Overview

Founded in 1895 and a university since 1966, Aston University is situated on a central and compact campus in Birmingham city centre. Aston University boasts a student population of just over 9,200, with students coming from more than 110 countries world-wide. Aston University has ranked consistently high in various league/rankings tables in previous years, and is particularly strong in business and management; biological sciences; French; German; optometry; pharmacy; mechanical engineering and psychology.

There are five main areas of study at Aston University: the Aston Business School; the School of Engineering and Applied Science; the School of Languages and Social Sciences; the School of Life and Health Sciences; and Interdisciplinary Studies (for undergraduate studies).

All bachelor’s degrees (with the exception of Pharmacy and Optometry) offer students the chance to study on sandwich courses, which generally includes a paid work placement or a year of study at one of Aston's partner institutions around the world. This provides students with the opportunity to put theory into practice whilst also gaining valuable professional experience that should enhance employment opportunities after study.

A team of qualified doctors and nurses are on hand to offer a full range of medical advice. Additionally, there is also a dental surgery and an-campus optician’s dispensing clinic.

The Student's Guild also offers a variety of entertainment and social facilities, with over 80 clubs and societies for students to join.

Undergraduate Ranking

In the 2012 Complete University Guide, Aston University ranked 25^th out of 116 UK higher education institutions, 34^th out of 119 UK higher education institutions in the Guardian University Guide 2012 and 36th out of 116 higher education institutions in The Times 2012 Good University Guide. 

Aston University is ranked 8th in the UK for employability of its graduates - on average, 83% enter “graduate level” employment or further study within 6 months of graduation. Aston University was also rated No 1 for Student Life, and as one of the UK's friendliest universities.

Postgraduate Ranking

Aston University is ranked by the Financial Times 2008 as 3rd in the UK and 18^th in the world for its Masters in Management programmes.  Aston was also ranked 1^st in the world for “careers”, 2^nd in the UK for “value for money” and for “international course experience”.  The Financial Times considers Aston University to be one of the top 50 European Business Schools.

The Economist ranks the Aston University MBA programme as 13^th in the UK, with a 1^st in the World for Student Diversity.

In the most recent Research Assessment Exercise (RAE) all Aston research areas are ranked in the UK top 12 and 45% of submitted research was evaluated as excellent or world-leading with 5* ratings in Business & Management Studies, General Engineering and Allied Health Professions and Studies.

Aston University is one among 1% of schools worldwide that hold triple accreditation from AMBA, EQUIS AND AACSB.

Further details of all current rankings can be found on the Aston website at http://www1.aston.ac.uk/about/rankings/

Services for International Students

At the start of each new academic year, the International Orientation Programme (Aston Welcome Week) takes place, providing information and guidance to help new students settle in to university life. Student volunteers or “Aston Aunties” help to meet-and-greet students as they arrive at Birmingham International Airport.

A team of dedicated International Student Advisers and Welfare staff who specialise in visas and immigration advice are on hand to offer any required guidance and support. Students are allocated a personal tutor to guide them through academic issues as they embark on studies at Aston University.

Further details of all the services on offer at Aston University can be found on the website at http://www1.aston.ac.uk/international-students/

Accommodation

Aston University guarantees international non-EU students campus accommodation for the duration of their studies. EU students are guaranteed university campus accommodation for the first year of their studies and can apply for subsequent years.

All accommodation is on campus and is self-catering. Single study bedrooms come as standard or en-suite. Apartments house 3 - 12 students. On-campus facilities include launderettes, satellite television lounges and 24 hour security. Residence tutors and wardens are on hand to provide support to students, if required. Heating, electricity and cleaning charges are included in the rent, and wifi Broadband Internet access is available via an external Internet service provider.

Further details on the range of on-campus accommodation on offer can be found on the Aston website at http://www1.aston.ac.uk/study/accommodation/

Campus

As with many university campuses, Aston has plenty of amenities on offer: sports centres, swimming pool, cafés, restaurants and pubs, supermarket, travel centre, hairdresser, doctors, dentist, places of worship, opticians, ATM machines and plenty of green, outdoor spaces.

All facilities (including ATMs, supermarket and eating places) are located on the campus, providing a safe and friendly environment for students to live in.

Over 40 sports clubs are on offer and facilities include a swimming pool, floodlit pitch, climbing wall, multigym, squash courts, weights and fitness rooms.

The Aston University Library is on four floors and also provides online access to over 40 electronic databases and more than 3,400 electronic journals in subject areas such as Business, Management, Finance, Languages and Politics, Computing, Law, Social Sciences, Medicine, Life Sciences, Engineering and Sciences. Students can access many of these from any computer on campus and also from home or other locations off campus.

Health centre

Aston University has a team of qualified doctors and nurses on-site, offering a full range of medical advisory services. There is also a dental surgery and optician’s dispensing clinic on-campus, with the nearest pharmacy a short walk from the campus.

Welfare support

Welfare support includes a team of international student advisers who provide friendly and confidential advice on a range of issues including visas and immigration issues, employment, cultural, financial and personal matters. Trained counsellors are also available if students have issues of a personal and confidential nature that they wish to discuss. 

Location

Birmingham is Britain’s second city and is internationally recognised as a leader in leisure, entertainment, business, shopping, industry and sport. Birmingham is a lively and multicultural city, with a population of approximately 1.2 million people. Birmingham International Airport is 20 minutes away, and London is only a 90 minute journey by rail or two hours' drive.

Birmingham has many attractive squares, modern shopping arcades, pubs, clubs and restaurants, as well as fine museums, art galleries and the largest collection of theatres outside of London. There is an extensive range of cuisine available throughout the city.

To visit Aston University or to find out more, please click on http://www1.aston.ac.uk/international-students/

 

 

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