Students from over 120 countries choose to study at Aston University - a safe and friendly campus enjoyed by a global, multicultural community. Birmingham is on of the UK's most diverse cities and home to an unrivalled cultural heritage, top sporting events, music, performing arts and outstanding world cuisine.
Our values and culture are vital to the successful delivery of the Aston University Strategy 2018 to 2023. The University recognises its responsibility to be an exemplar of behaviour and conduct in all that it does, and it aspires to lead the HE sector in terms of its approach to ethical practice. The University's values, as identified in the Strategy, are to be professional and ambitious; to be innovative and collaborative; and to be ethical and inclusive.
The University’s reputation and the trust of its beneficiaries and stakeholders are among its most important assets – although these take a long time to attain they may be lost very quickly. Acting with integrity is not only the right thing to do, it protects the interests of our beneficiaries; improves our performance; and differentiates us in an increasingly competitive and complex global higher education market. All members of the Aston community have an important role to play in achieving these goals and creating a culture where ethical conduct is intrinsic to the University’s cultural foundations.
The Aston University Archives house materials related to the history of Aston University and its forerunner institutions, the Birmingham Municipal Technical School and the Birmingham Central Technical College. The records start from 1893 and trace the evolution of the University up until today.
The collection includes institutional records, documents, and objects which shed light on education, politics, economics, society and culture in Birmingham and the Midlands. It also chronicles a variety of trades and professions, reflecting both local and global developments.
Additional materials include newspapers, brochures and records of the popular music acts which performed in the Great Hall, together with videos and slides of the campus as it has been built up - and knocked down - as well as campus maps through the decades.
The archives contain works of art as well as notable objects, such as the Parker 51 fountain pen used by HM Queen Elizabeth II when she visited the recently-completed Main Building in 1955.
Some of the artifacts and other materials reflect changing cultural and societal norms over the decades: for example, a silver platter presented to the Senior Common Room by the Academic Wives’ Club in 1967.We are deeply embedded within our city and region, and we serve the people who live, work and study here – with over 100 years of equity invested in the financial, economic and social progress of Birmingham and its citizens.
We work in partnership with local communities, public bodies and partners to support social mobility of all member society and to drive local growth and regeneration of Birmingham, the West Midlands and beyond.
Top 10% globally
Aston University is ranked in the top 10% globally in the QS World University Rankings 2025
University of the Year Runner Up for Graduate Employment
Aston is University of the Year Runner Up for Graduate Employment in the Times and Sunday Times University Guide, 2024
Shortlisted for Business School of the Year
Aston University has been shortlisted for Business School of the Year in the Times Higher Education Awards, 2023
25th in the UK
The Guardian University Guide, 2024 ranked Aston University 25th overall and 22nd the UK for students’ career prospects following graduation
66th in the World
Aston Business School has been ranked 66th in the world for business and management studies (QS World University Rankings By Subject 2024)
Outstanding earnings after graduation
Graduates of Aston University are among the highest paid in the country five years after graduating, according to new data released by the Department for Education.
The 2024 Longitudinal Education Outcomes (LEO) data shows that employed Aston University graduates have the 19th largest median salary out of all higher education institutions five years after graduation at £35,400.
Aston is ranked in the top 20 in the UK for Career Prospects (WhatUni Rankings, 2023)
Top 10 Students’ Union
Aston Students’ Union was rated 8th in the UK in the 2022 What Uni League Table, which is based on votes from more than 30,000 students across the country.
Key accolades over the past few years include:
University of the Year, 2020 (The Guardian)
Outstanding Entrepreneurial University, 2020 (Times Higher Education Awards)
Buildings That Inspire: Aston Students' Union (The Guardian University Awards, 2020)
Silver Athena SWAN award for impact towards gender equality
We take great pride in our achievements. They’re testament to the hard work of our dedicated staff, and the ambition and enthusiasm of our students.
Aston University has risen 23 places to be ranked 423rd globally in the latest QS World University Rankings
This improves on last year's performance when it rose 118 places. The rise sees the University placed in the top 10% of evaluated institutions in the world.
The QS World University Rankings provide authoritative and independent evaluations of institutions, helping to drive institutional performance and guide students in their decision-making.
It is the most comprehensive ranking of its kind, this year evaluating 5,663 institutions, with the 2025 edition reflecting changes in methodology that prioritize student-relevant issues like sustainability and employability.
Triple Gold
Aston University has been awarded Triple Gold – the highest possible rating for the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) 2023.
The Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) is a national scheme run by the Office for Students (OfS). It assesses and rates universities and colleges for excellence above a set of minimum requirements for academic quality and standards. Aston University has achieved the best possible TEF rating – Gold overall and Gold for both underpinning aspects: Student Experience and Student Outcomes.
Runner Up for Graduate Employment
Aston University is the University of the Year Runner Up for Graduate Employment in The Times and Sunday Times University Guide 2024. The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide now ranks Aston University at 38th nationally, an improvement of seven places compared to 2023. The university is ranked at 18 for graduate prospects and at 22 for continuation rate.
Top 25 UK University
Aston University is ranked 25th in the UK in the Guardian University Guide, 2024.
Among the best in the world for business and management
Aston University has risen to 66th place in the world (and into the top 10 in the UK) in the 2024 QS World Rankings by Subject for Business and Management Studies.
Outstanding earnings after graduation
Graduates of Aston University are among the highest paid in the country five years after graduating, according to new data released by the Department for Education.
The 2022 Longitudinal Education Outcomes (LEO) data shows that employed Aston University graduates have the 16th largest median salary overall five years after graduation at £33,400.
Top 10 Students’ Union
Aston Students’ Union was rated 8th in the UK in the 2022 What Uni League Table, which is based on votes from more than 30,000 students across the country.
Top 30% of Global Institutions
Aston University is ranked 446th in the 2024 QS World University Ranking, placing the University in the top 30% of global institutions and 46th place nationally.
Key accolades over the past few years include:
University of the Year, 2020 (The Guardian)
Outstanding Entrepreneurial University, 2020 (Times Higher Education Awards)
Buildings That Inspire: Aston Students' Union (The Guardian University Awards, 2020)
Gold Athena SWAN award for impact towards gender equality
