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Neuroscience at Aston University, Birmingham - UCAS

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2025 - 2026
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Aston University, Birmingham has participated in the Teaching Excellence Framework. These ratings were awarded in 2023, for four years.

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Open days

23Nov
Copy of Aston University, Birmingham - Undergraduate Open Day
Undergraduate

Course summary

Course overview Neuroscientists study the development and function of the brain, spinal cord and peripheral nervous system and ask important questions about what makes us think and feel, how our brains process information and what brain cells and synapses do. They investigate brain disorders and disease to uncover the processes that occur in both neurodevelopment and neurodegeneration.” This interdisciplinary science liaises closely with other disciplines such as mathematics, linguistics, engineering, computer science, chemistry, philosophy, psychology and medicine. At Aston University, our BSc (Hons) Neuroscience course follows a practical and hands-on approach, giving you access to the most up-to-date and high-tech equipment, enabling you to engage with the newest techniques in basic and applied research. It has been designed to provide you with the perfect first step towards a future career in one of the most exciting and rapidly developing areas of life and medical sciences. What is studying Neuroscience at Aston University really like? Our course differs from many undergraduate neuroscience courses in the UK, with a key focus on acquiring practical skills - an advantage that will set you apart from the graduate crowd. You’ll work closely with active neuroscience researchers working on ground-breaking projects and study a range of modules designed to give you a comprehensive introduction to the fascinating world of brain function. During the course you will get the opportunity to:

  • Learn pharmacology through tissue bath experiments.
  • Perform EEG and EMG recordings and analyse the data with research-grade tools.
  • Undertake complex brain-slice recordings to discover how drugs work and how our brains are organised and function.
  • Explore how natural toxins and nerve agents are used in the research lab to discover how our brain cells talk to each other.
  • Discover more about the major diseases and disorders of the nervous system.
  • Hear from leading clinicians in our guest lectures.
  • Understand how research conducted at Aston University into areas like Parkinson’s, autism, dyslexia, epilepsy and developmental cognitive neuroscience is impacting the wider field of study.
Key course benefits:
  • Access to state-of-the-art neuroscience laboratory equipped with research-grade brain slice recording systems.
  • Unlock your understanding of the brain and nervous system, from the microscope to the whole organism.
  • 4th in the UK for Anatomy and Physiology (Neuroscience) (Guardian University Guide 2024).
  • 91.4% of students felt positive about academic support on their course (NSS 2024)
  • Complete an integrated placement year, designed to set your studies in a real-world context and boost your employability, meaning you’ll not only learn a wide range of skills and knowledge, but you’ll also gain first-hand experience before you’ve even graduated.
  • Students have undertaken placements in companies such as Janssen, Johnson and Johnson, Pfizer, Cerebra, Riche Pharmaceuticals, and neuroscience laboratories across the UK.
Please note we do not offer a Foundation Programme, if you select year 0 on your application form this will be amended to year 1 at admissions review stage.

Modules

Introduction to Neuroscience - A comprehensive introduction to the basic principles of anatomy, physiology, cellular and molecular neuroscience. Learn to analyse and interpret data with statistical tests and utilise specialist scientific computing packages. ◘ Biochemistry and Cell Biology for Neuroscience - Explore proteins, signalling molecules, and key genetic factors in brain and nervous system function. Learn about major receptors, intercellular signaling, and their role in brain networks. ◘ Early Life Stress and neurodevelopment - This module will cover what is currently known about how early life stress modulates brain development and function, including studies of humans and animal models, and explore the underlying molecular mechanisms linking stress and pathology. ◘ Fundamentals of Network Neuroscience - This module will give a solid introduction into approaches, methods, and tools for brain network analysis where students will learn about the principles of network neuroscience and how to implement methods for brain network analysis ◘ Neuroscience Practicals 1 - Dissect brains, conduct pharmacology experiments, and record EMG and ECG data, gaining hands-on insights into brain anatomy, drug effects, and physiological measurements. ◘ Key Skills in Neuroscience 1 - Develops your transferable and personal skills crucial for success in various career paths post-graduation. It covers communication, critical thinking, and self-presentation, and reinforces core course topics. ◘ Whole Brain Neuroscience - This module will introduce a range of imaging and methodologies used in modern research in Neuroscience and the study of the relationship between brain and behaviour. ◘ Systems Neuroscience - Brain structure and function are inseparable, and in this module, you will investigate how the special senses integrate input into the brain and, how brain output is mediated through control of movement. ◘ Cellular Neuroscience - In this module, neurotransmitters, receptors, and ion channels will be discussed in relation to the pharmacological actions various drugs and toxins have at these targets to influence brain function. ◘ Neuroscience Practicals 2 - Learn how to record neuronal activity using our in vitro electrophysiology setups, as well as record and analyse EEG data, conduct immunohistochemistry experiments and develop your molecular and cellular neuroscience skills. ◘ Key Skills in Neurosciences 2 - Further develop the transferable skillset necessary to stand out in today’s graduate job market. Enhance your skills in CV writing, job application and interview skills, alongside scientific writing, and funding research. ◘ Placement year - Gain vital work experience in academia, industry or through our study abroad schemes to broaden your knowledge, develop your transferrable skills and really stand out in the post-graduate job market. ◘ Brain Disorders and Disease - Using a variety of lectures, workshops and guest speakers from clinical backgrounds, this module provides an in-depth overview of what can happen to our brains during development and old age. ◘ Research Project - An opportunity to undertake an extended piece of research and present your findings to a scientifically engaged audience. We offer a wide range of project choices, supervised by experienced Neuroscience researchers.

Assessment method

Our practical-intensive course means that you get to understand high-level concepts early in your journey and pick up laboratory skills that put you in an excellent place to secure employment. You will be taught by staff from neuroscience, pharmacy, pharmacology teaching groups, and encounter a variety of learning opportunities from lectures and practical sessions to group work and self-study. We also run a regular small-group tutorials throughout the course, this helps to cement the key learning outcomes of our teaching and makes sure that you feel happy and supported. We utilise a wide range of assessments linked to learning outcomes such as: examinations (unseen essay, short answer or multiple choice questions), essays, practical reports (group or individual), presentations, laboratory reports, project work, computer based assessment, and peer assessments.

How to apply

29Jan

This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.

Application codes

Course code:
B140
Institution code:
A80
Campus name:
Main Site
Campus code:
-

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1

International applicants

Please visit our helpful webpage for International Applicants: https://www.aston.ac.uk/international

Entry requirements

Qualification requirements

Offerholders Visit Days Once you have received an offer, you will be invited to an Offerholders Visit Day to discover more about the course and Aston University.

Please click the following link to find out more about qualification requirements for this course

https://www.aston.ac.uk/study/courses/neuroscience-bsc/

Student Outcomes

Operated by the Office for Students
55%
Employment after 15 months (Most common jobs)
85%
Go onto work and study

The number of student respondents and response rates can be important in interpreting the data – it is important to note your experience may be different from theirs. This data will be based on the subject area rather than the specific course. Read more about this data on the Discover Uni website.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

England £9250 Year 1
Northern Ireland £9250 Year 1
Scotland £9250 Year 1
Wales £9250 Year 1
International £20700 Year 1

Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .

Additional fee information

Fees listed are for 2024 entry. For Sandwich courses, the placement fee is £1250 for Home/UK students and £2,500 for International students. For Home students: Tuition fees for UK/Home students may change in line with government policy. When undertaking a placement year, a placement year fee applies. For International students: The International students fee is a fixed annual fee for the duration of the Programme, except whilst on placement when a placement year fee applies.

Sponsorship information

Please visit our helpful webpage for applicants: https://www.aston.ac.uk/undergraduate/your-application/funding

Neuroscience at Aston University, Birmingham - UCAS