Additional preparation information for international students
Please note: We strongly recommend that you arrive at the University for the start of your course, as stated in your offer letter and Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS).
If you're unable to arrive for this date due to delays, you'll need to be on campus to complete your UKVI identity checks by the last date of arrival as stated on your CAS. For the majority of courses you'll need to arrive within the first two weeks of teaching. Failure to do so will prevent you from continuing your studies at Keele. Please see our student visa page on 'Your responsibilities' for more information.
Free airport transfer service
The University is offering all new international fee-paying and exchange students a free Meet & Greet airport transfer service from Manchester Airport on Thursday 22nd January. This is available to new international students only.
Students wishing to take advantage of this service MUST register in advance by completing the booking form. The information you provide on the form will be checked by a member of staff and an email will then be sent to you confirming your registration.
Transfer will be by coach and instructions on how to access the service upon arrival in the UK will be sent in the confirmation email.
Please ensure that you only register for this service if your flight into the UK will arrive at Manchester International Airport on Thursday 22nd January and land before 14:00 GMT. Registration is now open and will close at 23.59 GMT on Sunday 11th January 2026.
If you need to talk to someone, whether it’s about your studies or life outside of them, we have a Student Experience and Support team based within your Faculty to support you, including a member of the team dedicated to every School.
Student Experience and Support are part of Student Services and work closely with teams such as Counselling and Mental Health, Disability Support and Inclusion, and the Chaplaincy to ensure all students can easily access the support they need.
Visit this web page to find out about the team in your Faculty and how you can get in touch with them.
There is also specialist visa and immigration support available from our Immigration Compliance and Advice team - visit our visa page for more information.
You'll need to apply for an appropriate visa before coming to Keele to study. You can find further information about how to apply for your visa on our Immigration Compliance and Advice web pages.
All students need to engage with their course and attend scheduled learning and teaching events (as shown on your timetable and advised by your School).
If you hold a student visa that is sponsored by Keele University, we are required by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) to monitor your engagement and attendance. Please be aware that if you do not participate, engage with, or attend your programme, we will have no choice but to terminate your studies. This may mean the cancellation of your visa.
Your student visa may also be cancelled in the following situations:
- Failure to arrive and enrol on time for the start of your course
- Changing your course when it is not allowed under UKVI rules
- Withdrawing from, deferring, or suspending your studies
- Absences from any part of your course (without prior agreement)
- Failure to pay fees to the University, including tuition fees and accommodation charges
- Your studies being terminated by Keele University, including academic failure
- Failure to abide by the University's rules and regulations
Please note that this is not an exhaustive list of what can cause a student to be withdrawn from the University, but guidance for you to consider.
For further information relating to your responsibilities to the University in terms of your visa application, please visit our Immigration Compliance and Advice web pages.
We recommend that you purchase a Proof of Age card carrying the PASS hologram if you plan to purchase age-restricted products such as alcohol and tobacco while you're in the UK. Using a Proof of Age card means you can keep your passport safe. Please be aware that the ID you use in your home country may not be accepted in the UK.
There are so many opportunities for you as a Keele University student! All you have to do is explore the options and get involved with anything that interests you. For example, there are lots of clubs and societies for you to join at Keele SU, or you could volunteer for a local charity or organisation. The University also holds events throughout the year on important topics such as looking after your mental health and physical wellbeing. There are lots of academic opportunities too, such as learning another language!
Make sure you have downloaded the Keele App onto your device, or are accessing it regularly via a web browser - just go to app.keele.ac.uk - to view events taking place on campus.
