ENSA Advice Blog

5 Things Your ENSA Advice Team Wish You Knew From Week 1

Thu, 17 Sep 2026 10:40:09 +0100

ENSA Advice

The Advice Team at ENSA is a source of free, independent, impartial and confidential advice for Edinburgh Napier University students. The service is available throughout the year accessible remotely or from Merchiston, Craiglockhart and Sighthill campuses. We can offer support on a range of issues impacting your studies and welfare, and can also be a unique source of support for students experiencing issues with Academic Integrity investigations, non-academic misconduct, Fitness to Practice, complaints and academic appeals. Find out more about what we do here: Advice Service Overview.

During Welcome Week, the Advice Team get to join the rest of ENSA at a range of events and welcome activities and we hope that you will have got to meet some of us around campus in your first few days. Whether it was to welcome you as you collected your keys at accommodation, telling you about our service at the welcome fair, guiding you up Arthur's Seat, or marshalling your pub crawl. During the first few weeks, you may be having too much fun to need our service but we hope that you will remember that we are there if you need our support.

As a team, we have identified five of the most common issues that can impact new students in their first few weeks and months of navigating their studies at Napier. If the Advice Team could you ask one thing in your first couple of weeks, it would be to read this blog and remember these five tips which will hopefully make your studies as straightforward and issue-free as possible!

1. MyNapier

MyNapier is your number one source of information about your time at Napier. Most of the questions we get asked by students can be answered by looking on here! Take some time to look through the site: my.napier.ac.uk/

There is information on everything from help with your academic work, financial support, access to counselling and wellbeing help, IT support, Careers, Accommodation, and specific guidance for International Students. If you are unsure about anything impacting your studies- your first step is to look it up on MyNapier!

2. Fit to Sit

During your studies you may be impacted at some point by health or personal issues. Most of the processes for informing the university about the impact on your assessments are very time sensitive. If you are struggling personally or are unwell around your assessments, you need to let the University know as soon as possible (and usually before, or within 5 working days of, your deadline or exam). Not doing so may mean that you do not pass the assignment, or that it is recorded as a non-submission.

These are the processes that you can use for extensions, to defer an assessment to the next opportunity, or if you miss an assessment due to a significant issue. If you don't let the university know whilst you are experiencing the issue, it can impact your grades and progression on your course. Contact your PDT or ENSA Advice as soon as possible if you are unsure.

You can find out more about these processes here: Fit to Sit and extenuating circumstances

3. Artificial Intelligence and Academic Integrity

As you begin your academic work, there will be lots of new ideas and information to take on board. Academic Integrity means approaching your assignments in an honest and fair way, ensuring that the work is your own and your sources are properly referenced. We would recommend paying particular attention to guidance around appropriate Artificial Intelligence use, as getting it wrong can result in an Academic Integrity investigation which can have a big impact on your studies. Make sure you have understood all the guidance before using any AI or, tools with AI elements, in your assignments and exams.

Not sure where to start?

ENSA Advice Blog - AI and Academic Integrity
MyNapier - Academic integrity
MyNapier - Artificial intelligence tools
Speak to your course staff and Module Leaders about AI use in your modules
Book an Academic Skills One to one on using AI appropriately in academic work

4. Budgeting

As you begin your academic work, there will be lots of new ideas and information to take

Thinking ahead about your budget for the year can help you manage your money and ask for help as soon as possible if you think that you may struggle throughout the year. Start by doing a budget of all your scheduled income and fixed outgoings, paying consideration to any shortfall over the summer break and any upfront costs you may need for things like rental deposits at the end of the year!

If you need any help with your budget, you can seek support from the Student Funding team.

If you are worried that your budget will not cover all of your expenses for the whole year, seek guidance from the Student Funding team as soon as possible. Some sources of support, such as the Discretionary Fund may close throughout the academic year.

5. First Week isn't Everything

There can be a lot of pressure in your first week of studies to find your people, get involved in everything that you want to, and get to grips with every aspect of university life. However, you don't need to get everything figured out in week one.

If you are struggling to get started with your academic work, you can seek support from Your Personal Development Tutor or book an appointment with the Academic & Study Skills team.

If you didn't get to that the welcome fair, ENSA sports and societies are running loads of taster sessions over the next few weeks, check out our events here: Edinburgh Napier Students' Association. If you think you've missed the first event- don't worry. You can reach out to the sport or society of your choice via the ENSA website and ask how to get involved. There will also be our January Welcome (Back) Week 2027 packed with events and more opportunities to get involved in Sports and Societies. Find out more on the ENSA website: www.napierstudents.com/

Welcome to a New Academic Year!

Thu, 10 Sep 2026 15:46:09 +0100

A very warm welcome to all our new students starting at Edinburgh Napier - and welcome back to everyone returning for another year!

The start of a new academic year can be exciting, busy and slightly chaotic. Whether you’re finding your feet at university for the first time, or you already know your way around campus, it’s worth knowing that ENSA Advice is here if you need us.

Who are we?

ENSA Advice is a free, confidential advice service run by the Students’ Association.

We’re here to help when something isn’t going quite to plan, or when you simply need some advice about what to do next. That might include, for example, academic issues, appeals, complaints, disciplinary matters, academic integrity or housing problems.

Sometimes students come to us with a very specific question. Other times they’re not quite sure what they need – and that’s absolutely fine too. We know that University rules, regulations and processes can be confusing. You don’t need to know the right terminology or have everything figured out before getting in touch.

Most importantly, you don’t need to wait until a small problem becomes a big one. Getting advice early can often give you more options.

Here’s how to get in touch with us:

Make an appointment: ENSA Advice Appointments

Email us: ensa.advice@napier.ac.uk

Call us: 0131 229 8791

Or drop in to see us:

Merchiston, Room B34
Sighthill, Room 1.C.30
Craiglockhart, Room 1/48

Academic Integrity

The 2025/26 academic year was a busy one for Academic integrity cases. They made up the significant bulk of our team’s casework last year. We expect this to continue to be a major area of our work this coming year. University rules around this can feel complicated, particularly if you find yourself involved in the academic integrity process. If you receive an email or notification about a possible issue, please don’t panic! But it’s also important that you don’t ignore it either. Read the information carefully and get in touch with us if you would like advice about the process and your options.

Please make sure you are familiar with the University’s academic integrity guidance before submitting any assessments. You should particularly make sure that you have completed the Academic Integrity learning resource on Moodle. Knowing what is expected of you can save a lot of worry later on.

Making ENSA Advice better

We’ve been busy behind the scenes.

This coming year, we’re introducing a new appointment booking system and a new case management system. These changes might not sound particularly exciting from the outside, but they are important steps in helping us manage enquiries effectively and to provide students with a consistent and accessible service.

We’ve also been building informal connections with advisers working in other Scottish student unions. Sharing experiences, ideas and good practice with colleagues elsewhere helps us reflect on what we do at ENSA and look for ways to keep improving our service.

In August, our team also attended the NUS Membership Services Conference, giving us an opportunity to hear from colleagues across the students’ union movement and to bring some new ideas back to ENSA.

Whatever the year brings, we’re here

Hopefully your year at Edinburgh Napier will be a brilliant one! But we know that university life doesn’t always go according to plan.

If something happens that affects your studies, ENSA Advice is here for you. Seeking our help doesn’t commit you to taking any particular course of action, so please don’t hesitate to reach out - sometimes it just helps to chat, and to understand what your options are.

Have a great year ahead!

End of Summer Wrap-up

Tue, 18 Aug 2026 09:31:06 +0100

August Update from the ENSA Advice Team

As Summer draws to a close, the ENSA Advice team has continued supporting students through what is often a surprisingly busy period of the academic year. Throughout August we have been helping students with a range of academic matters including Trimester 3 assessments, summer reassessments, appeals following the reassessment period and ongoing academic integrity cases. We know this can be an uncertain and stressful time, and we have been working closely with students to help them understand University procedures and their available options.

AI use within assessments campaign

Work has continued on our Artificial Intelligence in Assessments campaign. The campaign aims to provide students with clear guidance on the appropriate use of AI within their studies, helping to reduce confusion and increase confidence around academic integrity. Our new Sabbatical Officers have been keen to support the project and we are also hoping to involve students in the design of the campaign to ensure it is engaging, relevant and useful.

Working with other advice services

This month we met with the advice team from Heriot Watt University. It was a valuable opportunity to share experiences, discuss common challenges and explore ways we can work together in the future. Building relationships with colleagues across the sector and city, helps us learn from one another and continue improving the support we provide to students.

AdvicePro

Following the launch of our new case management system, AdvicePro, we have been spending time getting familiar with the new software and embedding it into our day-to-day work. The system will help us manage and track student cases more effectively while also providing more detailed insight into the types of support students are accessing. This will allow us to better understand emerging trends and continue developing our service.

Training and development

Diane attended the AdviceUK Scottish Members Forum, where advisers from across Scotland came together to discuss the current advice landscape, explore opportunities to strengthen peer networks and consider how online communities can support collaboration across the sector. Attending events like these helps us stay informed about developments affecting advice services and ensures we continue to provide the best possible support for our students.

Marianne and Hannah, together with other members of the wider ENSA team, attended the NUS Member Services Conference in Manchester, providing an opportunity to connect with colleagues from students' unions across the UK and bring back ideas to help strengthen our work.

Looking ahead to the New Academic Year

While we support students throughout the year, with many beginning their studies at different times, we're looking forward to welcoming our largest cohort of new students in September. Behind the scenes, the team has been busy preparing for another academic year. Planning is well underway for Welcome Week and we're looking forward to meeting both new and returning students, introducing them to ENSA and highlighting the support available throughout their time at university.

We are also developing a student housing campaign to provide helpful information and guidance on accommodation issues, with more details to follow soon.

Need advice or reassurance?

Whether you have questions about your studies, housing or wellbeing, the ENSA Advice team is here to provide free, independent and confidential advice. If you would like to speak with one of our advisers, you can book an appointment through the ENSA Advice booking system.

ENSA Advice - Academic Integrity

Thu, 06 Aug 2026 12:19:44 +0100

In this blog we will discuss academic integrity at Edinburgh Napier University and the support that ENSA Advice can offer to students worried about the process, or experiencing an Academic Integrity investigation. If you are a current or recently graduated (2026) Napier student, please provide some feedback on Academic Integrity and Artificial Intelligence to help inform our work next academic year: ENSA Academic Integrity & Artificial Intelligence (AI) Survey – Fill out form

Blog content:

What is Academic Integrity?
Why does Academic Integrity matter?
How can ENSA help with Academic Integrity issues?
How can I avoid issues with Academic Integrity?
How can I make my voice heard about Academic Integrity and Artificial Intelligence in my studies?

What is Academic Integrity?

Edinburgh Napier defines Academic Integrity as " acting in a way that is honest, fair, respectful, responsible, and courageous in your academic practice. These are values that are expected of both staff and students". You can read more about this, including examples, on MyNapier at: https://my.napier.ac.uk/Your-Studies/Academic-integrity

There are various types of Academic Integrity issue such as plagiarism, falsification, collusion, using essay mills or exam cheating. Sometimes this is obvious – e.g. copying someone else's work or paying someone to complete work for you and submitting it as your own. But sometimes breaches can be accidental – e.g. submitting work without properly citing (referencing) the original source, as this is also essentially copying someone else's ideas and submitting them as your own, even if you did not intend to. One of the newest areas in which students can have issues is Artificial Intelligence (AI). If you use AI without stating this in your assessment declaration or use AI in some way that is not permitted in assignment guidelines, this will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Regulations.

Why does Academic Integrity matter?

Adhering to the Academic Integrity Regulations means committing to good study practices, such as note-taking, careful planning and drafting of assignments, and consistent referencing. Failing to do so can have negative consequences for your studies. You can be formally investigated and, if found to have breached the academic integrity regulations, receive a penalty. Some of the more severe penalties can include having your assessment failed or in the most serious cases, such as repeated breaches or the fabrication of dissertation data, students can be referred to a university panel who can decide if it is appropriate for you to continue your studies.

How can ENSA help with Academic Integrity issues?

The Advice team at ENSA can help students who are being investigated for possible Academic Integrity breaches. ENSA Advice are an independent, impartial, and confidential service. This means that we are not interested in whether you have breached the Academic Integrity regulations and anything that you tell us will not be used in your investigation. Our role is purely to help you to understand the process, your options, and advise you on next steps and sources of support.

If you would like help with an academic integrity investigation, we would suggest that you book an appointment for support: ENSA ADVICE. If you are unable to do so you can also email ensa.advice@napier.ac.uk.

You may request that an ENSA Adviser accompany you at an Academic Integrity meeting (if we are able to do so). Please let us know your time, date & location, as far in advance as possible so that we can advise you if there are any scheduling conflicts and suggest alternative support.

If you are being impacted by other issues that mean you are considering breaching the Academic Integrity regulations or using tools for your study that you are unsure about, please book an appointment with an ENSA adviser, and we will talk you through your other options and sources of support.

How can I avoid issues with Academic Integrity?

The university has some great guidance on

It is important to read this guidance as there are some issues you might not even be aware of. For example, did you know that collusion is a breach of the Academic Integrity regulations?

Collusion is when you share your work, firm ideas, plans and solutions with other people and they then submit the same work as you. For example, working closely with someone else on an individual assignment, or someone asking in WhatsApp what answer someone else put to a question, and that person providing their answer.

Many tools for study now use AI as part of their system, whether you are aware they are doing this or not. This includes, for example, Grammarly. Check any tools that you use which are making changes to your work, find out if any AI is used, and decide if that tool is appropriate for your assignment.

Instead of relying too heavily, or even inappropriately, on AI tools, you might consider these other sources of advice and support:

If you have personal or health problems, consider an extension or deferral under the Fit to Sit processes. Not sure whether you can or where to start? Book an appointment with an ENSA adviser ASAP.
Running out of time with your references, or not sure how to format them? Check out the MyNapier guidance, the university's recommended tools, or book an appointment with Academic Skills. Using AI for your references can sometimes make changes to your work without you realising, or cite things incorrectly, which can cause an academic integrity issue.
Worried about your English language skills when producing assignments if English is not your first language? There are lots of sources of support to help you develop your academic English skills: English language support.
Struggling to manage your studies due to a disability or learning difference? Speak to the Disability Inclusion team about study skills, approved learning technologies, or a personalised Learning Profile (support plan).
If you are impacted by stress, worry or your mental health, seek support from the Counselling & Mental Wellbeing team.

If you do use Artificial Intelligence (AI) in your academic work, make sure that you:

Check your assignment guidance for what AI use (if any) is appropriate in that module.
Check the University's guidance on Artificial intelligence tools.
Get confirmation from your Module Leader in writing that the way you intend to use AI is appropriate for the assignment.
Be confident that the work is still your own and that you understand all elements and can talk confidently about the content and about how you produced it.
Consider keeping drafts of your work and notes. These can help to show how you approached your work and can separate the input of any AI tools from your independent work. You can seek guidance from your module leader on how to do this. For example, be prepared to provide a copy of your AI conversation as an appendix to an assignment.
Remember that you must always declare AI use on your cover sheet. However, even if you have declared your use of AI, you still need to ensure that the extent is appropriate. You are responsible for ensuring your work reflects your own thinking, skills, and understanding.
Be aware that an AI tool may give you answers which are incorrect or biased. You will need to use other sources and your own understanding of a topic to confirm the accuracy of any information provided.

How can I make my voice heard about Academic Integrity and Artificial Intelligence in my studies?

ENSA are interested in your knowledge and experiences of the Academic Integrity process, whether you have been through it or not, and your understanding or concerns about how Artificial Intelligence can be used in assessments.

Please complete our anonymous survey here: ENSA Academic Integrity & Artificial Intelligence (AI) Survey – Fill out form

We will use this data to ensure that Student voice is at the heart of our work over the next academic year, and alongside our sabbatical officers (your President and Co-Presidents) and the rest of ENSA to both work with the university and to improve our own processes and support.

If you would like to provide further feedback or to share with us your name/story, please contact ensa.advice@napier.ac.uk with the email subject heading: Academic Integrity Feedback.

Closing out the 2025/26 Academic Year

Wed, 20 May 2026 15:24:25 +0100

As the 2025/26 year draws to a close, I thought I’d share a few statistics from the ENSA Advice Service over the past academic year:

We’ve assisted with 784 Advice Enquiries
44% of those have related to Welfare Cases; 56% have been Academic Cases
We have supported a pretty even split of Undergraduate students (51%) and Postgraduate students (49%)
And a similarly even split of Home students (47%) and International students (50%), with the remaining 3% relating to students from elsewhere in the UK.
The Top 3 reasons students contacted the Advice Team were:
1. Academic Misconduct
2. General Course Queries
3. Financial Hardship

What have we been up to?

When we last blogged (in April) we’d been busy. That hasn’t changed! Alongside supporting students day-to-day, we’ve been working on a range of projects behind the scenes to help improve the service we provide:

ENSA Advice Website

One of our main focuses recently has been reviewing and updating content across the ENSA Advice website. We know students rely on our online information to help navigate University Life, so we’ve been looking at ways to make our guidance clearer and easier to find.

Case Management System Migration

As Hannah mentioned in March’s blog, we’re also in the process of moving to a new case management system, and we’re excited to get this up and running over the summer. There’s a lot of work happening behind the scenes to prepare for the transition, and we’re looking forward to the benefits it will bring.

Training

As part of our ongoing professional development, members of the team recently attended a workshop on Cults and New Religious Movements. This session was run by an organisation called Inform and provided some valuable insight into recognising and supporting students who may be affected by harmful groups or coercive behaviours.

Strategic Planning

Earlier this month, a few of us from the wider ENSA team also attended a Strategic Planning session with the University Principal Sue Rigby, which gave us a chance to contribute to discussions about ENU’s future direction.

Team Appraisals & Work Plans

Internally, we’ve been carrying out team appraisals, and developing our individual work plans, which will feed into the wider ENSA Student Community Development Plan. It’s been useful to reflect on our achievements from the past year, and to identify goals and priorities for the year ahead.

A final few highlights from across ENSA this month:

Diane, together with Evans (our Student President for Societies & Community) presented to a group of International Recruitment Agents on the support that ENSA can offer.
Moray & Hannah supported our colleagues in ENSA Sports & Societies by presenting at the Committee training sessions
We also helped with shortlisting nominations for ENSA’s Excellence Awards.

And last, but not least!!

A reminder that the ENSA Advice Team remains open throughout the summer. Whether you need support with exam results, housing, money, or anything else – we’re here for you. You can make an appointment with us here: Make an Appointment with an Adviser

Good luck to anyone waiting for exam results, and we hope that everyone has a great summer break.