England: Aston Business School Exchange Program

Study business abroad at one of the UK's top ranked Business Schools

Program Location

Birmingham, England is the second largest city in the UK by population, and plays host to six universities. The city plays host to a flourishing arts scene, international commerce, and both national and international sporting events. It also happens to be a very green city, with over 8,000 acres of open space. Birmingham has its own Symphony Orchestra, two Botanical Gardens, a Royal Ballet, and an urban area with clubs and live music venues. Birmingham is connected to the rest of the UK by road and rail, and even has its own international airport.

Institution

Aston Business School (ABS) is part of the larger Aston University, and is one of the few elite schools that have received Triple accreditation: EQUIS by the EFMD, AMBA and the AACSB. The Business School is nationally ranked in student assessment of career service and for advancing career opportunities. In addition, the Masters in Management program ranked fifth overall in the UK by the Financial Times in 2011. The accolades do not stop there: Aston Business School has been ranked fifth in the UK in undergraduate Marketing Degrees, and ranked in the top 50 Business Schools in Europe in a 2012 Finanical Times ranking. Total enrollment at Aston business School is approximately thirty five hundred students, half of which are international. ABS has sixty-two partnerships worldwide and actively conducts international research.

Program

As an exchange program, students continue to pay Marist tuition as if they were on-campus. Housing is arranged by the student with the host university’s assistance, and payment is made directly to the housing provider overseas. Students join the huge international student population at Aston Business school, and participate in the University’s Welcome Week activities to orientate themselves to the new school and surroundings. Aston advisors work with students to arrange the academics while still in the United States to ensure a smooth academic transition, and remain in touch with students throughout the experience. More information can be found on the Aston Business School Incoming International Exchange Student webpage.

Academics and Coursework

Marist exchange students will participate in a wide range of business courses, completing fifteen credits during the semester. Courses are taught in English, and students will be enrolled next to their degree-seeking peers as well as other international and exchange students. Coursework focuses exclusively on business courses in this program.

Extracurricular

Aston supports a wide variety of student activities through the Student Union. They support over thirty clubs and seventy societies, and include club sports such as basketball, cricket, fencing, golf, hockey, rugby, table tennis, and tennis. The Student Union is a wide reaching organization, and supports all aspects of student life on campus and off. A calendar keeps students up to date on general school happenings as well as daytime and evening events around campus. Students should visit the Aston Students’ Union webpage to learn more about the extracurricular opportunities.

Housing

As an exchange program, the student arranges housing at Aston. Aston has managed to secure several on-campus rooms for first and second teaching period students, available on a first come, first serve basis. In the event that students are not able to get into the on-campus housing, off campus accommodation can be arranged with the University’s assistance. More information is available on the Aston International Accommodation site.

Admission

• Minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA at the time of application
• Sophomore level standing or higher at the time of study abroad
• Currently enrolled in a degree seeking program with the School of Management
• Academic Advisor approval of program and coursework

How to Apply

Enrollment is limited, and applicants are encouraged to apply early. Click here for more Information on how the Marist Abroad application process.

Additional Information

If you have any additional questions about the program contact the Program Coordinator at james.morrowpolio1@marist.edu. 

Please click here for additional information on the program. Additionally, you can download the ABS Factsheet here.