The Complete Guide To Keele University

1. Introduction

1.1 Background

Keele University (KEELE)’s estate entered history in AD 1180 as a gift from King Henry II of England. After the Sneyd family bought the land, Ralph Sneyd built the first Keele Hall as an event venue in 1580. Then, it became the University College of North Staffordshire in 1949 under Lord A D Lindsay, a former Oxford University Vice-Chancellor.

Fast forward to 1962, KEELE received its university status. Back then, the uni aimed to minimise branching out into specialised studies. Hence, most students in that period pursued subjects in arts, social sciences and natural sciences. Slowly, the curriculum evolved into what we know today. 

And so, this is KEELE. The 1st new institution in the 20th century and now a Gold-rating recipient in the 2023 Teaching Excellence Framework. 

Total Student Population	Over 12,500 students
% of international students	Around 10%
Teaching faculty-to-student ratio	Approximately 1:10
Graduate Employability Rate	95% (HESA Graduate Outcomes 2019/2020)

1.2 Keele University Rankings 2025

Keele University ranks within the global #791 – #800 band position of the QS World Universities Ranking. Its Medicine courses are also recognised in the Top 400 of the QS Ranking by Subject:

QS Subject Category	Ranking For 2025
Medicine	#351 – 400

2. Student Life & Living Cost

2.1 Keele University Campus

KEELE is both a beauty and tech-whizz in the quiet countryside. In this segment, we will venture jaw-dropping views and high-performance facilities. You can switch your pace from “Lively” mode to “Zen” mode based on your mood.

Don’t worry. There is a lot of space for everyone.

Key Highlights

• This 600-acre UK university is one of the nation’s largest institutions.
• Described as a beautiful campus with everything within reach. You can find a pharmacy, a post office, a farmer’s market, a grocery store, and a GP surgery on site.
• The Staffordshire countryside wraps it with parkland, woods, lakes, a stream, and hidden walkways.
• GBP 115 million was spent in the past 10 years on its development.
• There are over 50 businesses based in its Science and Innovation Park.

How To Get Around?
🗺️ Around a 3 km or a 25-minute walk from Keele.

• Travel by train, bus or bike.
• Regular bus services run between the station and the campus. 
• The nearest bus stop is a 6-minute walk away at Barnes Hall.
• Staff who cycle to KEELE can claim 20p/mile for work travel.

2.2 Learning Facilities

2.3 Recreational Facilities

2.4 Student Activities

This section is where all the Keele action and campus magic happen.

The University is full of life with plenty to do and connect, including

• An award-winning Student Union
  (Gold Award in the 2018 NUS Best Bar None Awards)
• 100+ Clubs and Societies (C&S)
• Sports (recreational, competitive)
• Gym Sessions and Fitness Classes
• The Keele Concerts Programme
• Public Lecturers
• Workshops and Events
• Volunteering (sports)

2.5 Student Services

Keele University’s focus is YOU. It supports your needs and growth with its services, including

• Student Experience and Support Teams
• Counselling and Mental Health Support (with a free 24-hour helpline)
• Student Financial Support
• International Student Support
• Student Assistance Programme
• Keele Health Centre and Pharmacy
• Disabilities and Learning Difficulties Support

2.6 Keele University Accommodation and Cost

Student Accommodations

On-campus

• Barnes Hall (GBP 138.40 – 223.30/week)
• Horwood Hall (GBP 138.40 – 223.30/week)
• Holly Cross and The Oaks (GBP 213.10/week)
• Lindsay Hall (GBP 117.50 – 213.10/week)

Off-campus

Nearby towns/ villages/ suburbs:
Keele, Madeley, Silverdale, Knutton, Newcastle-under-Lyme

Cost of Living in Keele

In savethestudent.org’s 2024 survey, Keele University students need around an average of GBP 1,000 per month for living expenses. They spent on 

• Rent
• Food (groceries & eating out)
• Health and Wellbeing
• Transportation
• Utilities & Communications
• Course materials
• Entertainment (Gym, movies, outings, etc.)

According to the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI), you must have GBP 9,207 in your personal bank account for 28 days before submitting your application.

*Note: Your lifestyle will change your weekly expenses. So, plan your budget accordingly.

3. Courses, Fees & Scholarships

3.1 Courses To Study At Keele University

Fields of Study	Courses
Allied Health	Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy,
Biosciences	Biology, Microbiology & ImmunologyBiomedical Science,  Biovetinary Science,   Neuroscience
Business & Management	Accounting, Business Management,  Economics, Finance, Marketing
Chemistry	Chemistry, Chemistry with Medical Chemistry
Computing & Mathematics	Data Science, Computer Science, Mathematics
Criminology, Sociology & Education	Sociology, Social & Political Sciences, Criminology, Education
Film, Game Design, Media & Music	Music Production & Sound Design, Digital Media, Game Design, Film Studies, Media & Communications
Forensic Science	Forensic Science
Law	Law (LLB)
Medicine	Medicine
Nursing & Midwifery	Adult Nursing, Mental Health Nursing, Children’s Nursing, Midwifery
Pharmacy & Bioengineering	Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Science, Bioengineering (Regenerative Medicine),  Pharmaceutical & Cosmetic Science
Psychology	Forensic Psychology, Business Psychology, Psychology with Neuroscience, Psychology
Sports	Sport & Exercise Science, Sports Business Management, Sport & Exercise Psychology, Rehabilitation & Exercise Science
Veterinary Surgery	Veterinary Medicine & Surgery

3.2 Course Fees At Keele University

We have also saved you the hassle and compiled the full list of Keele’s detailed course fees into one article below. Check it out and share it!

Coming Soon!

3.3 Australian National University Scholarships

These are some of the scholarships offered by Keele University to international students. Check out the full list here. (Coming Soon)

The Keele UG Global Scholarship	Value: GBP 5,000 (Upon entry at Y1) and – GBP 1,000 (Subsequent study years) if achieved a 60% – 69% average. – GBP 2,000 (Subsequent study years) if achieved above 70% average. Will be awarded automatically to international students with grades above the entry requirements.  Applicants must be enrolled in September 2024
The Advanced Entry Scholarship (UG)	Value: GBP 3,000 (Upon entry) and – GBP 1,000 (Subsequent study years) if achieved a 60% – 69% average. – GBP 2,000 (Subsequent study years) if achieved above 70% average. Will be awarded automatically to international students with grades above the entry requirements. For applicants starting their studies after Y1.

3.4 Popular Courses At Keele University

Physiotherapy

Keele University’s Physiotherapy course is among the top in the UK. It ranked #10 in the Guardian University League Table, 2023, and #6 in the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide, 2025. Moreover, it is recognised by the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy and the UK Health and Care Professional Council.

What brings it to the top? 

KEELE’s Physiotherapy course dabbles in important aspects of physical rehabilitation. It covers human anatomy, neuropsychology, treatment and prevention. During your degree, you will also touch on subjects like

• pharmacology
• hydrotherapy
• assistive technology
• orthotics
• neuropsychology

The course also has practicals and over 1,350 hours of placement opportunities on campus. If you need real specimens to analyse, visit the Anatomy and Surgical Training Suite. It has frozen bodies and body parts. Otherwise, watch, learn, and practice with experts at the Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Clinic. You can practice treating musculoskeletal injuries like joint sprains and backaches.

Plus, you study with other healthcare students, i.e. inter-professional learning (IPL). You may share the same classes and complete simulated exercises together. This environment becomes a practice ground for communication and teamwork. Just remember to keep that good posture while you are at it.

For newcomers, KEELE has mentors who will show you the ropes, such as

• academic mentors (at the start of your course)
• student mentors (In Y1)
• practice educators (Clinical Placements)

Medicine Courses

Speaking of inter-professional learning, KEELE’s medicine course has a new place for medical and other healthcare students to learn together. In 2024, the University built a new simulation suite with

• a hospital ward
• a GP surgery
• an operating theatre
• A CT scanner

The new building is shared between Paramedic Science, Nursing, Physiotherapy, Radiography, pre-reg Occupational Therapy, and Medical students. Look forward to meeting new friends!

Another reason why we listed Medicine is for its well-designed curriculum. It strengthens your foundation in biomedical, behavioural and social sciences. Then, it gradually transitions you to more advanced topics like

• women’s health
• neurology
• musculoskeletal systems

But, don’t worry. KEELE lecturers are experienced and always up-to-date. Over 200 teaching staff are still practising at the NHS. For example,

• Dr Pensée Wu: A senior doctor at Royal Stoke University Hospital. She has brought over 500 crying babies to the world. 

• Kevin Armstrong: A West Midlands Ambulance Service paramedic. He managed over 10,000 incidents!
  
• Professor Jo Protheroe: A GP with 20 years of experience. She led her team to place students in over 100 Staffordshire and Shropshire GP surgeries.

Plus, Keele University incorporates early clinical experiences! During the first 2 years of your studies, you get to work with community services and general practices. From Y3 until Y5, the general practice will host 20% of the teachings. That can sum up to over 100 weeks of practicums in Staffordshire, Shropshire, and adjoining counties.

If you plan to become a doctor in Malaysia, this Medicine course is recognised by the Malaysian Medical Council (MMC).

Neuroscience with Psychology

What if…you could study the human brain and psychology while running an experiment? KEELE’s neuropsychology course kills these 2 birds with 1 stone.

Your degree will dig into the brain’s biology and the inner workings affecting behaviours. As you dive deeper, you will also look into external factors affecting the brain, such as drugs and injuries. In Y2 and Y3, you can also opt for modules that interest you. Among them are

• Brain Disease
• Regeneration and Repair in the Nervous System
• Psychosocial Engineering
• Illness and Coping

Previously, students used their Final Year Project (FYP) to research

• Sleep and mental health
• Experiences of disabled students in Higher Education
• Detecting deception in others

Also, KEELE has various projects for students to attempt during their studies. They can be done over a 6-month work placement, summer research assistantship, and as an experiment. 

Being a 2-in-1 course, it connects you with Neuroscience and Psychological tools to test different brain functions. As such, you may often visit the Central Science Laboratories (CSL) and the Psychology labs. They have

• EEG equipment to measure brain activities
• light microscope for neuroanatomy studies
• eye-tracking software to understand cognitive processes
• VR headsets for controlled lab studies of large-scale human exploratory behaviours

Business Management

Are you a budding entrepreneur? Because Keele University’s Business Management has many opportunities for bright ideas. Its variety of subjects opens many pathways into the field. You can venture into

• Accounting/ Economics/ Finance
• Esports/ Sports
• HR Management
• Events/ Tourism/ Hospitality
• Marketing/ Media

Some of these courses come with a built-in Professional and Academic Development Programme. Throughout your studies, it helps you

• Find and amplify your strengths with interactive workshops
• Become a better team player
• Build a stronger CV for future job hunts

Furthermore, KEELE created several platforms to sharpen your skills. They are

• industry placements for work experiences
• the “Entrepreneurship Year” for start-ups in your break year
• the Digital Showcase for developing and presenting ideas

Need extra resources? Head over to the Bloomberg Finance Lab. It houses Terminals with real-time data and the Bloomberg Market Concepts (BMC) with free e-learning courses. Suleman, an economics student, even used it to track stock movement.

Above all, KEELE’s high standards earned recognition and praise. It is

• Accredited by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD)
• the UK’s #1 for HR Management – National Student Survey 2024
• the UK’s #10 for Film Studies & Media – National Student Survey 2024

4. Entry Requirements & Intake Dates

4.1  Keele University Entry Requirements 2025

 Minimum entry requirements for a Foundation:

• SPM: 5 Passes with D-grade minimum
• UEC: Complete with C-grade average.

Minimum entry requirements for Undergraduate Degree:

• UEC:  B4 grades in at least 5 relevant subjects
• STPM: BBB in 3 Principal Level subjects.
• A-Level: BBB in 3 A Levels.
• IB: 30 Points 
• SAM: ATAR 80 (CCC Grades)
• CPU: 75% in 6 advanced-level Grade 12 U

Minimum entry requirements for Postgraduate Degree:

• Undergraduate: GPA 3.0 or B-grade

Minimum language proficiency requirements (IELTS):

• Foundation: 5.5 Overall
• Undergraduate: 6.0 Overall
• Postgraduate:  6.5 Overall

Some courses may require you to earn higher entry requirements and additional qualifications.

4.2 Keele University Intake Periods for 2025

The intake periods for 2025 are as follows:

• Foundation: January, September
• Degree: January, September
• Postgraduate: January, September

Please note that the intake periods may vary depending on the courses. For specific intake periods and dates, click here (Coming Soon!).

4.3 Admission Process To Study In The UK

Need more information about how to study in the UK? Here are some articles that will be able to help you!

• The Ultimate Study In UK Guide For Malaysian Students
• Top 10 Benefits Of Engaging A Higher Education Consultant 
• Education Consultant: A Free Study Abroad Guide

5. Student Testimonials & Alumni

This is the Keele international student experience. Hear their memorable accounts at the university:

6. Conclusion

Keele University grew from ownership changes, WW2 and evolving academic cultures. Its history makes it unique and takes it to new heights. Moreover, the drive to cater to changing times led it to become Britain’s Best University in the 2022 Student Crowd University Award.

After all, this is KEELE and this is where many beginnings were born.

SEE OTHER UNI GUIDES

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