- Aston University has become one of the first universities in the UK to provide full Microsoft 365 Copilot capabilities to all staff
- The strategic partnership will give all staff access to the full suite and provide students with chat capabilities
- The initiative will provide students with work-ready skills, and academic staff tools to boost their research.
Aston University has become one of the first universities in the UK to offer Microsoft 365 Copilot to all staff with training and support, as well as providing access to Copilot Chat for all students.
The strategic partnership with the company which is the first announced by a Midlands university, will equip students with future-ready skills and will strengthen teaching and research. All staff will benefit from the full Microsoft 365 Copilot suite, including specialist agents such as Researcher and Analyst, and productivity apps like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint that have Copilot built in.
The full roll out will be completed by July 2026 and will give students the skills they need to flourish in an AI-driven economy. The initiative will also help the University’s staff to benefit from tools to become more innovative and operationally efficient, giving them more time for higher-value, strategic activity.
Professor Aleks Subic, Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive of Aston University, said:
“Our collaboration with Microsoft illustrates Aston’s strategy to be a transformational university, embracing digital innovation and equipping our students and researchers with emerging AI technologies.
“Having access to this AI platform from a sector-leading company will help students and staff thrive. We are preparing our students for the work environment of the future which will enhance their careers and create significant benefits across our research and innovation ecosystem.”
Jen Wyatt, director of education, Microsoft UK, said: “By embedding AI across the University, Aston is strengthening the student experience and accelerating the University’s research and innovation. It will help staff reduce routine workloads, move faster on high-value priorities, and equip students with the future-ready skills they will need in an AI-enabled economy.” The University will be working with Microsoft to ensure transparency around environmental and wider impacts. Microsoft has stated it is committed to be classed as carbon negative, water positive and zero waste by 2030.
The AI roll-out will enable researchers to accelerate interdisciplinary discovery and analysis at scale, while reducing time spent on routine tasks. Last year Aston University offered new AI fellowships to lead projects that will deliver real-world impact across society, business, and industry. The interdisciplinary positions are based within its business school, The Sir Peter Rigby Digital Futures Institute and its School of Computer Science and Digital Technologies. About Aston University
For over 130 years, Aston University has been making our world a better place through education, research and innovation. Our history is intertwined with the remarkable city of Birmingham, once the heartland of the Industrial Revolution and now the thriving base for an innovation ecosystem of global significance, which Aston is co-creating.
Our vision is to be a leading university for science, technology and enterprise, measured by the positive transformational impact we achieve for our people, students, businesses and the communities we serve.
Aston focuses on high-quality, exploitable research that has an impact on society through medical breakthroughs, advancements in engineering, policy and practice in government, and the strategies and performance of business.
The university offers a range of undergraduate and postgraduate degree programmes, as well as continuing professional development solutions.
Thanks to its focus on delivering excellent outcomes for students, Aston University's reputation continues to grow. It was recognised as the Daily Mail University of the Year for Student Success 2025, is second in England for social mobility (2023 HEPI Social Mobility Index), and is top 20 for graduate salaries (2024 Longitudinal Education Outcomes).
Aston University is now defining its place in the Fourth Industrial Revolution (and beyond) within a rapidly changing world.
For media inquiries in relation to this release, contact Nicola Jones, Head of Communications on (+44) 7825 342091 or email: n.jones6@aston.ac.uk ENDS
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Notes to Editors
About Aston University
For over 130 years, Aston University has been making our world a better place through education, research and innovation. Our history is intertwined with the remarkable city of Birmingham, once the heartland of the Industrial Revolution and now the thriving base for an innovation ecosystem of global significance, which Aston is co-creating.
Our vision is to be a leading university for science, technology and enterprise, measured by the positive transformational impact we achieve for our people, students, businesses and the communities we serve.
Aston focuses on high-quality, exploitable research that has an impact on society through medical breakthroughs, advancements in engineering, policy and practice in government, and the strategies and performance of business.
The university offers a range of undergraduate and postgraduate degree programmes, as well as continuing professional development solutions.
Thanks to its focus on delivering excellent outcomes for students, Aston University's reputation continues to grow. It was recognised as the Daily Mail University of the Year for Student Success 2025, is second in England for social mobility (2023 HEPI Social Mobility Index), and is top 20 for graduate salaries (2024 Longitudinal Education Outcomes).
Aston University is now defining its place in the Fourth Industrial Revolution (and beyond) within a rapidly changing world.
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