Aston University, Birmingham

Aston University is a public research university located in the city centre of Birmingham, UK. Founded in 1895 and granted a Royal Charter in 1966, the university has grown into a leading institution known for its focus on employability, enterprise and applied research.

Aston is organised into three academic colleges: the College of Business and Social Sciences (home to Aston Business School, Aston Law School and the School of Social Sciences and Humanities), the College of Engineering and Physical Sciences (including Schools of Engineering and Technology, Computer Science and Digital Technology, and Infrastructure and Sustainable Engineering), and the College of Health and Life Sciences (encompassing Aston Medical School, Schools of Biosciences, Pharmacy, Optometry, and Psychology).

The university attracts students from over 120 countries and is ranked in the top 5% of global universities in the QS World University Rankings 2027. It was awarded TEF Gold — the highest possible rating — in 2023, and named University of the Year for Student Success by the Daily Mail University Guide 2025. Aston Business School holds triple accreditation from AACSB, AMBA and EQUIS, placing it among fewer than 1% of business schools worldwide.

Aston is renowned for integrating work placements into undergraduate degrees and guaranteeing internships with every Master's degree. The university also offers degree apprenticeships and online programmes through Aston University Online. Research is conducted across five university research institutes and numerous centres, with particular strengths in photonics, pharmacy, AI, and health sciences.

The campus, set in the heart of Birmingham — the UK's second-largest city — provides on-campus accommodation (Aston Student Village, managed by Unite Students), a sports centre, Students' Union, and state-of-the-art teaching and research facilities.