Neuroscience

Course overview
Neuroscientists study the development and function of the brain, spinal cord and peripheral nervous system and ask important questions about what makes us think and feel, how our brains process information and what brain cells and synapses do. They investigate brain disorders and disease to uncover the processes that occur in both neurodevelopment and neurodegeneration.”

This interdisciplinary science liaises closely with other disciplines such as mathematics, linguistics, engineering, computer science, chemistry, philosophy, psychology and medicine.

At Aston University, our BSc (Hons) Neuroscience course follows a practical and hands-on approach, giving you access to the most up-to-date and high-tech equipment, enabling you to engage with the newest techniques in basic and applied research. It has been designed to provide you with the perfect first step towards a future career in one of the most exciting and rapidly developing areas of life and medical sciences.

What is studying Neuroscience at Aston University really like?
Our course differs from many undergraduate neuroscience courses in the UK, with a key focus on acquiring practical skills - an advantage that will set you apart from the graduate crowd.

You’ll work closely with active neuroscience researchers working on ground-breaking projects and study a range of modules designed to give you a comprehensive introduction to the fascinating world of brain function.

During the course you will get the opportunity to:

• Learn pharmacology through tissue bath experiments.

• Perform EEG and EMG recordings and analyse the data with research-grade tools.

• Undertake complex brain-slice recordings to discover how drugs work and how our brains are organised and function.

• Explore how natural toxins and nerve agents are used in the research lab to discover how our brain cells talk to each other.

• Discover more about the major diseases and disorders of the nervous system.

• Hear from leading clinicians in our guest lectures.

• Understand how research conducted at Aston University into areas like Parkinson’s, autism, dyslexia, epilepsy and developmental cognitive neuroscience is impacting the wider field of study.

Key course benefits:

• Access to state-of-the-art neuroscience laboratory equipped with research-grade brain slice recording systems.

• Unlock your understanding of the brain and nervous system, from the microscope to the whole organism.

• 4th in the UK for Anatomy and Physiology (Neuroscience) (Guardian University Guide 2025).

• 91% of students felt positive about academic support on their course (NSS 2024)

• Complete an integrated placement year, designed to set your studies in a real-world context and boost your employability, meaning you’ll not only learn a wide range of skills and knowledge, but you’ll also gain first-hand experience before you’ve even graduated.

• Students have undertaken placements in companies such as Janssen, Johnson and Johnson, Pfizer, Cerebra, Riche Pharmaceuticals, and neuroscience laboratories across the UK.

Please note we do not offer a Foundation Programme, if you select year 0 on your application form this will be amended to year 1 at admissions review stage.

Year 1
Introduction to Neuroscience - A comprehensive introduction to the basic principles of anatomy, physiology, cellular and molecular neuroscience.
Biochemistry and Cell Biology for Neuroscience - Explore proteins, signalling molecules, and key genetic factors in brain and nervous system function. Learn about major receptors, intercellular signalling, and their role in brain networks.
Neuroscience Practicals 1 - Dissect brains, conduct pharmacology experiments, and record EMG and ECG data, gaining hands-on insights into brain anatomy, drug effects, and physiological measurements.
Key Skills in Neuroscience 1 - Developing transferable and personal skills crucial for success in various career paths.
Year 2
Whole Brain Neuroscience - Introduces a range of imaging and methodologies used in modern research in Neuroscience and the study of the relationship between brain and behaviour.
Systems Neuroscience - You’ll investigate how the special senses integrate input into the brain and, how brain output is mediated through control of movement.
Cellular Neuroscience - Neurotransmitters, receptors, and ion channels will be discussed in relation to the pharmacological actions various drugs and toxins have at these targets to influence brain function.
Neuroscience Practicals 2 - Learn how to record neuronal activity using our in vitro electrophysiology setups, as well as record and analyse EEG data, conduct immunohistochemistry experiments and develop your molecular and cellular neuroscience skills.
Key Skills in Neurosciences 2 - Further develop the transferable skillset necessary to stand out in today’s graduate job market.
Year 3
Placement year - Gain vital work experience in industry or academia.
Final Year
Brain Disorders and Disease - Using a variety of lectures, workshops and guest speakers from clinical backgrounds, develop an in-depth overview of what can happen to our brains during development and old age.
Research Project - An opportunity to undertake an extended piece of research.

Plus select two from the following optional modules within final year:
Advanced and Applied Synaptic Plasticity - Learn how synaptic plasticity guides brain development, and how this can go wrong in disease states. Teaching is based around discussions of the latest literature in the field.
Early life stress (ELS) - is known to affect brain development and function and is linked with the development of psychiatric disorders. You'll cover what is currently known about how early life stress modulates brain development and function, including studies of humans and animal models, and explore the underlying molecular mechanisms linking stress and pathology.
Abnormal Neuronal Networks - Explores how changes in neuronal connectivity and synaptic function underlie the development of epilepsy and schizophrenia.
Hacking the Brain - Various methods to enhance cognitive function will be discussed, including an array of pharmacological interventions, genetic manipulations, neural implants, and altered states of consciousness.
Physiology and Pathophysiology of Movement - Discuss the physiology of muscle coordination to achieve movements, providing insight into the pathophysiology of movement control after stroke and spinal cord injury.
Computational Neuroscience - The various approaches used to model the human brain in silico, from simple neurons to large-scale networks.
Modelling Repair and Regeneration in the Injured Central Nervous System - Investigating basic concepts of traumatic injury to the CNS; the research concept of modelling repair and regeneration following injury and future therapeutic interventions.
Imaging Studies in Neurodevelopment - Investigates how the wide variety of neuroimaging approaches (MRI, fMRI, MRS and MEG) may be used to investigate neurodevelopmental disorders.

Our practical-intensive course means that you get to understand high-level concepts early in your journey and pick up laboratory skills that put you in an excellent place to secure employment.

You will be taught by staff from neuroscience, pharmacy, pharmacology teaching groups, and encounter a variety of learning opportunities from lectures and practical sessions to group work and self-study.

We also run a regular small-group tutorials throughout the course, this helps to cement the key learning outcomes of our teaching and makes sure that you feel happy and supported.

We utilise a wide range of assessments linked to learning outcomes such as: examinations (unseen essay, short answer or multiple choice questions), essays, practical reports (group or individual), presentations, laboratory reports, project work, computer based assessment, and peer assessments.