Home of the great (or not) Villa footy team, Aston is an inner city area, a stones throw from the city centre. Due to Aston University and UCE's Gosta Green campus, there's a concentrated student community with a number of decent pubs, lots of accommodation on offer and the usual collection of takeaways. The area is culturally diverse and also home to a science and technology park, the new Millennium Point development (Think Tank!, IMAX) and the historical Aston Hall. Housing: There're quite a lot of older houses that tend to be large so are great for sharing, but there're also flats and studio apartments.
Prices vary depending upon the distance from the city centre, naturally those closer are more expensive, and the scuzzy ones are pretty cheap.
The Halls of Residence are a step away from the Uni sites and are fairly self-contained. Shopping: The city centre is a short walk away from both the halls and the Uni's for all major High St stores (inc Sainsbury's). Bars & Cafes: There're more than enough bars cafes and pubs for any student appetite in the area.
The Aston Uni's favourite pubs are the Faculty & Firkin and Cap & Gown, but without a doubt the most popular pub is Sacks of Potatoes.
You can expect good student discounts from most places, but if you want a top night out in town, you might want to try the popular bars like Bar Med and RSVP, or Square Peg if you're on a budget. Entertainment: The Odeon cinema is on New Street, not far way while The Arcadian Centre, in Hurst Street boasts a UGC cinema.
Birmingham Academy, in Dale End opposite Toys'R'Us, is the city's main music venue and hosts student nights, club nights and gigs (from Faithless and Ocean Colour Scene to SFA and Soft Cell!).
While over by the footy ground, Aston Villa Leisure Centre (AVLC) also hosts large gigs and events.
The brand new Millennium Point development is home to the state-of-the-art Think Tank! (basically a museum of science and industry, covering everything from the Industrial Revolution to the local automobile industry and IT) and an IMAX cinema.
Towards Nechells is the Warner Village Cinema at Star City with boasts a staggering 30 screens (inc. Gold Class leather arm chairs) and specialies in Hollywood blockbusters and bollywood newies. Transport: There are very frequent buses in and out of the city, New Street train station is not far way, and there are plenty of black cab and taxi firms. Takeaways & Restaurants: There's traditional Chinese food towards the (pricey) Arcadian and Chinese Quarter, along with Indian, Thai, English and anything you fancy - but it's abit of a trek into town.
Otherwise, there's the multi-million pound Star City development towards Nechells. Parks: In the shadow of the Villa ground is Aston Park, home to Aston Hall a large Jacobean hall (free entry). Amenities: Aston Uni has it's very own leisure centre facilities and Aston Villa football club has many sports and leisure facilities open to the public with membership.
There's also a municipal pool and health/ leisure clubs in the city. Comments: The student community around Aston University and Gosta Green is quite close-knit, and you can find nearly all of your living requirements within the campus or in the city centre.
Being so removed from the main UCE campus in Perry Barr, the art students tend to align themselves more with Aston Uni' than UCESU.
Watch out for those subways into town at night - bit dodgy - while there were incidents of car-jacking over the summer! | 
