The Graduate School's main objective is to provide a supportive environment for all research students across the University, whatever their mode of study and wherever they are located, with a view to widening and enriching their experience during their research studies. The Graduate School is also responsible for maintaining the quality of research degree programmes and the development of training in core research and transferable skills, thus enabling all research students studying for an Aston degree to realise their full potential, whichever pathway they choose.

Your School is the main centre for the delivery of subject-specific postgraduate training and development. Complementing this, the Graduate School provides a focus for the sharing of ideas and best practice between the Schools.  The Graduate School supports and promotes cross-institutional work and studies and, together with the Aston Postgraduate Research Society (APRS), which is sponsored by Schools, promotes both academic and social events.  These will provide many research students with the opportunity to interact with other research students across the academic disciplines.

The journey from enrolment to graduation can be challenging at times, but it should also be enjoyable. Both the Graduate School team and your School are here to give you full support and advice whenever you need it.

Information you will need during your study is contained in the Student Handbook or can be found in these Graduate School webpages which contain links to Support, Regulations, Training & Development and other opportunities which you may wish to embark upon. 

During your studies, you will also be supported by a Graduate Development Team, with experts in different areas (for example, Library Services, Career Development, Research & Knowledge Exchange) who collectively provide a range of training and development opportunities for research students and research staff.  Engagement in these opportunities provides an excellent forum for the exchange of ideas and information across discipline boundaries, and is an important part of your research development.

The Graduate School is located on the sixth floor of the Main Building (MB652).  In addition to the Graduate School Office and the Graduate School Training Room, there is the Postgraduate Student Common Room (MB652c), a space designated for you to meet, relax and socialise.