Aston University is a public research campus university situated at Gosta Green, in the city centre of Birmingham, England. Aston began as the Birmingham Municipal Technical School in 1895, evolving into the UK’s first elite College of Advanced Technology in 1956. Aston University received its Royal Charter from Queen Elizabeth II on 22 April 1966.
Aston was ranked by QS as the 47th best university in the world under 50 years old in 2012 and as the world's 51st best university based on employer reputation in 2011. It was ranked 5th in the UK for graduate employability. A survey suggested it is one of the 20 most targeted universities by the UK's top employers. Aston pioneered the integrated placement year concept over 50 years ago, with more than 70% of Aston students take placement year, the highest percentage in the UK. Aston students are the 24th most satisfied students out of 132 UK Universities, with the overall satisfaction level at 89% for the second year running. Aston University was responsible for educating 2.3 per cent of the UK's millionaires, placing Aston among the top 10 UK universities for producing millionaires.
