Aston University
Aston University is one of the most recognized public research universities in the UK, located in the heart of Birmingham.
Since it became a university in 1966, Aston University has steadily built a name for itself with a strong focus on employability, practical education, and academic quality. The atmosphere on campus is welcoming and inclusive, especially for international students who come from all over the world. The central Birmingham campus is modern, lively, and well-equipped, giving students access to excellent facilities while also keeping them connected to the professional opportunities of a big city.
Aston University Ranking 2026
The latest Aston University ranking places the institution among the top universities in the UK for teaching quality and graduate outcomes. Globally, Aston sits within the top 400 in the QS World University Rankings 2026, which confirms its international recognition. Within the UK, the Aston University Birmingham ranking highlights its strength in business, biomedical sciences, computer science, and engineering.
QS World University Rankings 2026: #395 globally
Guardian University Guide 2025: #21 in the UK for teaching quality
Times & Sunday Times 2025: #35 overall in the UK
Complete University Guide 2026: #44 in the UK
These rankings underline Aston’s position as a strong choice for international students seeking a balance of affordability, career opportunities, and academic quality.
Aston University Acceptance Rate
The Aston University acceptance rate is estimated to be around 50–60%, making it moderately competitive. Highly demanded courses such as Aston University dentistry, Aston University biomedical science, and health-related programs are more selective, while subjects like business, law, and engineering offer wider access for international applicants.
Aston University Fees for International Students
A common search from overseas applicants is “how much are Aston University fees for international students in 2026?” Tuition costs vary by program and level of study, but Aston remains more affordable than many London-based universities.
Undergraduate Fees (2026/27)
Most programs: £20,000 to £23,000 per year
Aston University business management: approx. £21,500
Aston University computer science: approx. £22,000
Placement year fee: £2,500 (one of the lowest in the UK)
Postgraduate Fees (2026/27)
MSc International Business: £23,500
MSc International Relations: £22,750
MSc Cyber Security: £23,000 (Cyber Security Aston University)
Specialist Health Programs
Aston University dentistry: £28,000 to £30,000 per year
Aston University medicine fees: £39,000 to £42,000 per year
Research Degrees (PhD/Doctoral)
Business, Law & Social Sciences: £15,800
Engineering & Physical Sciences: £19,200
Health & Life Sciences: £21,850
For comparison, the Boston University cost is much higher, often exceeding £50,000 annually, making Aston a more affordable option for quality UK education.
Aston University Courses
The university offers an extensive portfolio of undergraduate and postgraduate Aston University courses, covering every major discipline. International applicants often focus on:
Aston University biomedical science: accredited by the Institute of Biomedical Science, providing excellent lab-based training.
Aston University business management: part of Aston Business School, which is triple-accredited (AACSB, AMBA, EQUIS).
Aston University computer science: includes AI, software engineering, and data science modules.
Cyber Security Aston University: a postgraduate program tailored for global security careers.
Aston University dentistry: a highly sought-after program with advanced clinical placements.
Other faculties include pharmacy, psychology, engineering, law, social sciences, and optometry, all designed to combine academic study with professional practice.
English Language Requirements
For international applicants, Aston University English language requirements are as follows:
Undergraduate: IELTS Academic 6.0 overall (minimum 5.5 in each band).
Postgraduate: IELTS Academic 6.5 overall (minimum 6.0 in each band).
Health-related subjects (medicine, pharmacy, dentistry): IELTS 7.0 overall (minimum 6.5 in each band).
Equivalent tests such as TOEFL iBT, Pearson PTE Academic, and UKVI IELTS are also accepted.
Aston University Application Process
Applications can be submitted online via the Aston University application portal.
Undergraduate Applicants
Apply through UCAS.
Requirements: high school diploma, transcripts, English test results.
Postgraduate Applicants
Apply directly through the online portal.
Requirements: bachelor’s degree, references, English test results, and in some cases, a statement of purpose.
Key Application Support
Aston University admissions contact number: +44 (0)121 204 3000
Aston University admissions email: admissions@aston.ac.uk
Early submission is advised since the Aston University application portal also manages scholarships, CAS issuance, and visa documents.
Why Birmingham Makes Aston Unique
Studying at Aston also means experiencing life in Birmingham, one of the UK’s largest student cities. Birmingham offers a lower cost of living than London, multicultural communities, and strong job opportunities. With international airports and rail connections, it is an ideal hub for global students.
Scholarships for International Students
Aston provides financial support through several scholarships:
Vice-Chancellor’s International Scholarship (£10,000)
GREAT Scholarships (for selected countries)
Merit-based discounts depending on academic performance
These awards reduce the Aston University fees for international students, making higher education more accessible.
Why Choose Aston University in 2026
Strong Aston University ranking worldwide and in the UK.
Affordable Aston University fees for international students compared to London.
Professional advantage through placement year programs.
Wide choice of Aston University courses across business, health, science, and engineering.
Clear admissions guidance via Aston University application portal with support through admissions contact number and admissions email.
A vibrant multicultural environment in Birmingham.
Career opportunities supported by employer partnerships and global alumni networks.
Example: Aston Business School (BSc International Business & Management)
Tuition fee (2026/27): £21,500 per year for international students.
Placement year fee (international): £2,500 (fixed discounted rate). (UK home fees are listed separately on Aston’s official page, but overseas students should use the international figures above.)
Typical Range for Aston Undergraduate Degrees
For 2026 entry, international undergraduate tuition fees at Aston University range between £20,000 and £23,000 per year, depending on the faculty and program. Placement years are usually charged at a flat £2,500 for international students.
Payment Structure (UG 2026)
International applicants pay a non-refundable deposit (listed in your offer letter).
Balance is payable in three instalments per academic year.
Accepted payment methods: credit/debit card or Flywire global transfer.
International UG Fees by Faculty
Aston Business School (International fees 2026): Business & Management, International Business, Marketing, Accounting & Finance, HRM typically £21,500 per year.
Computing & Digital Technologies (International UG fees 2026): Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, Cybersecurity average £21,000–£22,500 per year.
Engineering & Physical Sciences (International UG fees 2026): Mechanical Engineering, Electrical & Electronic Engineering, Product Design Engineering often in the upper UG band (£22,000–£23,000).
Life & Health Sciences (International UG fees 2026): Biosciences, Psychology, Pharmacy-related UG, Optometry, Biomedical Sciences around £21,500–£22,500 per year.
Law & Social Sciences (International UG fees 2026): LLB Law, Politics & International Relations, Sociology similar to Business, £20,500–£21,500 per year.
Placement Year Cost (international students 2026): Consistently £2,500, making Aston’s professional sandwich year highly affordable compared to tuition.
Aston University Postgraduate Taught Fees 2026 (International/Overseas Students)
Aston prices postgraduate taught courses individually, but most programs fall into the £22,500–£23,500 per year range for international students in 2026.
Representative MSc & MBA Programs 2026
MSc International Business (Aston Business School): £23,500 (international fee 2026).
MSc Business & Management: £23,500 (international fee 2026).
MSc International Relations (School of Social Sciences): £22,750 (international fee 2026).
MSc Global Business (Aston University London campus): £23,500 (international fee 2026).
Key Notes for PGT International Fees 2026
Fees are reviewed annually and may rise in line with UK RPI inflation, capped by Aston’s policy.
EU/EEA/Swiss students are charged the same as overseas international students from 2026 onward.
Some programs offer a placement year option, charged at a reduced additional fee (check course page).
Payment Structure (PGT 2026)
Deposit required (deducted from tuition balance).
Balance payable in three instalments per year (for September, January, or April starters).
Accepted methods: card payments or Flywire international transfers.
Aston University Postgraduate Research Fees 2026 (PhD/MPhil International)
Aston bands international research tuition fees by college. For 2026/27 the following apply (full-time):
Aston Business School / Law / Social Sciences: £15,800 per year.
Engineering & Physical Sciences: £19,200 per year.
Health & Life Sciences: £21,850 per year. (Part-time pro-rated. Annual reviews apply; fees may rise slightly in future years.)
Research Funding Opportunities 2026
Fully funded PhD studentships advertised via Aston’s Doctoral College.
UK Doctoral Loans for eligible international residents.
Merit-based international PhD scholarships updated yearly.
Aston University International Scholarships & Discounts
Aston International Scholarships 2026: awarded based on academic merit, open to both UG and PG applicants.
GREAT Scholarships 2026: available for specific countries in partnership with the British Council.
Automatic merit discounts may apply to high-achieving international applicants (values vary).
Placement-year savings: international students benefit from a reduced fee (£2,500) instead of paying full tuition during the placement year.
How to Pay Aston University International Tuition Fees
Deposit: Amount stated in your offer letter (varies by program). Deducted from first-year tuition.
Instalments: Most international students pay in three equal instalments across the year. Non-September intakes may have different schedules.
Payment methods: Secure online card payments or Flywire for multi-currency international transfers.
Fast facts international applicants search for
Guardian University Guide (2025): #21 in the UK. Aston highlighted strong “value added” performance, how far students progress beyond entry grades plus solid scores for student outcomes.
Times & Sunday Times Good University Guide (2025): #35 overall; #16 for Student Experience. This reflects high student satisfaction with teaching and campus life.
Complete University Guide (CUG) 2026: #44 overall in the UK. A consistent showing across the league table and subject rankings.
QS World University Rankings 2026: = 395 globally (top ~5% of evaluated institutions). Useful global signal for employers, visas, and international recognition.
Why this matters to international students: major UK league tables (Guardian, Times/Sunday Times, CUG) weight teaching quality, student satisfaction, graduate outcomes, and value added areas where Aston’s placement-year model and employer links shine. QS provides the global ranking lens that multinational employers and some immigration pathways look
What each ranking tells overseas students
Guardian University Guide (“Aston Guardian ranking”) Focuses on students’ classroom experience: teaching, feedback, student–staff ratios, career prospects, value added. Aston’s #21 (2025) position signals a strong, teaching-led environment—reassuring for applicants seeking study in UK for international students prioritizing learning quality and outcomes.
Times & Sunday Times Good University Guide (“Aston University student satisfaction”) Weighs teaching quality, student experience, research quality, graduate prospects, and entry standards. Aston’s #35 overall and #16 for Student Experience (2025) indicate consistently positive student sentiment useful for families comparing the best UK universities for international students on campus life and support.
Complete University Guide 2026 (“Aston ranking 2026”) A broad, data-heavy picture across 70+ indicators and subjects. Aston’s #44 shows stability across subject tables (a quick way to check your specific course area if you’re comparing Aston Business School, Computer Science, Engineering, Psychology, Law, or Life & Health Sciences).
QS World University Rankings 2026 (“Aston QS ranking”) Global brand and research visibility Aston sits at =395 worldwide, reinforcing international name recognition for employability, post-study work, and cross-border careers.
Takeaway for 2026 intakes
If you’re searching “study in UK for international students 2026,” Aston combines high student experience scores, strong value-added teaching, and a solid global QS position. For degree choices with a placement year and industry alignment (business, tech, engineering, life sciences, psychology, law/social sciences), these rankings indicate competitive graduate outcomes and employer credibility key for Graduate Route planning and international careers.
Aston University in Birmingham, United Kingdom is a career-focused UK university ranked among the top choices for international students in 2026. The university delivers undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral degrees through a range of specialized schools and faculties, each designed with global employability, placement opportunities, and professional accreditation in mind. International students applying to Aston in 2026 benefit from a wide range of programs across business, engineering, technology, health, sciences, law, and social sciences, making it one of the best universities in UK for international students seeking both affordability and industry recognition.
Aston Business School
(Keywords: Aston Business School international fees, Aston MBA tuition for overseas students, Aston MSc International Business, study business in UK for international students)
Undergraduate programs (UG): Accounting, Finance, Marketing, International Business & Management.
Postgraduate programs (PG): MSc Management, MSc International Business, MSc Business Analytics, MSc Finance, MSc Human Resource Management, MSc Strategy.
Flagship program: Aston MBA one of the most popular MBAs in the UK for international students, offering strong employer links, global networking, and optional work placements.
For 2026 international applicants, Aston Business School remains a top choice for study in UK for international students in business and management, thanks to its triple accreditation (AACSB, AMBA, EQUIS) and global recognition.
Aston Medical School
Aston Medical School delivers high-quality medicine-related education and clinical research. Entry is competitive, with strict academic and English language requirements. The program is particularly relevant to international students who want to study medicine in the UK and secure placements in UK healthcare systems.
Aston Pharmacy School (Pharmacy Degrees for International Students)
Recognised for pharmacy and pharmaceutical sciences, Aston Pharmacy School is one of the leading UK schools in this field.
Popular with international pharmacy students seeking globally respected professional qualifications.
Aston Optometry School (Vision Sciences)
Offers world-leading programs in Optometry and Vision Sciences.
Among the most respected optometry programs in the UK, attracting international applicants who want to pursue clinical practice and research careers.
Aston School of Psychology
Delivers undergraduate and postgraduate psychology degrees with a strong applied and clinical focus.
International students benefit from research-active faculty and industry-linked psychology placements, making Aston a top UK university for psychology in 2026.
School of Computer Science & Digital Technologies
Offers UG & PG programs in Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, Cybersecurity, and Software Engineering.
Industry-aligned curricula with optional placements provide international graduates with job-ready skills highly valued in the UK tech sector.
Popular with international students searching for “study computer science in UK for international students 2026” and “best MSc AI/Data Science in UK 2026.”
School of Engineering & Innovation
Degrees in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical/Electronic Engineering, and Product/Design Engineering.
Focus on innovation, enterprise, and design-to-manufacture skills.
Particularly attractive for international engineering students seeking placements and industry links in UK engineering companies.
School of Biosciences
Programs in biological and biomedical sciences, with research expertise in biotechnology, molecular biology, and biomedical research.
Suitable for international students planning careers in global health, pharmaceuticals, or scientific research.
School of Law and Social Sciences
Programs in Law, Politics/International Relations, and Sociology.
Aston’s postgraduate programs in International Relations and Law are especially popular with international students seeking globally relevant, policy-focused degrees in the UK.
Flagship Degrees for International Students at Aston University
Business & Management / International Business (UG & MSc): Global recognition, placement year options, and diverse international cohorts.
Computer Science / AI / Data: Cutting-edge curricula with strong employer demand in the UK job market.
Psychology: Applied focus, clinical pathways, and research-led teaching.
Engineering (Mechanical, Electrical, Design): Innovation-driven programs aligned with UK industry needs.
International Relations / Law & Social Sciences: Topical postgraduate specialisms relevant to international politics, law, and sociology.
How to apply
Undergraduate: Apply via UCAS; many programs include an optional placement year.
Postgraduate taught: Apply direct to Aston through the online application on each course page (intakes in September, January, April for many courses).
Postgraduate research: Apply to advertised projects or propose your own; explore studentships and funding before applying.
English-language requirements
If you hold an unconditional direct-entry offer for UG/PG, you may submit any IELTS Academic test (not necessarily UKVI) or accepted equivalents.
If you need a CAS for a single pre-sessional course or have an unconditional Foundation Year offer, you must take IELTS Academic at a UKVI-approved centre.
Course pages (including Aston University London) specify exact IELTS bands (e.g., MSc AI: IELTS 6.0 no band <5.5; MSc Business Analytics / Business & Management: IELTS 6.5 with specific band minima). Always check the programme’s page.
Offer, CAS, deposit & visa
Successful applicants receive an offer (conditional/unconditional).
To secure your place, you’ll pay a deposit (amount and deadline appear in your offer).
Aston issues a CAS once you meet all conditions (including deposit and language).
Student visa: you’ll meet English and finance requirements (first-year tuition plus living costs per UKVI rules for study outside London), submit biometrics, and receive a decision. Use Aston’s guidance and the official gov.uk pages for the latest amounts and documents.
Tuition payment schedule (popular question)
Standard pattern: deposit, then three instalments across the academic year (different timetables apply for January/April starters). Aston supports card and Flywire. See the university’s Payments and Dates page for exact schedules by intake.
Typical document checklist
Passport
Academic certificates & official transcripts (high school for UG; bachelor’s degree for PG)
English test (IELTS/other accepted equivalents) unless exempt
Personal statement/statement of purpose; CV (PG/experienced routes)
Reference(s) (PG taught and research)
Proof of funds and other visa documents for CAS/Student visa (if studying in the UK)
Any course-specific items (e.g., portfolio, health checks for certain health programs)
Is Aston University public or private? Where is it? Aston is a public university on a single city-centre campus in Birmingham, UK.
What is Aston University known for? Strong employer links, placement year culture, and professionally oriented schools such as Aston Business School, Pharmacy, Optometry, Psychology, Computer Science, and Engineering.
What are typical international undergraduate fees? Course-specific, commonly ~£20k–£23k. Example: BSc International Business & Management £21,500 (2025/26); placement year typically £2,500.
How much do international master’s degrees cost? Varies by program; typical examples: MSc International Business £23,500, MSc Business & Management £23,500, MSc International Relations £22,750, MSc Global Business (London) £23,500.
What are Aston’s PhD fees for overseas students? By college (2025/26): £15,800 (Business/Law/Social Sciences); £19,200 (Engineering & Physical Sciences); £21,850 (Health & Life Sciences).
Does Aston offer international scholarships? Yes, Aston runs a range of International Scholarships annually and partners in schemes like GREAT Scholarships. Check eligibility and deadlines.
How do I pay my tuition fees? Pay the deposit stated in your offer, then the balance in instalments (typical three-stage plan). Payments by card or Flywire.
What IELTS score do I need? Depends on the course. Direct UG/PG unconditional offers can use any IELTS Academic; UKVI IELTS is required for Foundation/presessional routes. Programme pages show exact bands (e.g., MSc AI 6.0, Business Analytics/Management 6.5).
When can I start? Many PGT courses have September, January, and April intakes. UG typically begins in September.
How good is Aston’s ranking? Aston is 21st (Guardian 2025), 35th (Times 2025), 44th (CUG 2026), and =395 (QS 2026).
Is Birmingham an affordable city for students? Generally more affordable than London; exact costs vary by lifestyle. Aston’s site highlights Birmingham’s culture, connections, and graduate opportunities.
Does Aston guarantee placements? Aston is famous for placements and offers an optional placement year on many UG courses, but places are competitive and student-driven with university support. (See course pages.)
Are there January/April starts for MBAs and business master’s? Many business master’s offer multiple intakes; check each program’s page for start months.
Do I need a visa for Aston University London courses? Yes, if you’re studying in the UK and are visa-national; your CAS comes from Aston after conditions are met. If studying entirely online from abroad, a visa is not required.
What is the placement-year fee for international UG? Often £2,500 in 2025/26 (example from International Business & Management). Verify your program page.
Can I work during study? Student-visa work rights follow UKVI rules (usually part-time during term; full-time during official vacations). Always check your visa conditions.
Are there country-specific entry requirements? Yes, Aston provides country pages with typical offer levels and document expectations.
How competitive is Aston Business School? Very popular with strong employer links; taught master’s fees commonly ~£23.5k for international entrants in 2025/26.
Are instalment plans available for January/April intakes? Yes, Aston publishes instalment schedules by intake on the Payments & Dates page.
Where can I confirm my exact fee and scholarship? On your course page (fee tab) and Aston’s International Scholarships hub.

