Industry Club
Introduction
The Computer Science Industry Club is an exclusive network of partners, leading academics and switched-on students who work together to drive ambition and inspire progress. We offer a range of brand building opportunities to help raise company profiles with students, including guest lectures, insight days to company offices, exclusive attendance at showcase events, and the chance to sponsor student projects.
Founded in 1895 and an university since 1966, Aston is a long established research-led university, know for its world-class teaching quality, and strong links to business and the professions. Aston has been a leading university for graduate employment success for 25 years. The Computer Science Department at Aston has a strong record of delivering applied research, winning over £1.4 million of research finding annually. Aston is almost the most successful university for delivering Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTPs) and the Computer Science Department is particularly active in this area. Many of our partners choose to undertake KTPs with us, including our largest ever single Associate KTP project with Majestic, worth £250,000.
BSc degree programmes
- Computer Science
- Computer Science with Multimedia
- Computer Science with Business
- Computer Science with Mathematics
- Cybersecurity
MSc degree programmes
- Computer Science (conversion course)
- Artificial Intelligence
- Professional Engineering
Our courses have a strong focus on information systems engineering incorporating scientific principles, with an emphasis on design and practical applications. Students benefit from practical teaching informed by the application-focused research expertise of our Computer Science academics. Our courses are accredited by the British Computing Society, and the Computer Science with Business course is a Tech Industry Gold accredited course.
The intake for all Computer Science related courses is now over 200 students and all of our BSc (Hons) Computer Science degrees are accredited for Chartered IT Professional (CITP) status – the British Computer Society's chartered qualification.
Many of our students undertake an industrial placement in their third year and the rate of graduate employment is extremely high. Computer Science at Aston was ranked 4th out of 107 institutions for graduate prospects (Complete University Guide 2018).
Industry Club
Created in response to increased employer demand for our graduates and research expertise, the Computer Science Industry Club was founded in 2016. The Industry Club is a holistic strategic partnership between industry and academia. Led by Dr Maria Chli, the Industry Club brings students, academics and industry professionals through a wide range of activities, which focus on three key areas: curriculum development, recruitment and research. Our members vary in size from SMEs to multi-national corporations.
Tailored Services
What we offer
A holistic strategic partnership between industry and academia
Spanning across recruitment, research collaboration and curriculum shaping.
Cutting-edge innovation
A single point of access to cutting-edge innovation and a unique talent pool. Strong students, world class academics, impactful research.
Symbiotic relationship
Where industry joins forces with academia to deliver both top-level, relevant education and cutting-edge innovation. The Industry Club offering carries a range of brand-building opportunities for partners to raise their profile among our student body.
The Industry Club Membership
Being a member of the Industry Club enables you access to the Computer Science Department. Our Partners also gain priority access to Aston's student-run Software development company, Beautiful Canoe. Every year we invite our partners to deliver guest lectures in relation to relevant modules; submit real world project proposals for students to work on; and sit on the Industrial Advisory Panel, where their feedback ensures our courses reflect the needs of industry. Companies can attend showcase events throughout the year, where selected students present work and gain valuable feedback. Industry Club members benefit enhanced access to academic staff, and the Department's expertise in AI, data analytics and software engineering.
A Tailored Service of Activities and Events
A bespoke offering for each partner company will help to raise your profile through a range of services and activities including:
- direct communication with students and academics
- a wide variety of targeted brand-building opportunities
- exclusive attendance at events where top students and researchers present their work
- proactive academic support to formulate proposals for student and research projects
- option to sit on our Industrial Advisory Board and to advise on curriculum development
- priority access to Beautiful Canoe, Aston University’s student-run software company
Opportunities for Brand Building
We offer a range of brand- building opportunities to help raise your profile among our student body including:
- lecturing opportunities in targeted timetabled sessions of undergraduate and postgraduate modules - our team will help you identify suitable modules to contribute to and advise on suitable content
- insight days - organised visits of selected students across year groups to partner company offices
- industry club events allow scope for brand building through student prize giving, helping to raise partners’ profiles with the best students
Events to Showcase Outstanding Projects
As part of the Industry Club offering we will provide tailored support that help partner companies to:
- put forward student projects at final year and MSc level
- recruit suitable students and researchers
- put forward research proposals as well as Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTPs)