University Profile
Aston University
Aston University, Birmingham
Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0)
About Aston University
Aston University, established in 1895 as the Birmingham Municipal Technical College, is distinguished by its pioneering 'sandwich degree' model — now widely adopted across UK higher education — which places students in professional placements providing invaluable real-world experience. Located in Birmingham's city centre, Aston's particular strengths lie in business, optometry, pharmaceutical sciences, and engineering.
Aston Business School delivers professional development programmes to leaders and organisations across sectors. The university's optometry and pharmacy programmes are among the UK's highest-rated, reflecting its historical position in Birmingham's pharmaceutical and medical device industries. Aston's commitment to widening participation means the university serves an exceptionally diverse student population.
Key Highlights
- 1Pioneer of the sandwich degree model — placing students in industry annually
- 2Aston Business School with strong professional development programmes
- 3Top 10 UK for optometry and pharmaceutical sciences
- 4Gold-rated for teaching excellence (TEF 2023)
- 5Exceptional graduate employment rates — 96% in professional roles within 15 months
Campus & Student Life
Aston's city-centre campus provides immediate integration into Birmingham's vibrant urban environment. Over 130 student societies cater to the university's notably diverse student community. The campus features modern accommodation, social facilities, and collaborative spaces. Birmingham's cultural district, restaurants, and entertainment venues are all within walking distance.
For North American Students
Min. GPA (indicative)
Not specified
SAT/ACT Accepted
Yes
Application Route
Via UCAS
English Requirement
Check university website
Aston attracts North American students for business, engineering, and pharmaceutical sciences. The sandwich degree model provides exceptional practical experience integrated with academic study. The central Birmingham location provides internship opportunities with multinational corporations.
Research Strengths
Notable Alumni
Sir Martin Sorrell
Founder of WPP, world's largest advertising group
Sir John Zochonis
Industrialist and philanthropist
Ian Watmore
Former permanent secretary and Football Association chairman
Parminder Nagra
Actress (Bend It Like Beckham, ER)
Key Facts
- Founded
- 1895
- Total Students
- 16,000+
- International Students
- 32%
- Tuition (Int'l UG)
- £19,000 – £24,500/yr
- Campus Setting
- City campus
📍 About Birmingham
Birmingham is England's second-largest city and a major business hub. It offers world-class museums (including the new £70m Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery), a thriving food scene (more Michelin-starred restaurants than any UK city outside London), and excellent transport connections — London is 1 hour 20 minutes by train.
Ready to Apply?
UK undergraduate applications are made through UCAS. Postgraduate applications go direct to the university.
Visit University Website →Check UCAS Points →📍 Birmingham City Guide
Find out what it's really like to study and live in Birmingham.
Read the guide →