Life on the Keele foundation year

Set on 600 acres of landscaped parkland, fields, woodland and lakes, our campus – one of the biggest in the UK –  Keele is an inspiring and supportive place to study, where students thrive. Located in the heart of England, easily accessed from major cities such as Manchester, Birmingham and London, you’ll find everything’s on your doorstep, with the most important facilities just a short walk away.

If you’re thinking about taking your learning to the next level, there’s plenty of evidence to back up the many benefits of gaining a higher education. Research has shown time and time again that a better education not only leads to higher earnings and more opportunities to advance your career, but can also result in a better quality of life! Here at Keele University, 96% of our graduates are employed or in further study just six months after graduating (Destination of Leavers from Higher Education 2017).

Our foundation year provides an excellent route to all our undergraduate degrees – with guaranteed entry once you successfully complete your course. It will smooth your transition to degree-level study by giving you the time and space to develop your subject knowledge, improve your academic skills and build your confidence and self-belief that you can succeed at university. With over 500 students studying the Keele Foundation Year, you’ll also meet new friends, who’ll be sharing your journey with you.

Here at Keele, we may have a big and beautiful campus, but you’ll discover a small and cosmopolitan community, where your welfare comes first, and you’ll soon be making firm friends. We have some of the most satisfied university students in the UK, and are consistently ranked highly for student satisfaction.

Proud to in the Top 10 for Student Satisfaction in the Guardian University League Table 2021, we want to make sure your academic and personal journey is the best it can be.

As well as having access to all of the University’s support services, you will be allocated your own academic mentor to guide and support you through your first year of university study. We also have over 40 trained student mentors, some of whom started their journey here on the Foundation Year, so they can relate to your experiences. You’ll have access to a range of social activities, clubs, societies and volunteering opportunities through Keele Students’ Union.

• Developing your global outlook: with over 120 different nationalities at Keele, you’ll meet students with different social and cultural backgrounds, helping you see other perspectives and points of view.
• Giving you independence: University is often the first time our students have been away from home. The smaller cohorts across all Foundation Year programmes, which help to develop your self-discipline and time management, and dedicated support you’ll be given can help ease this major life change.
• Core academic skills: By the time you enrol on your degree, you’ll be at ease referencing and essay writing, developing skills including numeracy, writing and research, critical thinking, analytical writing and how to produce compelling, persuasive arguments.
• Essential soft skills: You’ll develop the mindset and capabilities that will prepare you for study and work – a strong work ethic, organisation skills, time management and self-motivation.
• Interpersonal skills: You’ll prepare and deliver presentations, strengthening your communication skills and giving you more confidence to voice your own thoughts and ideas. Teamwork will improve your ability to work cooperatively and collaboratively with others and you’ll also learn to give (and accept) practical and constructive feedback.
• Employability: Employability skills are embedded into both the Keele Foundation Year and your degree programme, you’ll also receive support and guidance from our Careers Advisors, encouraging you to think about your future career.