Aston University

Founded in 1895 and a University since 1966, Aston is a long-established research-led University known for its world-class teaching quality and strong links to industry, government, and commerce.

Aston’s four Schools offer a range of undergraduate and postgraduate degree programmes. Aston promotes and supports academic excellence in everything that we do. You will be taught by academic staff with international reputations in their fields. Access to quality libraries, learning resources, and information technology is an essential part of any university experience and at Aston, this is given a high priority. Our learning and teaching facilities are modern, easy to access, and user-friendly.

Aston University is located on a well-equipped and friendly campus in the heart of the vibrant city of Birmingham. All of our social, support, and academic facilities are based on campus, so you will never have to go far.

Each year Aston welcomes students from over 120 countries, providing a fantastic opportunity for exchange students to study abroad, whilst also having the chance to experience new cultures, meet new people, and improve their language skills.

Birmingham

Birmingham is Britain’s second-largest city and is internationally recognised as a leader in leisure, entertainment, shopping, and sport. Birmingham is an international centre for business, commerce, and industry and attracts over a 25million visitors each year and the city is a member of the renowned Délice network, certifying our position on the global cuisine map.
 

Aston’s location in the centre of the UK means that Birmingham is easily accessible by road, rail, or air. Birmingham Airport is located ten minutes from Birmingham City Centre by train, and London is less than ninety minutes. The central location of the campus means that shopping, restaurants, and nightlife are all within a safe and easy walking distance.

What can you study?

Aston University is divided into 4 Academic Schools. You will only be able to study within the School your University has an agreement with, therefore when choosing modules please pick modules from one School and not across each one.
 

Below are the 4 Academic Schools and the subject areas which are available for exchange students:
Engineering & Applied Science (EAS)Life & Health Sciences (LHS) Aston Business School (ABS)Language and Social Sciences (LSS) 
Chemistry
Computer Science
Engineering disciplines (Chemical, Mechanical, and Electronic)
Logistics
Mathematics
Product Design
Biology
Biomedical Sciences
Psychology
Neuroscience
Biomedical Engineering
 
All undergraduate programmes in the Aston Business School - excluding first year modules



 
English Language
English Literature
French
German
International Relations
Politics
Sociology / Social Policy
Spanish
Translation Studies
History 

Applications to Aston Business School, Engineering & Applied Science, Languages & Social Sciences (Undergraduate)

Entry Requirements

The exchange programme allows students to study at Aston for either a full year or one teaching period. Before applying there are a few requirements that you must meet:

  • be nominated by one of our European partner institutions via Moveon, as part of the Erasmus+ scheme,

OR

  • be nominated by one of our International partner institutions via Moveon.

You must also:

  • have completed a minimum of one or two years’ study in Higher Education.
  • Fulfil our English Language requirements -www.aston.ac.uk/international-students/admissions-advice/english-language-requirements/

Applications

Once we receive the nomination details from your home institution the relevant School will send you a link to the online application form which you must complete and upload the following documents to:

  • Scanned copy of your passport
  • Official nomination letter
  • Your academic transcript submitted in English or officially translated
  • English language certificate

It is important that you write your personal details as they appear in your passport and also provide us with an accurate email address, as we will need to contact you on a regular basis. You will also receive information about accommodation, module selections, and welcome/induction events taking place once we have received your completed application form.

Applications to the School of Life and Health Sciences (Undergraduate)

The application process and module selection differs slightly for the School of Life & Health Sciences due to the structure of the programmes on offer.

Entry Requirements

Important information to consider:
The exchange programme allows students to study at Aston for a full academic year, and teaching period exchanges will only be considered on a case-by-case basis. There is also the possibility of a research/internship for one teaching period under agreed partnership arrangements. Before applying there are a few requirements that you must meet:

  • be nominated by one of our European partner institutions, as part of the ERASMUS scheme,

OR

  • be nominated by one of our international partner institutions. When making a nomination via Moveon, partners must specify which school of study the student wishes to join and their level of English language.

You must also:

  • have completed a minimum of one or two years’ study in HigherEducation.
  • Fulfil our English Language requirements -www.aston.ac.uk/international-students/admissions-advice/englishlanguage-requirements

Application

Once Aston has received the student nominations, LHS will be in touch directly with you and your advisor. The International Partnership Coordinator for the School will send a list of module choices available for the subject you wish to study, along with an LHS information sheet and our application form.

You are then required to select your choice of modules and return the completed application form along with the following documents:

  • Academic transcripts in English or officially translated.
  • English Language Certificate
  • Scanned copy of passport

Module Choices

There are a number of restrictions in place for selecting LHS modules. Unfortunately, it will not be possible to study any lab-based modules due to the strict constraints surrounding lab spaces, so therefore only class-based modules will be on offer.

Additionally, students will be required to undertake modules from Years 1and 2 only. There might be the option of some final year modules, but this will be indicated on the list provided by LHS at the time of your application. Entry to these final year modules will be assessed on an individual basis following a review of the academic transcripts submitted, as most final year modules have set pre-requisites.

Aston will not be able to process your application without receiving your modules choices and a confirmed learning agreement.

Please note that we are unable to offer any undergraduate exchange opportunities in audiology, pharmacy, or optometry.

Workload

Your workload will normally consist of 60 credits (30 ECTS) per teaching period. For students attending the whole year this is a total of 120 Aston (60 ECTS) credits.

Examinations & Assessments

Modules assessed by examinations are held at the end of each teaching period, e.g. in January for Teaching Period 1 and in May/June for Teaching Period 2. These are compulsory and you must remain at Aston for the examinations.

Transcripts will be sent directly in the post to students after their marks have been confirmed by the relevant exam board.

Application Deadlines

  • Students coming in September (Full academic Year or Teaching Period 1) - 20th June 2020 
  • Students coming in January (Teaching Period 2) - 20th October 2020

Term Dates

The academic year is divided into two teaching periods and three terms. Students can either attend for the whole year (Terms one, two, and three) or for one teaching period (either Term one and two or Term two and three).

 
Teaching Period 1  Teaching Period 2 
Term One21 September 2020
19 December 2020 
Term Two10 January 2021
1 April 2021
Winter break20 December 2020
9 January 2021 
Easter Break2 April 2021
24 April 2021
Term Two10 January 2021
1 April 2021 
Term Three25 April 2021
12 June 2021

Welcome Week

At the beginning of your studies, Aston University runs a series of activities to help you settle into your new environment, this is referred to as ‘Freshers’ Week’– itis essential that you attend! The orientation is planned with you in mind and provides valuable information and guidance in preparation for your studies and life in the UK. It also includes School, academic and social activities and is a brilliant opportunity to meet other students. For those students only attending Teaching Period 2 there is also an Aston Welcome Week in January. Although on a smaller scale it is aimed at helping you settle into life at Aston and providing you with important information and guidance. It is also, of course, your chance to meet other students already on campus and make friends!

Cost of Living

It is recommended that you budget £1015 per month, which includes accommodation, food, books, clothes, local travel and spending money. Aston, however, is a self-contained University based in the City Centre of Birmingham, therefore students living close to the campus will not require any transportation and any other travel is entirely the student’s own choice.

Accommodation

Accommodation is available to you as an exchange student. If you are a full-time student between September - June. Or if you are a semester-only student between September -January, or January- June.

Full Year Exchange Students

We guarantee Aston University campus accommodation to the first 40 full year (September – June) Erasmus and Exchange student applicants, on a first-come-first-served basis. Undergraduate applicants can apply for a 45 weeks and 3 days accommodation contract. Further details can be found on our website.

One Teaching Period Only Exchange Students

On-campus accommodation is also guaranteed for the first 20 Erasmus or Exchange students who are registering for Teaching period 1 (September – January). These 20 rooms will then be available for the first 20 students who are registering for Teaching period 2 (January – June). Please visit www.aston.ac.uk/accommodation for accommodation application and queries.

We also provide support for those seeking alternative accommodation in Birmingham. Students can find out about available off-campus accommodation options available here: www.astonsu.com/housing/astonstudenthomes/exchange.

General Advice

Birmingham is fortunate in that it boasts a wide variety of alternative accommodations for students that are well connected by bus and rail links. However, there are still a number of things to take into consideration when seeking off-campus accommodation. Short-term lets are not as easy to find as long-term lets. Please seek advice and start your search early.

Alternative off-campus accommodation types:

  • Private student halls
  • Shared house
  • Flats/Studios
  • Homestay Landlords

Please see www.astonsu.com/housing/astonstudenthomes/exchange

We recommend that you search for your accommodation in advance, in particular, if you are looking for shared/private housing. We recommend that you arrive in the UK early so that you can view properties and make arrangements in person.

If you look outside AstonStudentHomes for accommodation, please be careful which accommodation agencies you use in your search. It is against the Law in the UK for an accommodation agency to take fees in advance from prospective tenants in return for details of properties. For tips on how to avoid rental scams please check out Action Fraud: Rental Scams.

Please remember that the University cannot recommend off-campus accommodation properties. It is your responsibility to secure accommodation and find out what options may be available to you.

Sport Aston

Aston University students have excellent sports facilities right on their doorstep. Whether you want to train, compete, keep fit or just have fun with friends, Aston can provide you with a great range of opportunities. Our facilities are staffed by trained first-aiders and lifeguards. For further information, please visit Sport Aston website: www.aston.ac.uk/sport

Support Facilities

Aston University offers a range of services to support students with both academic and personal issues. These include personal tutors for each student and many other services provided by the Aston Schools, central University departments and the Students’ Union.

Further information can be found here.

The Hub, Student Support Services offer disability support, counselling, funding advice and international studentsupport. Further information can be found here.

Peer Mentoring

Further to the support facilities Aston is delighted to be able to offer all our exchange students a mentor during their timeat Aston. This is a support scheme run by students for students and provides a great source of support from someonewho has experience of being an Aston student. For more information please visit our peer mentoring page.

Employment and Careers Services

Aston University’s Careers Service is available to all students offering careers guidance, careers information and advice.

The Students’ Union provides advice and guidance on gaining part-time work in the UK. For further information pleasesee the Job Shop website.

Visas and Health Insurance

Students from outside the EU will need to make sure that they have the necessary visa to enable them to study in theUK. We will issue a ‘short term study visa letter’ for those studying for less than 6 months. Students studying for a fullyear will need a Tier 4 visa. More visa advice can be found here.

EU students should obtain a European Health Insurance card. More information about healthcare can be found here.