- Who is eligible for the Pathway to Healthcare Programme?
The Pathway to Healthcare programme is open to students entering Year 12 in September who have a genuine interest in pursuing a career in healthcare or medicine. Students must have support from their schools to apply, including approval for time off where necessary to attend events. Students who are interested in applying to the Pathway to Healthcare programme must meet the following criteria:
- Entering Year 12 in September at a school/college in Birmingham, Solihull or the Black Country region.
- Studying both Chemistry and Biology A Level.
- Have achieved at least five GCSEs at Level 9–4. This must include Double Science or Chemistry and Biology at level 6 or above, as well as Maths and English Language. Students that do not meet these grades may be considered for the Pathway to Healthcare Programme but, please note, you will not be able to apply for the MBChB Medicine degree at Aston University.
Students must also meet at least one of the following widening participation criteria. Places on the programme are limited. If the programme is oversubscribed then places will be offered by random allocation to all eligible applicants until the programme is full.
- Live in a POLAR 4, Quintile 1 or 2 area (check if your home postcode is eligible)
- Attend a school or college in a POLAR 4, Quintile 1 or 2 area (check if your school/college postcode is eligible)
- Come from a home where neither parent has attended a university in the UK or abroad
- Have a disability or are in receipt of a personal independence payment
- Is a care leaver or has experience of being looked after by a local authority
Please note students who enter the Pathway to Healthcare Programme are not guaranteed a place on our MBChB medical degree or life and health sciences degrees. On successful completion of the Pathway Programme, students who wish to apply to Aston University, who fulfil all our admissions and other entry criteria and are successful with their application, will be eligible for a contextual offer.
- What's included in the Programme?
Successful applicants to our Pathway to Healthcare Programme will have access to a wide range of services and events including taster days, exam boot camps and application support sessions. All events are designed to help students expand their knowledge, develop their skills and gain an insight into what university life is really like.
Year 12
Pathway to Healthcare Launch
Find out more about the pathway programme and details of future events.
Medicine and Healthcare Taster Days
Students will explore aspects of medicine and the wider healthcare sector to understand the various careers within the NHS and make informed decisions about their future steps. Students will learn about the various subjects they can study at university to progress into healthcare professions, as well as the employability skills candidates need to make successful applications.
Aston University Subject Tasters
A series of workshops delivered by Aston academics to enrich students' current studies and discover more about studying a subject outside of medicine for university. These events not only allow students to explore their chosen subject area, but also provide the opportunity to meet our current undergraduate students and find out more about university life.
Work experience placements – summer holidays
Work experience will be arranged for a limited number of students by Aston Medical School. Students will need to apply for a work experience placement and attend an additional ‘Preparing for Work Experience’ day at Aston University.
UCAS application day – Developing your personal brand
An interactive day of workshops where students will learn more about the UCAS application process, writing an effective Personal Statement, developing their personal brand, and choosing the right course and university.
Residential Summer School
A four-day programme which allows students to embark on an interactive learning experience. Students will work in peer groups, receive lectures and workshops from our Medical School lecturers and have access to independent learning in order to complete an academic piece of research around a topical healthcare issue.
Aston University Open Days
Open Days are an ideal opportunity for students, parents and advisers to explore all that Aston has to offer and to meet our friendly staff and students, as well as take part in academic sessions across the spectrum of courses available. Informative and informal, everyone is welcome to attend!
A level Revision Boot Camp
In order to be successful in achieving a desired career, we believe it's vital to focus on academic attainment as early as possible. Students will learn, revise and study one subject area (either Biology or Chemistry) intensively, with the chance to review progress through assessments and 1-2-1 feedback from an A level teacher alongside current healthcare undergraduates.
Year 13
UCAT and UCAS application support
The UCAT (UK Clinical Aptitude Test) session will provide up-to-date knowledge on the challenges of the test, as well as giving students the chance to practice the test for themselves. Staff from Aston Medical School will also be on hand to answer any questions about the general UCAS process.
MMI and interview practice
Practice Medicine Multiple Mini Interviews (MMIs) and University Admissions Interviews used by many universities for selection to competitive healthcare courses such as medicine, optometry and pharmacy.
A level Revision Boot Camp
In order to be successful in achieving a desired career, we believe it's vital to focus on academic attainment as early as possible. Students will learn, revise and study one subject area (either Biology or Chemistry) intensively, with the chance to review progress through assessments and 1-2-1 feedback from an A level teacher alongside current healthcare undergraduates.
Pathway to Healthcare Graduation
Bringing together all of the students who have taken part in the Pathways to Healthcare Programme and celebrating their achievements.
A level results day support
Aston Medical School staff will be available on results day to talk through students' future options.
Transition into Higher Education
Students will be invited back to Aston to receive top tips on arriving at and surviving university. Students intending to study at Aston University will also be invited to become an Aston Medical Student Ambassador and work with future students on the Pathway to Healthcare Programme.
- Why choose Aston's Pathway to Healthcare?
- 84% of students on our most recent cohort have applied to study a medicine or healthcare-related course at university.
- Students have access to a wide range of medicine and healthcare experts to help them decide on their future career paths.
- A level boot camps and application preparation help ensure students are fully prepared to apply to university.
- Students are supported in making an informed decision about their future career choices.
- Students will receive a single point of contact at Aston University to support them throughout the university application process and their time at school or college.
- If students apply to Aston University and fulfil all of our admissions and entry criteria, they will receive special consideration from admissions tutors and could be eligible for a contextual offer
“The Pathway to Healthcare Programme has given me an insight into what university is really like and helped build my confidence about my own journey into higher education - it was a real eye-opener”.
“The Pathway to Healthcare Programme gave me the opportunity to flourish and realise my potential. It helped me develop my grades and social skills. It’s an incredible opportunity that I would highly recommend”
Former Pathway to Healthcare students
- How to Apply?
Applications are now closed. Applications for our next Cohort on the Pathway to Healthcare Programme will open in July 2022.
- Contact Us
Any questions?
Contact us directly at pathways@aston.ac.uk.
- Find out more
If you are interested in finding out more about the Outreach events and activities which we run at Aston University, including our other Pathway to Aston Programmes outside of healthcare subjects, please visit our central Student Recruitment and Outreach webpages, or contact us directly at SRO or call +44 (0)121 204 4771.
