- Location
- Birmingham
- Founded
- 1895 (Birmingham Municipal Technical School); university status 1966
- Students
- about 15,500
- Type
- Public university
- Main intakes
- September, January, April (postgraduate)
- Study levels
- Undergraduate, Postgraduate, Postgraduate research, Foundation, Online
Aston University is a public university on a self-contained 60-acre campus at Gosta Green in the centre of Birmingham, England. It began as the Birmingham Municipal Technical School in 1895, became the UK's first college of advanced technology in 1956, and received its royal charter as the University of Aston in Birmingham on 22 April 1966. It enrols about 15,500 students.
Why study at Aston University
Aston is known for placement years and close links with industry and commerce, with a high share of students spending time in work placements. Teaching is organised into three colleges covering business and social sciences, engineering and physical sciences, and health and life sciences, including Aston Business School and Aston Medical School. It was named The Guardian's University of the Year in 2020, and its teaching holds Teaching Excellence Framework Gold (2023).
Location and student life
The Aston Triangle campus is a self-contained site in the centre of Birmingham, the UK's second city, close to shops, entertainment and the city's main rail, tram and bus links, including New Street station. Campus facilities include the library, a sports centre with swimming pool, cafes and restaurants, a health centre and places of worship.
Birmingham is a large and diverse city with music, sport, food and cultural life, and the Students' Union runs clubs, societies and events. Living on a city-centre campus keeps teaching, housing and social life close together.
Courses and subjects
Aston's teaching is organised into three colleges: the College of Business and Social Sciences, including Aston Business School, the College of Engineering and Physical Sciences, and the College of Health and Life Sciences, including Aston Medical School. Established strengths include business, engineering, photonics and health subjects, and many degrees offer an integrated placement year in the UK or abroad.
Aston also offers foundation programmes and pre-sessional English routes for students who need extra preparation before degree study. Course content, options and entry requirements differ between programmes, so check the details of each course before applying.
Entry requirements for international students
International applicants qualify with school-leaving or bachelor-level results equivalent to Aston's course requirements, and requirements vary by course, so check the relevant course page and country guidance. Aston publishes minimum IELTS band scores for undergraduate, postgraduate and research entry and accepts a range of English tests; students just below the threshold may take pre-sessional or in-sessional English. Foundation routes are available for students who do not yet meet direct entry.
Accommodation
Aston guarantees accommodation to undergraduate and postgraduate students who hold an offer and complete the application and booking steps, including students applying through clearing for September entry. Rooms are on the city-centre Aston Student Village, managed with Unite Students, once the tenancy agreement is signed. First-choice rooms cannot always be promised when demand is high, so apply in good time.
Scholarships and funding
For 2027 entry Aston publishes an International Community Scholarship worth £9,000 in total for undergraduates (£3,000 per taught year) and £5,500 for September postgraduates (£4,000 for January and April intakes), plus the Sir Adrian Cadbury Chancellor's Scholarship of £10,000 for postgraduates. Awards cannot be combined and students receive the highest-value award available to them. Awards change each year, so check the scholarships page for current deadlines and terms.