Published on 28/06/2024
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Aston Business School awarded five-year EQUIS accreditation
  • Aston Business School is in the top one per cent of business schools that hold triple-crown accreditation
  • The peer review team praised its commitment to teaching excellence and strong focus on employability
  • It also commended its corporate connections and integration with the regional economy. 


Aston Business School has been awarded a further five years of re-accreditation by the European Quality Improvement System (EQUIS).

EQUIS is an internationally recognised accreditation body ensuring continuous improvement and quality within business schools.

This achievement consolidates Aston Business School’s position in the top one per cent of business schools that hold triple-crown accreditation from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), the Association of MBAs (AMBA) and EQUIS.

In its report, the EQUIS peer review team commented on a strong and impressive commitment to teaching excellence, commending the School for its comprehensive and well-rounded portfolio of programmes and their overall quality in terms of management, design, quality assurance, learning outcomes and delivery methods. 

It also identified that a key strength of Aston Business School’s programmes is their strong focus on employability, including the compulsory placement year for undergraduate students and the expanded commitments for postgraduate students via the Aston Global Advantage. 

It was also impressed by the diversity of the student population and commented that the School is serving a wide demographic, making an important contribution to the development of Birmingham and the wider community in the region.  

The team found that ethics, responsibility, international perspectives, research and personal development opportunities are woven into the fabric of all programmes.

The report also noted that all research in the School is driven by the dedication to making a positive impact on organisations in the region, nationally and internationally. 

The team commended the School for its regional and national connections with practice, its corporate connections being particularly pronounced due to its integration into the regional economy and characterised by numerous small and medium-sized enterprises that have a direct relationship with Aston Business School.

Professor Zoe Radnor, Executive Dean of the College of Business and Social Sciences at Aston University, said: 

“This is an excellent outcome for Aston Business School and recognises our commitment to the provision of the highest quality education and research. 

“As part of Aston University’s 2030 strategy, engagement with industry and research forms a core element of what we do, with professional practice embedded in our taught provision. We are particularly pleased that the panel noted our strong focus on employability in their report.”

Professor Marian Garcia, Dean of Aston Business School, said:

“The mission of Aston Business School is to provide a life-transforming student experience through innovative practice-led teaching and learning and develop impactful research. 

“EQUIS accreditation offers yet more proof of our staff, student and community’s dedication to excelling in the dynamic and interconnected world of business.”

Professor Aleks Subic, Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive of Aston University, said:

“The accreditation of Aston Business School by EQUIS for a further five years reaffirms its status as an internationally leading business school, with particular recognition for its strengths in terms of societal engagement, entrepreneurship and innovation.

“This is testament to the hard work and dedication from all colleagues in the School to deliver education, research and innovation to the highest standards.”
 

Notes to editors

About Aston University
For over a century, Aston University’s enduring purpose has been to make our world a better place through education, research and innovation, by enabling our students to succeed in work and life, and by supporting our communities to thrive economically, socially and culturally.
Aston University’s history has been intertwined with the history of Birmingham, a remarkable city that once was the heartland of the Industrial Revolution and the manufacturing powerhouse of the world.
Born out of the First Industrial Revolution, Aston University has a proud and distinct heritage dating back to our formation as the School of Metallurgy in 1875, the first UK College of Technology in 1951, gaining university status by Royal Charter in 1966, and becoming The Guardian University of the Year in 2020.
Building on our outstanding past, we are now defining our place and role in the Fourth Industrial Revolution (and beyond) within a rapidly changing world.
For media inquiries in relation to this release, contact Sue Smith, head of press and communications, on (+44) 7816 788663 or email: s.p.smith@aston.ac.uk
 

 

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