate studies at ENU, head to SKYbar Edinburgh on Thursday, 29 February, any time between 5pm and 7.30pm.
Come along and meet current postgraduate students, academics and the student support team who can all offer advice and answer your questions about finding the course to suit you – and get you into the job you love.
All the details can be found at napier.ac.uk/study-with-us/postgraduate/postgraduate-events