Neuroscience BSc - Undergraduate degrees

By choosing Neuroscience at Aston University, Birmingham, youll study with leading academics to ask the big questions about our brains, and what happens to the nervous system when people have neurological, psychiatric or neurodevelopmental disorders.

Location: Aston University, Birmingham

Neuroscientists study the development and function of the nervous system. This includes the brain, spinal cord, and nerve cells throughout the body. They investigate what happens when people have disorders by focusing on the brain and its impact on behaviour and cognitive functions.

This interdisciplinary science liaises closely with other disciplines such as mathematics, linguistics, engineering, computer science, chemistry, philosophy, psychology and medicine.

At Aston, our 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 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.

Youll 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 Parkinsons, autism, dyslexia, epilepsy and developmental cognitive neuroscience is impacting the wider field of study.

International students

For International Students intending to do a foundation year, visit ONCAMPUS.

Placement year

Youll get to gain real world experience with our integrated placement year, designed to help you stand out in the graduate crowd.

You can choose to complete this exciting year in a variety of settings, from research laboratories to the pharmaceutical industry. Our dedicated Careers and Placement team will be on hand to support you throughout with CV surgeries, on-campus careers fairs and regular communication while you are away from campus.

Modules

Please note the availability of any optional modules will be subject to staff availability and a minimum number of students who express an interest in studying the optional modules.

To be accepted onto our programmes, you must be able to satisfy the University's English language requirements. The level required will depend on the programme you are applying for. We strive to make your application process as easy as possible, however in all cases we reserve the right to request an English language qualification and / or conduct an interview.

We accept a wide range of English language qualifications including:

• IELTS Academic
• TOEFL
• PTE Academic
• TOEFL iBT Home Edition
• Password
• Duolingo English Test (for entry onto Pre-Sessional English programmes, and direct entry courses starting in January 2022 and September 2022, excluding Aston Medical School, OSPAP, and Postgraduate Research degree programmes).
• Kaplan International Tools for English (KITE) 

Studying neuroscience opens up a huge range of opportunities for graduates in the UK and internationally. This includes clinical neurophysiology, applied research in academia and industry, as well as undertaking roles in big data and artificial inelegance, policy and funding, patent law, medical writing, and postgrad medicine.

Our industry links and placement opportunities will provide you with the skills, know-how and experience to be successful in:

• academia (research and teaching)
• clinical sciences
• biotechnology and contract research
• pharmaceutical industry
• neuropsychology and psychiatry
• regulatory affairs, policy and research administration
• science communication, museum work and public engagement.