Aston University has become one of the first universities in the UK to offer Microsoft 365 Copilot to all staff with training and support.

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.