Aston University

Aston University stands in the heart of Birmingham on a 60-acre campus at Gosta Green. It began in 1895 as the Birmingham Municipal Technical School and became a university in 1966. The main building, one of Europe’s largest freestanding brick structures, was opened by Queen Elizabeth II in 1955. Princess Margaret laid a foundation stone in 1951. The university’s motto, ‘Forward’, matches that of Birmingham itself. The Aston Triangle, a nearby district, reflects the campus’s role in the city’s development. Aston pioneered the placement year system over 50 years ago. More than 73% of students take a year in industry, the highest rate in the UK. In 2020 it was named University of the Year by The Guardian. The Students’ Union won an award for its building. The university also holds an Athena SWAN Gold Award for gender equality. Its research income reached £19.3 million in 2021–22. Links with industry remain central to its identity. The campus offers sports centres, a 25-metre pool, gyms and open spaces. The library holds over 250,000 books and 3,400 electronic journals. IT suites provide 24-hour access across the site. Cafés, shops and health services sit alongside places of worship. The university sponsors an engineering academy for 14- to 19-year-olds. Plans to restore the original main entrance aim to blend the campus with the city.