Founded in 1895, 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 they do. You will be taught by academic staff with international reputations in their fields. Access to quality library, learning resources and information technology is an essential part of any university experience and at Aston this is given a high priority. The learning and teaching facilities at Aston 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 the 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.

Aston Students' Union (ASU) represents and provide support to students on commercial and non-commercial services. With over 110 clubs and societies, including club sports such as basketball, cricket, fencing, golf, hockey, rugby, table tennis, and tennis. The system allows students to join a limitless number of clubs and societies according to their interests: academic, career, faith, cultural, sports, art and general interest.

Aston SU has various services, aiming to represent, support and advise members. These services include clubs and societies, fairs, volunteering and charity (Raise and Give (RAG)), campaigns, radio and other extracurricular activities.

Birmingham is Britain’s second largest city and metropolitan area, and is internationally recognised as a leader in leisure, entertainment, shopping and sport. Located just over an hour north west of London by train, Birmingham is an international centre for business, commerce and industry and attracts over 25 million visitors each year.

In 2017, the city was awarded the second-best city in England for quality of life by Mercer Quality of Living Report. Birmingham’s six universities make it the largest centre for higher education in the country outside of London.

England is a country within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (UK). It shares land borders with Wales to the west and Scotland to the north, and is separated from continental Europe by the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south. The island of Great Britain is however easily traversed by the Channel Tunnel as well as via rail, air, or sea.

England’s population of 55.6 million people comprises 84% of the population of the UK. The country has a density of 407 people per square km overall, however London (the capital of England and the UK), has a population at 8.8 million people alone at a density of 5,177 people per square km, more than ten times that of any other British region. Depending upon where you go, you can experience one of the most populated cities in the world, or wander alone on the moors. England is renowned for many reasons, and is a very popular exchange location. With a well-documented and turbulent history, England offers you the opportunity to visit structures from the Neolithic era, see Roman artefacts, or visit some of the greatest museums and galleries in the world. The massive variety of locations, interesting cultures, career opportunities, ease of travel, diverse cuisine, and thrilling history make England a prime location for exchange.

Did you know…..?

Nowhere in England is more than 113km from the sea. *English people consume more tea per capita than anybody else in the world (2.5 times more than the Japanese and 22 times more than the Americans or the French). *French was the official language of England for about 300 years, from 1066 till 1362.

All students must meet standard exchange selection criteria and any host institution restrictions.

The School of Life & Health Sciences has several restrictions in place surrounding the selection of modules for undergraduate students. It is not possible to study any lab-based modules due to a strict constraint on spacing and student

Numbers, and any Year 3 modules. Only Year 1 and Year 2 modules are available for exchange students.

• UniSA academic transcript
• Passport
• Evidence of English proficiency (if applicable)
• UniSA exchange acceptance email

Aston requires exchange students to be enrolled full time (30 ECTS/18 UniSA units) however it may be possible to study a lighter load (22.5 ECTS/13.5 UniSA units) upon negotiation with Aston Business School.

Postgraduate students may only complete 9 units whilst on exchange at Aston. Please contact the Study Overseas team at UniSA if you are considering exchange at postgraduate level.

If English is not your first language, you must be able to satisfy the University's English language requirements. The level required will depend on the programme you are applying for.

If you require a visa in order to study within the UK then you must supply a Secure English Language Test (an IELTS) according to our English Language requirements. Please visit Aston's  Visa Advice pages for more information.

Please view Aston University’s English language requirements.

Find courses at Aston University

Aston University provides free airport transfer service from Birmingham International Airport to Aston University campus.

More information on how to book this service is available here.

On-campus accommodation is 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 Aston University Accommodation website for accommodation application and queries.

Support for those seeking alternative accommodation in Birmingham can be found here.

As an exchange partner with the University of South Australia, you do not have to pay tuition fees to Aston University, instead you will pay tuition as you would normally at UniSA. Travel and living expenses are at your own cost. The table below gives an indication of costs you will incur:  

More information can be found here.

You may be eligible to receive additional grants or scholarships to fund your experience. For more information please see the funding and scholarships website

UniSA offers travel insurance as part of your exchange for up to 270 days (can be extended up to 365 days). For more information please see travel insurance website.  

Please click here to read the travel insurance policy. 

A list of Frequently Asked Questions can be found here. 

If you have any further questions about travel insurance, please contact the UniSA Insurance Office on 08 8302 1678.