TEACHING AND LEARNING AT ASTON
We're redefining what university means
At Aston, our teaching extends beyond traditional lectures. From games and simulations to advancements in AI, we ensure your learning experience prepares you for life after university and isn’t confined to textbooks and PowerPoints.
Gamification, hands-on learning, interactive sessions and real-world projects ensure you are not just learning but becoming a professional from day one.
Exams not your thing? We get it. Many of our courses focus on a wide range of assessments, giving you a chance to shine in ways which bring out your full potential. Pitches, scenario responses and group projects are just a few.
Triple GOLD teaching
We’re the only university in the West Midlands to get Triple Gold in the Teaching Excellence Framework 2023.
What does this mean to you? You’ll be taught by incredible staff who make your subject interesting and who take an inclusive approach, so you’ll get the support you need.
At Aston University we don’t believe in ‘one size fits all.’ We understand that every student comes with their own unique story, strengths, and challenges. We want to help you succeed, not just in your studies, but in life after graduation.
What does it mean for you?
How will I learn?
Yes, you will have traditional lectures at Aston but you will also do so much more. From independent learning time, collaborative sessions with other students, to unique opportunities to work on real-world projects with world-famous brands and organisations, your learning at Aston is focused on your future skills.
You will also learn through block teaching, where you will focus on one subject intensively over a short period instead of studying multiple subjects simultaneously, allowing you to immerse yourself in a topic, helping reduce overload and stress.
Aston supported 1,600 students to complete a professional placement in 2023, with 63% of our courses having an integrated placement or internship. Our Careers and Placements team will use our 'Talent Bank' initiative to match you with the right placement experience for you.
We work with over 1,000 employers to give you access to work experience, professional mentorship and the opportunity to work on real briefs and industry problems, helping give you an edge over other students entering the workforce.
You will also learn through hands-on, interactive sessions, from creating 3D simulations to using playing games to show how EU diplomacy works.
What will I learn?
Our curriculum is designed to build your confidence, present your ideas clearly and allow you to ask the right questions, as well as giving you the theory in your subject that you'll need.
You will learn key digital skills that every professional needs and gain experience using industry-standard tools, from the Adobe Creative Cloud suite to robots powered by AI.
You will also have the opportunity to shape what you and your fellow students will learn as our courses are designed in partnership with students through our student representatives.
How will I be assessed?
Exams not your thing? We get it. Many of our courses focus on a wide range of assessments, giving you a chance to shine in ways that bring out your full potential. Pitches, scenario responses and group projects are just a few.
We have also responded to student feedback by expanding online assessment across our courses.
Industry-standard facilities
Whatever your subject you will have access to state-of-the-art facilities at Aston, including the following:
- Brand new medical simulation suite
- Brand new Pharmacy labs
- 3D printing in the Design Factory
- A robot laboratory
- The Bloomberg trading lab
ASTON POWER SKILLS
Develop the skills employers around the globe look for.
Gain an edge in a fast-changing world. Smash your goals and thrive in your career.
Built into every undergraduate degree
Free industry-standard creative tools
Aston is an Adobe Creative Campus
Aston University is proud to be an Adobe Creative Campus, giving all of our students and staff access to industry-standard tools like Adobe Creative Cloud and Adobe Express.
These platforms are designed to help you express your ideas creatively and develop essential digital skills for the future, no matter what discipline you study.
Learn from people who've been there and done it
Who will teach me?
The people who will teach you will be from a huge range of different backgrounds, active researchers in the fields they teach and often have strong industry links and professional lives.
This gives you access to an unparalleled base of knowledge with a diversity of ideas, helping you build your skills and prepare for the modern world of work.
What support will I get?
We provide dedicated facilities, services and support for your digital needs. Our extensive IT facilities offer a range of networked software packages, database systems, modelling tools and computer-aided learning materials.
You’ll find WiFi study spaces around campus and My Aston Portal (MAP) hosts many of the digital services you need to access your modules, lectures, slides, assignments and connect with your fellow students.
Our Library and Learning Services support you by providing up-to-date books and articles online and in print, a range of study spaces across campus to suit your needs 24/7, laptops you can borrow and access to computers.
With us, you can learn how to develop your speaking and presentation skills, time management and essay writing. Improve your maths, academic writing, English language and communication skills, research skills and much more.
When you first start at Aston, our Get Ahead online platform will support you in the transition to University life, with webinars designed to answer all of your questions to help you settle quickly.
See our new student support page for more information about starting at Aston.
Study spaces
With areas for group working and quiet study, you can hook your laptop to a TV screen and rehearse a presentation, collaborate on projects or focus on your coursework.
Up for a challenge? Exercise your mind and body using one of the stationary study bikes.
Focused on your future
Whether it's career advice, how to start your own business or work experience opportunities, we've got your covered.
The UK's biggest careers team
We don’t just prepare you for a job – we prepare you for a successful, fulfilling career. Our Careers and Placements team is committed to helping you at every step of the way.
Start-up support
We know that some students are determined to start their own businesses. That’s why we offer extensive support for budding entrepreneurs who are looking to grow their own start-ups.
Work experience opportunities
Our teams can support you build your CV through great work experience, whether it's an internship, an insight experience, mentoring opportunities or a volunteering role.