Master of Science in Sustainable Engineering (Including Professional Practice)

at Aston University United Kingdom

Explore the social structures and issues that have shaped your own life and learn not just how to understand the world, but how to change it. Understand some of the biggest debates in society and develop the skills you need to research what matters to you.

What you’ll learn
Sociology and Social Policy at Aston are about real-life experiences and how they relate to bigger social problems. 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.

Quantity surveyors manage the commercial aspects of construction and civil engineering projects, from the initial calculations to the final figures. Their aim is to minimise costs and enhance value for money, delivering projects to the required quality and on time.

Our Quantity Surveying programme, which is part of the civil engineering and infrastructure cluster here at Aston, examines the economic and operational issues related to the construction industry.

What you’ll learn
On our course you’ll gain a working knowledge of the techniques, and an understanding of the skills, required by quantity surveyors and commercial managers within the construction industry. With sustainable construction methods and technology at the centre of your learning, you’ll also learn about cost planning and estimating, scheduling projects and building engineering and management.

In addition, as you’ll be learning and living in the middle of Britain’s second city, you’ll gain invaluable, real-life experience of the challenges and opportunities faced by the people and organisations responsible for developing our built environment. To help bring this to life there will be regular opportunities for engagement with local projects through a series of guest lectures, site visits and real-life projects.

Our Transport Management programme, which is part of the civil engineering and infrastructure cluster here at Aston, examines the economic, operational, societal and environmental issues related to the transport and distribution industries.

The skills you will gain are in high demand and, as a graduate, you will be able to work on developing and building transport solutions that are more efficient, more sustainable and future-proof.

What you’ll learn
Health and safety considerations are implicit throughout, and the science and mathematical skills behind infrastructure will underpin your studies. Gaining project management knowledge and building professional relationships are other key areas of your studies.

The course includes examples, illustrations, visits and case studies from the transport sector, with your studies incorporating all the relevant management skills: accounting, marketing, human resources and operations management. All are set within the context of the transport related industries, with a focus on including passenger and freight modes.

Study the BSc (Hons) International Relations and Sociology degree course at Aston University to get a fascinating insight into the political and sociological challenges facing our society in the 21st century, giving you a great springboard for your future career.

What you’ll learn
On this programme, you’ll explore the major political and social issues faced by governments across the world. You will develop a knowledge and understanding of the international state system, the structure and purpose of international organisations and the roles played by international institutions, other intergovernmental organisations, multinational corporations and NGOs. Important strengths of the programme include its focus on key contemporary issues in international relations and policy, such as global economic change and the environment as well as international comparisons of government policies.

On the sociology strand of the course, you’ll gain an in-depth understanding of social processes, organisational dynamics and inter-group relationships. 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 analyse how politics is intertwined with the profit-making aims pursued by big corporations and how their combined interests dominate our social imaginations. When learning about contemporary topics such as inequality, racism, health, migration, sexuality, identity, education, the media, crime and climate change, you will be taught by experts in these fields.

Sociology will equip you with the knowledge and analytical skills that will enable you to think critically and work independently. This includes how to design a research project, collect empirical data, handle complex datasets (e.g., through applying coding techniques) and, most importantly, develop an advanced analytical mindset. This training will be essential for your final-year dissertation during which you will carry out your own individual research project. This experience will provide you with a skillset that is highly desired in a wide range of industries and areas of work.

Develop an understanding of the global business environment, including shifting competitive advantages, which influence strategic business decisions. You’ll also gain the knowledge required for initiating and managing innovation-based business strategies.

The Strategy and Entrepreneurship MSc will develop your understanding and application of core theories in strategy, and you will learn how to apply the knowledge and skills required for assessing and developing business strategies and operations.

This course will develop your knowledge of theories, principles, and practices of management. It will teach you how to apply this understanding to entrepreneurial business models and processes in both national and international contexts.

This course aims to provide a program of study that meets your needs if you are a local, national or international student, enabling you to learn by the exchange of experience as well as formal academic study. It is designed for recent graduates and those already in employment.

Do you want to do business, not just learn about it? Have you considered running your own business, or leading the development and success of an established organization?

What is enterprise development?
Our innovative program is constructed around you working in a team to set up and run your own enterprise. You will learn everything you need to know by experiencing it for yourself.

The BSc Business Enterprise Development degree at Aston University aims to give you the best start to learning about how to develop, sustain and grow a business. 

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Study a BSc (Hons) Economics and Politics degree course at Aston University and tackle some of the most challenging, controversial and real-world issues facing governments, business and the wider society today.

What you’ll learn
On this degree 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 acquire the ability to analyse and understand political problems, socio-cultural change and political institutions and structures.

On the economics side, you’ll develop an ability to investigate a range of political and economic issues, and gain a sound understanding of how economic and political issues are often closely interrelated in today’s globalised mass society. You’ll become familiar with a range of tools needed to solve a variety of complex economic problems, and develop research and analytical skills, equipping you with highly relevant, adaptable skills that are transferable across whatever career path you choose.

An integrated placement year offers the chance to apply your learning in a work placement in the UK or overseas. Whether you choose to focus on politics or economics, Aston’s strong links with employers around the world mean you will have a wide range of options to boost your employability and explore the world of work. Unlike some other universities, the placement year at Aston is not a ‘bolt-on’ year, it is an integral part of your degree and in your second year we’ll make sure you’re ready to get the most from this opportunity. You'll receive plenty of help and advice in finding your placement and specialist support and supervision from the University during your placement.

You will also have the opportunity to produce a substantial piece of individual work in the form of a dissertation on an agreed topic of your choice.

Explore the social structures and issues that have shaped your own life and learn not just how to understand the world, but how to change it. Understand some of the biggest debates in society and develop the skills you need to research what matters to you.

What you’ll learn
Sociology and Social Policy at Aston are about real-life experiences and how they relate to bigger social problems. 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.

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.

What you’ll learn
The core subjects at the heart of the degree – structures, materials, geotechnics, transport, infrastructure, engineering and construction management – will equip you with key expertise and enhance your employability.

During the course you will study a wide range of subjects, beginning with the fundamentals of civil engineering, including construction materials, mechanics and mathematical skills.

You will spend a year in industry as part of the course before completing your studies in year four with a research project and a design project as well as the opportunity to specialise in either transport, infrastructure, engineering or construction management.

The skills you will gain are in high demand and, as a graduate, you will be able to contribute to the ongoing development of the built environment in which we live and work.