30,823 discussions, 145 guides
Aston University, Birmingham
30,823 discussions, 145 guides
Aston University, Birmingham
Aston University, Birmingham
Aston Triangle
Birmingham
Tel:01212043000
1895
The Aston Times
The student newspaper run by the guild which comes out about every 3 weeks. Usual sort of fayre, good to get involved in for the experience, some interesting stuff and hot uni issues, some dull stuff.
Wotsup?
Comes out ones a week and gives information about events that are happening that week, alarmingly.
Gregor Townsend - Scotland rugby player
Jasper Carrot - Comedian (honourary scroll)
A smattering of MPs
Einsteins - The flagship bar, has recently undergone a £200,000 redesign. Open day and night it has a relaxed atmosphere and serves reasonably priced hot food. There are also pool tables and sky TV. The Blue Room Next to the dance hall, mainly used on event nights. Fairly cheap and very filling sandwiches are available from the Subway shop. A good place to just sit and chill. Guild Hall - Used for a variety of events and also the main dance floor of the guild. It has one bar situated at the rear. The Loft Mainly used by the Sports clubs and societies for seshing. Also used as a chillout room on busy event nights. Café Indigo - Used during the day as an alcohol free zone where students can purchase hot food, non alcoholic drinks or just sit and relax.
Pretty varied selection but you'll find this can't really match the city at large which has great nightlife.
Wednesday Pounded 31 Drinks at £1 Thursday-offers an 'alternative' night with a variety of live music and comedy. Friday LUSH All the best cheesey chart tunes from 60s to 00s Saturday Clubsoc All events provided by clubs and societies Other big nights include School Daze, Beach parties and Freakers a sexual fantasy ball run by RAG.
A decent selection but nothing that breaks the mould. May Ball All night event which includes a fun fair and some chart acts Astonbury Live music event where Aston bands showcase their musical talents Athletic Union ball A massive ball for all Athletic union members and their friends Outside of these regular functions there are a range of sports clubs and societies annual dinner dances. There are also pre-term, end of term and end of year parties.
There are clubs and societies to match most interests. Also, if you wish to start a club / society that doesn't already exist, you can apply to the Student Guild for funding.
Societies range from national ones (Singapore, Hellenic, etc.) to Artificial Intelligence, which is actually for Drum & Bass enthusiasts. There is even an Accounting Society - oh, hold me back. Sports wise most of the usual stuff.
As long as Aston is your first choice 100%
Broadly split into basic and premium. Basic gets you just that, premium will give you an en-suite bathroom. All of Aston's accommodation is situated on or around the main campus and there are eight halls to choose from.
Lakeside is, as the name suggests, beside the lake and accommodates 647 students. Each room has telephone and television points as well as en suite shower and toilet. The Kitchen facilities are shared. This hall, it has to be said, does look really nice and is very modern so who knows, clean?. £89.80 per week inclusive of services.
Dalton tower, twenty floors of high rise glory in the middle of the campus, accommodates 406 students, with kitchen and bathroom facilities shared between seven. Stafford Tower(on the outer edge of the campus, overlooking the city centre) and Lawrence Tower(at the centre of the residential complex) are similar high rise blocks, with communal facilities shared by between six and twelve students. Dalton, Stafford and Lawrence all guarantee you your own wash basin.£57.45 per week inclusive of services.
There are also five houses, accommodating between 39-84 students each. You can generally expect to be sharing facilities with about six people in each of these.£57.45 per week inclusive of services.
In the private sector most people live in shared houses around Birmingham. The major concentration is around Erdingtion, Edgbaston and Selly Oak which is pretty much the same for Birmingham uni students. An average place will normally set you back around £50 a week plus bills.
Aston University is situated in the centre of Birmingham city centre so there's no need to want for anything socially. Fresh air is a little short at times and it does rain a lot but there are clubs, pubs, cinemas, theatres and plenty of curry houses to compensate for the weather. Birmingham is known for its multicultural appeal and there is plenty for everyone to do. There is also no shortage of top quality day trips nearby, including the fantasic Cadburys World! The National Exibition Centre is not far away and if you like any kind of music there is plenty to keep you humming, from classical concerts to visiting rock bands. Plus, just think how much nearer you'll be to Alton Towers...
Parking is not provided in uni facilities and around Birmingham it is even worse. Public transport is good, so it is best to jump on a bus or walk. Brum's a big city so expect all the usual parking and congestion problems.
Most flavours of bank on campus with LloydsTSB, HSBC and Natwest branches plus Alliance and Leicester, Nationwide Cash Points. All other major branches within 10-15mins walk.
Disabled access and facilities are better than average. There are a few specially adapted rooms and virtually all departments cater for sight and hearing impaired students. On the menu is note-taking, word-processing, photocopying, library assistance, assistance with access and orientation, amanuensis, reading, assistance with lab work and any other non-medical support.
The Guild building on the campus contains a good selection of shops including a copyshop (photocopying services) a hairdressers, an Everyman stationers, a student travel shop, a laundrette and a basic student shop which sells a selection of items you might require on a more daily basis. You know, food and things. Oh, and the stationers also contains a second hand bookshop. There's also a guild run mini-mart on campus with DVD rental and an offy. You are in the middle of the city so it's unlikely you'd go hungry/thirsty anyway.
Second-hand bookshop inside the students' guild building and a bookshop in the library.
Two sports centres on campus that provide sports halls, fitness suite, gym with 45 fitness stations (costing less than £2.50 per week) squash and badminton courts and a swimming pool. (A swim costs £1.20) A short distance off campus there's a sports ground that provides 9 pitches for football, rugby and hockey, including all-weather.
Recent success for women's football, who recently reached the BUSA cup final, men's football and netball also strong in BUSA.
Nowt in reality but there's are some buses you can borrow for club and society events, that kind of thing.
Aston campus is often described as a city centre oasis, surrounded with large areas of grass, trees and a heart shaped lake. Seems hard to believe but it's true, everything on one site and stacks of greenery.
Over 320,000 books and 600 study places and good opening hours - over 75 hours a week, including weekends and during vacations.
Both general and departmental computer labs, the former having 24hr access. Most of the students we spoke to thought the computer facilities were fine. However, many said it is better to bring your own if you have the chance. Wireless internet access available in uni accommodation.
The Student Guild's Student Advisory Centre (SAC) and Student Support and Counselling provide most of the welfare for students. 4 staff on hand to help with your problems. The university also runs an opticians, health and dental centre. There are also creche facilities, but places are limited.
