Neuroscience

Neuroscience is the scientific study of the nervous system, from the molecular mechanisms that govern how individual neurons fire and communicate to the large-scale brain processes that underpin perception, emotion, memory, and consciousness. It is one of the fastest-moving areas in all of science, driven by advances in imaging technology, genetics, computational modelling, and our understanding of the molecular biology of the brain. The questions it asks, how does the brain produce the mind, why do diseases of the nervous system develop, and how can they be treated, are among the most profound and practically consequential in biology.

At Aston University in Birmingham, this four-year programme includes a year abroad, which gives you the opportunity to study neuroscience in a different academic environment and to encounter the perspectives and research approaches that other universities bring to the field. Throughout the programme, you will develop a grounding in cell biology, physiology, pharmacology, and psychology before moving into specialist neuroscience topics such as neuronal signalling, brain imaging, cognitive neuroscience, and the neurobiology of neurological and psychiatric disorders. Laboratory work runs throughout the degree, and you will develop practical skills in techniques relevant to neuroscience research alongside the theoretical frameworks that give them meaning.

Aston has strengths in applied sciences and strong connections with healthcare and biomedical industry in the West Midlands, giving the programme a practical orientation alongside its scientific rigour.

Graduates of neuroscience programmes go on to work in research, the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries, clinical science, public health, and science communication. The degree also provides a foundation for postgraduate study, including PhD research in neuroscience, clinical training routes in medicine and psychology, and masters programmes in cognitive science, pharmacology, and related disciplines. The analytical and problem-solving skills the degree develops are valued across the life sciences sector.