Undergraduate study

What is the Institution Code for Keele University?

The institution code for Keele University is K12.

What is the difference between a Single Honours, Dual Honours and Major/Minor degree programme?

Whether they are Dual Honours, Single Honours or Major/Minor degrees, the majority of undergraduate degrees at Keele share a common structure of eight 15 credit modules in each year (for a total of 120 credits). The difference between the programmes comes from the number of modules (and therefore credits) you are required to take in each year. This is outlined in more detail below. There are some degree programmes which do not follow this format; usually degree programmes with a professional aspect, such as Medicine, Nursing and Physiotherapy. You'll receive more information about the structure of your programme when you arrive at Keele.

We've briefly outlined the structure of each degree type below.

Dual Honours degrees

Dual Honours degrees are degrees that are taken in two different subjects, resulting in an X and Y degree title, for example History and Politics. If you are taking a Dual Honours programme, these will be the two subjects you applied for. These are referred to as your Principal Subjects.

In a Dual Honours degree you will take at least two modules (30 credits) each year in each of your Principal Subjects, although some Principal Subjects will require you to take more than this. The remaining available credits can be filled with modules from these subjects or other subjects entirely. For example, you could take a total of three modules in one Principal Subject, four modules in the other Principal Subject and a language module. You will also need to ensure that you have taken a minimum of 120 credits worth of modules in each Principal Subject before you complete your final year, in order to be able to graduate.

You will also be required to take at least one Independent Study Project in your final year, although this will also depend upon the requirements of your Principal Subjects.

Single Honours degrees

Single Honours degrees are degrees that are taken wholly or predominantly in one subject (referred to as your Single Honours subject). You will be required to take a minimum of four modules (60 credits) each year, and by the end you your studies you must have gained at least 255 credits in the Single Honours subject. So you will need to have done at least 17 modules in your Single Honours subject by the time you graduate.

Major/Minor degrees

Major/Minor degrees are degrees that are taken in two different subjects, much like a Dual Honours degree, except that you will specialise in the Major subject. In a Major/Minor degree you will need at least 225 credits in your Major subject over your three years of study with at least two modules (30 credits) taken each year in your Major Subject, although some Principal Subjects will require you to take more than this. You will also need 90 credits in your Minor subject with a minimum of 30 credits (two modules) taken at level I and 45 credits (three modules) taken at level II.

What is the course code for my course?

The course code for all our courses can be found on the UCAS website or on the Undergraduate course list on our website.

Where do I enter the 2nd subject if I want to apply for a Major:Minor course?

If you wish to apply for a Major:Minor course, please enter the 2nd subject that you wish to study in the "Further Information" section of your UCAS form. It is very important that this section is completed. Failure to complete this section will result in a delay to your application.

Do you accept all A level subjects?

For the majority of our courses, we do not accept General Studies or Critical Thinking A Levels. There are some exceptions to this, please check the entry requirements course table for details relating to your subject choices. If you wish to study a Dual Honours or Major:Minor course combination please check the entry requirements for BOTH subjects.

What are the GCSE requirements for my chosen course?

The GCSE requirements for all courses are listed on the Entry Requirements page. Please check the requirements for your chosen course carefully.

Please note that GCSE English Language at a minimum of Grade C or above is a requirement for all our courses and some courses may have a higher requirement.

GCSE Mathematics and/or Science at a minimum of Grade C or above are also a requirement for all courses, some courses may specify either or both of these subjects. Please check the Entry Requirements table for your chosen course.

Please note that from 2013 entry onwards you will be required to have obtained the GCSE requirements for your chosen course prior to application.

What are the English Language requirements for EU applicants?

Please click here for further information.

Do you accept applications for deferred entry?

Applications for deferred entry are acceptable, providing that you have constructive plans for your gap year. Please tell us about the plans you have in your personal statement. If you have not applied for deferred entry in the first instance but you subsequently find that you have the opportunity to work/travel and take a gap year, please inform us of your intentions as soon as possible.

Please note that under the rules of the UCAS scheme, it is not possible to defer entry for more than one year.

Can I change my course after I have applied?

Whether we are able to do this for you depends on what you want to change to. It may not be possible for us to amend your application if you wish to change to a course combination which is oversubscribed. However, in many cases, a change is possible, in which case Keele would inform UCAS.

All requests to change course must be put in writing to the email address below.

Will you accept an application even though I am only taking 2 A levels?

We require applicants to be taking 3 full A-levels (or equivalent), excluding General Studies and Critical Thinking, for the majority of our courses. For some courses, depending on individual circumstances, there may be some flexibility for students who have chosen two AS levels in place of a third A2 subject.

Will I be interviewed?

If you are applying for our courses in Medicine, Nursing, Midwifery, Pharmacy, Physiotherapy and Social Work it will be compulsory to attend interview. For other courses, it is not normal practice for us to interview applicants. Some applicants offering non-standard qualifications or work experience may be called for interview, although we would firstly ask for examples of written work to support the application.

Confirmation

When you receive your exam results, if you meet the conditions of your offer you do not need to contact us; we will automatically confirm your place at Keele. You can see the confirmation through UCAS Track and you will also receive written confirmation from UCAS. If you wish to accept the offer you need take no further action. If you do not wish to accept the offer, you need to notify us directly by email as soon as possible.

What happens if I do not meet the conditions of my offer?

If you have picked Keele as your firm choice and do not meet the conditions of your offer at confirmation - DON'T PANIC. We will reconsider your application and it may still be possible to confirm your place at Keele if you have only narrowly missed your offer, and providing that we have sufficient spaces on your chosen course.

If the conditions of your offer are BBB at A Level and you achieve ABC then it is likely that we will be able to confirm your place as long as you still met any subject specific requirements such as a B grade in a specific subject. This would also apply to someone who had the conditions of ABC and achieved BBB at confirmation.

If we are not able to admit you onto the course of your choice we do sometimes look at alternatives that we feel may be of interest, however, this very much depends on number of vacancies, if any, on other courses.