Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Business and International Relations

at Aston University United Kingdom

Study the BSc (Hons) Politics and Social Policy degree course at Aston University to examine the major political, economic, and social issues facing governments and societies across the world, and how the policies they develop impact all our lives.

What you’ll learn
In this course, you’ll have the opportunity to explore political topics going beyond the UK and Europe, covering North America, South Asia, China, Japan, or the emerging global powers. You will not only study the traditional subjects of the discipline, such as security, political economy, or democratization but also have the chance to delve into ethics, sports, gender, protests, or religion.

On the social policy strand of the course, you’ll examine why governments take particular decisions in key policy areas and develop a detailed understanding of processes of policymaking at global, national, and local levels of government. We explore the social constraints we encounter in our everyday lives and how they are reinforced by class, race, religion, and gender. To understand how these issues perpetuate existing inequalities and unequal life chances, we analyze what impact official politics has on such processes, how politics is intertwined with the profit-making aims pursued by big corporations and how their combined interests dominate our social imaginations.

You will investigate the economic, social, and political forces which influence government decision-making and develop a detailed understanding of policy-making processes at global, national and local levels of government. You will also explore in-depth, the outcomes and consequences of various government policies on the economy and society. Studying the nature of policy delivery and management by various organizations, such as local governments, schools, and businesses will prepare you for a range of career paths.

With strong demand for accounting and financial skills in the job market, our MSc Accounting and Finance will set you up for a rewarding career. The program will bring you up to speed with the fundamentals of accountancy and business finance, and develop an advanced understanding of the practical skills needed for graduate roles in the financial sector.

You’ll get the opportunity to engage with a Business Project or Dissertation. This is a substantial piece of work designed to provide you with the opportunity to analyze a business problem and practically apply the knowledge and skills developed during the course.

With strong demand for accounting and financial skills in job marketing, our MSc Accounting and Finance can set you up for a rewarding career.

On this stimulating and varied course, you’ll learn about the practical and strategic application of financial and management accounting information, business finance, as well as how corporations report on and engage with sustainability issues.

Mechanical engineers help to solve some of the world’s trickiest problems and we’ll equip you with the tools you need to craft fantastic work and transform your ideas into reality in a wide array of industries. This Mechanical Engineering masters course aims to develop the performance prediction skills that are required in modern engineering environments, especially design, estimation and optimisation processes. This course takes the BEng and develops it to a full masters programme, meeting all the academic requirements for Chartered Engineer status.

Our programmes introduce a full range of core engineering science modules coupled to practical projects, ensuring a highly integrated and industry-relevant degree programme.

This masters degree is either four years full-time, or five years if you choose to take a year in industry, building your employability skills and establishing a professional network as you progress.

What you’ll learn
In your first year you’ll develop a fundamental understanding of mechanical engineering, through classes in engineering, science and maths. You’ll also be working on major projects, partnering with colleagues, staff and engineers from industry to develop real solutions to live problems.

During your second year you’ll begin to develop the skills and technical knowledge you need to become a professional engineer. Then, in your third year, you’ll undertake a major project, involving design, experimental or analytical work which can be tailored to suit your own interests, or aligned to your target vocation.

If you choose to take a year in industry in year three, we’ll support you to find a paid, professional placement of direct relevance to your studies. This placement will give you invaluable practical experience in a real work environment and will further enhance your career prospects.

Our Biochemistry course is focused on preparing you for a future career that makes a big difference. Studying at Aston gives you unrivalled hands-on experience, world-class facilities and specialist teaching.

In addition, your integrated placement year will give you the opportunity to put your knowledge into practice. You can undertake placements in hospital, industrial or research laboratories, as well as non-laboratory settings.

As a biochemist, you’ll help to comprehend and resolve biological problems through the use of molecular expertise and processes. You will help to lead the way in developing new thinking, techniques and technology in the fields of:

• Medicine
• Pharmaceutics
• Biotechnology
• Agriculture
• Nutrition

Study the International Relations and Global Governance MA course at Aston University – a leading centre for research on Europe and international relations – to give you a head start in your future career.

What you’ll learn
On this masters, you’ll study international relations theory and explore government structures from a global perspective.

Examine the governance of global problems, such as trade, health and the environment, and explore issues of national and multi-national governance through organisations such as the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and the World Health Organisation (WHO).

You will develop a wide-ranging skillset, including negotiation skills and public speaking, which will help to open doors when it comes to forging a career working for international organisations, governments and political institutions.

Our four year course, integrated with a placement year, will develop your IT knowledge and give you the skills needed to provide businesses with consultative support, strategic direction and technological insight. There is also an option to gain a double degree (two degrees for the price of one).

This degree will develop your understanding of the management and communication of information, as well as the human, managerial and technical considerations.

You will learn the role that information technology plays in modern business environments and societies, and how technology can be the key to solving some of their biggest challenges.

What you’ll learn
This course will provide you with theoretical knowledge and skills, including analysis and problem-solving, which can be applied to a broad range of career paths.

You will learn the relationship between technical knowledge and human design, the complex role of IT in business, and how technology can be used to drive competitive advantage. 

In your first year you will develop a general knowledge of business theories as well as computing and IT. Your second year is focused on building your IT and computing skills. This will help you as you apply for placement opportunities in your third year.

Think you know about chemical engineering? Join our course here at Aston to learn how chemical engineers shape the world and get ready for a career in this exciting industry.

What you’ll learn
This course is designed to develop your engineering skills, in the context of a firm grounding in chemistry.?To ensure this, you will share your first year with chemists, giving you a good grounding in the subject before gaining a deeper insight into the industrial processes.

In later years you will specialize at a more advanced level in the core engineering topics as well as studying business, management, and sustainability, designed to further develop your problem-solving skills.?There will also be a focus on computer modeling skills with a strong emphasis on process simulation.

You have the option to spend a year on placement in the industry in your third year.?Many students take advantage of this option and find the experience extremely beneficial both for their development as an engineer and their final year performance.

If your ambition is to help shape the future development of towns and cities, our Construction Project Management course will set you on the right path.

What you’ll learn
During the course of the programme you will gain the necessary skills to develop a challenging and fulfilling career in the construction industry. You will gain technical knowledge around materials and building processes as well as specialist modules including health, safety and environmental management. 
 
After your first year, your studies will centre on the construction process as well as learning about management, economics, logistics, finance and decision-making, all of which are required by professional construction and project managers. 

Our Construction Project Management programme, part of the civil engineering and infrastructure cluster here at Aston, examines the societal, economic and operational issues related to the construction industry. The particular focus is on developing the skills and experience you need to deliver high quality construction projects safely, on time and on budget. 
 
These skills are in high demand and you’ll be able to effectively and confidently contribute to the future development of our built environment. 

Marketing influences organisational success, from business growth to behavioural change. Understand the core concepts of marketing theory and develop the skills and experience to apply them.

What you’ll learn
Whether you’re interested in a career in international marketing, within social media strategy or as a market analyst, our highly ranked BSc Marketing course (15th in the UK, Complete University Guide, 2020) will develop problem-solving and transferable skills that will support a breadth of career paths.

Your first year is designed to equip you with a broad knowledge of marketing, giving you a strong foundation from which you can identify the areas aligned to marketing that interest you most. Throughout your studies, you’ll have opportunities to work with local companies and specialists on ‘live’ marketing projects, as well as undertaking an integrated placement year.

You will have more freedom and take ownership of your marketing degree in the final year, having experienced both theoretical, applied and practical aspects of the subject, with more module choice to tailor your studies to your interests and specialist areas.

Understanding the potential of technology is key to modern life and our programmes are designed to address the latest business needs.

You’ll develop expertise in software development and the key applications of computing science through each year of the programme with particular emphasis on its use in industry and commerce.

You’ll be given a grounding in computer science early in your course, specialising and developing more advanced and unique expertise in later modules, for example computational intelligence, game development or computer animation.

What you’ll learn

You’ll learn how to run software projects, developing the skills to be a designer, programmer and project manager and understanding how to create usable and accessible software.

If you choose our four year programme, you’ll spend your third year in a paid professional placement of direct relevance to your studies. This placement will give you invaluable practical experience in a real work environment and further enhance your career prospects.