Keele University

Overview

Keele University is located in the Staffordshire countryside, in the heart of England, around five miles from Stoke-on-Trent. Its roots date back to 1949 when it was opened by the former Vice-Chancellor of Oxford University. 

It's situated on one of the largest campuses in England, a 600-acre countryside estate that has on it all you could want as a student. You’ll find woodland walks, a convenience store, pharmacy, post office, cafes, food and drink venues and more. The Students’ Union is a great place to get a drink, have dinner or party and it’s been played by many acts, including Stormzy, Ed Sheeran and Snoop Dogg.

Although the uni is nestled in the countryside, it’s within easy reach of several towns and cities. Neighbouring Newcastle-under-Lyme has bars, cafes and eateries, while the growing city Stoke-on-Trent is a short bus journey away. In Stoke, you’ll find a nightlife scene, as well as shopping opportunities, cinemas, theatres and museums. From Keele you’re also able to get to the bigger and more vibrant cities of Manchester and Birmingham in less than an hour. 

Keele University offers a variety of undergraduate courses and is well-known for its breadth of teaching and research. Many of Keele’s courses include extracurricular opportunities and you can learn a language alongside your degree course, free of charge.

Typically, undergraduate degrees at Keele take three years to study, but a number of courses include placement years, study abroad options or an integrated master’s year. These courses usually take four years to complete. 

Some degrees include optional modules, as well as core modules, meaning you can study the degree topics you’re most interested in. 

It's also possible to combine two subjects within an undergraduate degree in what’s called a combined honours degree. This interdisciplinary approach allows you to diversify your knowledge and skills across two main areas. For example, you could study English literature and psychology, or criminology and history. 

Qualifications that Keele accepts include A-levels, BTECs, Scottish Advanced Highers and the International Baccalaureate. It’s most common for students to apply to Keele with one type of qualification, but the uni also welcomes applicants that have a combination of qualifications.  

Some courses will state that you need to have studied a specific subject, or subjects, if you want to apply. For example, to study Biochemistry and Biology BSc, you’ll need to have a C or higher at A-level (or equivalent qualification) in chemistry, or a C at AS-level chemistry plus a C in an A-level science subject.

You can find each course’s specific entry requirements online on Keele’s course search pages. To give you an idea of the grades needed for certain subjects, we’ve given you the range of qualifications needed for some courses below.

For instance, to get onto a degree in business, accounting or finance, you’ll likely be asked for A-levels of BBC (or equivalent qualification), and to study a health and medicine degree, you’ll need A*AA–AAA (or equivalent qualification).

It should be noted that entry requirements can change so you should always confirm these with the university before applying. 

There are over 2,800 bedrooms on-campus at Keele University, all of which are within a short walking distance of the centre of campus. If you’re an undergraduate student who starts your course in September, you’ll be guaranteed accommodation on-campus, as long as Keele is your firm choice university and you apply before the deadline. You can find full T&Cs on the uni website.

There’s a range of room types available that suit a variety of needs and requirements and being located on campus means you’ll be close to all uni facilities, including the sports centre, library, medical centre, teaching buildings, bars and cafes.  

Accommodation is self-catered and rent ranges from around £98 to £185 per week. All residences have free WiFi, out-of-hours support and 24/7 campus security, meaning a safe and supportive environment is created in and around halls. 

Most halls have common rooms and bars that are open to all students, regardless of whether they live on or off-campus. 

Keele has a specialist Careers and Employability service that focuses on improving the job prospects of students once they’ve graduated. You’ll be able to make use of the service during your time at uni and for up to three years after you’ve finished. 

The service offers one-to-one appointments with careers consultants, both face-to-face and online using MS Teams. You can use these sessions to discuss career-related things, like writing your CV or choosing a career path. 

Regular careers events are also held that can help improve your employability. Careers fairs act as a great opportunity to learn more about specific industries and meet potential employers. You’ll be able to network and start growing your professional portfolio which in turn could increase your job prospects. Skills workshops also provide resources to improve career-related skills and learn more about important topics, like networking, LinkedIn and interviews.

Additionally, several of Keele’s courses include a work placement or internship, giving you a taste of the working world and allowing you to put your new skills and knowledge to the test while making professional connections.  

Keele supports its diverse student community with additional funding in the form of scholarships and bursaries for those who meet certain eligibility criteria. This funding can go towards the cost of living and study and doesn’t need to be paid back.

For example, the Care Leavers’ and Estranged Students’ Bursary is available to students who have been in local authority care or who are estranged from their families. The bursary is worth £1,000 per year, plus an additional £500 upon graduation. 

Specific subjects sometimes offer scholarships, bursaries and prizes as well. For example, the law school offers various prizes based on student performance. The individual schools and departments are in charge of administering their own funding.

You can find out about all the scholarships and bursaries available, as well as their eligibility criteria, by visiting the uni’s online funding pages.