Aston Business School

Aston Business School (ABS) is part of Aston University, located in Birmingham, England. Established in 1947 as the Department of Industrial Administration, it became Aston Business School in 1988. The school is known for its strong industry links, focus on employability, and research-led teaching. It is among the 1% of global business schools to hold triple accreditation from AACSB, AMBA, and EQUIS.
 

The school offers a wide range of programmes, including undergraduate (BSc), postgraduate (MSc), MBA, DBA, PhD, foundation, and online courses. A key feature of the undergraduate degrees is the integrated placement year, which helps students gain practical work experience. Postgraduate options include specialised MSc programmes in areas such as Business Analytics, Finance, Marketing, International Business, and Cybersecurity Management. The Aston MBA is offered full-time, part-time, and online, and includes professional development modules such as The Aston Edge and career support.
 

Aston Business School also delivers degree apprenticeships and business enterprise development programmes that focus on team-based learning. The school’s research centres focus on advanced services, circular economy, sustainability, entrepreneurship, and low-carbon business practices. In the 2021 Research Excellence Framework, 77% of the school’s research was rated as world-leading or internationally excellent.
 

The school actively collaborates with businesses through consultancy projects, Knowledge Transfer Partnerships, and SME growth initiatives. It leads initiatives such as the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Programme and the Help to Grow: Management programme.
 

Aston Business School has been recognised in several global rankings. It is ranked 87th globally and 11th in the UK for Business and Management Studies (QS 2025), and 2nd in the UK for Graduate Prospects in Marketing (Complete University Guide 2024). The Aston MBA is ranked among the top in the world for employability, and the school was shortlisted for Business School of the Year by the Times Higher Education Awards 2023.

Aston Business School began in 1947 as the Department of Industrial Administration within the Birmingham Central Technical College, which later became Aston University. The department was created to support teaching in industrial management at a time when post-war Britain was focused on rebuilding its economy through industrial growth. David Hall Bramley was appointed as the first Head of Department. Under his leadership, the department laid the foundations for structured business education and research in industrial administration.
 

In 1961, the Industrial Administration Research Unit (IARU) was established. This led to the well-known Aston Studies, which focused on the behaviour of individuals and groups within organisations. These studies were among the first to use workplace settings for academic research, making a significant contribution to organisational theory and management practices.
 

Aston University was granted its Royal Charter in 1966. In 1972, the Management Centre was formed by combining the Department of Industrial Administration and the Graduate Centre for Management Studies. This allowed the university to offer undergraduate, postgraduate, and professional development courses under a single structure. In 1978, the purpose-built Nelson Building was opened to accommodate the Management Centre, and in 1979 the school awarded its first MBA degrees.

The institution continued to expand through the 1980s and became officially known as Aston Business School in 1988. Throughout the 1990s, new programmes were introduced to reflect the changing business environment. In 1997, the MSc in International Business was launched, and in 2005 the BSc in International Business and Management began. These programmes aimed to address the increasing demand for global business knowledge.
 

In 1999, Aston Business School established its Advisory Board, comprising experienced business leaders who advise the school on its teaching, research, and engagement strategies. That same year, the school received its first major international accreditation from EQUIS. It went on to receive AACSB accreditation in 2003 and AMBA accreditation in 2006, earning it the prestigious triple-crown status, which is held by only a small percentage of business schools worldwide.
 

In 2006, a £20 million extension to the Nelson Building was completed. This expanded the school’s facilities, including the addition of a dedicated MBA suite and a conference centre. The building was later renamed the Aston Business School Building.

In the following years, the school introduced new methods of education. It became one of the first institutions in the UK to offer degree apprenticeships, including the Chartered Manager Degree Apprenticeship, developed in collaboration with employers. In 2017, Aston University Online was launched, offering fully online postgraduate business and management courses to reach students beyond the traditional classroom setting.
 

In 2019, the school introduced undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in Business Enterprise Development. These programmes used a team-based learning approach where students formed their own enterprises and worked with business coaches instead of following traditional academic modules.
 

Aston Business School has developed strong links with business communities locally and nationally. It delivers programmes and support for small and medium-sized enterprises through the Aston Centre for Growth. Major initiatives include the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses programme, the Aston Programme for Small Business Growth, and Minerva Birmingham Pitch Up. During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Aston was selected as one of the institutions to deliver the UK government’s Small Business Leadership Programme.
 

The school also supports advanced research through its centres, including the Centre for Circular Economy and Advanced Sustainability (CEAS), the Advanced Services Group, and the Low Carbon SMEs Group. These centres work on business model innovation, sustainability transitions, digital transformation, and emissions reduction.
 

In terms of rankings and recognition, Aston Business School has consistently maintained its global standing. It is regularly ranked among the top 100 for business and management in the QS World University Rankings. In 2020, Aston University was named the Guardian University of the Year and received the Times Higher Education award for Outstanding Entrepreneurial University, due in large part to the work led by Aston Business School. The MBA has also been ranked in the top 100 globally for specialisations such as entrepreneurship and marketing.

By 2023, Aston Business School had been shortlisted for Business School of the Year at the Times Higher Education Awards. Its professional development programme, The Aston Global Advantage, was recognised at the QS Reimagine Education Awards for its role in enhancing employability through academic study.
 

In 2024 and 2025, Aston Business School continued to perform strongly in global rankings. It was placed in the top 100 globally for Master's in Business Analytics, Marketing, and Management (QS 2024 and 2025), and its Online MBA ranked first in the UK and 24th globally in the Eduniversal Rankings. The Executive MBA was ranked 89th worldwide by QS in 2025. The school also expanded its executive education programmes and was recognised by the Financial Times in 2025 among the global providers of executive education.
 

As of 2025, Aston Business School remains focused on practice-led teaching, applied research, and engagement with business. It continues to deliver undergraduate and postgraduate education, professional development, and business support programmes. Its strategic direction is guided by a commitment to student employability, enterprise development, and research that addresses the needs of industry and society.

Aston Business School offers a wide range of courses at undergraduate, postgraduate, MBA, doctoral, foundation, and online levels. All courses are designed with a strong focus on employability and practical learning, and many include placement or internship opportunities.
 

At the undergraduate level, students can choose from various Bachelor of Science (BSc) degrees. Popular undergraduate courses include Accounting and Finance, Business and Management, Business Analytics, Business and International Relations, Business and Politics, Business and Supply Chain Management, Business Computing and IT, Economics, Finance, Marketing, Psychology and Business, and International Business and Management. A unique feature of most undergraduate courses is the integrated placement year, which gives students the opportunity to work in industry before completing their degree. Online options are also available in subjects like Business and Management and Cybersecurity.
 

Aston also offers specialised joint honours programmes that combine business with subjects such as Sociology, Law, and Politics. Some students have the opportunity to pursue a dual degree through international partnerships, such as the joint programme with Symbiosis International University in Dubai.
 

At the postgraduate level, Aston offers a variety of Master of Science (MSc) degrees. These include Business Analytics, Finance, Financial Management, Financial Technology, Strategic Marketing Management, Digital Marketing and Analytics, Cyber Security Management, Human Resource Management, Entrepreneurship and Innovation, International Business, Investment Analysis and Risk, Management, and Project Management. These courses are designed to be completed in one year full-time and include options for online and part-time study. Many MSc courses include work placements or consultancy projects with industry.
 

The school also provides a highly regarded MBA programme in different formats: full-time, part-time (Executive MBA), and online. The Aston MBA includes leadership training, real-life consultancy projects, and professional development through “The Aston Edge” programme. The Executive MBA can also be pursued through the Executive Leadership Apprenticeship route.
 

Doctoral programmes include the PhD in Management, MPhil in Management, MSc by Research in Social Sciences, and the Executive Doctor of Business Administration (DBA), which is also available online or in Singapore in partnership with Kaplan.
 

Foundation programmes are available for students who need additional preparation before beginning a degree. These include the Foundation Programme in Business and Social Science and the Foundation Programme in Business and Supply Chain Management. Pathway programmes for Law and Business are also offered to support A-level students interested in those fields.
 

In 2017, Aston launched Aston University Online, which offers fully online MSc and MBA courses for working professionals. These include online degrees in Business Analytics, Computer Science, Cybersecurity, and Law. The flexibility of these courses allows students to study while working.
 

Aston Business School also offers continuing professional development (CPD) opportunities and has a strong focus on entrepreneurship and enterprise. The Business Enterprise Development programmes at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels allow students to work in teams to create and manage real businesses, supported by team coaches rather than traditional lectures.
 

The variety and flexibility of Aston’s course offerings make it accessible to a wide range of students, with strong links to industry, applied learning, and career development built into the curriculum.

• Ranked 87th in the world and 11th in the UK for Business and Management Studies – QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025
• Ranked 2nd in the UK for Graduate Prospects in BSc Marketing – Complete University Guide 2024
• Ranked 10th in the UK for Graduate Prospects in Accounting and Finance – Complete University Guide 2024
• Ranked 11th in the UK in the Eduniversal Business Schools Ranking 2024
• Ranked 4th in the UK and 19th in Europe for Full-time MBA – Eduniversal Rankings 2024
• Online MBA ranked 1st in the UK and 24th in the world – Eduniversal Part-Time MBA Rankings 2024
• Executive MBA ranked 89th in the world – QS Global Executive MBA Rankings 2025
• Ranked 41st in the world for Business Administration – Shanghai Academic Ranking of World Universities 2024
• Ranked in the top 100 globally for Masters in Marketing, Business Analytics, and Management – QS 2024
• Listed among the top 100 European Business Schools – Financial Times European Ranking 2024

Aston Business School places a strong focus on employability. Over 80% of graduates secure employment or further study within six months of completing their course. The school maintains industry partnerships that support placements, internships, and consultancy projects for students across all programmes. Undergraduate students benefit from an integrated placement year, and postgraduate students are guaranteed access to internships or live projects. Aston MBA students take part in consultancy assignments and professional development through the Aston Edge. Graduates work at firms such as Deloitte, PwC, HSBC, Capgemini, EY, Amazon, and many others across various sectors.

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