Aston University (Detailed Info)

Founded: 1895. University charter 1966.

Location: Single, modern, green 40-acre campus, in centre of Birmingham.

Getting there: Birmingham is at the centre of England's rail, coach and road networks: mainline stations (New Street and Birmingham International); coaches connect directly from 500 destinations; many motorway links; Birmingham International Airport close by. University is 5 minutes' walk from city centre; extensive local transport.

Academic features: Close links with industry and business. All courses have strong vocational element; 72% of students are on sandwich courses. Combined Honours programme allows wide combinations of subjects, including languages in many courses. Engineering faculty offers BEng and MEng. Large business school and vision science department.

Awarding body: Aston University.

Main undergraduate awards: BSc, BEng, MEng, MPharm.

Length of courses: BSc, 3 years (full-time). 4 years (sandwich); BEng/MEng, 3-5 years (full-time and sandwich).

Library & IT facilities: Library with 320,000 monographs, 1000 current periodicals, 2400 electronic journals, 315 CD-Rom and self service online databases, computerised catalogues, circulation and information services, online access to databases throughout the world; audio-visual laboratory, 700 reader places (72 with IT facilities). Annual expenditure on information provision. £130 per (FTE) student. Ratio workstations to students 1:5. In total, 800 workstations, all with access to library catalogue intranet and internet; internet access from all student accommodation. IT facilities open 24/7; helplines for IT support and staff on hand in open access IT rooms. Tours and presentations on library and information services for new students; core courses/modules on IT skills. Development of IT infrastructure means all courses now available in virtual learning enviroment.

Other learning facilities: Multi-media language suite; CAD laboratories; extensive computing facilities, design studios, mathematics support centre.

Study abroad: 15% of students spend 6-12 months abroad. Strong european focus in many degrees eg international business and modern languages, computer science and french etc.

Careers & Jobs: Information and advice service. 80+% of graduates employed within 6 months.

Student advice & services: Health centre, dental surgery, optician, chaplaincy, student advice, careers advice, counselling service, accommodation office and nursery on campus. Student advice centre provides help for students with disabilities (special accommodation on campus), financial help. Study skills programmes.

Amenities: Students' Guild has bars, disco/concert hall games room, eateries, print shop, secondhand book and stationery shop, travel agents, laundrette, banks, hairdresser, post office. Supermarket on campus; city facilities close by.

Sporting facilities: Two well-equipped sports halls, swimming pool, squash courts, new fitness suite, multi-gym and all-weather pitch on campus. Sports ground, 20 minutes away, has 10 pitches, tennis and squash courts, cricket square and pavilion (with bar and cafe). New sports centre in 2006.

Accommodation: All first and most final year students who want it are in university campus accommodation; international students for whole course. 2150 places available in single rooms or in flats (mostly mixed, some single-sex), all on campus: 1500 self-catering places at £54 per week, 650 ensuite at £85 pw, Sept-June. Catered meal plan (halt board) at £250 per term. All rooms have internet access. Additional residences owned by Guild of Students. Most 2nd year students live in privately owned accommodation, usually in Erdington, Selly Oak or student apartments in city centre: rents £35-£50 pw self-catering.

Living expenses budget: £4500-£5000 pa (excluding tuition fees) recommended by university.

Term-time work: Student Jobshop advertises vacancies of up to 15 hours a week (50% believed to work). Work on campus in bars, restaurants, travel agency and summer catering; university helps finding holiday work off campus. New centre helps to find short-term course relevant placements; average sandwich year salary £12,500 pa.

Financial help: Total available £300,000 government funds, around 250 students helped (average award £500-£600); plus own funds including some for international students (mostly short-term help).

Special help: single parents with childcare needs, students who are self-financing, mature or subject to financial difficulties for reasons beyond their control. Some international bursaries available (up to £3000 pa); also some travel bursaries. New European Social Fund bursaries, up to £200,000 (awards of £750-1000). Apply for help to Student Services.