I am interested in doing a doctoral program at the Edinburgh Napier University. I have a few questions and hope someone can help me with getting the answers. Sorry, I am asking some questions as I am not local. 1. I understand from Edinburgh Napier U site that it officially inaugurated as a university in the year 1992, however, I don't find anywhere mentioned that it has received a Royal Charter. Is there a Royal Charter? 2. I have not heard much about this U. How is Edinburgh Napier U perceived in ranking? 3. Has anyone graduated from the U that would provide some insight into their experience? I would appreciate some honest feedback and good guidance. Thank you.
In the UK there are three ways for a university to become "accredited." The university can be recognized by the Secretary of State, a Royal Charter or Act of Parliament to grant degrees. The University League Table (a popular raking system) places ENU at #64 (out of 119) in the list of UK universities. http://www.theguardian.com/education/ng-interactive/2015/may/25/university-league-tables-2016
It's a former polytechnic, so it's not like it's one of those grand old tradition universities, but it's not junk either. Maybe (and I'm pulling this out of the thin blue sky) something like the average directional university in the U.S.: Northern/Southern/Eastern/Southwestern/Northeastern State U--maybe along those lines in terms of reputation.
This reminds me of a friend who did a doctorate for a second career in academia. He was told early on that graduates of that program typically went on to tenure track positions at "universities with compass points in their names". Fortunately he was okay with that.
That's precisely where I fit in the scheme of things. Decent, directional State U. Not elite, no one around here's famous, but everyone seems to care about what they're doing and actually can be bothered to speak with an undergraduate on occasion rather than running them out of the office because they're interrupting their earth-shaking research. I have no earth-shaking research, just plodding, average stuff. But I love what I'm doing and the students seems to learn something. Happy to be in middling academia.
For example, you won't end up teaching at the University of Florida, you'll more likely end up teaching at the University of West Florida. Similar to what FTFaculty said, schools that are less prestigious, but perfectly serviceable. It turned out my friend actually ended up at a non-profit school that didn't have a compass point in its name, but that is the sort of school that serves local students perfectly well but is unknown outside its region. So pretty much an equivalent category.
google is your friend https://privycouncil.independent.gov.uk/work-of-the-privy-council-office/higher-education/
I read what is it ...I should have said what value does it give the university ? This is the first one that I came across that touted Privy Council. They made me suspicious when a third party contacted on behalf of school about applying . This seems strange practice