Office of International Programs
Staffordshire, England
JUST THE FACTS
Where is Keele University?
Staffordshire is a special place of rural peace and industrial innovation. It combines natural beauty with a tradition of world-shaping industry. Staffordshire is one of the biggest counties in the U.K., but its comprehensive network of rail and road communications means that all parts are easily accessible. Staffordshire has plenty of things to see and do including Alton Towers, one of Europe’s largest theme parks, New Victoria Theater, the Drayton Manor Park and Zoo, and Chasewater, a venue for championship powerboat racing and leisure boating.
Keele’s central location makes it easy to access a great deal of the United Kingdom by bus and rail. London is just two hours away by train and Manchester, which hosts the closest airport, is only an hour north by train. Other nearby attractions include Stratford-Upon-Avon (Shakespeare’s birth place) and the Peak District National Park for those who love nature.
Keele occupies a total of 620 acres and with the beautiful grounds, lakes and woodlands it is a wonderful place to live.
A view of Keele Hall & Gardens
(Photo from the Keele website)
What can I study?
The following majors are available to students wanting to study abroad at Keele. Keele students typically study two majors in parallel.
The Information Services
Building houses the Library
& Computer Center
(Photo from the Keele website)
Where can I find Information on Courses?
Keele's most recent module descriptions can be found on-line.
Are there any special academic requirements for study at Keele?
Students applying to Keele should have a minimum 3.0 GPA and be prepared to take on average 5 courses per semester.
When can I study at Keele?
Semester 1 (Fall) runs from approximately late September though mid-January
Students receive a 3-week break for the holidays which begins in mid-December and ends in early January. Students who travel for this break or return home for the holidays MUST return to Keele in early January for 2-weeks of final exams. Special arrangements cannot be made for students to complete their exams early.
Students who opt to attend Keele for the Fall semester only should be aware of the fact that they will not be back in time to participate in USM's Spring semester and should plan accordingly. Students applying for the Fall semester of study at Keele should include their plans for the Spring semester as an additional piece of their USM study abroad application.
Semester 2 (Spring)* runs from approximately late January through mid June
*The Spring Semester includes a 4 week Easter break which typically falls during the month of April.
Students are encourage to attend Keele for the Spring semester only or the full academic year to avoid complications due to the late completion date of their Fall semester.
Where will I live?
The University has a "village" atmosphere, with its banks, restaurants and shops, together with well-equipped launderettes placed strategically around the Halls of Residence. Keele offers student accommodation which is among the best in the country. All accommodations are warm, clean, comfortable and convenient. Most students receive standard rooms either with or without a wash basin. Standard rooms are centrally heated study bedrooms with a desk, chair, bed (with pillows and duvet or blankets), wardrobe, bookcase, chest of drawers, carpet (or rug) and curtains. The number of rooms within a residence varies, with adequate bathroom, shower and kitchen facilities ava
ilable for residents to share. Students will be required to provide their own sheets, pillow cases and towels. Sheets and pillow cases can be hired from Housekeepers in each Hall for a small charge. Keele also has a small number of en-suite rooms. In addition to the specifications mentioned for the other rooms, en-suite rooms also have their own toilet, wash basin, and shower.
As part of the exchange students will receive housing during the Christmas break which takes place from Mid-December to early January. The exchange does not include housing during the Easter break. Students are expected to vacate their rooms during the Easter break. Storage is available on campus for personal belongings. Most students find that this is an excellent time to travel.
Students who plan to travel during this break should be
sure to bring additional funds for this purpose
On the vital issue of food, Keele excels! Students have the flexibility to choose whether to eat wholesome meals in one of the themed restaurants, to snack on salads, sandwiches or take out, or to cook for themselves. Keele has a superb Campus Store which is packed with self-catering options such as fresh fruits, vegetables and frozen food, as well as the myriad of everyday items needed by students. Since the residence halls are self-catering, all students have access to a fully equipped kitchen, although the number of students sharing a kitchen does vary from residence to residence.
How Much Will it Cost?
Student attending Keele University in the Fall OR Spring pay USM in-state tuition for 16 credits and academic fees, plus the cost of on-campus room. Students are responsible for their own meals. The Keele budget provides an estimate of what a student can expect to spend on meals for one semester.
Copies of both Fall and Spring budgets are available on-line.
Do I need a Visa?
Maybe. If you will be studying in the UK for 6 months or more you definitely need to apply for and receive an entry permit (or visa) BEFORE you leave the US. You can visit http://www.ukvisas.gov.uk/doineedavisa for more information.
If you will be studying at Keele for less than 6 months you do not need a visa.
Can I Work?
Immigration regulations allow US citizens enrolled in a course of study in the UK to work up to 20 hours per week. However, students should not count on being able to work while studying in the United Kingdom as jobs can be somewhat limited. The process for obtaining work permission varies depending on the length of time you will be studying in the UK. The following website has additional information on work regulations.
Keele University Center for International Exchange website.