Aston University is a public research university situated in the city centre of Birmingham, England. Aston began as the Birmingham Municipal Technical School in 1895, evolving into the UK's first College of Advanced Technology in 1956. Aston University received its royal charter from Queen Elizabeth II on 22 April 1966.

Aston pioneered the integrated placement year concept over 50 years ago, and more than 73% of Aston students take a placement year, the highest percentage in the UK.

In 2020, Aston University was named "University of the Year" by The Guardian, and the newspaper also awarded Aston Students' Union its "Buildings That Inspire" award. The Times Higher Education Awards named Aston University as its "Outstanding Entrepreneurial University" in 2020

Students from over 120 countries choose to study at Aston University – a safe and friendly campus enjoyed by a global, multicultural community. Birmingham is one of the UK’s most diverse cities and home to an unrivalled cultural heritage, top sporting events, music, performing arts and outstanding world cuisine.

Why Aston University

• The Guardian has named us University of the Year, saying that Aston "shone out for its commitment to social mobility, diversity and sustainability.
• We’re ranked 11th in the UK for Continuation, which measures how well Aston supports students, including those who may be struggling (Guardian University Guide, 2021). And our teaching received the highest possible GOLD rated by the Teaching Excellence Framework (2017). The TEF Panel found that students from all backgrounds achieve ‘consistently outstanding outcomes’ at Aston, with very high proportions of students going into highly skilled employment or further study.
• 79.2% of graduates in professional jobs or further study (Complete University Guide 2020)
• We scored 83.4% overall satisfaction in the 2020 National Student Survey. Also, 88% of Aston students agreed that our staff are good at explaining things.
• Aston has been ranked top 200 in the world, earning 5 stars for Employability (QS Graduate Employability World Rankings 2019)
• Through the Aston placement year, students gain valuable experience to take into the workplace. Each year, Aston's Careers + Placements team arrange over 200 visits from employers on campus.
• If you want to start your own business, Aston is a great place to be. BSEEN can help you kick-start your business idea. You can now also do an 'enterprising placement year', where you start your own business.
• If you want to start your own business, Aston is a great place to be. BSEEN can help you kick-start your business idea. You can now also do an 'enterprising placement year', where you start your own business.
• Aston offers UK leading degree apprenticeships and work-based study. A degree apprenticeship is a new way to get the experience you need. Put simply, you work and study over the course of your degree in your chosen field. Your employer and the government pay your fees.
• Under the Languages for All scheme, you can study a language alongside or as part of their degree. First year undergraduate students can study a language for free.