Welcome to the next chapter. Whether you're diving into research, upskilling for your career, or changing direction entirely, starting a postgrad journey is a big step, and you don’t have to do it alone. During Welcome Week, Edinburgh Napier Students’ Association (ENSA) has lined up events designed specifically with postgrad students in mind.
This guide is here to help you connect with like-minded peers, settle into life at Napier, and make the most of your time both academically and socially. Expect a mix of networking opportunities, calm social spaces, and chances to explore Edinburgh with fellow students who know what it’s like to juggle study, work, and life.
Some of these events are for postgrads and mature students only, while others are open to all students but are postgrad-friendly.
You're not just starting a course... you’re joining a community. Let’s get started.
Monday, 7th September
Postgrad Speed Friending, 12pm @Craiglockhart Campus
New to Napier or just keen to connect with other postgrad and mature students? Our Speed Friending session at is designed especially for you. It’s a fun, relaxed way to introduce yourself to lots of fellow students in quick, timed chats, kind of like speed dating, but with the goal of making friends, not dates. Whether you’re fresh to Edinburgh or looking to expand your social circle, it’s the perfect low-pressure environment to build connections and maybe find your new study or coffee crew.
Click here for free tickets!
Sighthill Garden Party, 1pm @ Sighthill Campus
Sighthill, get ready to celebrate the start of uni with your students' union ENSA! Expect an exciting afternoon with lawn games, alpacas, ice cream, painting and a chill space to hang out and make new friends at your campus. This event is open to students at any campus, but Sighthill students are especially welcome!
Please note this event is not the same scale as Napier Fest, and we encourage all students to join us for that as well!
Click here for free tickets.
An Evening at The Edinburgh Bookshop, 6:30pm @ The Edinburgh Bookshop
Get ready for a cosy private shopping event for Napier students at The Edinburgh Bookshop, just round the corner from our Merchiston Campus. The bookshop is yours to explore. Please note that spaces are limited, so make sure you grab a ticket. Any books purchased are at your own expense.
Please note that this event is not exclusive to postgraduates, but is more than suitable!
Click here for free tickets.
Tuesday, 8th September
Welcome Fair, 10am-3pm @ The Corn Exchange
Don’t miss Scotland’s biggest Welcome Fair, even if you have been before. It's the ultimate place to kickstart your active student life at Napier! With around 150 stalls to explore, you’ll find exclusive deals, freebies, and the inside scoop on all the sports clubs and societies waiting for you. Whether you’re into sports, crafts, games, or something a little more niche, this is your chance to meet the people behind Napier’s societies, ask questions, and discover how to get involved.
Get ready to dive into the vibrant, active side of Napier and make the most of everything student life has to offer!
Click here for free tickets.
Postgraduate Cocktail Night, 6pm @ Boston Bar Old Town
Postgraduate students - come along for a chill evening of cocktails and mocktails, with an opportunity to slow down and have a catchup with your fellow postgrads over a drink. All postgraduate and mature students 21+ welcome!
Click here for free tickets.
Wednesday, 9th September
Welcome Fest, 1pm-3pm @ Craiglockhart Lawn
Starting a new chapter in your academic journey? Join the Students' Association as we welcome postgraduates and undergraduates alike to a fun-filled afternoon designed to help you connect, unwind, and celebrate the start of the year.
Expect carnival games, inflatables, a petting zoo, candy floss, and more - yes, really! Whether you're new to campus or returning for another year, it’s a great chance to meet fellow students from all programmes and campuses in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere.
Click here for free tickets!
Thursday, 10th September
Commuter Coffee Morning, 10am @ Merchiston Apex
Are you a commuting postgrad? We know it's a longer morning for you - come along for a wee social caffeine hit at the Merchiston Apex, and meet others living outside of the city.
Click here for tickets!
Merchifest, 12-2pm @ Merchiston Campus
Studying at Merchiston? Come along for a fun afternoon with games, therapy ponies (Theraponies, if you will) and music, all on your home campus! Make new friends and get to know your campus with your Students’ Association, ENSA.
Click here for free tickets!
Napier Pub Crawl, 6pm @ Teviot, Potterrow
Some call it a rite of passage, others just call it “the best night of the year.” The Legendary Annual Pub Crawl is back, and it’s ready to take you on a whistle-stop tour of Edinburgh’s most iconic pubs across the legendary Old Town and Cowgate.
You’ll kick things off with a drink in hand, then hop from venue to venue with your new crew, collecting stories and selfies as you go. You even get a stylish pub crawl cap to wear all night as a badge of honour.
There is a special postgrad/mature students group but you can also join any other group in the pub crawl.
Click here for tickets!
Friday, 11th September
Culture Crawl, 1pm @ National Gallery, The Mound
Join us for a day of exploring some of the city’s most vibrant museums and galleries, all while soaking in the unique atmosphere of Edinburgh. We will be starting at the National Gallery, then exploring the Fruitmarket Gallery and the National Museum, with a stop at Black Medicine for coffee along the way!
This free, open-to-all event is perfect for art lovers, history buffs, or anyone curious about Edinburgh’s cultural gems. Come alone or bring your pals and comfortable shoes!
Click here for free tickets.
Postgrad Social, 12pm @ Merchiston Campus
Postgraduate and mature students, come along for a chill lunchtime social at Merchiston. Grab a coffee at the campus Espresso Lab if you'd like, and have a chat with other postgrads on your campus.
Click here for tickets!
Saturday, 12th September
Craft Club (Bring Your Own Craft with Girls Craft Club), 10am @ Levels Cafe
Hosted by the Girls Craft Club Edinburgh, come along for a relaxed session to hang out with other crafters and work on any creative project you've got. This space is for everything from drawing to scrapbooking, knitting to painting - if it's creative, bring it along! Coffee and food are available from the cafe at your own expense.
Click here for tickets!
Sunday, 13th September
Postgrad Brunch, 12pm @ The Chanter
If you are looking for a laid-back way to take a breather from your studies, our Postgrad Brunch at The Chanter is just the ticket. Picture this: great coffee, delicious food, and a relaxed vibe where you can slow down and actually enjoy a chat without the pressure of deadlines looming.
Whether you’re new to Edinburgh or just keen to meet other postgrads, it’s a fantastic chance to connect over some tasty treats and swap stories in a friendly, welcoming spot. Plus, with student discounts, you can treat yourself without breaking the bank.
So why not take a morning off, pull up a chair, and start building your postgrad community in style?
Click here for tickets!
NQ64, 6pm @ NQ64
Prepare for a night of retro gaming and banger tunes at NQ64, Edinburgh's very own neon arcade bar. Shred it up on Guitar Hero, thrash your mates at Mario Kart or breeze between retro cabinets and 90s/2000s consoles at your own pace. It's like being a kid again, except now you're WAY better at Pac-Man. Tickets are half price - you get 25 tokens with your ticket!
Click here for tickets!
Have a great Welcome Week and let us know if we can support you in any way :). click here for the full programme of events.