Keele University

Overview

Keele University was the first new UK university of the 20th century and was founded to promote interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary scholarship. Keele pioneered the Dual Honours degree, which is still taken by around 70% of students. Single honours degrees are also available, as is a multi-disciplinary foundation year.

10,000 students from over 120 countries are enrolled at the University, and almost all undergraduates can study abroad for a semester in one of 80 partner universities. Keele is consistently ranked in the top 3 for student satisfaction.

Keele University is set across 600 acres of parkland, with extensive woods, lakes and beautiful parkland. The central feature of the estate is the 19th-century Keele Hall, registered by English Heritage as Grade II.

Services for International Students

Keele University has a dedicated International Student Support Team and they are responsible for organising the Meet and Greet service at the beginning of term from Manchester Airport and London Heathrow for new students.

There are numerous events designed to introduce international students to each other and learn about other countries. Before Welcome Week, there is also International Orientation, which aims to help students settle into life in a different country. International students can choose to take pre-sessional English lessons, which last up to 12 weeks before the start of term, and a foundation year, which includes English language lessons alongside general study.

Ranking

• 57th in the Times University Guide 2025
• 72nd in the Guardian University Guide 2025

In the National Student Survey, Keele regularly excels as one of the ten best universities in the UK, while its Student Union was rated top five in the UK for a variety of activities available. The Daily Telegraph ranked Keele’s campus as the 6th most beautiful in the UK. Keele has been placed amongst the world’s top universities in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings.

REF 2021 results for Keele indicate a 75% increase in the volume of world-leading research across the University compared to the last REF in 2014, with 80% of Keele’s research being classified as either world-leading or internationally excellent (4* or 3* rated research).

Accommodation

All international students are guaranteed on-campus accommodation if they book before the closing date, and can stay for the duration of their course if they choose to. There are four halls of residence on campus. Barnes, Lindsay, Holly Cross and The Oaks, and Horwood. 

Together, these halls provide accommodation for approximately 2,800 students. Both en suite and standard rooms are available, with catered options also possible. Accommodation in the surrounding area is known to be well-priced.

Location

Keele University’s campus is located near Newcastle-under-Lyme in Staffordshire. It is conveniently located in the midlands, approx. 1.5 hours from London, and less than one hour from Manchester and Birmingham. The area is known as The Potteries and is a collection of linked towns and cities that traditionally made pottery during the Industrial Revolution. As such, it features many traditional manufacturing towns and cities surrounded by countryside.