BACKGROUND
K eele University is a world class campus-based University committed to providing the highest quality learning and living environment in which our students and researchers can flourish. The University makes a unique contribution to higher education in its continued commitment to encouraging interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary education and research. Keele offers distinctive educational programmes and a learning environment that enables our students to make the most of their time at university, and develops graduates who can thrive in whatever sphere of life they choose. As a result, Keele students are among the most satisfied in the country. Keele is currently the top ranked university for student satisfaction (NSS Survey 2014, 2015 and 2016) and Keele graduates are highly prized for their flexibility of thought and the maturity of their social skills. The University has one of the best graduate employment rates in the UK, clearly evidencing that our students achieve their potential. Keele remains in the UK top ten for student employability, with 97% of students who graduated in 2015 finding full-time employment or further study within six months. Keele also has high quality teaching and student experience, ranking 4th in the Times Higher for quality of teaching staff. Keele was the first new post-war UK University of the 20th century and exemplified the innovation and idealism of the post-war generations, offering a bold, alternative vision for Higher Education. The University College of North Staffordshire was founded in 1949 and received its Charter as the University of Keele in 1962. There was a deliberate aim to break away from the pattern of the specialised honours degree, avoiding as far as possible the divisions between different branches of study. While there have been changes, the coherence of Keele’s academic vision remains. One third of our current students still study two subjects to honours level.
Keele research also helps shape the world – whether it is influencing the law on human reproduction, having an impact on international human rights policy, or offering historical perspective on contemporary terrorism. The most recent REF classified 97% of the University’s research as world-leading and of international importance. The innovations and discoveries of Keele academics are key contributors to wider social and global issues. A key strategic aim of the University is to promote sustainability in all aspects of the University’s activities, taking a whole institution approach to sustainability. The University has a nationally leading reputation for its work in embedding sustainability into our curricula, as well as having specific environmentally focused undergraduate and postgraduate programmes and strong sustainability related research across a wide range of disciplines. This is being given a greater focus with the establishment of a new University Sustainability Research Centre, which will link closely with the new Smart Energy Network Demonstrator which is being developed on the campus with substantial external funding and will be a unique, internationally leading research and development facility providing some really exciting research and partnership opportunities. There is a vibrant programme of external engagement with the local community and schools. As a world class university Keele has connections across the globe. The University is in contact with more than 43,000 of its alumni in 139 countries. This global network includes senior diplomats and politicians, leading business people and officials in international NGOs, such as the UN. Our research is also increasingly international in its partnerships, with strong links in every continent. On campus there is the opportunity to experience a truly international flavour, as the diversification of our student population now sees more than 120 countries represented at Keele, while nearly all undergraduate students get the opportunity to spend a semester abroad as part of their studies at one of the University’s 50 plus partner universities worldwide.
8
9
Made with FlippingBook - Online Brochure Maker