Keele University

The New Keele Deal presents a case for investment-led growth that is underpinned by high-quality research and development.

The latest UK research assessment exercise (2014) established Keele University as Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire’s ‘research-led’ university. Locally, Keele University is responsible for 87% of the research that is rated as internationally or world-leading; 91% of funding allocated in response to the assessment; 80% of the area’s research staff submitted for assessment; and 90% of the external research income from the public and private sector.

Providing sector-leading student education

Keele University’s research performance underpins its educational philosophy and its founding approach to higher education, which enables students to study two subjects to degree-level via a sector-leading combined honours degree programme. In recent time this has placed Keele University as number one in the UK for student satisfaction for three years running (as determined by the National Students Survey 2014, 2015 and 2016) and is one of the key reasons why it is also highly ranked for student employability.

Home to Staffordshire's only Science Park

Keele University is uniquely placed to exploit the value of its national research positioning via Keele University Science and Innovation Park. Established for over 30 years, the Park has been home to over 60 companies and has provided over 1,200 high-value jobs to the local economy, with one-third of all companies a result of foreign direct investment.

Integrated with the main University campus, the Park consists of five Innovation Centres, two high-tech manufacturing facilities (for Alliance Medical Radiopharmacy and Cobra Biologics) and a dedicated business incubation centre. The fifth Innovation Centre, which was funded by Staffordshire County Council, was completed in August 2016 and has been so successful that plans for a sixth are already underway.

A leading contributor to the local economy - and this will only grow

Keele University already generates £125million in GVA annually and supports 3,390 jobs locally. However, Regeneris Consulting estimates that, based on an initial assessment of just four of the priority areas outlined in the Deal, the University’s presence in the area will lead to the creation of 700 additional jobs by 2026 and an additional £90million by 2036. This puts the University’s annual contribution to the regional economy at around £250million, including £177million locally.