• The £2.5m funding has been awarded under the Office for Students Capital Grant funding scheme
• The new laboratories will be inclusive, accessible and more sustainable, with new, specialist equipment reflecting modern workplaces
• The laboratory refurbishment will be completed in April 2026.

The Office for Students (OfS) has granted £2.5m to Aston University to redevelop its biosciences teaching laboratories.

The new laboratories will be inclusive, accessible and more sustainable, and will include state-of-the-art equipment to better prepare students for careers in the NHS and life sciences industry, with training and equipment aligned to employers’ needs. They will support new programmes in bioinformatics, pharmacology and industrial biotechnology, as well as enhancing the student experience in existing programmes such as in biomedical science.

The money, from the OfS Capital Grant funding scheme, will pay for specialist equipment to teach clinical diagnostics, genomics and drug discovery. It is part of a new round of funding announced by the OfS on 18 November, totalling £88.5m, granted to universities and colleges across England for investment in new buildings, facilities and equipment.

The clinical diagnostics equipment at Aston University, which will include a mass spectrometer and machines to analyse DNA and RNA, will support a shift away from isolated practicals toward integrated, diagnostic case-based workflows, mirroring the NHS environment and practice and enhancing readiness for employment.

The new genomics equipment will be vital for student projects and practicals in new master’s programmes in bioinformatics and genomic medicine, as well as offering wider opportunities to biosciences and pharmacology students. There will be equipment for genome sequencing, structural variant detection and microbial genomics, to equip students with hands-on experience in genomics workflows currently used in NHS and industry contexts.

State-of-the-art equipment for drug discovery will allow students to explore drug action from identifying targets for drugs in cells through gene and protein analysis, screening potential drugs with high-throughput plate readers for efficacy, in vitro and ex vivo testing, and in vivo modelling using Aston’s existing zebrafish facility.

The accessible, inclusive features will help to support neurodiverse students and those with disabilities. This includes rise-and-fall benches, lowered sinks and improved acoustics. The funding will allow upgrades to the audiovisual equipment to enhance engagement and clarity during lab-based teaching.

The refurbished labs will also have low-energy LED lighting, equipment to reduce the use of single-use plastics, such as a pipette tip washer, and upgraded ventilation and cooling systems. By creating a high-performing and environmentally conscious teaching environment, the project will ensure that students not only develop advanced technical skills but also graduate with a deep understanding of sustainable laboratory practices.

The UK’s Modern Industrial Strategy identifies life and health sciences as a key driver of economic growth. 90% of biomedical science graduates from Aston University are in positive destinations 15 months after graduation, and the programme ranks in the 2025 Guardian University Guide top ten for both value-added and for “career after 15 months”. The OfS funding for the upgraded teaching labs will help to continue these high standards.

The refurbishment is expected to be completed in April 2026.

Professor Liz Moores, acting pro-vice-chancellor and executive dean of Aston University College of Health and Life Sciences, said:

“This funding is a transformative step for Aston’s biosciences programmes. It allows us to provide students with an exceptional, future-ready learning environment that reflects our commitment to accessibility, sustainability, and excellence in practical skills training.”

Professor Andrew Devitt, head of biosciences at Aston University, said:

“This OfS funding will provide a significant advancement in the training facilities available with the School of Medicine, Pharmacy and Biosciences. The introduction of such cutting-edge equipment will provide our students with an authentic, hands-on learning experience that greatly enhances their education. These training opportunities will ensure our graduates are fully prepared for employment, whilst the emphasis on inclusivity – central to the OfS funding – will promote progress and opportunity for all.”

The Office for Students previously granted £3.3m to Aston University to develop accessible pharmacy teaching laboratories, including an asepsis suite and technician prep room, which opened in September 2024.