Date: 15 December 2025

Speakers: Peter Ludgate (Senior Student Recruitment Advisor), Gwyn Wilson (Senior Student Advisor), and Khaled Alharthy (MSc Cybersecurity Student)

Introduction 

Peter Ludgate: Hello, and good morning, good afternoon, or good evening, depending on where you are in the world. 

Thank you for joining us for today’s webinar, ‘How Online Study Works at Aston: Exploring the Digital Campus.’ 

My name is Peter Ludgate, or Pete. I am only Peter when I am in trouble, and I am the Senior Student Recruitment Advisor here at Aston Online. 

Joining us today is Gwyn Wilson, our Senior Student Advisor. How are you doing, Gwyn? 

Gwyn Wilson: Hello, everyone. All good, thank you. 

Peter Ludgate: Excellent. We will be hearing more from Gwyn later in the session, and after that we will also hear from Khaled, one of our current students. 

How are you doing today, Khaled?  

Khaled Alharthy: Great, thank you. 

Peter Ludgate: Excellent. I may have put you on the spot there, so apologies. 

About Aston University Online 

Peter Ludgate: I am going to begin by talking about Aston University Online itself. 

What we offer is a flexible, student-focused, global learning experience. 

We are ranked in the Top 10 for graduate job prospects and the Top 20 for graduate salaries. 

We have also been ranked first in the UK for the part-time MBA in the Eduniversal rankings, and Aston is ranked 15th in the UK for Computer Science, according to the Guardian University Guide 2026. 

We are Triple Gold rated in the Teaching Excellence Framework, and we were named University of the Year for Student Success by the Daily Mail University Guide 2025. 

We are also ranked in the Top 5% of global universities according to the QS World University Rankings. 

We are very proud of these achievements, but the purpose of today’s webinar is not simply to tell you about rankings and awards. It is also to give you a clearer sense of what you can expect during your time with us, and Gwyn and Khaled will help illustrate that through their own perspectives and experiences. 

Why Aston Online 

Peter Ludgate: There are many reasons to choose Aston Online, but I want to focus on three key areas. 

The first is support. You will receive ongoing support from dedicated tutors and the Student Success Team. 

You also have full access to our digital library, resources, and programme materials at all times. In addition, you receive complimentary full access to Adobe Creative Cloud. 

I also want to mention something important here for those of you who are local to Birmingham or based in the UK. Even though you are studying online, you are still a full member of Aston University. The only difference is the mode of study. 

That means that if you are ever in the local area, you are welcome to visit campus, use the library, and even collect your student ID card. If you are thinking more about student discounts than academic purposes, your university email address will usually be enough for many of those benefits. 

Gwyn Wilson: I think that is right. We do not keep track of every student discount, but cinema discounts are usually a very good one. 

Peter Ludgate:  Exactly. I clearly like discounted delivery fees, and Gwyn prefers cinema discounts, so there are certainly practical perks as well. 

But the main point is that whether you are in Birmingham or Riyadh, if you are ever in the UK and want to visit campus, you absolutely can. 

Earn while you learn 

Peter Ludgate: The next major advantage is the ability to earn while you learn. 

If you are self-funding, there are instalment plans available, so there is no need to pay the full fee upfront. 

You do not need to take time away from your employment in order to study. The learning model is asynchronous, which means that we do not tell you exactly when to log in. You fit your studies around your own schedule. 

We generally recommend committing between 15 and 25 hours of study each week, but you can choose how and when to structure those hours. 

The important thing is that you meet your assessment deadlines consistently. 

There are also funding opportunities available. In the UK, for example, Student Finance England is one of the main providers. There may also be local or regional funding options available, depending on your circumstances. 

Flexible study 

Peter Ludgate: The final key area is flexibility. 

You can access your programme materials anytime and from anywhere. All you need is a reliable laptop or computer and a stable internet connection. 

You can study at your own pace, and the programmes are fully online and asynchronous. 

The only time we will really be disappointed if you are not on campus is on the day of your graduation, when you are invited to join us in person, in cap and gown, to celebrate your achievement. 

Application process 

Peter Ludgate: Let me now briefly explain the application process. 

We aim to make it as quick, simple, and supported as possible. 

The first step is to complete the online application form. 

If you have not done that already, it only takes a few minutes. After that, a member of the Admissions Team, either myself or one of my colleagues, will be in touch to discuss your career goals and the programme in more detail. 

If that conversation goes well, we will then ask you to submit the relevant documentation. This may include your CV, personal statement, references, academic records, and other supporting documents depending on your programme. 

The third step is to wait for a decision, and we will support you throughout that stage. 

The fourth step, which is probably the second most exciting part of the journey after graduation, is accepting your offer. You can do this by paying your £1,000 deposit or arranging your funding, after which you simply prepare to begin. 

Our next intake starts on Monday 26 January, so if you are seriously considering joining, this is an excellent time to speak with the team. 

Programmes available 

Peter Ludgate: Turning now to our programmes, we offer five undergraduate programmes: Business and Management, Computer Science, Cyber Security, Psychology, and the LLB. 

These are all part-time degrees studied over four years. 

The entry requirements are generally A-levels or international equivalents. However, we also take a holistic view of applications, so if you do not quite meet the standard academic entry requirements but have relevant professional experience, it is still worth having a conversation with us. 

At postgraduate level, we offer a range of part-time master’s programmes studied over two years. These include the MBA, MSc programmes, and the Master of Public Health, which was launched recently. 

The standard entry requirement for postgraduate study is usually a 2:2 honours bachelor’s degree or an international equivalent. Again, if you have significant professional experience, we would still be very happy to hear from you. 

At doctoral level, we offer the DBA, the Doctorate of Business Administration. 

This programme takes between four and six years. 

The entry requirements are more specific. We usually require a master’s degree in business or management, although in rare cases we may consider related qualifications, such as engineering, depending on the applicant’s background. 

Applicants for the DBA must also have at least five years of senior management experience. 

Application tips 

Peter Ludgate: Before I hand over to Gwyn, I want to share a few tips for making the most of your application. 

When applying for a degree, treat the process in much the same way as you would when applying for a job. 

You should tailor your CV for the programme so that it reflects your experience clearly and relevantly. 

The same goes for your personal statement. 

Start with a compelling introduction, explain your achievements and career goals, and make clear why you want to study this particular programme and how it connects to your future plans. 

It never hurts to add a sentence or two about why you would like to study with Aston specifically. 

You should also make sure you have your academic records ready. If you do not have them to hand, contact your previous schools, colleges, universities, or exam boards as soon as possible. 

If your degree certificate or transcript is in a language other than English, we will need to see an official translation. References should also be provided where required so that we can verify your application properly. 

Finally, if English is not your first language, you will usually need to provide evidence of an English language qualification. If you do not currently have one, speak with us. There may still be an option available, and we can advise you on a case-by-case basis, especially in relation to the January intake. 

Digital campus overview 

Gwyn Wilson: Our digital campus is where Aston Online students complete all their studies. 

We call it the digital campus because Aston has a physical campus for students who attend in person, and we have a digital campus for our online students. What we try to do is make the digital campus experience feel as close as possible to an on-campus experience, just without the physical buildings. 

For today’s demonstration, I am going to use Khaled’s profile to show you around the platform and give you an overview of what you can expect to see when you first log in. 

When you join Aston Online, you will be sent a username and password by our technical team. They will guide you through the setup process step by step, and once that is complete, you are ready to begin. 

When you first enter the digital campus, you will see the main homepage. This page reflects the different aspects of Aston and the values we hold across the university. If you can see this main banner, you know you are in the right place. 

Homepage and core spaces 

Gwyn Wilson: On the homepage, there are several important areas to help you get started. 

There is an induction space, the Student Hub, which I will return to later, and the e-library, where you can access textbooks, journals, academic resources, and other materials to support your studies. 

There is also access to the university website if you would like more information about Aston itself. 

This is your starting point. 

Programmes and modules 

Gwyn Wilson: If we go into the programmes section, this is where your individual learning modules are stored. 

You study each module over a 12-week teaching period, followed by a four-week period for marking and moderation, during which you are not actively studying that module. 

So, each module follows that same overall cycle. 

When you first access the digital campus, you may expect the Programmes area to be empty until teaching begins. 

However, before teaching starts, the Student Success Team prepares an onboarding module for all students. 

Onboarding module 

Gwyn Wilson: The onboarding module is available as soon as you receive your login credentials, so you do not need to wait until your first official teaching module opens. 

The onboarding module is there to help you get comfortable with the digital campus, meet other students, and begin building your support network. 

This is especially important because we know our students come from very different backgrounds. Some are based in the UK, some are international, some are in full-time work, some have family commitments, and many are returning to study after time away. 

The aim of the onboarding module is to help you find your place, connect with people in similar circumstances, and begin building a sense of belonging before classes even begin. 

It also gives you the opportunity to form connections not only with students on your own programme, whether that is the MBA, Computer Science, or the DBA, but also with students on other programmes across Aston Online. 

The onboarding content is presented in a linear format, but unlike the teaching modules, it is not designed to be completed strictly from top to bottom. 

You can move through it in the order that feels most useful to you and focus on the areas you feel you want to understand before beginning your studies. There is a welcome section, where you are introduced to Aston University, the Student Success Team, and the overall student experience. 

There are also reflective activities that encourage you to think about your own previous educational experiences and how those can help shape your future learning. We place a strong emphasis on reflective practice, and that is something you will encounter repeatedly throughout your studies, including in assessment work. 

The onboarding module also invites you to think about your ambitions and to begin building your study network. You will have support from the Student Success Team and your tutors, but it is also important to think about who else will be part of your support system when challenges arise. 

There are also scenario-based sections designed to make onboarding more personal and relevant. For example, there are sections for students returning to study after time away from education, and for overseas students who may not be familiar with the UK academic system. 

There are also areas focused on how to study successfully online, how to manage deadlines, and what to do if challenges arise. 

Alongside that, there are practical guides on navigating the digital campus and using the Student Hub. There is also a dialogue section designed to encourage discussion between students on topics such as AI, balancing work and study, managing expectations, staying motivated, and using the right support resources. 

Finally, there is a section that brings all of this learning together and helps you create a resource you can use as you move forward into your studies. 

So, there is a great deal available in onboarding to keep you engaged right up until the start of teaching. 

Induction week 

Gwyn Wilson: The week before teaching begins is our induction week. 

Much like students on campus, Aston Online students receive an induction experience before classes start. 

This week is designed to strengthen networking opportunities and help you settle in. 

It also acts a little like a student handbook. It covers the key information, rules, and policies you need to understand, but it presents them in a more engaging way. 

During induction week, we also include interactive activities. 

For example, one of the activities we run is a scavenger hunt in the e-library, designed by the Student Success Team, to help students become familiar with academic resources. 

Khaled seems to remember that one. 

We also create opportunities for students to engage with each other. 

Last semester, for the first time, we ran a virtual student social. This allowed students to meet on Zoom, move into breakout rooms, and speak directly with other students starting the same programme at the same time. 

That early connection is incredibly important, because these are the same people you may be studying alongside for the next two, four, or even six years in the case of the DBA. 

Getting to know each other early and building that network really helps as your studies progress. 

Teaching module design 

Gwyn Wilson: Looking at one of the teaching modules, each one begins with introductory content designed to guide you carefully into the learning experience. 

This includes a welcome to the module, guidance on how to succeed, the reading list, introductions to the academics who designed the module, and opportunities to connect with your peers. From the very beginning, you can also see what your assessment will be, so you know exactly what you are working toward. 

You are given assessment guidance from the start, including information about the summative assessment. Each module is then broken into numbered sections. 

Because the teaching period is 12 weeks long, the expectation is that you work through one section each week, with the final week typically being focused on assessment submission. The numbered sections are there to guide your progress and help you stay on track. 

If you are in week one, you should be working through section one. In week two, section two, and so on. This gives students a clear structure and helps them pace their studies effectively. 

Calendar, messages, and marks 

Gwyn Wilson: We also provide a calendar to help you stay organised. 

The calendar automatically populates important dates related to your studies, such as assessment deadlines and other key academic activities. 

You can also add your own personal reminders if you wish, so it becomes a central place for keeping track of what matters. 

There is also a messages function, which allows you to contact other students, your tutors, and different groups within the platform. 

In addition, there is a marks area where all  your grades are stored. 

That, in essence, is the digital campus. If there are any questions about it, please save them for the end and I will do my best to answer them. 

That concludes the demo. 

Pete, may I hand back to you so you can bring the slides back up? 

Peter Ludgate: 
Absolutely, and thank you very much, Gwyn. That was greatly appreciated. 

I think you have done an excellent job of creating a very clear picture of what students can expect when they join us in January. But we are not quite finished with you yet, because you are now going to talk us through what your team does and how students are supported. 

The Student Success Team 

Gwyn Wilson: Yes, absolutely. 

So, moving on from the digital campus itself, I want to talk about support and how students build a network of support during their learning journey. 

Your main advocate throughout your time at Aston Online, beyond the people supporting you at home, is the Student Success Team, which is my team. 

The team currently consists of myself, Samaya, and Claire. We are here to support you from the moment you accept your offer from Pete. Once you accept, we will guide you through the next stage, which is onboarding and enrolment. 

We do this through tailored communications and step-by-step support, and we also work with other teams, such as our technical teams, to make sure that the process from offer acceptance through to full enrolment is as smooth as possible. 

That means helping you get onto the digital campus, making sure your enrolment is completed, and ensuring that you can access all the digital services Aston provides, including the library and wider support systems. 

The induction week is not only about meeting other students. It is also where you begin to understand what the Student Success Team does and what support is available to you. 

Our role includes supporting student wellbeing, sharing study tips, and triaging or signposting students to other specialist teams where more targeted support may be needed. 

For example, Aston has mental health and counselling teams on campus, and where appropriate, we can connect students with those services. 

So, while the Student Success Team is often the main point of contact, there are several other teams behind us, and we can help students access those resources whenever needed. 

Disability and learning support 

Gwyn Wilson: We are also the team that supports students who declare a disability or have learning support needs. 

We arrange one-to-one meetings with those students to make sure that their needs are understood and that the right support is in place from day one. 

That way, students can begin their studies with the resources and adjustments they need already in place. 

The Student Hub 

Gwyn Wilson: In addition to direct support from our team, we have also created a comprehensive self-help resource called the Student Hub. 

The Student Hub is designed to answer common student questions and provide guidance on recurring issues. 

For example, it includes information on how to submit an assessment, how originality checking works, what happens if you pass an assessment, and what happens if you do not. 

There are many different guides and signposts available there, so it acts as a very useful first stop for students who have smaller questions or need quick guidance. 

Ongoing support and careers 

Gwyn Wilson: Students receive continuous support throughout their studies, and for six months after graduation as well. 

So, our support does not stop the moment you finish your final module. 

We also work closely with Aston’s Careers Team. 

They are a very strong and well-regarded support team, and they can help students with CVs, cover letters, job applications, and career planning. For students based in the UK, they can also offer one-to-one guidance around jobs, placements, and wider opportunities. 

If a student would like support from the Careers Team, they would contact the Student Success Team first, and we would then signpost or refer them to the appropriate careers support. Our relationship with the careers team continues to strengthen, and as Aston Online grows, the support and resources we can offer online students through that partnership will continue to increase as well. So that is an overview of the careers support and the Student Success Team. 

Thanks, Pete. Back to you. 

Student interview 

Peter Ludgate: So, what we are going to do now is hear from Khaled, who has been waiting very patiently, and we are very grateful to him for joining us today to share his experience. 

I am going to read this out for you, Khaled, so please take this in properly. 

Khaled is a senior cybersecurity consultant with over 25 years of hands-on experience in cybersecurity operations. 

While he has a deep history of practical success in the field, he is also committed to continuous professional development, and he is currently studying for a master’s degree in Cybersecurity here at Aston Online. 

He is driven by a strong commitment to lifelong learning and to staying at the forefront of the evolving security landscape. His professional philosophy is rooted in continuous improvement and a relentless pursuit of knowledge within the cyber domain. 

So, welcome, Khaled, and thank you for joining us today. 

Khaled Alharthy: You’re welcome. I appreciate it. 

Peter Ludgate: Wonderful. 

I was wondering if you could begin by telling us a little about your background and what led you to study with Aston Online. 

Khaled Alharthy: Yes, of course. Thank you, everyone, for joining. I have over 25 years of experience in IT and cybersecurity, working across healthcare, government, and consulting roles in Saudi Arabia. 

My career has covered SOC operations, SIEM, incident response, penetration testing, and compliance frameworks, including our local NCA framework and the international ISO 27001 standard. Even with that level of experience, I strongly believe that cybersecurity is a field where continuous learning is essential. 

I wanted to strengthen my academic foundation, especially in strategic and research-led cybersecurity, rather than focusing only on operational work. The reason I chose Aston Online was because of its strong reputation, the practical focus of the programme, and the fact that it is designed for working professionals. 

It allowed me to continue developing academically without having to step away from a demanding senior role. 

Peter Ludgate: That is wonderful to hear. You clearly bring a great deal of experience with you, and it is also lovely to hear about that philosophy of continuous development. 

How has the flexibility of online learning helped you balance your studies with your other commitments? 

Khaled Alharthy: Flexibility has been one of the biggest advantages for me. 

I work full-time in a senior cybersecurity consultancy role, often managing multiple projects and different client environments. The online format has allowed me to study during evenings and weekends, and to plan my learning around work priorities without compromising either side. The structured modules and clear deadlines make it realistic to stay engaged while still managing both professional and personal responsibilities. For someone already established in their career, that level of flexibility is not just helpful, it is essential. 

Peter Ludgate: That is excellent. 

Here is a more difficult question for you. Can you share an aspect of the programme that you have found particularly valuable? 

Khaled Alharthy: Yes, that is a good question. 

What I have found especially valuable is the balance between academic depth and real-world relevance. The modules do not remain at a purely theoretical level. They encourage critical thinking, risk-based decision-making, and research that directly connects to real cybersecurity challenges. In the modules I have already completed, I have seen that they often use realistic scenarios, including actual attack situations and advanced persistent threats that have occurred in the digital world. 

I have also appreciated the shorter, focused module structure. It helps maintain momentum and makes it easier to apply what you learn immediately in your professional role. 

In addition, the learning environment encourages independent thinking, which is especially important at master’s level and aligns very well with leadership and consultancy roles in cybersecurity. 

Peter Ludgate: That is fantastic. 

The fact that the learning goes beyond theory and allows you to critically apply it to real-world situations is clearly a real strength of the programme. Final question before we stop interrogating you. What advice would you give to someone who is considering enrolling on this programme, or on any Aston Online programme? 

Khaled Alharthy: My advice would be to approach the programme with a clear goal and strong time management. 

The flexibility is a major benefit, but it also requires discipline. 

I would also encourage students to actively connect the academic content to their professional experience. If you are already working in cybersecurity or IT, you will get much more value by applying the concepts directly to real situations. 

Finally, do not wait until you feel completely ready. Cybersecurity evolves constantly, and investing in structured, high-quality education like Aston Online is a very strong step toward long-term career growth and leadership. That is what I would say from my own experience. 

Peter Ludgate: That is wonderful. Thank you very much for sharing your story and your experience. 

I think that gives everyone a very clear picture of what students can expect, so thank you again for your time, Khaled. We are moving into the Q&A now, so if you are happy to stay with us, perhaps you can also help us answer any student-specific questions. 

Khaled Alharthy: Of course.