Apply

We will ask you to provide at least one reference to support your application (please see below for more details). If you are already in receipt of a reference on letter headed paper that is signed and dated, please upload this to your application via the Applicant Portal. The Admissions team may contact your referee to verify the reference provided. If a reference is not provided with your application, you may find this is included in the conditions of your offer.

Academic references

Please provide an academic reference which meets the following criteria:

• Only provide an academic reference if you have completed study within two years of the start month of your course.
• Signed and/or stamped letter headed paper OR contact email needs to be from the relevant institution email address registered for the School or University.
• It should not come from a personal email address, such as Gmail or Yahoo. Further checks will be carried out if Gmail or Yahoo are used.
• Visible contact details from referee.
• Dated within the last six months.
• From the most recent institute you have attended.
• PDF or JPEG format, unless provided directly from an official email address of institute.
• A list of what to include in references for your referee's information can be found at the bottom of this section. 

Employment references

Please provide an employment reference which meets the following criteria:

• Please provide an employment reference if you have been out of study longer than two years before the start month of your course.
• Signed and/or stamped letter headed paper OR contact email needs to be from the relevant institution email address registered for the School or University.
• It should not come from a personal email address, such as Gmail or Yahoo. Further checks will be carried out if Gmail or Yahoo are used.
• Visible contact details from referee.
• Dated within the last six months.
• From your most recent employer.
• If self-employed, please provide evidence of business ownership.
• PDF or JPEG format, unless provided directly from an official email address of employer.

What to include in references for referee's information:

• Length of time they have known the applicant;
• Capacity in which they know the applicant;
• Comments on the applicant’s academic ability (if appropriate) such as analytical skills;
• Commitment to intensive academic activity, ability to plan work, independent working, essay writing skills;
• Comments on the applicant’s professional capabilities (if appropriate);
• Comments on the applicant’s standard of English Language (where the applicant is not a native English speaker);
• Comments on the applicant’s character;
• Any other comments relevant to the applicant’s suitability for postgraduate study on the course identified. 

Below is a guide to what you should and shouldn’t include in your personal statement.

Do include:

• Motivation for studying course
• How your interests have been developed in your chosen course from your undergraduate degree  
• How any relevant work experience feeds into your course choice
• How this Master’s degree will further your career (either employment or academic)
• Mention any modules in your chosen postgraduate degree which particularly interest you
• Write the personal statement in your own words
• Check spelling and grammar
• Check the course page for your chosen postgraduate course to see if there are any specific instructions regarding expected content to be included in your statement

Don’t:

• Mention other universities and courses
• Copy wording from Keele University website, it is important the statement is in your ‘own words'
• Ask your agent/family/friend or other third party to complete this section for you 

Each course page has a link to the application form for that particular course (see the 'apply' links at the top of each postgraduate course page).

There is no application fee.

The online application will allow you to complete your personal details and enter your qualifications (those completed or those you are still studying for). You can also upload your personal statement and scanned/pdf copies of transcripts and copies of certificates. When you make an application you will be given a login to our Applicant Portal to allow you to track the progress of your application, and submit any further information required prior to the submission of your application. Find out more about the Applicant Portal.

Please note that we encourage you to apply as soon as possible. You can apply in the academic year before the completion of your degree. All applications should include the following (for each requirement further information can be sourced on this section):

• Personal statement/Statement of purpose
• Any relevant professional qualifications/work experience
• Degree certificate and consolidated transcript if you have completed your degree
• Interim transcript if you are still studying
• Academic or employment reference
• Evidence of completed English Language qualification. Please note, we do not accept Medium of Instructions Letters. 

If you are an international applicant there is further information about agents and visas on the pages for international applicants.

The particular entry requirements for each course are given in the individual postgraduate course page. As a general rule, you will need the equivalent of a UK honours degree at second-class standard or higher and if English is not your first language you will need to provide an appropriate qualification. Staff will be happy to advise on the acceptability of your qualifications before you apply.

Looking for general advice about studying a Postgraduate course? 'Steps to Postgraduate Study' provides information for students who are making decisions about postgraduate study. 

Anyone applying from a country where English is not the first language is required to show evidence of English language competence. Please see relevant course page for specific English Language requirements. 

Applications for some professional courses are made through other, centralised admissions systems. If you wish to apply for these courses you should contact the following:

MA in Social Work
Contact: Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS)

You will receive an acknowledgement of your application within 24 hours and we aim to process applications, and dispatch our decision on your application, within 20 working days. You should note that the processing of your application might be delayed if the information provided on your form is incomplete or if we are awaiting copies of qualifications. Also, some of our courses require an interview, this will be displayed on the relevant course page if applicable.

Sometimes our offer of a place is conditional upon performance in examinations that you still have to take – this could include English language tests. Offers may also be conditional on you providing us with references, updated personal statement, certificates or transcripts. Once a decision on your application has been reached, this will be sent to you by email. 

Please make sure that you upload your documents to the Applicant Portal as soon as possible, otherwise there may be a delay in making your offer unconditional.

Once you have received your offer, you can respond through the Applicant Portal. Full details of how to do this will be in your offer letter.

Please note that if we make you an offer of a place at Keele, this does not mean that the University will provide any financial assistance. Any scholarship or bursary awards will be made to you separately.

If you accept an offer from Keele, you must agree to observe the Charter, Statutes, Ordinances and Regulations of the University. If you have declared a disability on your application form, and if we make you an offer of a place, then we will inform our Disability Services Co-ordinator who will contact you to discuss your support needs.