What you need to know in the first few days...
We can't wait to welcome you to Keele!
We know it feels like there’s a lot to get your head around right now, but don’t worry, help is at hand! Have a browse through these pages before your course begins, and refer back to them when you want to know more about a specific area.
Top tips to get the most out of Keele:
- Be curious – read and watch all the resources to help you settle in
- Don’t be afraid to turn up to an event on your own (virtual or in-person)
- Throw yourself into opportunities to try new things and meet new people
- Ask lots of questions!
The question on the mind of every new student! The answer is simple: all events and activities for students can be found in the Keele App - just look in the 'What's On' section. If you don't have the app already, search 'Keele University' in your app store.
Don't have a smartphone? Don't worry - the app is also available in a web browser on either a personal computer or via one of our on-campus PCs, just head to app.keele.ac.uk!
The University runs a programme of fun activities in partnership with the Students' Union to help you settle into Keele life, make friends and – for some of you – get to know your new home. We encourage you to go along to as many events as you can - just look out for info in the event descriptions to find out if an event is of interest to you.
Your Keele Card is your Student ID, which you can use to enter buildings on campus, get student discount, gain entry to the Students' Union and Campus Library, top up with money to spend on campus and much more!
You'll need to know how to collect it when you arrive...
IF YOU'RE LIVING ON CAMPUS...
• Arriving from the UK: you will receive your Keele Card with your accommodation keys.
• Arriving from outside the UK: you will receive your Keele Card on completion of any immigration checks that are required. International students who require a Biometric Residence Permit (BRP), please also read the section below.
IF YOU'RE LIVING OFF CAMPUS...
• Arriving from the UK:
Thursday 19 and Friday 20 September 10am-4pm
Collect from the open learning space in Chancellor’s Building by booked appointment. We will send you an email nearer the time with instructions on how to book your collection slot.
Monday 23 September to Wednesday 2 October 10am-4pm
Collect from the pop-up enquiry point in the open learning space in Chancellor’s Building by booked appointment. We will send you an email nearer the time with instructions on how to book your collection slot.
From Thursday 3 October
Collect from the Library. Please allow two working days following the upload of your photograph for IT to produce your Keele Card.
• Arriving from outside the UK: you will get your Keele Card on completion of any immigration checks that are required. International students who require a Biometric Residence Permit (BRP), please also read the section below.
• For international students who require a Biometric Residence Permit (BRP): If you have selected Keele University as your BRP collection location, you will receive your Keele Card at the same time you collect your BRP from our Immigration Compliance and Advice team (ICA). Please use the University's ACL collection code 2HE542 to collect your BRP from campus. If your BRP is delivered to a Post Office, please collect it before you complete your immigration checks with ICA. You will receive your Keele Card from ICA once you have presented your BRP. We will send you an email after you have arrived in the UK to inform you of the process.
Find out more about your Keele Card.
We're sure you'll have lots of questions - and we're ready to answer them! If you've got a question, big or small, then please get in touch with our Student Services team. They are here for all Keele students, whatever you need, throughout the year. This includes quick questions, as well as information, support and guidance on topics such as your welfare and wellbeing, money advice and much more. Within this, we have our dedicated counselling and mental health support services, and disability support and inclusion services too.
Get in touch with the Student Services team
If you think you'd feel the benefit of having support from a fellow student to help you through the next few weeks, that's what our peer support schemes are about.
If you need help with accessing any of our online systems or need help getting connected, our IT team are here to help!
For advice on how to find books and journals, guidance on reading lists and any other Library queries - our Library staff are available to help!
If you'll be coming on to campus, you'll be interested in finding out about the Library buildings too (open 24/7 during term time). There's also lots of guidance about off-campus access.
Everyone accesses their own personal course timetable through the Keele Learning Environment (KLE). Log-in to the KLE with your username and password and choose 'Timetable' from the black bar at the top of the page.
Please email the timetabling team if you have any questions: timetabling@keele.ac.uk.
Starting university is an exciting time, with lots of things to get your head around. Please don't be hard on yourself if things don't quite go to plan. It’s important to take time for yourself during these busy first few weeks and throughout your time at Keele. Think about your welfare and wellbeing and get in touch with Student Services if you need any advice or support.
We know that continuing your studies in a new country in a second language can be daunting. The Language Centre is here to help you with your English, including how to write academic papers, become familiar with British academic culture, and avoid plagiarism and academic misconduct, in addition to using appropriate language and structures.
All international students for whom English is not their first language need to attend an ‘Introduction to the Language Centre, English Support and English Diagnostic Assessment’ session. These sessions will take place online in a Teams meeting. The Language Centre will email you to let you know which session you have been assigned to.
In this session, the team will introduce themselves and the modules they offer. You will be asked to complete a short diagnostic of your academic reading and writing ability in English which will be used to recommend modules and/or 1:1 tutorials that will help you while you are studying at Keele. This diagnostic will not affect your status as a student at Keele.
Additional materials on ‘An Introduction to Academic Essays’ and ‘How to avoid Plagiarism and Academic Misconduct’ will be provided at the end of these sessions to help you prepare for your studies at Keele.
If you have any questions about English support, please contact the Language Centre at enl@keele.ac.uk
Make sure you have downloaded the Keele App onto your device, or are accessing it regularly via a web browser - just go to app.keele.ac.uk - to view events taking place on campus.