Aston University

Aston University is a place where students achieve their ambitions, fulfil their potential, and leave with a degree which fully prepares them for careers at the top of business, industry, and healthcare.

For over a century, the university has strived to improve the world through education, research, and innovation. Students are guided to achieve this and are driven towards professional and personal success while simultaneously supporting global communities to flourish economically, socially and culturally.

Applied research underpins all teaching activities, and an expansive range of professional development opportunities enables students to learn essential skills with industry-related experience, helping them stand out in a competitive job market.

Complementing this, Aston University provides an exceptional campus experience. Students enjoy a close-knit, friendly, campus community, centrally located in, the UK's vibrant second-largest city. Birmingham is conveniently positioned in the centre of England, with easy transport routes around the UK. Its international airport has flights to countries all over Europe in addition to a number of long-haul links.

Achievements include:

• Awarded Triple Gold (Teaching Excellence Framework, 2023)
• Top 10 per cent evaluated global institution (QS World University Rankings (QS), 2025)
• 66^th in the world, and 8th in the UK, for business and management studies (QS by Subject, 2024)
• University of the Year Runner Up for Graduate Employment (The Times and Sunday Times University Guide, 2024)
• 18th for graduate prospects (The Times and Sunday Times University Guide, 2024)
• 25th in the UK (Guardian University Guide, 2024)
• Among 1 percent of business schools in the world to have triple accreditation
• Shortlisted for Business School of the Year (Times Higher Education Awards, 2023)
• Top 20 in the UK for Career Prospects (WhatUni Rankings, 2023)
• ‘Best University Placement Service' in the UK (National Undergraduate Awards, 2022)

At Aston University, teaching staff are passionate about their subjects and have plenty of real-world experience. They are also well known for their research. The textbooks they have written are used worldwide.

Awards and accolades

Evidencing the high degree of excellence of its teaching standards, some of Aston University's many achievements and awards include:

• Triple Gold (the highest possible rating) in the Teaching Excellence Framework (2023)
• 11^th overall for Student Voice (among institutions that appeared in the 2023 Guardian League Table), (National Student Survey, 2023)
• Biochemistry: 90 percent overall satisfaction (National Student Survey, 2023)
• Human Resource Management: 100 percent of students felt that teaching staff were good, or very good, at explaining things (National Student Survey, 2023)
• Chemistry: 3^rd in the UK for teaching quality (Sunday Times, 2023)
• Law: Top 20 in the UK for student satisfaction in ‘Law' (Complete University Guide, 2024)
• Politics with International Relations: 100 percent of students felt that teaching staff were good, or very good, at explaining things (National Student Survey, 2023)
• ‘World leading' and ‘internationally excellent' accreditations for 79 per cent of research submitted in the Research Excellence Framework (2021)

Degrees with built-in professional experience

Aston University was one of the pioneers of work placement in the UK, directly linking the benefits of the university experience with real-life work experience. This ethos continues today, with employability built into all courses, where students are given the opportunity to engage with business whilst they are studying.

Over 200 programmes are available to study at Aston University's innovative schools, which are:

• Aston Business School
• Aston Law School
• Aston Medical School
• Aston Pharmacy School
• School of Biosciences
• School of Engineering and Technology
• School of Computer Science and Digital Technologies
• School of Infrastructure and Sustainable Engineering
• School of Optometry
• School of Psychology
• School of Social Sciences and Humanities

Graduate School

A postgraduate degree is a great way to improve career prospects. As well as opening doors, an Aston University master's degree helps students to build their professional experience, develop their practical skills, and gain a competitive edge in the job market.

International pathways

International students can pursue a pathway programme to gain the necessary qualifications and qualities needed for academic study. This includes foundation, international year one, and pre-master's programmes in disciplines such as law, business, finance, engineering and health.

Pathway partners include ONCAMPUS Aston, based on Aston's Birmingham campus, and NCUK, located around the world.

In order to study at Aston University, students must meet the academic entry requirements of their chosen programme. These vary between courses, and students are advised to check the specifics for their preferred programme prior to application.

English Language

As instruction is in English, all non-native speakers must have a good level of English language ability. The English language requirements vary depending on the programme and level of study. Aston University accepts several English language test scores, including:

• IELTS
• TOEFL
• Pearson
• KTE – Kaplan Test of English
• Oxford ELLT Test

Some students may not have to provide proof of English language proficiency if they:

• Have studied for a recognised qualification in English, such as IB or GCSE English
• Have already studied at a UK university for a minimum of a year, and achieved a grade of 2:2 or higher
• Are from a majority English-speaking country
• Have a degree from a majority English-speaking country

International pathway programmes

International students who wish to study at Aston University but do not quite meet the entry requirements can pursue a pathway programme. Through foundation, international year one, and pre-master's programmes, students gain the qualifications they need for higher-level study. Subject areas include business, engineering, and finance.

Aston University invests over GBP 2 million in scholarships to help students achieve their career ambitions. There are a range of international scholarships, recognising students' academic, professional, and personal experience.

To apply for a scholarship, students need to apply for and receive an offer for an Aston University course first.

Ranked in the top 10 percent of evaluated institutions in the QS World University Rankings 2025

Aston University has risen 23 places in the 2025 QS World University Rankings, adding to its rise of 118 places in 2024.

The QS World University Rankings is the most widely read university rankings in the world. The 2025 edition reflects changes in methodology that prioritise student-relevant issues, including sustainability and employability. Evaluating 5,663 institutions, the 2025 rankings place the university in the top 10 percent of evaluated global universities.

Global leader in business and management studies

Students who choose to study business and management at Aston University study at a global elite university, ranked 66th in the world (QS World University Rankings by Subject, 2025) for business and management studies.

QS recognises outstanding institutions for academic and employer reputation, and research impact. Aston Business School holds accreditation from AMBA, AACSB and EQUIS, a triple accreditation held by only 1 percent of the world's business schools. The school's programmes provide students with multiple opportunities to gain invaluable work experiences with industry employers.

3rd in UK for Chemical Engineering

Aston's BEng (Hons) and MEng (Hons) in Chemical Engineering were placed third in the UK in the Guardian University Guide (2024). The rankings use eight measures of performance, covering all stages of the student lifecycle, including, amongst others, entry standards, student-staff ratios, continuation, student satisfaction, and career prospects.

The university's graduates are among the highest paid in the country. Employed graduates achieved the 19th largest median salary in the UK out of all higher education Institutions five years after graduation at GBP 35,400 (Longitudinal Education Outcomes, 2024).

Aston University prides itself on the success of its graduates, who work in a range of careers from large multinationals to family businesses, to small start-ups, to setting up their own businesses.

Employability

Degree programmes at Aston University aim to help students stand out in a competitive job market. All students are encouraged to complete work placements, which dramatically improves their graduate prospects.

Undergraduate degrees include work-focused modules, integrated placement opportunities, or a placement year. Postgraduate students can work on business projects with local companies.

Careers support

The Aston University Careers and Placements Team offers extensive careers support, and was named ‘Best University Placement Service' in the UK (National Undergraduate Employability Awards, 2022). It also provides resources for those looking to start their own business. Support includes:

• Specialist workshops for international students on finding work, visas, and returning home for work
• Scholarships for postgraduate business students taking the virtual internship programme
• Enterprising placement years
• An on-campus JobShop that advertises paid jobs

Birmingham

Aston University benefits from a prime location for those seeking to enter the job market, with the region being home to long-established companies such as Cadbury, Jaguar Land Rover, Lloyds Bank and Rolls Royce, as well as newer, thriving companies like Gymshark, all of which have their headquarters in the local area.