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Neuroscience

Entry requirements


A level

B,B,B

BBB in three A Levels which must include one science subject from: Biology, Chemistry, Maths or Physics. BBC in three A Levels which must include one science subject from: Biology, Chemistry, Maths or Physics plus grade B in an Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) or Core Maths. BCC in three A Levels which must include one science subject from: Biology, Chemistry, Maths or Physics for Contextual Offer students (more details https://www.aston.ac.uk/undergraduate/contextual-offer-aston-ready). Excluded Subjects: We welcome the following subjects as an additional A Level, but not as one of the core three A Levels - General Studies, Critical Thinking, Citizenship Studies. We welcome applications from students who have tried to improve their examination grades by taking resits and only your latest grades will be accepted. We treat these applications in exactly the same way as other applications.

Access to HE Diploma

D:30,M:15

We accept the QAA recognised Access to HE Diploma which must consist of 45 credits at Level 3. You must obtain a minimum of 30 distinction and the rest must be at merit or distinction. Please note that we do not accept the English and Maths components within the Access qualification, and you must meet the GCSE entry requirements. Subjects accepted: Applied Science, Biology combined with Chemistry, Biomedical Science, Biosciences, Combined Sciences, Health Sciences, Health Sciences Professions, Life Sciences and Sciences. Please note that we do not accept Health and Social Care as it does not contain the amount of core science material required for subsequent undergraduate studies on this degree.

GCSE/National 4/National 5

Five GCSEs which must include Mathematics and English all at grade C/4. Please note we do not accept Key Skills or Functional Skills in place of these.

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme

31

31 Overall, three Higher Level subjects at 5 5 5 which must include one science subject from Biology, Chemistry, Maths or Physics. You must also have Standard Level grade 5 in both Maths and English Language. Or 28 points overall, three Higher Level subjects at 5 4 4 which must include one science subject from Biology, Chemistry, Maths or Physics. You must also have Standard Level grade 5 in both Mathematics and English Language for Contextual offer students (more details https://www.aston.ac.uk/undergraduate/contextual-offer-aston-ready).

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)

DD

With this BTEC you must also achieve a grade B at A Level in either Biology, Chemistry, Maths or Physics. Contextual offer students need to achieve a grade C at A Level in one science subject from: Biology, Chemistry, Maths or Physics (more details https://www.aston.ac.uk/undergraduate/contextual-offer-aston-ready).

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate (first teaching from September 2016)

D

With this BTEC you must also achieve grades BB in two A Levels including one science subject in either Biology, Chemistry, Maths or Physics. Contextual offer students need to achieve grades BC in two A Levels, including one science subject from: Biology, Chemistry, Maths or Physics (more details https://www.aston.ac.uk/undergraduate/contextual-offer-aston-ready).

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)

D*D*D*-DDD

This BTEC must be RQF National in Applied Science with grades D*D*D* (you do not require an additional A Level). OR This BTEC must be QCF in Applied Science with grades DDD and you must also achieve grade B at A Level in either Biology, Chemistry, Maths or Physics. (Contextual offer students need to achieve a grade C at A Level. Further details at https://www.aston.ac.uk/undergraduate/contextual-offer-aston-ready). OR If you are studying a non-science subject in this BTEC which is QCF or RQF National then you must achieve grades DDD and grade B at A Level in either Biology, Chemistry, Maths or Physics. (Contextual offer students need to achieve a grade C at A Level. Further details at https://www.aston.ac.uk/undergraduate/contextual-offer-aston-ready). *(QCF – Qualification Credit Framework, RQF – Regulated Qualification Framework) If you are unsure of the exact BTEC qualification name, please contact your school or college provider to confirm.

UCAS Tariff

120

We've calculated how many Ucas points you'll need for this course.

About this course


Course option

4years

Sandwich | 2024

Subject

Neuroscience

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.

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.

- Excellent student experience: 100% of our students felt that staff made the subject of neuroscience interesting, and 88% of students felt an overall satisfaction with the course (National Student Survey, 2022)

- Students have undertaken placements in companies such as Janssen, Johnson and Johnson, Pfizer, Cerebra, Riche Pharmaceuticals, and neuroscience laboratories across the UK, and overseas in New York.

- 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.

**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

Year 1:
Experience a thorough and ‘hands-on’ grounding in the core principles and techniques used in neuroscience through a mixture of lectures and practical experience. Core modules: Research Methods and Statistics, Psychology and the Brain, Neuroscience Practicals 1, Biochemistry, Cell Biology and Genetics for Neuroscience, Key Skills in Neurosciences 1, and Cellular and Developmental Neuroscience.
----
Year 2:
Build upon the knowledge that you gained in your first year by studying the foundations of neuroscience in greater depth, along with a range of specialist subjects. Core modules: Pills and Poisons, Cognitive and Behavioural Neuroscience, Research Methods, Systems Neuroscience, Key Skills in Neurosciences 2, Receptors and Ion Channels, and Neuroscience Practicals 2.
----
Placement year:
Gain valuable career boosting experience by setting your studies in a real world context of a working environment alongside professionals. Placements can be taken in the UK, EU or internationally.
----
Final year:
Complete an original piece of neuroscience research, expand your knowledge through a series of core modules and focus in on areas of particular interest by selecting from a range of optional modules. Core modules: Brain Disorders and Disease, and Research Project. In addition, you complete a series of specialist optional modules.
----
For more information, please visit our website.

Assessment methods

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 and psychology 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.

Tuition fees

Select where you currently live to see what you'll pay:

England
£9,250
per year
International
£20,700
per year
Northern Ireland
£9,250
per year
Scotland
£9,250
per year
Wales
£9,250
per year

The Uni


Course location:

Aston University, Birmingham

Department:

Aston Pharmacy School

Read full university profile

What students say


We've crunched the numbers to see if overall student satisfaction here is high, medium or low compared to students studying this subject(s) at other universities.

63%
Neuroscience

How do students rate their degree experience?

The stats below relate to the general subject area/s at this university, not this specific course. We show this where there isn’t enough data about the course, or where this is the most detailed info available to us.

Biomedical sciences (non-specific)

Teaching and learning

69%
Staff make the subject interesting
78%
Staff are good at explaining things
71%
Ideas and concepts are explored in-depth
65%
Opportunities to apply what I've learned

Assessment and feedback

Feedback on work has been timely
Feedback on work has been helpful
Staff are contactable when needed
Good advice available when making study choices

Resources and organisation

77%
Library resources
92%
IT resources
81%
Course specific equipment and facilities
52%
Course is well organised and has run smoothly

Student voice

Staff value students' opinions
Feel part of a community on my course

Who studies this subject and how do they get on?

93%
UK students
7%
International students
28%
Male students
72%
Female students
93%
2:1 or above
0%
First year drop out rate

Most popular A-Levels studied (and grade achieved)

C
C
B

After graduation


The stats in this section relate to the general subject area/s at this university – not this specific course. We show this where there isn't enough data about the course, or where this is the most detailed info available to us.

Biomedical sciences (non-specific)

What are graduates doing after six months?

This is what graduates told us they were doing (and earning), shortly after completing their course. We've crunched the numbers to show you if these immediate prospects are high, medium or low, compared to those studying this subject/s at other universities.

£17,440
low
Average annual salary
99%
med
Employed or in further education

Top job areas of graduates

99%
Health professionals
0%
Health associate professionals
0%
Sales assistants and retail cashiers

What about your long term prospects?

Looking further ahead, below is a rough guide for what graduates went on to earn.

Biomedical sciences (non-specific)

The graph shows median earnings of graduates who achieved a degree in this subject area one, three and five years after graduating from here.

£23k

£23k

£29k

£29k

Note: this data only looks at employees (and not those who are self-employed or also studying) and covers a broad sample of graduates and the various paths they've taken, which might not always be a direct result of their degree.

Explore these similar courses...

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Lower entry requirements
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Neuroscience with Foundation Year
BSc (Hons) 4 Years Sandwich 2024
UCAS Points: 56-64
Same University
Aston University, Birmingham | Birmingham
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UCAS Points: 120

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This information comes from the National Student Survey, an annual student survey of final-year students. You can use this to see how satisfied students studying this subject area at this university, are (not the individual course).

This is the percentage of final-year students at this university who were "definitely" or "mostly" satisfied with their course. We've analysed this figure against other universities so you can see whether this is high, medium or low.

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This information is from the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA), for undergraduate students only.

You can use this to get an idea of who you might share a lecture with and how they progressed in this subject, here. It's also worth comparing typical A-level subjects and grades students achieved with the current course entry requirements; similarities or differences here could indicate how flexible (or not) a university might be.

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Post-six month graduation stats:

This is from the Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education Survey, based on responses from graduates who studied the same subject area here.

It offers a snapshot of what grads went on to do six months later, what they were earning on average, and whether they felt their degree helped them obtain a 'graduate role'. We calculate a mean rating to indicate if this is high, medium or low compared to other universities.

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Graduate field commentary:

The Higher Education Careers Services Unit have provided some further context for all graduates in this subject area, including details that numbers alone might not show

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The Longitudinal Educational Outcomes dataset combines HRMC earnings data with student records from the Higher Education Statistics Agency.

While there are lots of factors at play when it comes to your future earnings, use this as a rough timeline of what graduates in this subject area were earning on average one, three and five years later. Can you see a steady increase in salary, or did grads need some experience under their belt before seeing a nice bump up in their pay packet?

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