Keele University History Programs: A Comprehensive Overview

Keele University, established in 1949, is a public research university located in Keele, approximately three miles from Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire, England. Situated on a 625-acre rural campus, Keele offers a unique learning environment with extensive woods, lakes, and Keele Hall set in the Staffordshire Potteries. This comprehensive article delves into the history programs offered at Keele University, exploring their structure, content, and the broader context of the university's history and academic environment.

A Pioneer in Education: Keele's Historical Roots

Founded as the University College of North Staffordshire, Keele University has a long-standing reputation as an innovator in higher education. It broke away from traditional teaching conventions with its residential campus, four-year degree programs, and introductory foundation courses. This pioneering spirit paved the way for the "plate-glass" universities of the 1960s. Keele's estate entered history in AD 1180 as a gift from King Henry II of England. After the Sneyd family bought the land, Ralph Sneyd built the first Keele Hall as an event venue in 1580. KEELE received its university status in 1962. Back then, the uni aimed to minimise branching out into specialised studies. Hence, most students in that period pursued subjects in arts, social sciences and natural sciences.

Early Influences and Ideals

Cambridge and Oxford extension lectures had been arranged in the Potteries since the 1890s, but outside any organised educational framework or establishment. By the late 1930s the Staffordshire towns of Longton, Fenton, Burslem, Hanley had grown into the largest conurbation in the UK without some form of university provision. A large area including Staffordshire, Shropshire and parts of Cheshire and Derbyshire did not have its own university. Stoke, in particular, demanded highly qualified graduates for the regional pottery and mining industries and also additional social workers, teachers and administrators. Lindsay participated in producing the influential Foreign Office report University Reform in Germany, which argued that no institution deserved the name of "university" unless it combined teaching and research. Consistent with his democratic ideals of education, Lindsay also warned of the dangers of training the specialist intellect in the natural sciences and the need to introduce elements of social sciences at university level by broadening the academic agenda. Lindsay believed technological excesses sponsored by the state without a review of the social and political consequences had been a major contributor to Germany's downfall.

The Granting of University Status

In August 1949 the university college was granted the right to award its own degrees. The first graduate was George Eason, who had studied mathematics at Birmingham University and gained a BSc in 1951. Growing steadily to 1,200 students, the university college was granted university status in 1962, receiving a new royal charter in January that year, and adopting the name "University of Keele". Alternatives were considered, including "The University of Stoke" or "Stoke-on-Trent", but both were rejected because the estate is situated in the borough of Newcastle-under-Lyme. The university is a short distance west of the civil parish of Keele, and it was decided to name it after the village. It is the only establishment of higher education in the UK to be named after a village, and this has long attracted questions as to its location.

Later Developments and Mergers

In 1994, the Oswestry and North Staffordshire School of Physiotherapy (ONSSP), which had been a separate institution based at the Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital in Oswestry, Shropshire, merged with Keele University, becoming Keele's Department of Physiotherapy Studies (now School of Health & Rehabilitation). It moved to the Keele University campus. In August 1995, Keele University merged with North Staffordshire College of Nursing and Midwifery, forming the new School of Nursing and Midwifery. In 2001, Keele was awarded an undergraduate medical school in partnership with Manchester University. Finally Keele's own medical school opened in 2007 with the first of cohort of students graduating in 2012.

The History Program at Keele University: A Deep Dive

Keele University's History program offers a comprehensive exploration of the past, encouraging students to develop critical thinking and analytical skills. The program covers a wide range of historical periods and regions, providing students with a global perspective on historical events.

Curriculum and Specialization

Students develop their knowledge, critical thinking, and analytical skills by studying a range of topics but also benefit from the opportunity to specialise in areas that align to their personal interests and career aspirations. One or two clear pieces of advice emerge. If you are doing dual honours then explore the possibilities of inter disciplinarity; always think about comparative history as a method; ask what kind of original sources you might be able to use.

History and Psychology: A Unique Combination

History and Psychology combines the study of the past and the human mind and behaviour. You will explore the social, economic, political, and cultural forces that have shaped global history as well as the biological influences and social pressures that affect how people think, act, and feel. Studying History and Psychology will provide complementary insights into why people, historically and now, think, act and behave the way they do. You will apply this as you explore historical change, learning about the sources of significant events from a global perspective, as well as about up-to-date theories explaining behaviour. Principle areas of psychology include: biological, cognitive, social and developmental psychology as well as individual differences and historical issues. You will gain fundamental scientific skills in research design, statistics, qualitative and survey methods.

Student Life and Facilities at Keele

Keele University offers a vibrant and supportive environment for its students. The campus has a science park and a conference centre, and is the largest campus university in the UK. The university’s facilities are all within walking distance from the centre of campus, including Union Square where students can find a Pharmacy, the Library, and even a student Post Office.

Campus Environment

KEELE is both a beauty and tech-whizz in the quiet countryside. Described as a beautiful campus with everything within reach. The Arboretum is also used for teaching and research in commercial tree species. It hosts field walks, surveying training and multi-week projects. On February 14th 2024, its National Collection and Memorial Garden welcomed 14 new flowering cherries! The campus occupies a 625-acre rural setting close to the village of Keele, North Staffordshire with woodland, lakes, 19th-century architecture such as Keele Hall and red-brick buildings of the modern university. The estate was originally given by King Henry II of England to the Knights Templars in 1180. Apart from academic and residential buildings, other facilities include an astronomical observatory, arts and cultural programme, arboretum, Islamic centre, shops, cafés and places to eat and drink. The campus has science, business enterprise parks and conference centres.

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Library and IT Facilities

The library catalogue and circulation system was automated in 1990. In 1993, the Computer Centre merged with the library, renamed Keele Information Services (KIS). The library allowed for new PC labs and an IT Helpdesk to assist students. With further modernisation in 2006, a self-service digitised counter was opened and refurbishment of different library wings. Keele University provides state-of-the-art IT and computing facilities to support students' academic and research needs. Computer labs equipped with the latest software and technology are available across the campus.

Student Union and Societies

The Keele Student Union (KSU) is at the heart of student life, offering a wide range of activities, events, and societies. The KSU organizes social events, live performances, and cultural celebrations to enhance the student experience. Keele University boasts over 150 student societies and sports clubs, catering to various interests and hobbies. Students can participate in sports, arts, volunteering, and other extracurricular activities.

Accommodation and Living Costs

Keele offers a range of accommodation options for international students, including on-campus halls of residence and off-campus housing. The on-campus accommodation provides a safe and supportive environment with various room types to suit individual preferences. The average cost of university accommodation in the UK is around £400 to £800 per month. For students staying in student halls, costs of water, gas, electricity, wifi are generally included in the rental.

Living Expenses

In savethestudent.org’s 2024 survey, Keele University students need around an average of GBP 1,000 per month for living expenses. London costs approx 34% more than average, mainly due to rent being 67% higher than average of other cities. The average rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the UK is around £750 to £1,200 per month, depending on the location. The average cost of public transportation in the UK is around £60 to £100 per month. The average cost of utilities in the UK is around £80 to £120 per month. The average cost of clothing in the UK is around £50 to £100 per month.

Entry Requirements and Tuition Fees

Applicants should have successfully completed their secondary education or equivalent with a minimum overall average of 60% or above. Applicants should hold a bachelor's degree or equivalent with a minimum overall average of 55% or above. It is important to note that meeting the minimum entry requirements does not guarantee admission, as the university considers factors such as availability of places and competition for the program.

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Tuition Fees

Undergraduate programs in the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences: The tuition fees range from GBP15,000 to GBP17,500 per year. Undergraduate programs in the Faculty of Natural Sciences: The tuition fees range from GBP17,500 to GBP19,500 per year. The tuition fees for taught master's programs range from GBP15,000 to GBP19,000 for the entire program.

Scholarships and Financial Aid

Keele University offers a range of scholarships and financial support options to attract and assist international students in pursuing their studies. These include the International Excellence Scholarship, the Keele International Student Scholarship, the Commonwealth Shared Scholarship Scheme, and the Global Excellence Scholarship.

Rankings and Reputation

University of Keele achieved the highest ranking for History. It is ranked #72 in (History). Keele University ranks within the global #791 - #800 band position of the QS World Universities Ranking. In The Complete University Guide 2022, Keele University was ranked 54th out of 130 universities in the UK. In The Guardian University Guide 2022, Keele University was ranked 42nd out of 121 universities in the UK. Keele University has been ranked within the top 500 universities globally in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings.

Student Satisfaction

145 graduates rated the course 76. This means that 76% of graduates indicated that they were satisfied or very satisfied with the course. According to the National Student Survey (NSS) and excluding private or specialist institutions, the university ranked first for Student Satisfaction in 2014, 2015 and 2016 (jointly with the University of St Andrews) amongst broad-based educational establishments.

Alumni Success Stories

Gareth Snell, who graduated in history and politics in 2008 at Keele has just been selected as the Labour candidate to fight the by-election in Stoke Central which has arisen as the result of the resignation of another historian, Tristram Hunt. Since he graduated Gareth has served as a local councillor in Newcastle and as leader of the Borough Council, as well as working as a trades union official. Emma Bouchier who was our Wedgwood dissertation prize winner this year, has secured funding to commence postgraduate study in Cambridge, winning a St.

Research and Innovation in History

Professor Karen Hunt’s collaboration with the Staffordshire Record Office involved work on the evidence from Military Appeals Tribunal records from the First World War. Harry Richards, a postgraduate in History, recently attended the 22nd annual conference of the International Intelligence History Association at the Museum of Military History in Dresden. Anthony Mansfield, a Sessional Tutor at Keele, has been fortunate enough to win a Research Award from the Royal Historical Society, which will enable him to attend and present at the conference.

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