The University of Keele

Set atop a North Staffordshire hill overlooking the town of Newcastle-under-Lyme, Keele is the largest integrated campus university in the UK. Occupying a 617-acre estate, the university boasts more than 1,700 staff and generates around £130m of business for the Staffordshire region.  

Background and History

Established in 1949 as the University College of North Staffordshire, Keele was the first new UK university of the 20^th century, gaining university status in 1962. Since its inception, Keele has become renowned for its distinctive approach to higher education, industry connections and community spirit.

Location and Accessibility

Road: Halfway between Manchester and Birmingham, Keele is centrally located and easily assessable from every part of the UK. Exit the M6 from Junction 15 or 16 and you will quickly see signs for the university. Keele is just west of Stoke-on-Trent and Newcastle-under-Lyme.

Rail: The nearest train stations to Keele are Stoke-on-Trent at five miles away and Crewe at 12 miles.

Bus: From Stoke-on-Trent station, First buses leave for Keele every 15 minutes during the week and every half hour at the weekend. From Crewe station, Arriva buses to Newcastle-under-Lyme leave at five minutes past the hour and make stops in Keele village and Barnes Hall.

Based on the ground floor in the Walter Moberly Building, Disability Dyslexia Support (DDS) will contact any students who declare themselves as disabled on their university application form. The DDS works to offer information on student life, enable access to Disabled Student Allowance and assess and attend to the specific requirements of each student.

What's on Offer BSc, MA, MBA, MSc, MRes, MPP, MPhil, Diploma, LLM, PhD, DM, Professional doctorate.

Entry Requirements

The average UCAS point score for accepted Keele applicants in 2011/12 was 309. Every course requires GCSE English Language and Science at grade C, but A-Level requirements vary by programme. Accounting, for instance, asks for ABB, including AS-Level Mathematics at grade C or above, while Forensic Science requires BBC with A-Level Chemistry or AS-Level Chemistry and either Biology or Physics at A-Level.

University Accommodation

Keele University provides over 3,000 furnished rooms in halls of residence, each with a telephone and Internet connection. For more information, contact the Student Accommodation Office.  

Private Accommodation

Keele Student Pad assesses many private properties near the university to ensure they are safe and in line with minimum standards.

Faculties and Departments

Keele University is divided into three different faculties, which are then divided into a number of different departments. The faculties are: the Faculty of Health, the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences and the Faculty of Natural Sciences.  

Academic Strengths and Research Profile

The 2008 RAE classified around 85 per cent of the university's total research as world-leading' or of international importance.' Part of Keele's academic success is due to its slightly different nature as a university. Keele gives most students the opportunity to study abroad and offers Dual Honours degrees, which allow students the choice of over 500 available subject combinations.

Tuition Fees

Tuition fees vary depending on the course of study you choose and whether you choose to study at undergraduate or postgraduate level. Fees for international students are also considerably higher than those for UK/EU students. For a full and up-to-date list of fees it is advisable to contact the university directly or visit their website.  

Financial Support

Keele University gives students access to many scholarship and grant schemes, including the Access to Learning Fund, National Scholarship Programme and Keele University Bursary. Prospective students can find out more about the funding available to them by contacting Student Financial Support.

Academic Facilities

Keele University library offers masses of physical materials, electronic media and an in-house IT Suite. Wireless Internet access is also available throughout the campus. The Music Department boasts seven studio areas equipped with hardware and software for sound recording/mixing, surround sound, computer music composition, post-production and audio-visual editing.  

Other on-site Amenities

Keele provides its staff and students with modern sports facilities, including tennis courts, sports fields and an indoor fitness centre complete with climbing wall and basketball courts. Restaurants and cafes are strewn all across campus, as well as a supermarket, bookshop and bank. Keele encourages all staff and students to be respectful towards their environment. As such, the university provides bike racks, organises regular bicycle repair workshops and keeps a bicycle repair kit in reception, which is free to use 24 hours a day. The university is now in the process of starting a Cycle to Work scheme for its staff.  

Medical and Social Care

Keele celebrates its religious diversity and maintains a Multi-Faith Calendar to keep all staff and students informed on current religious events. There is also a medical centre and dental practice on site. Keele University Students' Union (KUSU) manages the university's societies and social clubs, provides part-time and full-time employment and volunteer opportunities, and organises some of the biggest events on the university calendar.  

What's on in the Area

Keele is practically a stone's throw from the thriving student haunts of Newcastle-under-Lyme and Stoke, where everything can be found from rows of bars, pubs and clubs to an art house theatre and selection of big-screen cinemas. Keele is also a short distance from both Alton Towers and Water World, which offer all the white-knuckle fun any adventure seeker could wish for.  

Moving On

Nearly all students have the opportunity to study abroad as part of their degree. Keele's Dual Honours programmes allow students to choose what they study from a combination of over 500 subjects, giving them real skills advantages when going for that graduate job. The university Careers and Employability Centre gives students access to assistance in many areas, including careers guidance, CV writing, interview techniques and postgraduate opportunities. The centre also offers e-guidance and provides students with information on all the latest graduate opportunities.

Keele scientists discovered WASP-17, which was the first planet to be found orbiting its star in the opposite direction: a retrograde' orbit. Former students include Clare Short (Labour MP) and Michael Mansfield QC. In autumn 1968, Pink Floyd played in the Keele Students' Union ballroom. Keele Hall has Grade II registration with English Heritage.  

Is Keele University the place for you?

Come to Keele if you want to get a good degree with plenty of choice and study on one of the most beautiful campuses in England Avoid if you're more of the city persuasion and need to be surrounded by stylish bars and art galleries. Why not try Newcastle University?