Student Recruitment and Outreach
Activities for post-16 students
Aston University’s post-16 programme provides sixth form and college students, as well as offering fantastic opportunities for students to discover more about studying a particular subject at university.
Subject-specific activities
New for 2024! Our Subject Spotlight Sessions are the ultimate way for Year 12 and 13 students to get a real taste and insight into their areas at interest from a university perspective.
Each of our Subject Spotlight Days are split into three strands for students to book onto in advance. These strands are based on our three colleges – Business and Social Sciences, Engineering and Physical Sciences, and Health and Life Sciences. Each strand will include a careers session led by academics, current students, and our Careers and Placements team, various academic led taster sessions, and a campus or lab tour.
Upcoming dates:
- Wednesday 4th December
- Wednesday 12th March
- Wednesday 18th June
Check out the amazing subjects we will be covering in these Spotlight Sessions below.
- College of Business and Social Sciences
Aston Business School, Aston Law School and School of Social Sciences and Humanities.
Subject Spotlight Sessions
Wednesday 4th December, 9:45-14:45
Accounting, Finance and Economics
Aston University offers world leading and professionally accredited degrees to help kick start your financial career. But it can be hard to decide which is the best degree route for you. Let us help with this life-changing decision by giving you an insight into our financial degrees.Learn more about our Accounting, Finance and Economics courses at this Subject Spotlight Session. You’ll learn about the programmes, meet the students and see the campus. It’s a great opportunity to get a real feel for this whole family of subjects, so you’ll know for sure which one is right for you.History, Politics and International RelationsIn today’s volatile political climate, topics like History, Politics, and International Relations are more important than ever. Discovering societies and politics from the past and across the globe can help make sense of the world we live in today.
Aston University are proud to offer degrees in History, Politics and International Relations which you can explore at our Subject Spotlight Session. During this event, you can learn all about these degrees, how you might use them to understand the world and make a difference. As well as looking a career prospects for our graduates, you will take part in taster lectures, meet current students and take a look around the university campus.
Wednesday 18th June, 9:45-14:45
Business and Management, Marketing and Human Resources
Aston Business School is a world leading business school, that regularly produces high-earning and successful graduates and has recently been ranked 66th in the world by the QS World Rankings. We offer a range of degree programmes to help you get ahead in your career, and this is your chance to find the perfect one for you!
This Subject Spotlight Session will focus on three of our exciting Aston Business School courses: Business and Management, Marketing, and Human Resource and Management. During the event we will dive into these subjects in a taster session, meet the current students, explore our campus and find out more about graduate careers. The day will give you the most well-rounded idea into the fast-paced world of business, and many of its exciting parts.
You can also visit us and find out about the Business and Social Sciences courses we have Aston University on one of our Open Days. Find out more about these here.
- College of Engineering and Physical Science
Schools of Informatics & Digital Engineering, Infrastructure & Sustainable Engineering and Engineering & Technology.
Subject Spotlight Sessions
Wednesday 4th December, 9:45-14:45
Engineering and Sustainable Development - Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering and Logistics and Supply Chain Management
The topics of environmental sustainability and society’s wellbeing across the globe are becoming more and more relevant. Studying these subjects and finding solutions to these increasingly important problems at university is an incredible way to make impact.
Our Engineering and Sustainable Development Subject Spotlight Session will give you a chance to find out more about studying Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering and Logistics and Supply Chain Management at University level. You will explore what is involved in these degrees, how they can support sustainability, future careers and more through panel discussions, taster workshops and lab tours. You will also get to meet our current students and find out why they chose Aston University.
Mathematics, Artificial Intelligence and Robotics, and Electrical and Electronic EngineeringWhen it comes to modern life, digital technologies are indispensable. It’s important to not only understand the theories, also to develop your technical skillset. Our digital technology courses at Aston University support you to gain all the skills you need for a rewarding digital career.
Join us for our Subject Spotlight Session to gain a taste of our Artificial Intelligence & Robotics and Electrical and Electronic Engineering degree programmes as well as discover how Mathematics is an integral part of our everyday lives. This event will include taster sessions, digital technology careers sessions and a chance to visit some of our teaching labs.
Wednesday 18th June, 9:45-14:45
Mechanical/Design Engineering, Biomedical Engineering and Product Design and Innovation
To design is to create something new. When looking at products, do you sometimes say, “I could have designed this better”? Aston University’s engineering and design programmes offer endless opportunities to undertake the challenge of creativity.
Explore your creativity and engineering skills in our Subject Spotlight Session focussing on Mechanical and Design Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, and Product Design and Innovation. This event will help you understand more about studying these subjects through taster sessions, lab tours, career workshops, and the chance to meet current students.
You can also visit us and find out about the Engineering and Physical Sciences courses we have Aston University on one of our Open Days. Find out more about these here.
- College of Health and Life Sciences
Aston Medical School, Aston Pharmacy School, and the Schools of Biosciences, Optometry, and Psychology.
Subject Spotlight Sessions
Wednesday 4th December, 9:45-14:45
Psychology and Neuroscience
Whether it's looking at how the brain carries out basic functions or how it stores memories, understanding how the brain works is fascinating. Studying Psychology or Neuroscience at university can give you a unique insight into how your brain can overcome incredible odds to keep you alive and functioning.
Our Psychology and Neuroscience Subject Spotlight Session will give you a chance to learn more about studying these subjects at university and what careers they can lead to. You will find out what is involved in a Psychology and Neuroscience degree as well as taking part in sample lecture/lab sessions. You will also get to meet our current students and find out why they chose Aston University.
Healthcare CoursesThe prospect of working in Healthcare and supporting patients to improve their health and lifestyle is an appealing one. But with so many healthcare career options out there, how do you know which is the right area for you?
Our Healthcare Subject Spotlight Session will cover the Healthcare courses we have offer at Aston University, including:
- Audiology
- Medicine
- Nursing
- Optometry
- Pharmacy
This event will give you an insight into the amazing options we have at Aston University to kickstart your healthcare career. You will find out what is involved in a Healthcare degree and the careers they can lead to, as well as taking part in sample lectures. You will also get to meet our current students and explore some of the clinical spaces we have on campus.
Wednesday 18th June, 9:45-14:45
Biological Science and Biomedical Science
The life sciences give a fascinating insight into the way living things function and thrive. Studying Biosciences can give you skills and knowledge to help you stand out in your future career.
During this Subject Spotlight Session you will explore our Biological Science and Biomedical Science courses. Learning about careers they can lead to, practicing your lab skills in our taster sessions, and meeting current students. This is an amazing opportunity to experience what it is like to study these courses at university.
You can also visit us and find out about the Health and Life Science courses we have Aston University on one of our Open Days. Find out more about these here.
- Law Taster Day with Shoosmiths
Wednesday 12th February, 9:30-14:30
Aston are delighted to be partnering with Shoosmiths law firm in Birmingham, who invite you to spend the day at their offices, finding out more about routes into Law. During this exclusive event, you will take part in interactive workshops to allow you to discover the different pathways into the profession, hear about studying Law at Aston and practice your networking skills with professionals.
- Pathways to the Professions
Our innovative Pathways to the Professions programmes have been designed to expand knowledge, develop skills, and give an insight into what university life is really like for those students with ambitions to study Medicine, Healthcare or Engineering and Technology (STEM) subjects for university.
You can find out more information about the programme here.
- Inclusivity Statement
Aston University welcomes everyone to our campus and would like to support visitors with any additional support or accessibility needs so that they can enjoy their visit fully. Please let us know as soon as possible if anyone in your booking to any of our events, requires additional support so we can ensure that where possible, the event and activities are accessible for everyone attending. Things to let us know about before your visit:
- Any physical or mental health conditions and/or learning differences and the support you need to attend the event.
- If catering is provided at the event, any dietary requirements the team need to be aware of.
- If catering is provided at the event, any allergies the team need to be aware of.
- Any medical information that the team need to be aware of.
- Any additional requirements (for example prayer time and quiet spaces) that the team need to be aware of.
Please note, the team will try and accommodate/make reasonable adjustments to activities to support these requests where possible, but this may not always be feasible due to the restrains of the event.
Find out more about the additional needs and accessibility support Aston provides to our prospective and current students.
- Any physical or mental health conditions and/or learning differences and the support you need to attend the event.
Other Activities
- Visit Us On Campus
KS5 Campus Experience Days
Bring your students for a day on campus and choose from a menu of activities to suit you and your students. You can choose from the following activities:
- Choosing Courses and Universities
- UCAS and Personal Statements
- Graduate Employability
- Revision and Study Skills
- Student Life
- Student Finance
- Ambassador led subject taster (topics include Business, Chemistry, Engineering, Politics, Economics, International Relations, Psychology)
All activities are delivered in a fun, interactive way. Students will also enjoy a campus tour with our Student Ambassadors to gain an insight into what studying at university is really like.
If you would like to register your interest for booking a KS5 CED at Aston University, please fill in this form. A team member will then be in touch to follow up your request.
- Talks in your School/College
We deliver a variety of information, advice, and guidance talks and workshops in your school or college. To request these, please email the Student Recruitment and Outreach team.
Introduction to HE: Choosing Courses and Universities
This talk looks at the reasons why students choose to go to university as well as what students can expect from student life, such as student finance, accommodation, and clubs and societies. It will also give students information about how to go about choosing a course and university to suit them
UCAS and Personal Statements
This talk is designed to help students as they begin their application to university. This presentation will go through key information and dates for UCAS applications. It will also cover what admissions tutors are looking for in a personal statement, giving hints and tips to create a successful application.
Student Finance
The Financing University talk is an in-depth look at the Student Finance system. Designed to dispel myths about how student loans work in practice and give students an opportunity to start thinking about living on a budget.
Becoming an Employable Graduate
This talk focuses on the skills and experience needed by graduates to help them get the career they want after university. It will look at how students can start building up those skills now and how a placement year at university can help boost their employability.
Wellbeing at university
What support is available at the university? Where do students go if they need help and advice? This workshop looks at all the support available to students when they attend university. It’s full of helpful hints and tips so students feel comfortable and confident before starting this new chapter.
Life as a University Student
The Life as a University Student talk aims to give top tips and guidance to students who are looking to go to university. Delivered by our student ambassadors, this talk will give your students more of an insight into what going to University is really like.
Applying to Medicine - MMIs
Applying to study Medicine at university can be a daunting process. This talk focuses on the Multi-Mini Interviews many universities ask their Medicine applicants to take part in and how you can best prepare for these types of interviews.
- Open Days
You can get a feel for university life at Aston by attending one of our open days. You will hear from academics and students, and find out more about courses and facilities available.
- UniBuddy
Chat online to students and our team
Whether you are a student, teacher, parent, or adviser, if you have a question regarding SRO activities or what it's like going to university (courses, finance, student life, etc) then you can chat to either an Aston University student or a member of the SRO team.
