Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What is the difference between an Open and a Visit Day?
A. Before you have made your final shortlist of institutions, prospective students are encouraged to attend our Open Days which are held in June, August, September and October. The Visit Day events, held on dates in December, February and March, are intended for applicants who have received an offer for a place at Keele.

Although by necessity the programmes for the two types of events are similar in content (for those students who can only make one visit) we do encourage you to return for a Visit Day event even if you have attended the Open Day. The Visit Day will provide the opportunity to get more detailed information on your chosen academic subjects. 

Q. Do I have to book a place?
A. Yes, we would prefer you to book a place for any of the events you wish to attend. We can then send you a programme for the day, which not only confirms your booking but gives you the chance to plan how to make the most of your visit. Applicants who receive an offer from Keele will be invited to attend a Visit Day and login details will be sent to you to enable you to book online. If you are interested in attending an open day you can use the online form. Once you have your log in details all bookings can be managed through e-vision.

Q. Are all academic schools open at all events?
A. Generally yes, all subject areas are open to visitors on all dates. The exceptions may be Medicine, Nursing, Midwifery, Pharmacy, Physiotherapy and Social Work, as listed below:

  • The School of Medicine building will be open at the October Open Days and members of staff will be available to talk to applicants. However, as the events take place after the UCAS deadline for applications for Medicine, only one talk will be offered.
  • Nursing and Midwifery will have an information stand at the Open Days and Visit Days for applicants at the Keele campus. Visits to the Clinical Education Centre will be hosted on the Open Days.
  • Members of staff from the Social Work degree course will not be available at the Visit Days (as they have met applicants on their interview days) but students are still welcome to attend the events.
  • Pharmacy and Physiotherapy may be open on selected Visit Day dates only.
  • Please check the web for details or ring the Recruitment, Outreach and Access on 01782 734009/733949/734909 to check specific subjects/events.

Q. How can I find out what the programme for the day entails?
A. An outline programme for any event will be available on the web. Full programme details are made available (in pdf) prior to each event and don't forget the best way to get your own copy of a programme is to book your place online. For every event an additional 'stop press' programme is also made available to you when you register on the day.

Q. Is the event all on one site?
A. The majority of the activity related to the Open/Visit Day events is based at the Keele campus. If you are interested in Nursing, Midwifery or Medicine then you may also be invited to the Clinical Education Centre at the University Hospital of North Staffordshire. You will need to make your own way between Keele campus and the Clinical Education Centre. There is a free shuttle bus between Keele and the Clinical Education Centre (CEC) provided for the open day for Nursing and Midwifery. As car parking at the CEC is limited and there is a charge for parking, visitors are advised to park at Keele and use the shuttle bus. Please ring the Schools directly (Nursing and Midwifery - 01782 679600; Medicine - 01782 733937, or the Recruitment, Outreach and Access team - 01782 734009/733949/734909).

Q. Can my family and friends attend?
A. Family and friends are welcome to come with you. If they plan to attend the introductory talk about Keele, you will need to collect tickets for them on the day. Please note, it is not possible to pre-book tickets for specific times. For some talks it may be necessary to restrict attendance to the student plus one guest. 

Q. Do I need to book/collect tickets for visiting the academic schools I am interested in?
A. Generally not, although there are some exceptions. Talks for Medicine at the Open Days require advance booking. For the Visit Days for Applicants, certain talks will also require pre-booking - details will be in your invitation booklet. Schools will advertise talks and tours to start at certain times. Make sure you are there in plenty of time for this start time. Drop-in sessions, as they suggest, are less formal.

Q. Will I be able to view the student accommodation?
A. During term time, members of the student ambassador team will open their rooms to view. You will be advised when and how to access the halls of residence and you can talk to the students about living at Keele. On the June, August and September Open Days, which take place during vacation, tours will be organised to show you a selection of rooms open to view.

Q. What are the parking arrangements?
A. Members of our security team will be on hand to direct you as you come onto campus, and signage will direct you to the next available car park. You do not need a parking permit, but please leave your car in a marked parking bay. Parking will be free on the Keele Campus.

If visiting the Clinical Education Centre, a pay and display system is in operation.

Q. What time does the day start?
A. Open and Visit Days run from 10.00am until 3.30pm/4.00pm.
You do not have to be here at the start but we hope you will use the programme sent to you in advance (if you have booked your place) to plan what you want to do during the day. The later in the day you arrive, the greater the risk of missing some of the talks/sessions and not being able to fit in all aspects of the programme.

Q. I am travelling by public transport. What are my options?
A. The nearest train station is at Stoke-on-Trent, 5 miles away. From here you can catch a bus (service number 25) which will take approx 30 minutes and cost you £2.00. Alternatively, you can get a taxi at an approximate cost of £8 - £10.

There is a train station at Crewe (14 miles away) and a taxi fare will cost approximately £14.00. The bus service, number 85, from here is much less frequent leaving at 5 minutes past the hour Monday-Saturday, taking 40 minutes to reach campus.

Train timetables are available online from National Rail Enquiries or The Trainline.

Local bus timetables for Crewe; Hanley and Stoke-on-Trent

Q. I (or one of my party) is disabled.
A. We would encourage you to contact us in advance so we can discuss your needs, ensure your safety and advise you how to make the best of your visit. Keele is a large campus and wheelchair users and visitors with mobility difficulties would need to bear this in mind. We can put you in touch with Disability Services if you would find it helpful. Please email visits@keele.ac.uk for a disclosure form.

Q. I am travelling some distance, can I stay on campus the night before the event?
A. Accommodation Services will be able to advise. The options are student accommodation on campus (tel: 01782 734152) (though this depends on availability), the Keele Management Centre in Keele village (tel: 01782 738900) or local guest houses/bed and breakfast (www.visitstoke.co.uk)

Q. My plans have changed and I can no longer attend on the day I booked. Can I change the date of my visit?

A. Yes, of course. You can do this online using the e-vision portal and log on details provided. Alternatively, you can ring 01782 734009/733949/734909 making sure you have your Keele enquirer number to hand, or your personal ID if a current applicant.

Q. None of the dates are convenient for me to visit. Can I still make a visit?

A. If you are unable to visit on one of the Open/Visit Days you are welcome to attend a Mini Visit (usually during School vacation) or look around the campus on an informal Independent Visit.

If your query relating to Keele University's Open/Visit Day events is not here then please contact us on 01782 734009/733949/734909 or email: visits@keele.ac.uk