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 Spotlight Sessions
Our Subject Spotlight Sessions are the ultimate way for Year 12 and 13 students to get a real taste and insight into their areas of interest from a university perspective.
Each of our Subject Spotlight Sessions 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, academic led taster sessions, and an opportunity to explore our University.
Upcoming dates:
Wednesday 11th March, 12:45-15:00
- College of Business and Social Sciences – Sociology and Criminology
- College of Engineering and Physical Sciences - Biomedical Engineering and Civil Engineering
- College of Health and Life Sciences – Nursing: Adult and Mental Health Nursing
Thursday 12th March, 9:45-14:30
- College of Business and Social Sciences - Routes into Law with Shoosmiths
Wednesday 18th March, 12:45-15:00
- College of Engineering and Physical Sciences - Computer Science and Electrical Electronic Engineering Taster Event
Wednesday 22nd April, 12:45-15:00
- College of Business and Social Sciences – Business Management and Marketing
- College of Engineering and Physical Sciences - Mechanical Engineering and Product Design
- College of Health and Life Sciences – Psychology and Neuroscience
Check out the amazing subjects we will be covering in these Spotlight Sessions below.
- College of Business and Social Sciences
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Aston Business School, Aston Law School and School of Social Sciences and Humanities.
Sociology and Criminology Subject Spotlight Session
Wednesday 11th March, 12:45-15:00
Ready to explore crime’s complexities, think critically, and address some of society’s biggest questions? Studying Criminology or Sociology at university help develop your analytical skills and critical thinking skills whilst discovering more about these fascinating subjects.
During this event, you can learn all about studying Sociology and Criminology with us at Aston University, and how you might use these subjects 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.
Routes into Law with Shoosmiths
Thursday 12th March, 9:45-14:30
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. The day will include 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. This event is for Year 12 students.
Business and Management, and Marketing Subject Spotlight Session
Wednesday 22nd April, 12:45-15:00
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 two of our exciting Aston Business School courses: Business and Management, and Marketing. 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
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Schools of Informatics & Digital Engineering, Infrastructure & Sustainable Engineering and Engineering & Technology.
Biomedical Engineering and Civil Engineering Subject Spotlight Session
Wednesday 11th March, 12:45-15:00
The topics of environmental sustainability and improving quality of life 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.
This Subject Spotlight Session will let you explore your creativity and engineering skills by learning about Biomedical Engineering, and the impact their designs have on the lives of patients. Whilst understanding more about Civil Engineering will give you an insight into how large-scale projects can promote sustainability. You will explore what is involved in these degrees, future careers and more through taster workshops and lab tours. You will also get to meet our current students and find out why they chose Aston University.
Computer Science and Electrical Electronic Engineering Taster Event
Wednesday 18th March 2026 12:45 – 15:30
Are you a Year 12 or Year 13 student interested in the exciting world of Computer Science or Electrical & Electronic Engineering? Join us for an interactive afternoon taster event where you’ll experience what it’s like to study these subjects at a higher level.
Explore the foundations of computing, experiment with digital and electronic technologies, and take part in hands-on coding activities using distance sensor. This is the perfect opportunity to ask questions, meet like-minded students, and find out which pathway could shape your future.
Mechanical Engineering and Product Design and Innovation Subject Spotlight Session
Wednesday 22nd April, 12:45-15:00
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 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 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
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Aston Medical School, Aston Pharmacy School, and the Schools of Biosciences, Optometry, and Psychology.
Nursing: Adult and Mental Health Subject Spotlight Session
Wednesday 11th March, 12:45-15:00
Do you have the passion and empathy to care for adults in a variety of settings? Working as a nurse is an incredibly rewarding career. No two days are the same in nursing – it is one of the most demanding and rewarding roles in health and social care.
This Subject Spotlight Session, will give you the chance to meet our Nursing academic team as they explain the skills needed to excel in the fields of Adult Nursing and Mental Health Nursing. You will also take part in taster sessions and discover the clinical facilities we have at Aston University.
Psychology and Neuroscience Subject Spotlight Session
Wednesday 22nd April, 12:45-15:00
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 lectures. You will also get to meet our current students and find out why they chose Aston University.
You can 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.
- Discover University: Schools and Colleges Open Day
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Discover University: Schools and Colleges Open Day
Wednesday 10th June, 10:00-13:00 or 12:00-15:00
Give your Year 12 students a taste of university life with our Schools and Colleges Open Day and help kickstart their future plans. This event will include elements of our popular Open Days, such as student led talks, discussions about support available at university, and exciting taster sessions led by our world-renowned academics.
Choose either the morning or afternoon slot, and take part in the following taster sessions*:
10:00-13:00 - Healthcare (Audiology, Optometry, Pharmacy), Mathematics, Economics, and Sociology & Criminology
12:00-15:00 - Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Psychology, and Marketing & Digital Marketing
Get in touch if you have any questions, or book your places now.
*Please note, subject sessions may be subject to change due to staffing. If your booking is impacted, we will get in touch.
- Online Webinars
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Career Ready: How University prepares students for the future
Wednesday 24th June 2026, 9:00-9:30am or 5:00-5:30pm
This engaging webinar is designed for students, parents, and teachers who want to understand how university helps young people build a strong foundation for their future careers. We’ll cover how degrees develop key transferable skills, the career support students can access during their studies, the importance of a placement year, and how universities work to ensure graduates are ready for the world of work. Whether you're planning the next step or supporting someone who is, this session will give you valuable insights into the journey from campus to career.
- Pathways to the Professions (closed for 2025-26)
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Please note, applications for the Pathways to the Professions programmes are now closed for 2025 entry. Students currently in year 11 will be able to apply in September.
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
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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
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KS5 Campus Experience Days
Bring your students for a day on campus and choose from a selection 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 Financs
- Power Skills (topics include AI & Digital, Environmental Sustainability, Innovation & Entrepreneurship and Inclusive Leadership).
- 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 book a KS5 Campus Experience Day for your students, please email sro@aston.ac.uk.
- Talks in your School/College
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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.
Power Up Your Future
Built into every undergraduate degree at Aston University, our Power Skills help Aston students develop the expertise employers around the globe are looking for. This talk focuses on one of these skills and how they can boost their career prospects at university. Chose from one of the Power Skills:
- Innovation and Entrepreneurship
- Inclusive Leadership
- Environmental Sustainability
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
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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
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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.
