- Aston University School of Biosciences has been shortlisted for the Institute of Biomedical Science Educational Institution Award
- The awards, now in their second year, aim to champion outstanding biomedical science practice
Aston University entered to showcase its innovative teaching, including statistics-based escape rooms and mock NHS-style interviews.
Aston University School of Biosciences has been shortlisted for the Institute of Biomedical Science Educational Institution Award.
The Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS) is the leading professional body for scientists, support staff and students in the field of biomedical science, and has 21,000 members in 74 countries. The IBMS held its first awards ceremony in 2024, to recognise and champion outstanding biomedical science practice, share stories outside the biomedical community and inspire the next generation of biomedical scientists.
Aston University is the only institution to be shortlisted for an award two years in a row. The other shortlisted institutions in 2025 are Liverpool John Moores University, Nottingham Trent University, the University of Bradford and the University of Portsmouth.
Aston University School of Biosciences entered the awards to showcase its teaching innovations, which aim to enhance student employability, and improve student engagement and skills development. Some of the methods include NHS-style mock interviews, IBMS-aligned portfolios, playful learning methods like virtual statistics escape rooms, and inter-professional workshops with other healthcare profession students.
The methods have boosted pass rates, confidence, and real-world readiness. For example, statistics pass rates have risen from 75% to 97%, and more than 90% of students reported that they felt better prepared for placements. Sustainability and Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) standards are embedded across the curriculum.
Kayleigh Wilkins, a lecturer (teaching-focused) in biosciences at Aston University, who led the School’s application, said:
“Innovative and employability-based teaching, such as our NHS-style interview assessment directly align with employer needs. 96% of students reported better understanding of NHS interviews. The addition of HCPC-focused problem-based learning ensures students understand professional standards and workplace expectations of them as graduates.
“Our innovations are disseminated through journal publications, with our service user paper being one of the top three most-viewed articles in the special education edition, and national conference presentations, including award-winning talks. Staff are also hosting and chairing key national conferences like Horizons in STEM which further demonstrates our leadership in educational innovation.”
Professor Andrew Devitt, dean of the School of Biosciences, said:
“I am so proud that our biosciences team have been shortlisted once again for the Institute of Biomedical Science Educational Institution award for 2025. This is excellent external recognition of our commitment to the constant improvement of our accredited biomedical science programmes. Through innovation in teaching and assessment, the team provide an inclusive learning environment, taking a collaborative approach to drive progress for all and supporting the professional development of the biomedical science workforce of the future.”
The awards ceremony will be held on 4 July 2025 at The Brewery in London.
- Notes to editors
About Aston University
For over 130 years, Aston University has been making our world a better place through education, research and innovation. Our history is intertwined with the remarkable city of Birmingham, once the heartland of the Industrial Revolution and now the thriving base for an innovation ecosystem of global significance, which Aston is co-creating.
Our vision is to be a leading university for science, technology and enterprise, measured by the positive transformational impact we achieve for our people, students, businesses and the communities we serve.
Aston focuses on high-quality, exploitable research that has an impact on society through medical breakthroughs, advancements in engineering, policy and practice in government, and the strategies and performance of business.
The university offers a range of undergraduate and postgraduate degree programmes, as well as continuing professional development solutions.
Thanks to its focus on delivering excellent outcomes for students, Aston University's reputation continues to grow. It was recognised as the Daily Mail University of the Year for Student Success 2025, is second in England for social mobility (2023 HEPI Social Mobility Index), and is top 20 for graduate salaries (2024 Longitudinal Education Outcomes).
Aston University is now defining its place in the Fourth Industrial Revolution (and beyond) within a rapidly changing world.
For media inquiries in relation to this release, contact Helen Tunnicliffe, Press and Communications Manager, on (+44) 7827 090240 or email: h.tunnicliffe@aston.ac.uk.
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