Exchange Students FAQ

Exchange students FAQ

 

Studying at Edinburgh Napier as a visiting exchange student is a very different experience to joining us on a degree programme.

 

We want to make sure you have no problems completing the application form and understand how this process works.

 

We’ve put together the following list of frequently asked questions to address common enquiries about starting an exchange. If you can’t find an answer to your question please email studyabroad@napier.ac.uk and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can.

 

How many modules can I take?

 

A full-time workload at Edinburgh Napier University is made up of three modules per trimester. Each module equates to 20 Edinburgh Napier credits or 10 ECTS credits. As a visiting exchange student, you can select modules offered across our three faculties provided you have sufficient knowledge to study those modules. We will try to ensure that you get your first choice of module although this is dependent on availability and timetable constraints.

 

Check out our full list of modules here. You may choose to study more than three modules, if you have the permission of your home institution and your timetable at Edinburgh Napier University allows it.

 

You may wish to study more than three modules, if you have the permission of your home institution and your timetable at Edinburgh Napier University allows it.

 

I’m in the module catalogue, but I don’t understand what the codes mean.

 

The different codes refer to the different level of modules:

 

  • SCQF07 = 1st year modules
  • SCQF08 = 2nd year modules
  • SCQF09 = 3rd year modules
  • SCQF10 = 4th year modules*
  • SCQF11 – postgraduate/Masters modules

 

* A Scottish undergraduate degree course is traditionally four years long.

 

Can I choose postgraduate modules?

 

You are not permitted to study a combination of undergraduate and postgraduate modules. Instead you must choose either three undergraduate modules OR three postgraduate modules.

 

If you are paying for each module you take, please note that postgraduate modules are more expensive than undergraduate modules, and our postgraduate students have a different academic calendar to our undergraduate students. Please visit our academic calendar

 

I’m starting in September. How do I know if the module I am interested in runs in the first trimester?

 

This is a good question and you’ll save a lot of time by researching your module options carefully now.

 

The academic year at Edinburgh Napier University is divided into three academic trimesters: Trimester 1 = September – December, Trimester 2 = January – May Trimester 3 = May – September.

 

There is a different academic calendarfor postgraduate students but it broadly follows the same pattern as mentioned above.

 

No undergraduate academic teaching takes place in trimester three. Trimester three is largely used for those postgraduate students who are writing and submitting their dissertation.

 

If you want to find out what trimester a module is offered in visit our module catalogue. Once on this page you can conduct a search by trimester, allowing you to sort modules according to trimester (for example, selecting ‘Trimester 2’ only lists the modules available during that trimester).

 

What factors should I consider when selecting modules?

 


Approval from home university

 

At Edinburgh Napier we are happy to do our best to accommodate your choices but ultimately it is your home university who have to be happy with what you are studying during your time with us in Edinburgh. Please check with your coordinator at your home institution.

 

Qualification

 

Some of our modules require a basic knowledge of the subject area so when selecting modules on our module catalogue (www.modules.napier.ac.uk) please check under the ‘Prerequisites’ section to see if you meet the entry criteria or not.

 

Campuses and Location

 

Where is the module taught? Edinburgh Napier University is a multi-campus University and as such, its three main teaching campuses are located across Edinburgh. Each campus is home to a different academic Faculty i.e. Craiglockhart campus is home to the Business School, Merchiston campus is home to our Faculty of Engineering, Computing & Creative Industries and our Sighthill campus is home to the Faculty of Health, Life & Social Sciences.

 

If you are choosing modules that are offered in more than one Faculty please be aware that you will have to travel between campuses. Time (and bus fares) should be considered to ensure you have few problems in attending lectures and tutorials.

 

Will I need a visa to study in the UK?

 

If you are a non-EU national then you will need to apply for either a Tier 4 or Student Visitor visa depending on how long you plan to study in Edinburgh.

 

Please do not underestimate how complex it can be to obtain the correct visa to enter the UK or how long this process can take.

 

If you will require a visa to enter the UK and need guidance on how to obtain the correct visa, please email: studyabroad@napier.ac.uk

 

What do I need to provide along with my application?

 

  • A transcript from your home University showing your most recent results.
  • A copy of the photo page of your passport.
  • Non-native English Language speakers should provide a letter from their home University confirming your ability to study in English.
  • Everything should be sent, preferably electronically, to studyabroad@napier.ac.uk before the deadline.
  • The current deadlines for applying for an exchange are 15 October for (Trimester 2 2012/13) and 15 May 2013 (Trimester 1 2013/14).


I have sent in my application?  What happens next?


 

The EU Recruitment & Exchanges team will send you an email to confirm that we have received your application.

 

Your application will then be sent to the appropriate academic faculty who will take time to consider your module selection. This process can take several weeks and we advise students to expect a response 6-8 weeks after the deadline.