International Student Support

Student Support and Development Services

International Student Support (ISS)

International Student Support offer dvice and guidance to all international and EU/EEA students.  They organise the Meet & Greet Airport Collection Service and the International Orientation Programme.

Appointments can be booked with the International Student Support Officers via the Student Support and Development Services Reception which can be found on the ground floor of the Walter Moberly Building.  The team can also be contacted by email at internationalsupport@keele.ac.uk or by telephone on +44 (0)1782 733801.

For further information on all services provided by the ISS, please visit www.keele.ac.uk/iss

ISS organise trips and events throughout the academic year for international and EU/EEA students.  This programme of events is called 'Encounter'.  You can sign up to the Encounter mailing list by emailing internationalsupport@keele.ac.uk or register at the ISS Help Desk during International Orientation.  Collect your copy of the 2012/2013 events booklet during International Orientation to see the trips and events on offer.

Student Life and Learning

Staff in the Student Life and Learning UK team can give you information and advice about different issues related to studying at Keele.  We offer a range of services which is available to all Keele students including, 'In Addition' our Maths Open Learning Service and 'Learning to Learn' a series of study skills and personal development workshops.  This year we will also be piloting a new Keele Mentors scheme for all new international students and in participating Schools.  Our team are also responsible for organising events for different student groups both during and after Welcome Week.  We look forward to meeting you then!

We are based on the ground floor of the Walter Moberly Building.

Telephone: +44 (0)1782 734481

Email: lifeandlearning@keele.ac.uk

Website: www.keele.ac.uk/sll

Residence Support

There is a specific team who have responsibility for ensuring that students are well supported when living in Halls of Residence.  Each Hall has a Residence Support Manager; alongside them a team of Residence Support Assistants who are all students to provide support for students living on campus.  The team provide out-of-hours support and are able to respond to issues such as noise and in instances such as homesickness and injury.

If you live on campus, domestic issues including heating and repairs will be dealt with by the Accommodation Services Manager for your Hall of Residence.  Instructions on how to report a maintenance problem are available in the Welcome To Keele Accommodation Guide that is sent with your room contract and your Room Information card.

If you live in Liberty Court, you should follow the instructions provided when you arrive.

If you live off campus, contact your landlord.  Make sure you keep a record of this, and when the repairs are carried out.  Your landlord should respond within a reasonable time.  If you are experiencing any difficulties in getting repairs carried out, contact the Student Accommodation Office for advice.

Careers and Employability

Employability is important for all Keele students.  Employability means making sure you have the skills and experience that employers are looking for and that you can articulate this in the application and interview process.

Your qualifications are a great starting point for your career path but employers are also seeking evidence of skills and career insights gained through work experience, part-time jobs, voluntary work and being involved in University activities such as sport or student societies, so look at what's available to you at KeeleLINK.  Employers have key skills and qualities they seek and they like you to have developed these skills in academic and non-academic settings.  Top skills popular with employers include:

• Written communication skills (in different formats)
• Verbal communication skills (presentations, negotiating, listening)
• Team work skills
• Time management/organisational skills

The Careers and Employability Service will support you in making the right decisions for your future career path and how to implement them.  You will find information on graduate occupations and employers.  Our careers advisors can help you to explore all the options available and work out what you might be suited to and how to shape your profile.  Advisors also provide support with applications, interviews and preparing for assessment centres.  It is never too early to contact us and we would encourage you to access the service from your first year onwards.

For access to our career wikis, our careers events, work experience opportunities and seeing an advisor, visit the website or call into the Careers and Employability Centre on the ground floor of Walter Moberly Building.

Email: careers@keele.ac.uk

Website: www.keele.ac.uk/careers

Twitter: @KeeleCareers

Counselling and Emotional Wellbeing

Our Counselling and Emotional Wellbeing Service is free and confidential to all students of any age or background.  Each Counsellor works to the BACP (British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy) ethical framework.  We are based at 41 The Covert, a house near the road to the Sports Centre.

Telephone: +44 (0)1782 734187

Email: counselling@keele.ac.uk

Website: www.keele.ac.uk/studentcounselling

Disability and Dyslexia Support

Staff in Disability and Dyslexia Support can advise you on the type of support required to enhance your student experience whilst you are at Keele.  We are able to provide support with exam arrangements and other forms of assistance.

Telephone: +44 (0)1782 734105

Email: dds@keele.ac.uk

Website: www.keele.ac.uk/dds

Electives

Keele has always been committed to giving students the opportunity to gain a broad-based education which prepares them for the challenges of life after University.  Electives are the part of the Keele degree which YOU design to fit with your own ambitions, interests and intellectual curiosity.  The Electives Office can give you all the guidance you need to select your elective modules and can help with any questions you have subsequently.

Email: electives@keele.ac.uk

Website: www.keele.ac.uk/electives

Student Financial Support

Student Financial Support can advise on a number of sources of student funding and can help with budgeting.  We manage a number of hardship funds (loans and grants), bursaries and scholarships for international, EU and UK undergraduate students and can advise on your eligibility for our awards.  We also run money management session - look out for our adverts during the year.

If you are applying for Direct Loans from the US government, loans and grants from the Canadian government or if you are a UK student who is completing an application form for a Professional Career Development Loan, you must contact the Student Financial Support Office in order to progress your application.

Visit us at 42 The Covert or contact us at studentmoney@keele.ac.uk

Website: www.keele.ac.uk/studentfunding

Study Abroad Office

For exchange, ERASMUS and study abroad students, your first point of contact for most queries will be the Study Abroad Office, which is part of Keele International.

If you are a study abroad student from China or Brazil, your main contact will be Claire Cartwright c.cartwright@keele.ac.uk, telephone: +44 (0)1782 733275, Walter Moberly Building Room WM0.09.

If you are a student from any other country, your main contact will be Lisa Stoker l.j.stoker@keele.ac.uk, telephone: +44 (0)1782 733048, Walter Moberly Building Room WM0.07.

The English Language Unit (ELU)

The English Language Unit (ELU) provides English language classes and assistance for undergraduate and postgraduate international students at Keele to help them succeed with their studies.  During the academic year, the ELU offers credit-bearing modules (classes) in all areas of English for academic study, and also provides individualised and free services and facilities to help you improve your English, either on your own or one-to-one with an English language tutor.  We have online materials and resources that are free for all international students to make use of.  Visit our website at www.keele.ac.uk/llu/englishlanguage, email us at eluadmin@keele.ac.uk, or stop by our office in Chancellor's Building B, CBB0.039.

IT Services

At Keele, we are committed to ensuring that our IT services assist students in having the best possible student experience.  Our professional IT staff are available to help, whether you have questions relating to email, WiFi or printing, then we are the people to speak to.

Below are the Top 10 things you need to know about IT @ Keele

• Internet - 3 easy ways to connect: HallsNet, Wireless and IT Suite.
• HallsNet - your wired connection in the Halls of Residence on campus.  If you have forgotten to bring a LAN cable with you, don't worry, they are on sale in the Campus Store, Library and IT Service Desk.  To connect, just plug in your computer in your room and use a web browser and go to www.keele.ac.uk/hallsnet where you will find all the information you need to connect.
• Wireless - connect your phone, tablet or laptop to the Keele WiFi and log on using your username and password.  KeeleWiFi is not available in student study bedrooms, but you can access it from Social Spaces within each Hall and areas across campus such as the Library, Students' Union or Le Cafe.  For a full list see www.keele.ac.uk/wireless. 
• IT Suite - find an available PC in the IT Suite or the IT Labs in the Library and log on using your username and password.
• IT Account - your username and password (which you should have received by email) is your key to using all IT Services - if you have lost your details or cannot remember them, contact the IT Service Desk.
• Student Portal - your access to your Learning, Co-curriculum and the Office, check out www.students.keele.ac.uk.
• Printing - high-speed, low-cost printing is available in the IT Suite.  You can pay via your Keele Card using the print release stations in the IT Suite.  Every new student is given £2.00 printer credit, which is only released once the card has been credited with some funds.
• Laptop Loan - short and long-term laptop loans are available from the IT Service Desk.  Short-term laptops are available for up to 3 hours and are free to borrow. or for the time when you need one longer our long-term laptops are available for 2-week hire periods at a small fee of £20.
• IT Service Desk - is located in the IT Suite of the Library see www.keele.ac.uk/it for the latest opening times.  The IT Advisors are there to help and advise you regarding IT issues such as buying a new laptop, help using software, repairing your broken laptop, laptop loans, connecting to the internet, printing, student telephones and IT Accounts.
• IT Self Service Desk - our self-service desk is a web-based service which enables you to log IT problems, access the IT knowledge base and track your enquiries 24/7.  Available at www.itservice.keele.ac.uk.

Follow us on Twitter @KeeleUni_IT

Find us on Facebook, Keele University I.T.

www.keele.ac.uk/it

Visit the IT Service Desk.

Library Services

Members of the Library Peer Support Scheme (LiPSS) will be ready to help you from Wednesday 19 September to Friday 12 October at the Keele Campus Library: current students will be available to show you around the building, answer your questions and help you find your way to other University services.  We'll also have a temporary information point where you can pick up leaflets about other University services.

During the first weeks of Semester One, look out for staff in the entrance foyer of the Keele Campus Library; they will also help you find your way around the Library and its resources.

Students can use either the Keele Campus Library (located near the Students' Union Building) or the Health Library (Clinical Education Centre at the Hospital Campus).  Please visit the Health Library website for more information: www.keele.ac.uk/healthlibrary

A 'Getting started' eTutorial is available at: www.keele.ac.uk/healthlibrary/training/gettingstarted

You'll have the chance to meet the Liaison Librarian (or Trainer if you are based at the Clinical Education Centre) for your subject at the induction sessions arranged by your School.  There you'll receive a 'Library Essentials' wallet containing three Library leaflets - in which you can also keep your Keele Card.

You can view our Library video as many times as you like - it's available via our website: www.keele.ac.uk/library/

Please note: the Keele Campus Library & IT Services Building will be open 24/7 during semester time.

Keele Campus Library

Keele Campus Library Info Point: +44 (0)1782 733535

Loan Enquiries: +44 (0)1782 734159

Website: www.keele.ac.uk/library

Health Library

Enquiries: +44 (0)1782 679500

Website: www.keele.ac.uk/healthlibrary

Sport at Keele

The Sports Centre and Athletic Union offer a wide range of sporting opportunities to all students regardless of age or ability.  For most students, taking part in sport improves their general health, wellbeing, and increases stamina and concentration levels.  Sport also provides many social opportunities whether you are just meeting other students informally in the gym or playing as part of a team.

Our goal is to encourage everyone to try something, and so we offer a large range of sports with the emphasis on having fun as well as competition.  We have several successful recreational clubs, so no matter what you do, we have something for you.

Visit www.keele.ac.uk/studyatkeele/sportscentre for more information on the Sports Centre and www.keelesu.com for further information on the Athletic Union.

Learning Language

Languages are increasingly seen as a must-have skill in a graduate.  The Language Learning Unit (LLU) offers Keele students the opportunity to learn a language, gain a Keele Certificate in Language Competence and take part in summer study visits to Spain, Japan, Russia, France, China or Germany.

We also offer a unique opportunity to acquire an internationally recognised English Language Teaching qualification by enrolling on our Trinity CELTA course as part of elective modules.

Visit our website or see us at the Electives and Languages Fair on Tuesday 25 and Wednesday 26 September.

Email: languages@keele.ac.uk

Nightline

Nightline is a confidential student-led support service which is available from 9pm until 3am during the semester only.  You can use Nightline to discuss any issue or any aspect of your life with students trained to listen.  Call +44 (0)1782 733999 or 33999 (internal).

Keele Students' Union (KeeleSU)

Keele Students' Union is here to support, represent, entertain, develop and inspire Keele students - we're here for you! We're not only the main social venue on campus, we also nurture over 80 societies, plan trips to local attractions, provide free and impartial advice, provide loads of volunteering opportunities, offer up a wealth of tasty nibbles and smooth coffees, and have a dedicated team of Sabbatical Officers here to represent and campaign for you.

We have also just finished a big redevelopment project, modernising the Students' Union and bringing you a bright and fresh space to enjoy with friends.  The ground floor is an alcohol free social space with contemporary facilities including extensive WiFi access, data connections and those all-important comfy sofas.  The building is fully accessible to all, offering a lift to all floors, washroom facilities for those with disabilities and baby-changing provisions.

For more information, read on, visit our website www.keelesu.com or give our Reception a call on: +44 (0)14782 733700.  We'll be happy to answer any of your questions!

Advice and Support at Keele (ASK)

Ground Floor - Keele Students' Union Building

ASK provides a free, impartial, non-judgemental advice, information and representation.  Welfare and Education Advisors are able to advise on a wide range of topics including:

• Academic advice 
• Welfare benefits
• Consumer issues
• Employment
• Debt
• Fees/finance
• Immigration/visas
• Local information
• Grants
• Housing (including accommodation, checking contracts, negotiating with landlords)
• Loans
• Personal matters and more

To see more information please visit www.keelesu.com/ask

The advice service offers independent advice on academic matters, University Regulations and process.  Advisors are able to represent students at University hearings.  We subscribe to an electronic information system provided by the Citizens Advice Bureau.  The Advice Team also work closely with the Vice-President Education and Vice-President Welfare.

The advice service is a member of the following organisations:

• Advice UK
• UKCISA, the Council for International Student Affairs
• National Student Money Advisors

We work to a Code of Practice and details of all policies are available on request.  The advice service was awrded the Quality Mark by the Community Legal Service (CLS) in September 2011.

The advice service is open throughout the year and can be contacted:

By email: su.ask@keele.ac.uk 

By telephone: +44 (0)1782 734800

By fax: +44 (0)1782 734814 (subject ot change from summer 2012, please check www.keelesu.com or the online telephone directory at www.keele.ac.uk)

In person: we are situated on the ground floor of the Keele Students' Union Building

Sabbatical Officers

Answerable to the student body, the elected Student Officers are here to represent students and provide for their wellbeing.  They offer a collective voice with which to speak to the University and campaign on issues affecting Keele students.  Your Officers are here to help and offer an open door policy - just pop into their office on the top floor of the Students' Union where you can be assured of a warm welcome.

Activities, Societies and Sport

The Students' Union offers a wide range of activities that you can tailor to make your student experience the best it can be.  Keele has over 80 societies, offering something for all tastes and interests.  Get involved, try something new, broaden your horizons, acquire new skills and have a laugh doing it!  Head over to the Society Sign Up Fair on Monday 24 and Tuesday 25 September in KeeleSU where you'll be spoilt for choice: we've got everything from radio to Quidditch!  If sport is your thing, Team:Keele is for you.  Keele has a massive range of sports that you can play competitively or just for fun.  Find out more at the Sports Fair on Sunday 23 September at the Sports Centre.  KeeleSU also runs a programme of activities providing opportunities to try something different, learn new skills and meet people.  Our activities programme in 2012/2013 is going to be huge and involvement can be recognised in a number of ways, including the Higher Education Achievement Record, Volunteering and KeeleSU Awards, meaning your time spent enjoying University can also be beneficial to life after Keele.  Find out more: www.keelesu.com/activities or email studentactivities@kusu.keele.ac.uk

Volunteering

Volunteering is one of the most rewarding things you can do and it's really easy to get involved. 

The Volunteering Fair will be on Wednesday 10 October from 11am-4pm in the Students' Union Ballroom.

Come along to find out how you can make a difference to the area where you live.  Volunteering can help you to gain new skills, meet new people and have fun!  Meet volunteer providers and see what they can offer you and what you can offer them in return.

Reception

Your central information point on campus!  Here to help, our friendly staff will do their best to provide answers on the most quizzical of questions.  It also houses the Box Office where you can buy tickets for Union events and a range of external services including bus tickets and discounted Alton Towers tickets.  And don't forget about your NUS Card - available to buy and collect right here.

Bars & Entertainment

The Students' Union offers a huge range of events throughout the year, running regular club nights and working with societies to put on nights such as film screenings and genre-specific events (rock appreciation, Bhangra and much more).  There is always something going on whether it's an open mic night, pub quiz, pool competition or karaoke evening.  We are also committed to bringing the biggest artists, acts and DJs to our venue and we've recently played host to the likes of Gym Class Heroes, Ed Sheeran and Labrinth to name but a few.  We encourage student involvement and have plenty of volunteering opportunities, alongside employing students as tech crew, photographers and hospitality staff.  We believe that we offer something for everyone and are one of the most diverse and thriving Students' Union entertainment venues in the country.  Find out what's coming up: www.keelesu.com/entertainments

Print Shop

This welcoming and convenient facility offers you a whole host of fab printing services at really affordable prices.  Located on the top floor of the Students' Union, the Print Shop aims to get your photocopying, printing, finishing and design work done nice and quickly, to a high standard.  Find out more: www.keelesu.com/printshop

See the section on food and shopping for information about the Union Shop and food outlets.

Post Office

Located within the Union Shop, the Post Office is the home of international phone cards, the place to send your packages and parcels, tax your car and much more.  It contains a Bureau de Change and also offers some free banking facilities.  How useful...!

Market Traders

The Students' Union is graced with a wide variety of local market traders who regularly visit to sell their wares and, funnily enough, are always up for a good chat.  We have our very own Farmers' Market, taking place outside the Students' Union every Tuesday during semester.  Offering fresh, local produce you'll be spoilt for choice with delectable fruit and vegetables, delicious pastries, the campus-renowned Staffordshire Savoury Eggs and legend himself, Ted the Pie Man - and that's just a few!

Contact Us

Telephone: +44 (0)1782 733700

Website: www.keelesu.com

Keele Postgraduate Association (KPA)

The KPA serves as the focal point for the social life and welfare needs of postgraduate students during their time at Keele.  It provides entertainment, catering, study facilities and a welfare referral service.

The KPA has a committee of elected officers who organise social events for postgraduates and also provides support and guidance.  The KPA runs a hugely popular clubhouse (near Horwood Hall) with a real ale bar, reasonably-priced food and other social facilities.

The Chair of the KPA represents postgraduates on important University committees such as Council, Senate and the Learning and Teaching Committee.

The KPA provides support for a range of issues across the entire spectrum of postgraduate studies at Keele.  As a postgraduate, you have a highly specialised Sabbatical Officer - the KPA President - who is able to advise and represent you at all levels of University proceedings, whether for welfare or educational issues.  Also, thanks to last year's highly successful President, the KPA now offers postgraduates an opportunity to win grants for training and dissemination activities through its new bursary scheme.

Postgraduate life at Keele doesn't just revolve around the KPA, though there are opportunities to engage in the wider Keele community.  We have a highly successful Athletic Union that offers sports ranging from Fencing to Rugby; we have numerous volunteering opportunities through the Students' Union's brilliant VEO Keele; as well as countless societies for all manner of interests and numerous bars dotted around the campus.

Being a postgraduate at Keele University is an excellent opportunity to further your academic career in a unique campus environment, whilst taking advantage of a range of lively sporting and social activities.  So why don't you come and take a look for yourself!

Telephone: +44 (0)1782 584228

Website: www.keele.ac.uk/socs/kpa

Faith at Keele

Keele is striving to be a harmonious, multi-cultural and mult-faith community.

The Chapel

The Chaplains and Chapel community work together to serve people of all (and no) faiths.  There's the regular worship in the Chapel, a busy programme of events and a full-time Chaplaincy team available.

The Chapel provides a focus for Christian worship in a variety of styles (lively, modern, contemplative or traditional) and offers you a thriving and inclusive Christian community at the heart of Keele campus.

The Chapel is open every day during the semester, offering free tea & coffee, a place to meet friends, space for quiet reflection and individual support and advice if requested.

As well as worship services, the Chapel is used for concerts and graduation.  It is also open for personal prayer and reflection.

Islamic Centre

There is a place and space for Islamic worship on Campus.  The Islamic Centre is located in Barnes Hall of Residence and can be used for worship, reflection and time out by students and staff.  For information about access to the Centre, go to www.keele.ac.uk/studyatkeele/accommodation/postgrads/islamiccentreaccess

Other Faiths

The Chaplains are able to give advice on places and communities of worship for people of any religion.  The Chapel also includes The Space, a quiet/prayer room available for individuals of any faith or none.

For more information check out our website: www.keelechapel.org

LGBT

Keele LGBT.  Or, more technically Keele LGBTTQIUACQUPO...(Lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, twin-spirited, queer, intersex, unlabeled, asexual, curious, questioning, unsure, pansexual, omnisexual...) which is rather more of a mouthful, really.  Keele LGBT are here to five a sympathetic ear, a shoulder to cry on and a friendly, secure atmosphere to meet up and chat about anything imaginable.  Just pop down to our weekly socials, or drop us a line anytime to find out more.  However you define yourself, Keele LGBT is here to provide a supportive, helpful environment and to make sure you have a fabulous time.

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=2741829126

Email: info@keelelgbt.co.uk

Eating and Shopping on Campus

At Keele, you will always be able to eat well.  It's one of the great things about a campus University; everything is on site and just a short walk away.  The following shops, cafes and restaurants can be found across Campus and in the Students' Union.

TASTE:KEELE outlets are operated by university catering services and offer a wide choice of meal offers at value for money prices.  They can be found throughout the campus:

Comus

Situated in the Chancellor's Building at the heart of the campus, this lively refectory offers a wide range of home cooked dishes, healthy options, lighter meals and snacks.  Fast food options are also available.  Look for our weekly themed days which include Mexican Monday and Tiffin Tuesday.  Comus is the ideal location to start your day with a breakfast.

Le Cafe

Situated in Chancellor's Building, this grab 'n' go outlet offers a variety of sandwiches and baguettes, confectionary, health snacks and hot and cold drinks.  Ideal for those in a hurry!

ST5 Takeaway

In Union Square, opposite the Library, this takeaway is ideal for those on the move.  Choose from southern fried chicken, hot wraps, fries, burgers and hot and cold drinks.  This outlet is open into the early evening.

Lindsay's Cafe Bar

Ideally located for students living in Lindsay Halls.  This popular cafe bar offers a wide range of hot beverages, soft drinks, beers and wines plus a range of bar meals and takeaway pizzas.

Hawthorns Restaurant

Adjacent to the convenience store at Hawthorns, this restaurant provides dining for those students on a Catered Halls package at Hawthorns as well as being available for cash sales at breakfast and evening meal times.

The Keele Card offers discounts to students on a range of food and drink items when used in the above TASTE:KEELE outlets.

For even more choice, why not try the catering outlets at the Students' Union?  Here a variety of hot and cold food is served up in a relaxed atmosphere.

Situated within the newly developed ground floor of the Students' Union, we invite you to relax with a fresh coffee or delicious meal in our new social seating area or in our landscaped outdoor living space 'The Outback'.  Our coffee bar, Blend, offers a selection of high-quality hot and cold beverages, and a range of both sweet and savoury refreshments, whilst Hakuna Matata offers an extensive menu, ranging from that all-important kick-start breakfast through to late-night snacks.  And don't worry if you're in a bit of a rush... you can wlays opt to take-out our tasty treats.  We do our best to offer as broad a menu range as possible, including both vegetarian and vegan options.  We also source organic, Fairtrade and local produce where possible, providing you with mouth-watering nibbles at affordable prices.

Students' Union Shop

Get all your essentials from our handy student corner shop.  We've got a little bit of everything ranging from stationery, the Keele Hoodie, toiletries, cards, sandwiches, snacks, oriental foods and not forgetting that cheeky bag of pick 'n' mix... You'll find the shop on the ground floor of the Students' Union, so pop in and take a look around!