Engineering and Physical Sciences Foundation Programme: Cybersecurity - BSc (Hons)

Aston University, Birmingham

Aston is the first university where I have felt truly included. It is clear that EDI here isn’t just a ‘box-ticking’ exercise; there is a genuine network of support for every student. The staff are deeply invested in our success and go above and beyond to ensure everyone feels they belong. While the email responses from the ICT support centre are 100% effective and impressively quick, the high volume of work from various departments can sometimes lead to delays in other areas. Increasing resources for the centre would help maintain their high standard of support across all service channels.

I really enjoyed my interaction with my mentors and teachers who have been supportive all throughout. In terms of academia I cant think of any improvements.

Understanding lecturers that actually care about teaching - unlike others in bigger universities that see it as a chore. To improve, Aston University currently uses a notorious debt collection agency to manage gym membership fees, Harlands Group Limited. They have previously charged me on an incorrect date, when I hadn't moved money into the account yet, and charged twice the amount when I tried to remake the payment the next day due to 'admin fees of processing a late payment'. This a repeated story in online reviews about the company when searching on google. When I brought this to the attention of the uni - I was simply referred to links with tips for handling the cost of living, despite the fact that the company charged me on the wrong date.

Ironically it was during a student progress meeting I was having my module teacher. I had missed weeks of uni and she had reached out to check on me and first I had felt intruded but also felt that it was a privilege as many of my friends at uni don’t have curious and helpful staff. I attended this meeting and addressed why I was missing uni and it was due to money and psychological problems. I expected to receive typical advice and a boost of temporary motivation but it was the complete. She told me the harsh truth, reality and potential outcome if I don’t “get my house in order” and from then on I’ve been so different. The most life changing conversation I’ve had with someone who was not family or my friend and I’ll never forget how life changing the conversation was as it proved to me that there are some staff that do love their jobs and actively try help and advise rather than finish their forced 9 to 5 job and go home unhappy. She helped me and I’ll forever be grateful. My worst experience was waiting for almost 2 hours for a meeting with the financial advisors about my money problems and student finance. Everyone hates queues but at Aston, it’s a constant line of pressed and angry people because they refuse to come up with ways to change the circumstances and adapt so that people are served quickly and better. And when you are served, you’re always redirected to a phone call or told to come back later and honestly the hun is the most disorganised and draining place to be and ironically, it’s where people go and expect to be helped. Overall, Aston is weak in adaptation; through student service in the hub and onto the decor and feel of the atmosphere and appearance.

Student union can be slightly frustrating but you can see progress being made hard conversation being had. Really brilliant facilities available its just the access and getting the chance to use all the hardware.