Frequently asked questions
Where is Aston University?
- All university facilities and accommodation are located on one campus in the centre of Birmingham. Our campus is a unique self contained, green environment with a friendly atmosphere and a great student social life right in the centre of the fantastic city of Birmingham.
- Less than one mile from Birmingham New Street train station (15 mins walk), the UK’s busiest and best connected mainline station.
- Easy access from the UK motorway network – M6, M42, M5.
- Only 8 miles from Birmingham International Airport, complete with direct train link right into the centre of the city.
How do I apply?
- All undergraduate applications must be made through UCAS.
- Postgraduates can apply direct to the University through our Graduate School.
What if I miss a UCAS deadline?
- Even if you have missed a UCAS deadline, we can usually process your application throughout the year, but students are recommended to keep to UCAS deadlines.
Do I need A-Levels?
- While most of UK students come to Aston with A levels, we accept a number of alternative qualifications, including international qualifications, National Diploma and International Baccalaureate.
Do I need an English Language Qualification?
- All Aston students need an English Language qualification.
- UK students will be expected to have GCSE English at grade C or above.
- International students are expected to have an IELTS or TOEFL qualification.
- Our prospectuses have further details
Do you accept mature students for undergraduate programmes?
- Prospective students over the age of 21 are classed as mature students.
- We welcome applications from mature students, and can make offers based on industrial experience or access courses and other qualifications.
- Postgraduate students are by nature over 21 on entry.
What about accommodation?
- Campus accommodation is available to all students. The University operates a first year guarantee scheme all on campus. Many places are also available for final year students. For students not on campus (for example Second and Third Years) there is plenty of local student accommodation offered by private landlords, and our accommodation office and Students’ Guild can offer help and advice in this area.
- Please consult our website or prospectus for current accommodation prices and the guarantee for first year students/international students.
- International fee paying students are guaranteed accommodation for the full duration of their studies subject to certain conditions.
- Find out more on the Accommodation website.
What student support is available?
- We have an NHS health centre and dentist on campus.
- Our Counselling Service is there to help in times of stress or personal difficulty.
- The Disability Co-ordinator provides practical help and support for students with disabilities and learning difficulties.
- There’s more information on all the support services we offer in our online prospectus
Can I work while I am studying?
- The university does not recommend that students work more than 15 hours per week, as it would interfere with studies severely.
- The University Students’ Guild runs a JobShop advertising approved vacancies on and off campus. Students on their placement year can often earn a high enough salary (on average 12-13,000 pounds per year) to put some saved money aside for their final year.
- University deadlines must come first and work cannot be used as an excuse for failure.
- You must not rely on work to earn enough money to finance your studies.
Can I change courses?
- Contact us if you wish to change the course you applied for on your UCAS application or postgraduate application. Once enrolled on a course at Aston, it is possible but not guaranteed that you can change course. Courses such as Pharmacy, Optometry or Single Honours Business programmes do not normally allow students to transfer onto them, and some postgraduate programmes may already be full.
- Contacts
How does the Sandwich/Placement Year work?
- The sandwich year is an optional, paid placement in industry and is excellent experience for your career prospects
- We offer extensive support in finding students their placement positions and have over 50 years experience of this type of degree.
- While on placement you will be supervised, visited by staff, and expected to write a report on your experience.
- The vast majority of placements are paid.
What are the Tuition Fees for your courses?
Details are available here:
Can I start in the 2nd or Final Year?
- It may be possible for you to gain entry into our second year of our undergraduate degrees if you are suitably qualified, or have previously completed the first year of a similar course elsewhere, but this is not guaranteed. We want students to fully experience the full Aston University degree programme, the quality of which is extremely high.
- University regulations forbid admitting students directly into the Final Year.
Do your programmes have a Spring/January start date?
- All undergraduate and taught postgraduate programmes start in September/October of each academic year. There is no other start date for these programmes.
- Some of our Taught Masters (Postgraduate) programmes have a January start date.
- The majority of research programmes start in October, although research students may also enrol in January, April or July.
Can I study part-time?
- We do not formally offer any part-time undergraduate level programmes but this is sometimes possible through our combined honours office
- Research programmes can be taken on a full or part time basis.
- International student visa requirements state that students must be on a full time course.
Can I park on campus?
- In general, students are not allowed to park on campus on a day to day basis due to our city centre location meaning that spaces are limited. A few exceptions to this include:
- Visiting an open day
- Moving in or out of accommodation at the end of each term
- Some spaces are reserved for disabled students