Aston is a long established research-led University known for its world-class teaching quality and strong links to industry, government and commerce.
Aston is based in the centre of Birmingham, home to over 60,000 students in one of the liveliest and most welcoming cities.
It is ranked 13th out of 113 UK Universities by the 2010 Complete University Guide, and 19th in the Guardian rankings 2010, confirming the place amongst the elite of UK Universities. They also have an outstanding reputation for helping their graduates secure good jobs, with 83% finding graduate level employment within six months of graduation, compared to a national average of less than 70% (2007 graduates).
This success placed Aston 8th out of all UK Universities for this variable in the 2008-9 Sunday Times University Guide
Aston offers a range of undergraduate and postgraduate degree programmes, and also works with the public and private sector to develop tailored Continuing Professional Development and Foundation Degree programmes.
Aston University is a "plate glass" campus university situated on a 40-acre (0.16 km²) campus at Gosta Green, in the city centre of Birmingham, England.
It hasa background in Technology, Business, Sciences, Engineering and applied subjects, Aston continues to have a focus on industry and commerce. The University also has a thriving School of Languages and Social Sciences. A majority of undergraduate students are registered on courses leading to a BSc and 70 per cent of eligible undergraduate students at Aston are enrolled on four-year "sandwich" courses, spending a year abroad or on industry placements. The university emphasises its focus on industry placements and graduate employment record: in 2007-8, 83 per cent of first degree graduates found "graduate level" employment within six months of graduation, compared to the UK national average of less than 70 per cent. This was the 8th highest proportion of all UK Universities and Colleges.
Aston also performed well in the 2008 National Student Survey, with the 10th highest average satisfaction score of all UK mainstream Universities at 80.6% and the 13th highest percentage of all UK Universities . In the same survey 89% of Aston students were satisfied with the quality of their course (UK average 82%).
Research: In the 2008 RAE 86% of Research submitted was of "International Significance" and 45% "World Leading" or "Internationally Excellent". Aston also submitted a high proportion of staff (88% - higher than many Russell Group Universities) including over 25% of academic staff described as early career researchers. Under the old 5 point system (used up until 2001) Aston would have achieved Grade 5* or 5 in all submitted Units of Assessment. Further details and information on specific Research Groups is available on the Aston University website.
Aston is a relatively small university in terms of student numbers, serving just over 7,000 full-time undergraduates, compared with the 18,840 of its near neighbour institution, the University of Birmingham. Aston also has 2,530 postgraduate students (1,315 full time) on MSc, PhD, PGDip and MBA programmes. Aston's smaller size in part contributes its reputation as a friendly University with a lively programme of student activities. Aston Business School (part of the University) celebrated its 60 year anniversary in 2007, one of the most established in the UK.
