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{{short description|University in Birmingham, England}}
{{other uses|Aston (disambiguation)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2020}}
{{Infobox university
 | name                   = Aston University
 | other_name             = Aston <br> University of Aston
 | image                  = Shield of Aston University.svg
 | image_size             = 160px
 | caption                = [[Coat of arms]]
 | image_upright          = 0.9
 | established            = 1895 – The Birmingham Municipal Technical School<br>1927 – Birmingham Central Technical College<br>1951 – College of Technology, Birmingham<br>1966 – gained [[Universities in the United Kingdom|university status]] by [[royal charter]]<ref name="ReferenceB">{{cite web|url=http://www1.aston.ac.uk/about/history/|title=History and traditions|access-date=16 July 2015}}</ref>
 | motto                  = ''Forward''
 | type                   = [[Public university|Public]]
 | endowment              = [[Pound sterling|£]]1.47 million <small>(2022)</small><ref name="Aston Financial Statement 2021/2022">{{cite web |title=Financial Statement 2021–22 |url=https://www.aston.ac.uk/sites/default/files/2022-12/annual_statement_2021-2022.pdf |publisher=Aston University |access-date=17 February 2023}}</ref>
 | budget                 = [[Pound sterling|£]]197.7 million <small>(2021–22)</small><ref name="Aston Financial Statement 2021/2022"/>
 | city                   = [[Birmingham]]
 | country                = England, United Kingdom
 | coordinates            = {{coord|52.4860|N|1.8895|W|scale:10000_type:edu_region:GB-CRF|display=inline,title}}
 | campus                 = [[Urban area|Urban]] <br />{{convert|60|acre|ha|abbr=off}}<ref name="Aston University Campus 2017/2018">{{cite web |title=Financial Statement 2017–18 |url=https://www2.aston.ac.uk/about/documents/Financial%20Statement%202017%2018.pdf |publisher=Aston University |access-date=29 August 2019 |page=4}}{{Dead link |date=May 2021 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes}}</ref>
 | sports                 = 
 | mascot                 = 
 | chancellor             = Jason Wouhra
 | vice_chancellor        = Aleks Subic
 | students               = 15,500 (2017–18)<ref name="Student Population 2017/2018">{{cite web |url=https://www2.aston.ac.uk/about/documents/Financial%20Statement%202017%2018.pdf |title=Financial Statement 2017–18 |access-date=26 August 2019 |publisher=Aston University |page=9}}{{Dead link|date=May 2021 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
 | undergrad              = 11,935 (2017–18)<ref name="Student Population 2017/2018c">{{cite web |url=https://www2.aston.ac.uk/about/documents/Financial%20Statement%202017%2018.pdf |title=Financial Statement 2017–18 |access-date=26 August 2019 |publisher=Aston University |page=9 }}{{Dead link|date=September 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
 | postgrad               = 3,565 (2017–18)<ref name="Student Population 2017/2018c">{{cite web |url=https://www2.aston.ac.uk/about/documents/Financial%20Statement%202017%2018.pdf |title=Financial Statement 2017–18 |access-date=26 August 2019 |publisher=Aston University |page=9 }}{{Dead link|date=September 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
 | doctoral               = 
 | administrative_staff   = 
 | affiliations           = {{Ubl
| [[Association of Commonwealth Universities|ACU]]
| [[EQUIS]]
| [[European University Association|EUA]]
| [[Universities UK]]
| [[AACSB]]
| [[M5 (universities)|M5 Universities]]
| [[Association of MBAs|AMBA]]
}}
 | colours                = White and Pink/Purple
<br />{{color box|#ffffff}}&nbsp;{{color box|#83008f}}
 | website                = {{URL|https://aston.ac.uk}}
 | logo                   = AU Birmingham logo Purple RGB.png
}}

'''Aston University''' is a [[public university]] situated in the city centre of [[Birmingham]], England. Aston began as the Birmingham Municipal Technical School in 1895, evolving into the UK's first [[College of advanced technology (United Kingdom)|college of advanced technology]] in 1956.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.college-optometrists.org/en/college/museyeum/online_exhibitions/students_past/Birmingham.cfm|title=Birmingham – Central Technical College and Aston University|author=Neil Handley|access-date=16 July 2015|archive-date=11 July 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160711074751/http://www.college-optometrists.org/en/college/museyeum/online_exhibitions/students_past/Birmingham.cfm|url-status=dead}}</ref> Aston University received its [[royal charter]] from [[Queen Elizabeth II]] on 22 April 1966.

Aston pioneered the integrated placement year concept over 50 years ago,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.birminghampost.co.uk/news/local-news/aston-university-team-up-tech-6781285|title=Aston University team up with tech firm for IT degree|date=8 March 2014|work=birminghampost|access-date=16 July 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aston.ac.uk/50/50-aston-greats/james-gracie/|title=50th Anniversary: Sir James Gracie Q&A|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150830043506/http://www.aston.ac.uk/50/50-aston-greats/james-gracie/ |archive-date=30 August 2015 |url-status=dead |access-date=27 October 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.heacademy.ac.uk/sites/default/files/graduates-for-industry-aston.pdf |title=Engineering graduates for industry |access-date=17 October 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150716210726/https://www.heacademy.ac.uk/sites/default/files/graduates-for-industry-aston.pdf |archive-date=16 July 2015 |url-status=dead}}</ref> and more than 73% of Aston students take a placement year, the highest percentage in the UK.<ref name="thecompleteuniversityguide1">{{cite web |title=Aston University |url=http://www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk/aston |publisher=Complete University Guide |access-date=27 April 2014}}</ref> The annual income of the institution for 2021–22 was £197.7&nbsp;million of which £19.3&nbsp;million was from research grants and contracts, with an expenditure of £219.4&nbsp;million.<ref name="Aston Financial Statement 2021/2022"/>

In 2020, Aston University was named "University of the Year" by ''The Guardian'',<ref>{{cite web |title=Aston University named Guardian's university of the year |url=http://www.theguardian.com/education/2020/nov/25/aston-university-named-guardians-university-of-the-year |website=The Guardian |date=25 November 2020 |access-date=7 December 2020}}</ref> and the newspaper also awarded Aston Students' Union its "Buildings That Inspire" award.<ref>{{cite web |title=Buildings that inspire: award winner and runners-up |url=http://www.theguardian.com/education/2020/nov/25/buildings-that-inspire-award-winner-and-runners-up |website=The Guardian |date=25 November 2020 |access-date=7 December 2020}}</ref> The [[Times Higher Education|Times Higher Education Awards]] named Aston University as its "Outstanding Entrepreneurial University" in 2020.<ref>{{cite web|title=Times Higher Education Awards 2020: winners announced |url=https://www.timeshighereducation.com/news/times-higher-education-awards-2020-winners-announced |website=Times Higher Education (THE) |date=26 November 2020 |access-date=7 December 2020}}</ref>

In September 2021, Aston was shortlisted for University of the Year in the Times Higher Education Awards 2021.<ref>{{cite web |title=Aston University shortlisted for the Times Higher Education (THE) University of the Year 2021 {{!}} Aston University |url=https://www.aston.ac.uk/latest-news/aston-university-shortlisted-times-higher-education-university-year-2021 |access-date=12 August 2022 |website=www.aston.ac.uk}}</ref>

In March 2024, it was announced that  Aston University had become the second university in England to be awarded the [[Athena SWAN|Athena SWAN Gold Award]] at an institutional level in recognition of efforts to promote gender equality.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Aston University wins Athena Swan Gold award for gender equality {{!}} Aston University |url=https://www.aston.ac.uk/latest-news/aston-university-wins-athena-swan-gold-award-gender-equality |access-date=2024-08-03 |website=www.aston.ac.uk |language=en}}</ref>

==History==

===Predecessor institutions===
The origins of Aston University are a School of Metallurgy formed in the [[Birmingham and Midland Institute]] in 1875. The Birmingham Municipal Technical School separated from the Institute in 1895, teaching chemistry, physics, metallurgy and electrical engineering; it expanded and by 1917 was also teaching botany and other subjects to trainee teachers. In 1911, commercial classes were introduced and grew into an independent School of Commerce by 1916.<ref name="History and Traditions">{{cite web |url=http://www1.aston.ac.uk/about/history/ |title=History and Traditions |year=2008 |publisher=Aston University |access-date=31 December 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081219025224/http://www1.aston.ac.uk/about/history/ |archive-date=19 December 2008 |url-status=live}}</ref> The school changed its name in 1927 to the Birmingham Central Technical College,<ref name="History and Traditions" /> to reflect its changing approach to teaching technology.

[[File:The Birmingham Municipal Technical School.jpg|thumb|The Birmingham Municipal Technical School in Suffolk Street, founded in 1895.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aston.ac.uk/50/history/the-early-years/|title=The Early Years|access-date=16 July 2015}}</ref>]]
[[File:The Queen opening the Main Building at Gosta Green in 1955.jpg|thumb|Queen Elizabeth II opening the Main Building at Gosta Green in 1955.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aston.ac.uk/50/history/1950s/|title=1950s|access-date=16 July 2015}}</ref>|alt=]]

In 1951, the Technical College was renamed the ''College of Technology, Birmingham'',<ref name="History and Traditions" /> and work began on the Main Building at Gosta Green. In 1956, it became the first elite designated [[College of advanced technology (United Kingdom)|college of advanced technology]] and underwent a major expansion.<ref name="History and Traditions" /> It moved into buildings that were constructed between 1949 and 1955 to a design by Ashley & Newman. [[Princess Margaret]] laid one of the first foundation stones at the base of the new building in 1951. The building is one of Europe's largest freestanding brick buildings.<ref name="midlandsbusinessnews.co.uk">{{cite web|url=http://www.midlandsbusinessnews.co.uk/new-era-conference-aston-help-overbury/|title=Midlands Business News New era at Conference Aston with the help of Overbury – Midlands Business News|work=Midlands Business News|access-date=16 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150717022152/http://www.midlandsbusinessnews.co.uk/new-era-conference-aston-help-overbury/|archive-date=17 July 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref>{{Unreliable source?|reason=Invites user submissions. Contact us notes "Press releases and news items submitted are reviewed as to their news value and suitability for our audience", but PR is not labeled and source is not disclosed.|date=March 2016}} In 1955, the College of Advanced Technology was opened by Queen [[Elizabeth II]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.aston.ac.uk/50/history/1950s/ |title=1950s |publisher=Aston.ac.uk |access-date=27 April 2014 |archive-date=16 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150916005908/http://www.aston.ac.uk/50/history/1950s/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> The college expanded again to a design by the [[City Architect of Birmingham]] [[Alwyn Sheppard Fidler]] between 1957 and 1965.<ref>{{cite book |last=Foster |first=Andy |title=Birmingham |series=Pevsner Architectural Guides |orig-year=2005 |year=2007 |page=195 |publisher=[[Yale University Press]] |isbn=978-0-300-10731-9}}</ref>

===University status===
It officially became the ''University of Aston in Birmingham'' on receipt of its [[royal charter]] on 22 April 1966, and the first chancellor of the university, [[Henry Nelson, 2nd Baron Nelson of Stafford|Lord Nelson of Stafford]], was installed on 10 May. The charter of the university outlines objectives appropriate to a technological university: "to advance, disseminate and apply learning and knowledge by teaching and research, for the benefit of industry and commerce and of the community generally: and to enable students to obtain the advantage of a university education, and such teaching and research may include periods outside the University in industry or commerce or wherever the University considers proper for the best advancement of its objects." The emphasis given to the [[Sandwich degree|sandwich course]] system, and the maintenance of strong links with industry, arises naturally from the institution's history. The motto of the university is the same as that of the City of Birmingham – ''Forward''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aston.ac.uk/about/history/ |title=History and traditions |publisher=Aston.ac.uk |access-date=27 April 2014}}</ref>

[[File:Astonmainbuilding.jpg|thumb|The main building with water sculpture Tipping Triangles by [[Angela Conner]]. The building is one of Europe's largest freestanding brick buildings.<ref name="midlandsbusinessnews.co.uk"/>]]

In 1983, Aston University, in partnership with Birmingham City Council and [[Lloyds Bank (historic)|Lloyds Bank]], established Birmingham Technology Ltd., which manages the [[Aston Science Park]] adjacent to the university site. The establishment of the [[Aston Science Park]] and Aston University's contribution to the city of Birmingham was fully recognised when the area was granted its own postal address "The Aston Triangle" in 1984, emphasising the campus as an official district of Birmingham. The logo of the establishment takes from the shape of the area.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.aston.ac.uk/50/history/1980s/ |title=1980s |publisher=Aston.ac.uk |access-date=27 April 2014 |archive-date=20 February 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160220153456/http://www.aston.ac.uk/50/history/1980s/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>

===2000 to present===
Aston University hosted the [[British Science Festival]] in September 2010, said to be Europe's largest public science event.{{Citation needed|date=March 2019}}

Since May 2011, Sir [[John Sunderland (businessman)|John Sunderland]] has been the Chancellor of Aston University.

The university is a lead sponsor of [[Aston University Engineering Academy]], a [[university technical college]] (UTC) which opened in September 2012. The UTC is for students aged 14 to 19 wishing to pursue further study and careers in engineering, and is located at the edge of the Aston University campus.<ref>{{cite web |title=Aston University &#124; Aston University Engineering Academy |url=http://www.auea.co.uk/Aston-University |url-status=dead |website=Auea.co.uk |access-date=27 April 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151017082246/http://www.auea.co.uk/Aston-University |archive-date=17 October 2015}}</ref>

In October 2014, Aston announced plans to launch [[Aston Medical School]] in October 2015.<ref>{{cite web |title=Aston Medical School FAQ |url=http://www.aston.ac.uk/aston-medical-school/faqs/ |access-date=16 July 2015 |archive-date=23 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923175734/http://www.aston.ac.uk/aston-medical-school/faqs/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> The university also announced a £35 million cash injection for a major upgrade of the campus, including a new £19 million revamp of [[Aston Business School]] and improvement work to the Aston Institute of Photonic Technologies and the School of Languages and Social Sciences.<ref>{{cite web |last=Griffin |first=Jon |title=New Aston University business school after £35m boost |url=http://www.birminghampost.co.uk/business/commercial-property/new-aston-university-business-school-7947978 |work=Birmingham Post |date=17 October 2014 |access-date=16 July 2015}}</ref>

In February 2017, Aston University launched its online programme website. Four of their MSc programmes are offered 100% online to students in the UK and worldwide, including the Aston Business School's MBA.{{Citation needed|date=March 2019}}

In July 2017, Aston became the first University in the UK to have degree apprenticeship graduates.<ref>{{cite web |last=Offord |first=Paul |title=First degree apprentices in UK graduate |url=https://feweek.co.uk/2017/07/17/first-degree-apprentices-in-uk-graduate/ |website=FE Week |date=17 July 2017 |access-date=13 March 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=First set of Capgemini degree apprentices graduate |url=https://www.computerweekly.com/news/450424914/First-set-of-Capgemini-degree-apprentices-graduate |website=ComputerWeekly.com |access-date=13 March 2019}}</ref> Aston began working in close partnership with [[Capgemini]], to create the first degree apprenticeship: Digital and Technology Solutions in 2012.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ncub.co.uk/success-stories/creating-the-first-degree-apprenticeship-in-digital-and-technology-solutions |title=Creating the first degree apprenticeship in digital and technology solutions |last=Capgemini |website=NCUB |date=7 September 2018 |access-date=13 March 2019}}</ref>

In 2021, the university announced plans to close its Department of History, Languages and Translation, focusing instead on health, engineering, and business. This decision led to protests from members of the university, as well as humanities scholars broadly.<ref name="speakout.web.ucu.org.uk">{{cite web |title=History and languages closure at Aston University |url=https://speakout.web.ucu.org.uk/history-and-languages-closure-at-aston-university/ |publisher=University and College Union}}</ref><ref name="1May">{{cite news |title=Studying history should not be only for the elite, say academics |url=https://www.theguardian.com/education/2021/may/01/studying-history-should-not-be-only-for-the-elite-say-academics |work=The Guardian |date=1 May 2021 |access-date=1 May 2021}}</ref> Professional groups, including the [[Royal Historical Society]] and the [[American Historical Association]], condemned the move, and public figures, including Sir [[Keith Burnett]] and Shadow Education Secretary [[Kate Green]] criticised the university leadership.<ref>{{cite web|title=RHS statement on the recent closure of UK History departments {{!}} RHS|url=https://royalhistsoc.org/news/rhs-statement-on-recent-uk-history-closures/|access-date=27 September 2021|website=royalhistsoc.org}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=The attack on the humanities at nonelite universities will do immeasurable damage (opinion) |url=https://www.insidehighered.com/views/2021/05/13/attack-humanities-nonelite-universities-will-do-immeasurable-damage-opinion|access-date=27 September 2021|website=www.insidehighered.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=History UK statement of solidarity with historians facing cuts at Aston University and London South Bank University|date=23 April 2021|url=https://www.history-uk.ac.uk/2021/04/23/history-uk-statement-of-solidarity-with-historians-facing-cuts-at-aston-university-and-london-south-bank-university/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210423102504/https://www.history-uk.ac.uk/2021/04/23/history-uk-statement-of-solidarity-with-historians-facing-cuts-at-aston-university-and-london-south-bank-university/ |archive-date=23 April 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Burnett|first=Keith|date=12 May 2021|title=Universities' humanities provision should never become history|url=https://www.timeshighereducation.com/opinion/universities-humanities-provision-should-never-become-history|access-date=27 September 2021|website=Times Higher Education (THE)}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=7 May 2021|title=Green quits event with vice-chancellors over course closures|url=https://universitybusiness.co.uk/people-policy-politics/green-quits-event-with-vice-chancellors-over-course-closures/|access-date=27 September 2021|website=University Business|language=en-GB}}</ref> Facing public opposition and protests from staff and students, university officials reversed their position and agreed to save the History programme, although cuts to language instruction would continue.<ref>{{cite web|last=Scaglia|first=Ilaria|date=27 September 2021|title=Facing Current Challenges Can Be A Vital Part Of Our Curriculum|url=https://blog.royalhistsoc.org/2021/09/27/facing-current-challenges-can-be-a-vital-part-of-our-curriculum/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210927074657/https://blog.royalhistsoc.org/2021/09/27/facing-current-challenges-can-be-a-vital-part-of-our-curriculum/ |archive-date=27 September 2021}}</ref>

In 2024, a planning application was submitted to [[Birmingham City Council]] for the [[demolition]] of the south wing of the main building.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Council |first=Birmingham City |title=Planning Online Birmingham - Birmingham City Council |url=https://eplanning.birmingham.gov.uk/Northgate/PlanningExplorer/Generic/StdDetails.aspx?PT=Planning%20Applications%20On-Line&TYPE=PL/PlanningPK.xml&PARAM0=1308273&XSLT=/Northgate/PlanningExplorer/SiteFiles/Skins/Birmingham/xslt/PL/PLDetails.xslt&FT=Planning%20Application%20Details&PUBLIC=Y&XMLSIDE=/Northgate/PlanningExplorer/SiteFiles/Skins/Birmingham/Menus/PL.xml&DAURI=PLANNING |access-date=2025-03-11 |website=eplanning.birmingham.gov.uk |language=EN-GB}}</ref> In an attempt to "blur the boundaries between campus and city", remarking the wing was a "poor-quality extension to the original 1950's building",<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-12-14 |title=Aston University plan to blur line between campus and city |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c05p7zlvv60o |access-date=2025-03-12 |website=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref> plans have been proposed to demolish the south wing, to rebuild the original south-facing main entrance [[Façade|facade]], shorten Aston Street, and provide more green space and footpaths.

==Campus==
[[File:Aston uni campus1.jpg|thumb|Aston's self-contained green campus, in the city centre of Birmingham]]
[[File:Aston University Library 20110211.jpg|thumb|220x220px|Aston University Library.|alt=]]
Established in 1895 as the Birmingham Municipal Technical School,<ref name="HERO">{{cite web| url = http://www.hero.ac.uk/uk/universities___colleges/west_midlands/aston_university.cfm| title = Uni. finder > West Midlands > Aston University| access-date = 2007-03-24| publisher = HERO| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070412121913/http://www.hero.ac.uk/uk/universities___colleges/west_midlands/aston_university.cfm| archive-date = 12 April 2007| url-status = dead| df = dmy-all}}</ref> The university is situated on a 60-acre campus at [[Gosta Green]], in the city centre of [[Birmingham]], England.<ref name="TheIndependent">{{cite news |url=http://education.independent.co.uk/higher/az_uni_colleges/article1208485.ece |title=Aston University |access-date=2007-03-24 |last=Tarleton |first=Alice |date=2006-08-01 |series=A-Z Unis & Colleges |work=The Independent |location=London |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060926002602/http://education.independent.co.uk/higher/az_uni_colleges/article1208485.ece |archive-date=26 September 2006 |url-status=dead |df=dmy }}</ref> As well as being home to over 3,000 students, the Aston University campus has the following amenities available: sports centres, swimming pool, 120 station gym, library, cafés, restaurants, pubs, shops, travel centre, hairdresser, health centre, dentist, places of worship, opticians, a bank, [[automated teller machine]]s and plenty of outside space.

Aston University Library is on four floors and contains over 250,000 books, 800 current printed periodicals and has over 700 reader places. It provides online access to over 40 electronic databases and more than 3,400 electronic journals. The library is open 24 hours a day to Aston students and staff during exam time, and on average, around 12 hours a day during term time.

Around the campus there are also various open-access IT suites, offering computer and internet access 24 hours a day, seven days a week. They offer access to a range of software packages, database systems and computer-aided learning materials.

===Sports===
The Aston's sports facilities include a 25&nbsp;m swimming pool, sauna and steam room, two sports halls, 120-station gym, weights and fitness rooms, two-storey dance studio and 35 sports clubs. The campus also has two 3G floodlit sports pitches. Clubs train and compete, many in the [[British Universities and Colleges Sport]]s (BUCS) Leagues. Off campus the university manages a 40-acre sports ground with floodlit pitches, pavilion for all outdoor sports.

==Organisation and administration==
During 2020, Aston restructured its schools into three colleges, notably merging the School of Languages and Social Sciences with Aston Business School, and Aston Medical School with the School of Life and Health Sciences. The resulting colleges, schools, and departments are as follows:

===College of Business and Social Sciences===
*[[Aston Business School]]
**Accounting
**Economics, Finance, and Entrepreneurship
**Marketing and Strategy
**Operations and Information Management
**Work and Organisation
*School of Law and Social Sciences
**Aston Law School
**Communication and Culture
**Society and Politics

===College of Engineering and Physical Sciences===
*School of Computer Science and Digital Technologies
**Electrical and Computer Engineering
**Mathematics and Data Science
**Computer Science and Cybersecurity
**AI and Robotics
*School of Engineering and Technology
**Mechanical Engineering and Design
**Biomedical Engineering
**Aston Foundation Centre
**Aston Professional Engineering Centre
*School of Infrastructure and Sustainable Engineering
**Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry
**Engineering Systems and Supply Chain Management
**Civil Engineering

===College of Health and Life Sciences===
*School of Biosciences
*Aston Medical School
*School of Optometry
*Audiology and Healthcare Sciences
*Aston Pharmacy School
*Neuroscience
*School of Psychology

===Coat of arms===

The university's arms were granted on 18 March 1955 by [[Garter Principal King of Arms|Garter]], [[Clarenceux King of Arms|Clarenceux]] and [[Norroy and Ulster King of Arms|Norroy and Ulster]] [[King of Arms|kings of Arms]] to the Birmingham Corporation, for use by the former College of Technology. They were designed to show the college's connection with the city and with the teaching of technology. The arms consist of a [[escutcheon (heraldry)|shield]] and [[crest (heraldry)|crest]]. The shield has two sections – the field (the main background) which is coloured blue and a chief (the broad band across the top of the shield) of silver. On the field is a diagonal line of five gold diamonds joined one to the other, similar to the first quarter of the Arms of the City of Birmingham and incorporated in the Arms of the college to show its connection with the city. This was adopted by the family of Birmingham which derived its name from the then hamlet of Birmingham, and provided the Lords of the Manor from the fourteenth to the sixteenth centuries. On the chief is depicted an open book bound in red placed between two black hammers, showing the connection of the university with technology, the book representing learning and the hammers engineering and allied trades.

The crest is also designed to stress the pursuit of knowledge. It consists of a red torch held erect by a forearm between two branches of gold laurel. Having been originally worn on the helmet of a fully armed person, the crest is always placed on the top of the helm. The method of joining the crest to the helm was usually concealed by decoration and, in the university's arms, this is effected by the use of a wreath and a crown. The wreath is silver, red and black, these colours being taken from the shield. It is surmounted by a mural crown (resembling a wall), which is reserved in modern grants for persons and organisations connected with public corporations. The cloth mantling which hangs down from the top of the helm is the survival of the cloak which was originally worn to protect the armour, coloured in the two principal colours of the shield, blue and gold.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aston.ac.uk/about/history/arms/ |title=Aston University Arms |access-date=16 July 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150717000246/http://www.aston.ac.uk/about/history/arms/ |archive-date=17 July 2015 |df=dmy }}</ref>

In 2016, to mark the 50th anniversary of the university, Her Majesty's College of Arms granted the favour of supporters to Aston University's arms, following a request from the Vice-Chancellor, Julia King, the Baroness Brown of Cambridge.
On 29 September, during a service at [[St Philip's Cathedral, Birmingham|St Phillips Cathedral]], The Letters Patent was formally presented to Aston University by the York Herald, Michael Peter Desmond O'Donoghue Esq..
The arms are supported by a Canada goose and a red squirrel. The Canada goose represents the family of geese living on the university campus. The squirrel is the crest of the arms of Aston Manor and is a rebus. (The picture is a pun on the persons name. The owners of Aston Manor were the Holte family and a squirrel's nest is called a holt). This explains the ancient connection between the squirrel and Aston. The animal also appears on the university mace and on the chancellor's chain of office. This chain was originally the property of the mayor of Aston Manor.
The gorse around the animals' necks is a reference to Gosta Green. During the 18th century, it was known as ''Gostie'' Green, this combined the name of the landowner (William de Gorsty) with the local plant called '[[gorse]]'.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.heraldry-wiki.com/heraldrywiki/index.php/Aston_University |title=Aston University |access-date=30 October 2019 |df=dmy }}</ref>

===Academic dress===
[[File:Aston University Lake 2010.JPG|thumb|The Chancellor's Lake at the heart of the campus with triangular fountain in 2010.|alt=]]
[[File:Birmingham - Aston University.JPG|thumb|Aston University Main Building.|alt=]]
[[File:Astonbraincentre.jpg|thumb|Aston Brain Centre.]]
The [[academic dress]] for graduates of the university is as follows:

* [[Bachelor of Science]], [[Bachelor of Engineering]] and [[Master of Engineering]]
** Gown: Black stuff of special design, having coat-type sleeve, narrow facings which continue round the neck and with extra wide gathers round the back
** Hood: Black stuff, modified simple shape, faced inside for three inches with University lining
** Hat: Black mortar board
* [[Master of Science]]
** Gown: Black stuff of special design, having coat-type sleeve, narrow facings which continue round the neck and with extra wide gathers round the back
** Hood: Black stuff, modified simple shape, fully lined with University lining
** Hat: Black mortar board
* [[Master of Philosophy]]
** Gown: Black stuff of special design, having coat-type sleeve, narrow facings which continue round the neck and with extra wide gathers round the back
** Hood: Blue stuff, modified simple shape, fully lined with University lining
** Hat: Black mortar board
* [[Doctor of Philosophy]]
** Gown: Claret colour cloth robe, having coat-type sleeve, narrow facings which continue round the neck and with extra wide gathers round the back
** Hood: Modified simple shape, in University Red stuff, faced inside for three inches with University lining
** Hat: Black cloth bonnet with cord and tassels of University Red
* [[Doctor of Science]]
** Gown: Same shape as for Doctor of Philosophy but in University Red, with facings on collar of university lining and gold cuffs on sleeves
** Hood: Same shape as for Doctor of Philosophy but of gold silk and fully lined with University lining
** Hat: Black velvet bonnet with cord and tassels in gold

==Academic profile==

===Rankings and reputation===
{{Infobox UK university rankings
| ARWU_N = 
| ARWU_W = 
| QS_N = 
| QS_W = 395=
| THE_N = 
| THE_W = 401–500
| LINE_1 = 0
| Complete = 44
| The_Guardian = 48
| Times/Sunday_Times = 41
}}

[[File:Aston 10 Years.png|thumb|upright=1.2|Aston University's [[Rankings of universities in the United Kingdom|national league table]] performance over the past ten years]]

Aston University was ranked 48th of UK institutions in the 2026 Guardian University Guide (a drop of 27 places from 2025).<ref>{{cite web|title=The best UK universities 2022 – rankings|url=https://www.theguardian.com/education/ng-interactive/2025/sep/13/the-guardian-university-guide-2026-the-rankings9|website=The Guardian}}</ref>

Aston University holds an overall Gold rating as part of the UK Government's 2023 [[Teaching Excellence Framework]]. The framework evaluates universities on criteria including teaching quality, learning environment and student outcomes, taking into account factors such as student satisfaction, retention rates and employment.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://tef2023.officeforstudents.org.uk|publisher=Office for Students|access-date=28 September 2023|title=Teaching Excellence Framework 2023 Outcomes}}</ref>

Many factors make up the overall League Table rankings; Aston prides itself on consistently strong performances for the metrics related to student outcome successes. For example, in the 2021 ''Guardian'' University Guide Aston are ranked 11th in the UK for ‘Continuation’<ref>{{cite web|title=The best UK universities 2021 – rankings|url=http://www.theguardian.com/education/ng-interactive/2020/sep/05/the-best-uk-universities-2021-league-table|access-date=8 December 2020|website=The Guardian}}</ref> which measures the proportion of students that drop-out of university following their first year. The 2021 ''Guardian'' Guide also ranks Aston joint 24th in the UK for ‘Value Added’<ref>{{cite web|title=The best UK universities 2021 – rankings|url=http://www.theguardian.com/education/ng-interactive/2020/sep/05/the-best-uk-universities-2021-league-table|access-date=8 December 2020|website=The Guardian}}</ref> which compares student University grades against their expected grades based on entry qualifications.

In addition to this, the 2021 ''Times''/''Sunday Times'' Good University Guide ranks Aston University 31st in the UK for the proportion of students achieving a 1st or 2:1 degree classification,<ref name="Times">{{cite news|title=Good University Guide|newspaper=[[The Times]]|url=https://www.thetimes.com/uk-university-rankings|access-date=8 December 2020|issn=0140-0460|publisher=The Sunday Times}}</ref> and the same publication ranks Aston 30th in the UK for ‘Graduate Prospects’,<ref name="Times"/> based on the proportion of graduates in a professional level job or further study within 15 months of graduation.

In addition to these immediate successes of Aston's students and graduates, there is also evidence of strong long-term benefits of Aston degrees, as the 2020 Longitudinal Education Outcomes study found that Aston graduates had the 15th largest median salary of all UK institutions 5 years after graduation.<ref>{{cite web|title=Graduate outcomes (LEO): Provider level data, Tax Year 2017–18|url=https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/graduate-outcomes-leo-provider-level-data|access-date=8 December 2020|website=explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk}}</ref>

===Research===
In the latest 2021 [[Research Excellence Framework]], which assesses the quality of research in UK higher education institutions, Aston is ranked joint 58th by GPA and 56th for research power (the grade point average score of a university, multiplied by the full-time equivalent number of researchers submitted).<ref>{{cite web |title=REF 2021: Quality ratings hit new high in expanded assessment |url=https://www.timeshighereducation.com/news/ref-2021-research-excellence-framework-results-announced |publisher=Times Higher Education |access-date=18 February 2023}}</ref> In the 2008 [[Research Assessment Exercise]] (RAE), 88% of Aston academic staff were submitted for research assessment, one of the highest proportions in the UK. According to the RAE, the university's strengths include Business and Management, General Engineering, Subjects Allied to Medicine (Optometry, Biology, Pharmacy and Psychology), Languages and European Studies.<ref name="thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk">{{cite web|url=http://www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk/aston|title=Aston University|access-date=16 July 2015}}</ref>

===Admissions===

{| class="floatright"
| 
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:85%; text-align:center; margin-bottom: 5px"
|+UCAS Admission Statistics
!
!2022
!2021
!2020
!2019
!2018
|-
| '''Applications'''{{efn-lg|name=mainscheme}}<ref name=UCASEoC22>{{cite web |title=UCAS Undergraduate Sector-Level End of Cycle Data Resources 2022|url=https://www.ucas.com/data-and-analysis/undergraduate-statistics-and-reports/ucas-undergraduate-sector-level-end-cycle-data-resources-2022 |at=Show me... Domicile by Provider|website=ucas.com |publisher=UCAS |access-date=8 February 2023}}</ref>
| 23,685
| 20,230
| 18,730
| 17,120
| 14,140
|-
| '''Accepted'''{{efn-lg|name=mainscheme}}<ref name=UCASEoC22/>
| 3,250
| 3,520
| 3,585
| 3,465
| 3,000
|-
| '''Applications/Accepted Ratio'''{{efn-lg|name=mainscheme}}
| 7.29
| 5.75
| 5.22
| 4.94
| 4.71
|-
| '''Offer Rate (%)'''{{efn-lg|name=ukjune}}<ref name="offer rate22">{{cite web|title=2022 entry UCAS Undergraduate reports by sex, area background, and ethnic group|date=2 February 2023 |url=https://www.ucas.com/data-and-analysis/undergraduate-statistics-and-reports/ucas-undergraduate-sector-level-end-cycle-data-resources-2022/2022-entry-ucas-undergraduate-reports-sex-area-background-and-ethnic-group|publisher=[[UCAS]]|access-date=2 February 2023}}</ref>
| 70.8
| 81.7
| 81.0
| 82.5
| 82.7
|-
| '''[[UCAS Tariff|Average Entry Tariff]]'''<ref name="CUG Entry">{{Cite web | url=https://www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk/league-tables/rankings?tabletype=full-table&sortby=entry-standards | title=University League Tables entry standards 2026 |work=The Complete University Guide}}</ref>
| {{n/a}}
| 133
| 133
| 124
| 126
|}
{| style="font-size:80%;float:left"
|{{notelist-lg|refs=
{{efn-lg|name=mainscheme|Main scheme applications, International and UK}}
{{efn-lg|name=ukjune|UK domiciled applicants}}
}}
|}
|}

New students entering the university in 2020 had an average of 133 points.<ref name="CUG Entry"/> According to the 2023 ''Times'' and ''Sunday Times'' Good University Guide, approximately 3% of Aston's undergraduates come from independent schools.<ref>{{cite news |url= http://extras.thetimes.co.uk/gooduniversityguide/institutions/ |title= The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2023 |work= [[Rankings of universities in the United Kingdom|The Good University Guide]] |location= London |access-date= 16 February 2023 |archive-date= 29 November 2022 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20221129125021/https://extras.thetimes.co.uk/gooduniversityguide/institutions/ |url-status= dead }}{{subscription required}}</ref>

===Aston Business School===
{{Main|Aston Business School}}
[[File:Astonbs.jpg|thumb|[[Aston Business School]]]]
Founded in 1947<ref name="abs.aston.ac.uk">[http://www.abs.aston.ac.uk/60th/] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080416140844/http://www.abs.aston.ac.uk/60th/|date=16 April 2008}}</ref> [[Aston Business School]] (ABS) is one of the largest and oldest business schools in the UK.<ref name="abs.aston.ac.uk"/><ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.economist.com/whichmba/aston-business-school/20It%7D | newspaper=The Economist | title=The pope as a turnaround CEO}}</ref> The school was ranked 8th in the UK and 33rd in the world by [[QS World University Rankings|QS]] in 2012 and it is among the top 60 of business schools in the world to hold [[triple accreditation]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.topmba.com/sites/qs.topmba/files/qs-global200-business-schools-report-2013_0.pdf|title=Global 200 Business Schools Report - TopMBA.com|work=TopMBA.com|access-date=16 July 2015|archive-date=12 October 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131012013852/http://www.topmba.com/sites/qs.topmba/files/qs-global200-business-schools-report-2013_0.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref> ABS was the first UK business school to be awarded the prestigious EQUIS accreditation, in 1999.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/education/2002/feb/16/students.schools|title=Aston Business School|author=Nick Pandya|work=The Guardian|date=16 February 2002|access-date=16 July 2015}}</ref> ABS is the first institution in the UK to be allied with [[Beta Gamma Sigma]] by establishing a BGS Collegiate Chapter. In 2006 it opened a new £22m extension including new study rooms and two new lecture theatres.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://pg.studylink.co.uk/display/provider/provider-info.html?pid=pid-si-20-ast |title=Aston Business School, Aston University &#124; StudyLink |publisher=Pg.studylink.co.uk |access-date=27 April 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131020143810/http://pg.studylink.co.uk/display/provider/provider-info.html?pid=pid-si-20-ast |archive-date=20 October 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

Aston University is currently top 100 in the World for Business and Management in the 2020 QS World Subject Rankings<ref>{{cite web |date=24 February 2020|title=Business & Management Studies|url=https://www.topuniversities.com/university-rankings/university-subject-rankings/2020/business-management-studies|access-date=8 December 2020|website=Top Universities}}</ref> and top 200 for Accounting and Finance<ref>{{cite web |date=24 February 2020|title=Accounting & Finance|url=https://www.topuniversities.com/university-rankings/university-subject-rankings/2020/accounting-finance|access-date=8 December 2020|website=Top Universities}}</ref> in the same publication.

The business school's Masters Management course was ranked by the ''[[Financial Times]]'' in 2012 as 5th in the UK, 33rd in Europe and 36th in the world.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://rankings.ft.com/businessschoolrankings/aston-business-school/masters-in-management-2012#masters-in-management-2012 |title=Business school rankings from the Financial Times – Aston Business School |publisher=Rankings.ft.com |access-date=27 April 2014}}</ref> The paper also ranked Aston Business School as 4th in the world for careers in 2011.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www1.aston.ac.uk/about/news/releases/2011/september/abs-4th-for-careers/ |title=Aston Business School is 4th in the world for careers |publisher=.aston.ac.uk |date=19 September 2011 |access-date=27 April 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130604234938/http://www1.aston.ac.uk/about/news/releases/2011/september/abs-4th-for-careers/ |archive-date=4 June 2013 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all}}</ref> In the school's most recent [[Research Assessment Exercise]] in 2008, all research areas submitted ranked in the top 9 in the UK. 45% of the research submitted was judged to be "excellent" or "world-leading".<ref name="ReferenceC">{{cite web|url=http://www.aston.ac.uk/research/rae/|title=Aston's performance in the Research Excellence Framework|access-date=16 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141226134358/http://www.aston.ac.uk/research/rae/|archive-date=26 December 2014|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}</ref> Top 1% of Business Schools Worldwide with Triple Accreditation from AMBA, AACSB and EQUIS World Top 100 Universities for Business and Management Studies by QS Ranking (2019).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www2.aston.ac.uk/aston-business-school/news/2019/top-100-world-ranking-for-business-studies/Index |title=Aston University enters top 100 world ranking for Business and Management Studies |access-date=12 June 2019}}</ref>

Aston is 2nd in the UK for developing marketing professionals and 7th in the UK for finance professionals, based on the career outcome data of more than 313+ million LinkedIn members. The university was also 23rd in the UK for accounting professionals.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aston.ac.uk/about/news/releases/2014/october-2014/aston-top-10-linkedin-university-rankings/|title=Aston rated 'Top 10' in LinkedIn Rankings|access-date=16 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150614034721/http://www.aston.ac.uk/about/news/releases/2014/october-2014/aston-top-10-linkedin-university-rankings/|archive-date=14 June 2015|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}</ref> According to the ''Complete University Guide 2016'', Aston is ranked 6th for marketing, 22nd for accounting and finance, 22nd for economics and 23rd for business and management studies in the UK.

== Student life ==
[[File:The Adrian Carbury Building.jpg|alt=|thumb|The Adrian Cadbury Building, Aston Students' Union new home since 2019.]]
[[File:Aston University Student Village phase 2 completed - James Watt Queensway.jpg|thumb|Aston Student Village completed in August 2013.]]

===Students' Union===
Aston Students' Union (SU) (formerly Guild) is a non-profit, independent charity set up with the aim of representing and supporting its members who are primarily current students at Aston University. The SU operates a number of commercial and non-commercial services including; the Advice & Representation Centre (ARC), the Aston Athletic Union which supports the university sports clubs, the Aston Societies Federation which supports a large number of non-sporting societies, the SU Shop, Copyshop and B4 Bar. The SU is funded by grant income from Aston University and by funds raised by the SU's commercial services.{{Citation needed|date=December 2008}} The SU is led by a Trustee Board consisting of elected students and external trustees. Day-to-day management is by a team of permanent staff and by an elected student team called the Executive Committee. The SU building consists of 5 floors and is located in the centre of the Aston University Campus. The Union received a block grant of over £2.1 million from the university in 2022.

On 29 November 2006, the students voted to disaffiliate the Guild (now Union) from the [[National Union of Students (United Kingdom)|National Union of Students]], but voted to re-affiliate on 26 November 2014.<ref>{{cite web|title=Aston Students' Union re-joins NUS|url=http://beta.nusconnect.org.uk/strong-students-unions/articles/aston-students-union-re-joins-nus|publisher=NUS|access-date=26 November 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141129215042/http://beta.nusconnect.org.uk/strong-students-unions/articles/aston-students-union-re-joins-nus|archive-date=29 November 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Student housing===
All of the student housing that Aston owned was sold to UNITE Students in 2016. In the 1970s, three [[tower block]]s containing student accommodation were constructed on Aston University campus; Dalton, Lawrence and Stafford Towers. In April 2007, Aston University submitted a planning application for demolition of the three 1970s towers and to replace them with new student accommodation blocks as well as apartments for tutors, retail units and administrative offices. Lawrence and Dalton Towers were demolished on 8 May 2011.<ref name=demolition>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-birmingham-13327913 |title=Aston University tower blocks demolished |work=BBC |date=2011-05-08 |access-date=2014-04-27}}</ref> Stafford Tower, Gem Sports Centre and Lakeside Conference Centre were demolished on 27 April 2014 to make way for a new entrance to Aston University and a five-acre green space. The new landscaped area includes a new walkway into the university from the city centre and a pavilion, to be used for teaching and as a catering facility for outdoor events. The new buildings are named the [[William Murdoch]], the [[James Watt]], the [[Harriet Martineau]] and the [[Mary Sturge]] Residences.<ref>[http://www1.aston.ac.uk/study/accommodation/prospective-students/types/harriet-martineau-and-mary-sturge-residences/] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130725235921/http://www1.aston.ac.uk/study/accommodation/prospective-students/types/harriet-martineau-and-mary-sturge-residences/|date=25 July 2013}}</ref>

Another addition to Aston University student dwelling stock is the Lakeside complex on campus which was completed in August 1999.

==Notable people==

===List of chancellors===
* [[Henry Nelson, 2nd Baron Nelson of Stafford|Lord Nelson of Stafford]] (May 1966 – September 1979)
* [[Adrian Cadbury|Sir Adrian Cadbury]] (September 1979 – September 2004)
* [[Michael Bett]] (September 2004 – May 2011)
* [[John Sunderland (businessman)|John Sunderland]] (May 2011 - June 2024)
* Dr Jason Wouhra (since June 2024)

===List of vice-chancellors===
* Peter Venables (academic administrator) (April 1966 – July 1969)
* [[Joseph Pope (academic)|Sir Joseph Pope]] (August 1969 – September 1979)
* Sir Frederick W. Crawford (July 1980 – August 1996)
* [[Michael T. Wright (university administrator)|Michael T. Wright]] (September 1996 – November 2006)
* [[Julia King|Dame Julia King]] (November 2006 – September 2016)
* [[Alec Cameron (academic)|Alec Cameron]] (September 2016 – December 2021)
* Aleks Subic (August 2022 – present)<ref>{{cite web |title=Aston University appoints new Vice-Chancellor {{!}} Aston University |url=https://www.aston.ac.uk/latest-news/aston-university-appoints-new-vice-chancellor |access-date=12 August 2022 |website=www.aston.ac.uk}}</ref>

===Lecturers===
* [[Geoffrey Vernon Ball]] – The first full-time lecturing professor of ophthalmics, (1948–1981)

===Alumni===
{{see also|Category:Alumni of Aston University|Category:Academics of Aston University}}

<!--please create a Wiki article establishing notability before adding here-->

{{div col|colwidth=30em}}
'''Academia and science'''
*[[Andrew Campbell (academic)|Andrew Campbell]], computer scientist
*[[Stewart Clegg]], Australian sociologist 
*[[Paul Drayson, Baron Drayson]], vaccine manufacturer and [[Minister of State]] for Science, [[Drayson Racing]] driver
*[[Veronica German]], scientist, Member of the [[National Assembly for Wales]]
*[[Abdollah Jassbi]], President of [[Azad University]]
*[[Rahul Potluri]], founder of ACALM, doctor, researcher, scientist
*[[Adam Ryland]], British programmer
*[[Kevin Warwick]], Professor of cybernetics and Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) at [[Coventry University]]
*[[Steve Wharton]], British academic
*[[David Willey (physicist)|David Willey]], American physicist and entertainer

'''Arts and media'''
*[[Frankie Boyle]], [[Stand up comedy|Stand-up comedian]], television presenter
*[[Laura Jones (journalist)|Laura Jones]], BBC journalist
*[[Ivan Noble]], BBC journalist
*[[Nic Robertson]], Senior International Correspondent at [[CNN]]
*[[Kate Walsh (presenter)|Kate Walsh]], television presenter

'''Business'''
*[[Viswas Raghavan]], CEO of [[J.P. Morgan]] EMEA
*[[Ben Francis]], Founder and majority shareholder of [[Gymshark]]
*[[Adel Hassan Al A'ali]], CEO and chair of Hajj Hassan Group
*[[Chris Banks (businessman)|Chris Banks]], British businessman
*[[Tony Hayward]], Former chief executive of [[BP Group]]
*[[Ravi Kant (Indian executive)|Ravi Kant]], Vice Chairman of [[TATA Motors]], India<ref>{{cite web |url=https://people.forbes.com/profile/ravi-kant/76754 |title=Ravi Kant – Forbes |publisher=People.forbes.com |date=18 April 2012 |access-date=27 April 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140420012153/http://www.forbes.com/profile/ravi-kant/ |archive-date=20 April 2014 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
*[[Kevin Morley]], Former Managing Director of the former Rover Group
*[[Rob Perrins]], Managing Director of [[Berkeley Group Holdings]] 
*[[Phil Popham]], Global Operations Director for the global [[Jaguar Land Rover]] business
*[[Arthur Smout|Sir Arthur Smout]], former [[Director-General]] of [[Ammunition|Ammunition Production]] for the [[British Armed Forces]] during the [[Second World War]], and [[managing director]] of [[Imperial Chemical Industries]] metals group.

'''Politics'''
*[[Keith Bradley, Baron Bradley]], Labour Party politician and [[life peer]]
*[[Anthony Cheung]], [[Secretary for Transport and Housing]] in Hong Kong
*[[Simon D'Ujanga]], State Minister for Energy in Uganda 
*[[Malcolm Harbour]], British politician
*[[Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin]], Former [[Menteri Besar|Chief Minister]] of the state of [[Perak]]
*[[Ashok Kumar (British politician)|Ashok Kumar]], Labour Party politician 
*[[Rachel Maclean (politician)|Rachel Maclean]], Conservative Party politician 
*[[Terry Pitt]], political adviser and former Member of the European Parliament
*[[Jeff Rooker, Baron Rooker]], Labour Party politician 
*[[Claire Curtis-Thomas]], [[British Labour Party]] politician and former [[Member of Parliament (United Kingdom)|Member of Parliament]]
*[[Robert Walter (politician)|Robert Walter]], Conservative [[Member of Parliament (United Kingdom)|MP]]
*[[Salma Yaqoob]], Leader and former vice-chairman of [[Respect – The Unity Coalition]]

'''Sports'''
*[[Rūta Bunkutė]], [[IFBB Professional League|IFBB]]/[[National Physique Committee|NPC]] Amateur [[fitness and figure competition|fitness and figure competitor]] from Lithuania
*[[Gregor Townsend]], Scottish and British Lions Rugby Union Player<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/student/into-university/az-uni-colleges/aston-university-birmingham-458852.html |title=Aston University, Birmingham – A-Z Unis & Colleges – Getting into University |work=The Independent|date=2013-06-06 |access-date=2014-04-27}}</ref>

'''Other'''
*[[Ernest Henry Wilson]], notable [[plant collecting|plant collector]] and explorer
*[[Rick Stanton]], cave diver.
{{div col end}}

== See also ==
* [[Armorial of UK universities]]
* [[College of advanced technology (United Kingdom)]]
* [[List of universities in the United Kingdom]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons category|Aston University}}
* [http://www.aston.ac.uk/ Aston University website]
* [https://online.aston.ac.uk/ Aston University Online Programmes]
* [http://www.aston.ac.uk/union Aston Guild of Students]

{{Universities and colleges in the West Midlands}}
{{Universities in the United Kingdom}}
{{CDIO}}
{{Triple accreditation}}
{{authority control}}

[[Category:Aston University| ]]
[[Category:1966 establishments in England]]
[[Category:Universities and colleges established in 1966]]
[[Category:Education in Birmingham, West Midlands]]
[[Category:Universities UK]]
[[Category:Midlands Innovation]]