Aston University, Birmingham

Aston University is redefining what a university is, breaking free from tradition to deliver a transformative experience. It prepares ambitious students to thrive in their careers by combining world-class education with real-world experience in business, industry, and healthcare.

For over a century, Aston has been dedicated to making the world a better place through education, research, and innovation. Its goal is to empower students to succeed in their careers and lives. Applied research underpins all teaching activities, while professional development opportunities provide industry-relevant experience to help students stand out in a competitive job market.

Undergraduate students can develop Aston Power Skills to gain the skills employers around the globe are looking for. Master's students benefit from the Guaranteed Internship scheme, enabling them to graduate with more than just a degree.

Birmingham is the UK's second-largest city and is home to major global companies such as Cadbury, Jaguar Land Rover, Lloyds Bank, and Rolls Royce. It also hosts thriving businesses like Gymshark, providing extensive career opportunities for graduates.

Birmingham was voted the sixth-best student city in the UK (QS, 2024). It offers a lower cost of living than London (livingcost.org) while maintaining the advantages of a large, international city, including excellent transport links across the UK and internationally.

Achievements

• Awarded Triple Gold in the Teaching Excellence Framework (2023)
• Top 5 percent globally evaluated institution (QS World University Rankings 2026)
• University of the Year for student success (Daily Mail University Guide, 2025)
• Ranked 52nd in the UK (Complete University Guide 2027)
• Ranked 48th in the UK (Guardian University Guide 2026)
• Ranked 1st in the UK for SDG 17 – Partnerships for the Goals (Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2025)
• Top 20 in the UK for graduate salaries (LEO, 2025)

Aston is ranked in the top 5 percent of global evaluated institutions worldwide in the QS World University Rankings 2026. This is a rise of 165 places in three years, putting Aston among the top 400 global universities due to the university's academic quality, excellent teaching, impactful research, and outstanding student experience.

Global leader in business and management studies

Aston Business School holds accreditation from AMBA, AACSB and EQUIS a triple accreditation that only one percent of the world's business schools holds. The school's programmes provide multiple opportunities to gain invaluable work experiences with industry employers.

Aston Business School has been named amongst the top 100 in the Financial Times European Business Schools ranking 2025, ranked 15th in the UK and 90^th in Europe. Aston Business School's full-time MBA programme is ranked in tier one by the CEO Magazine European MBA Rankings 2025.

Accolades

Aston's outstanding teaching is recognised by numerous accolades, including:

• Triple Gold rating (Teaching Excellence Framework, 2023)
• 16th in the UK for student experience (Times/Sunday Times Good University Guide, 2025)
• Top 300 of sustainable universities worldwide (QS 2026)
• 79 percent of research rated ‘world-leading' or ‘internationally excellent' (Research Excellence Framework, 2021)
• Gold Athena SWAN award for impact towards gender equality
• 24^th in the world for reduced inequalities (Times Higher Education Impact Ranking, 2024)

Degrees with built-in professional experience

Aston University is a pioneer of work-integrated learning in the UK. Every undergraduate student gains Aston Power Skills in four key areas: AI and digital, environmental sustainability, innovation and entrepreneurship, and inclusive leadership.

Aston's Postgraduate Guaranteed Internship Scheme means master's students will graduate with an industry internship as well as a degree, enabled through the university's global network of impactful opportunities.

Over 200 programmes are available to study through Aston University's innovative academic schools:

• Aston Business School
• School of Computer Science and Digital Technologies
• School of Engineering and Innovation
• School of Law and Social Sciences
• School of Medicine, Pharmacy and Biosciences
• School of Psychology, Health and Clinical Sciences

Graduate school

The PhD+ studentship scheme equips postgraduate researchers with essential skills to reach their full potential. Scholars collaborate to form a dynamic working environment that nurtures talent and leads to meaningful research contributions. The scheme also provides a comprehensive support package designed to augment students' academic experience and prepare every individual for professional success.

International pathways

International students can pursue a pathway programme to gain the 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 the university'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 Academic and IELTS Academic Online
• IELTS One Skill Retake
• TOEFL and TOEFL iBT, (HOME edition is not accepted)
• Oxford ELLT (Global and Digital)
• Pearson Academic (PTE)
• Password Test (taken at NCUK centres only)
• Language Cert International ESOL SELT
• Kaplan Test of English (KTE)
• Cambridge Advanced Test (CAE)
• Cambridge Proficiency Test (CPE)
• Duolingo Test

Some international 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

Those who wish to study at Aston University but can't 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. Areas include business, engineering and finance.

The median salary for Aston graduates three years after graduation is GBP 33,600 (2025 LEO), making it a UK top 20 for graduate salaries.

All students are encouraged to complete work placements, which dramatically improves their graduate prospects. The university's renowned placement year opportunities are transformative, with more than 73 percent of undergraduate students opting to gain professional experience in the third year of their four-year degrees.

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

Guaranteed Internships with every master's degree

Aston's Postgraduate Guaranteed Internship Scheme means students get more than a degree. Full-time taught master's students will graduate with an industry internship, along with the experience and skills employers around the world are looking for. Aston University has a network of global employers with exciting opportunities available for Aston students starting in September 2025 and beyond.

Career support

Aston University's careers and placements team has been named best university placement service in the UK (National Undergraduate Employability Awards, 2022). It provides career guidance and support across a range of areas, including:

• Work placements for many courses
• International student career workshops
• Scholarship-funded virtual internships
• Enterprise placement years

My Aston Story

"One of the great things about studying at Aston is its connections with business and, like every student, I was placed with a US-based financial services company. The placement period really built my understanding of knowledge and finance. It can be quite overwhelming for students when they first go into a professional setting, but Aston University prepares you for this. You learn about how to network with a team, how you can network at events, as well as actual accounting and finance topics." ~ Kruthika Kumart, BSc Accounting & Finance (2025), India

Aston University invests over GBP 5 million annually in scholarships to help students achieve their ambitions. Scholarships are available based on academic, professional, and personal achievements.

To apply for a scholarship, students first need to apply for and receive an offer for an Aston University course. Students must then check they meet the eligibility criteria for a scholarship prior to application, and are encouraged to do so at the earliest opportunity to avoid missing any deadlines.

International scholarships available for September 2026 academic year include:

Undergraduate:

• Sir Adrian Cadbury Chancellor's Scholarship: GBP 10,000
• International Community Scholarship: GBP 9,000

Postgraduate:

• Sir Adrian Cadbury Chancellor's Scholarship: GBP 10,000
• International Community scholarship: up to GBP 5,500
• MBA scholarship: up to GBP 12,500
• Ferguson Scholarship: Full tuition fee and GBP 6,000 in living costs (select courses only)

Students may refer to Aston's scholarship website for latest scholarship availability, along with details of application dates and criteria.

PRME Champions Aston Business School

Aston Business School has been recognised as a United Nations PRME Champion for global impact in responsible educations. As a result, the Business School is one of ten UK institutions selected as a United Nations Principles for Responsible Management Education (PRME) Champion.
The school joins a cohort of only 51 higher education institutions around the globe that have been accepted into the 2026–2027 cycle.

Executive MBA ranked 1st in the UK by CEO Magazine

Aston University's Executive MBA programme has been ranked first in the UK (12th globally). Aston University has once again maintained its status as a Tier One Global MBA institution, recognising its position as among the best in the world.

Aston Business School positioned amongst global elite in the 2026 QS rankings by subject

Aston University has once again been recognised globally for the strength and influence of its research. Business, management and marketing disciplines placed in the world top 15 for research impact.

Discover Birmingham

Discover Birmingham, the UK's second-largest city, which is vibrant, diverse and full of opportunity. It offers everything from a thriving cultural scene and award-winning food to excellent transport connections across the UK and beyond. With a centrally located campus and a welcoming international community, Aston students enjoy the perfect place to live, learn and build their future.