Autodesk to support Aston University Students with ‘Design and Make’ software

Aston University has signed an agreement with design and engineering software provider Autodesk, creating an integrated design and innovation network for students as the university becomes the first to collaborate with Autodesk, Adobe and Design Factory. 

Professor Aleks Subic, Mary Hope McQuiston, Dr Timothy Whitehead 

The partnership aims to increase graduate employability and offer practical industry experience to students and complements Aston’s existing partnerships with Adobe Creative Campus and Design Factory Birmingham.

Aston University says it is the first in the UK to establish this selection of partnerships, helping to ensure its graduates are amongst the best-prepared for the modern workplace. According to Autodesk’s 2025 Design & Make report, 57 percent of business leaders say limited access to skilled talent is a key barrier to business growth, highlighting the importance of this approach. 

Autodesk’s software will form part of the new engineering and physical sciences curriculum at Aston University, starting from September 2025. The custom curriculum aims to embed the industry-level software into teaching and learning, helping to better prepare students for careers in architecture, engineering, construction, product design, manufacturing, media and entertainment.

Mary Hope McQuiston, Vice President at Autodesk Education Experiences, explains: “Aston University shares our belief that today’s students are tomorrow’s innovators, and they need access to the right tools and real-world experiences to thrive in their future jobs. This partnership will provide every Aston student, regardless of discipline, the hands-on experience with the same technology used by professionals around the world. 

“Together, we’re helping shape a digitally fluent, globally connected workforce — and with Aston, we're ensuring that students graduate with the skills they need to hit the ground running in jobs that are evolving as quickly as technology itself.”

The software provider will support the launch of a student ambassador program, which will see eight students act as liaisons and advocates for the software on campus. The ambassadors will support their peers to maximise the benefits of the software, which will be used by Aston University’s College of Engineering and Physical Sciences, serving approximately 5,000 students. 

Professor Aleks Subic, Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive at Aston University, comments: “Our collaboration with Autodesk illustrates how Aston University provides an industry-embedded education by giving our students the experience of a 21st century work environment. The world is transforming at an unprecedented pace and initiatives such as this allow us to equip our students with critical professional and digital competencies.”

Head of the Department of Design, Technology and Innovation, Dr Timothy Whitehead, adds: “Autodesk will give all students and staff the power to make just about anything. The design tools are used in wide range of sectors from architecture, interior design, mechanical engineering, manufacturing and civil engineering and for the first time a student from any discipline at Aston University can have access and training in these tools.  

“We’ll be able to run 3D modelling and visualisation in teaching labs and will ensure that every student has the opportunity to develop robust digital fluency skills, ensuring our graduates are among the best prepared for the modern workplace. This illustrates how our 2030 strategy has established Aston University into an institution that is inclusive, entrepreneurial and transformational.”

The partnership is part of Autodesk’s commitment to provide its software free to students and educators around the world. The firm currently supports more than 100 million students and educators across 160,000 schools.

Last year, Aston University announced the opening of Aston University London, a new educational hub set to open its doors in spring 2025 at 200A Aldersgate in the City of London. The new site offers degree programs focused on high-demand fields such as digital innovation, data science, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity management, global business and management, and business analytics.