Keele University - In Depth

Founded: 1949, from University College of North Staffordshire.

Site: Campus 2 miles from Newcastle-under-Lyme.

How to get there: By rail to Stoke (5 miles away) or Crewe (14 miles) and then by bus to campus; by coach (to Hanley bus station in Stoke); by road on M6 (junctions 15/16 about 20 mins from campus).

Structural features: Medicine in partnership with Manchester University.

Academic features: All courses modular. 500+ dual Honours combinations available.

Awarding body: Keele University; Manchester University for MBChB.

Main undergraduate awards: BA, BSc, MChem, MGeoscience, MPhys, LLB, MBChB.

Length of courses: 3 years: 4 years (science and humanities foundation programmes and undergraduate Masters'); 5-6 years (medicine).

Library & information services: 500,000 volumes, 1800 print journals, 5000 electronic; 550 study places, separate short loan library. Annual expenditure on information provision, £124 per (FTE) student. Library and IT services converged. 500 workstations, 350 PCs with access to internet for students. IT facilities open 12+ hours/day, 7 days a week in term; IT support from 20 members of staff. Sessions on library. IT skills, basic computing for new students; courses available on eg Word, internet.

Specialist collections: Arnold Bennett papers, Warrillow photographs, Wedgwood archives.

Study abroad: Approx 100 students spend 5-10 months at one of 50 partner universities in 13 different countries worldwide, many open to non-language specialists (in addition to language and sandwich placements).

Careers: Information and appointments service. Student advice & services: Doctors, dentist. FPA, counsellor, solicitor (SU), chaplains, financial adviser, counselling service; nursery.

Amenities: Bookshop on campus; SU premises with launderettes. supermarket, newsagent and banks; variety of bars and restaurants.

Sporting facilities: Multi-purpose sports centre with adjoining playing fields, tennis courts and athletics track; 7 squash courts, climbing wall and fitness centre gymnasium; sports shop.

Accommodation: All first years in university (or rent-controlled) accommodation, 70% of all students. 3200 self-catering places available at £51-£85 per week (variety of letting periods) Students guaranteed two out of three years in campus accommodation if university firm choice.

Living expenses budget: Minimum budget of £130 pw (excluding tuition fees and social spending) recommended by university.

Term-time work: University allows term-time work for full-time students. Some work available on campus in bars, catering outlets etc; also SU job shop helps find work off campus.

Financial help: £258,000 hardship fund, 560 students helped (average award £460). Special help for students with children (particularly single parents), those with disabilities, from low income families, who are homeless, care leavers, mature students or in their final year. Also 50 opportunity bursaries. hardship loan allocation £127,500. Apply for help to Student Finance Officer.

Tuition fees: Home students up to £1200 pa for first degrees (in 2005). International students pay £7300-£7700 pa (classroom), £8800-£9900 (lab-based).