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They may have gotten a bad rap years ago, before we really understood the difference between “good” fat and “bad” fat, but these days, it’s pretty clear that nuts are a vital part of a healthy diet for a healthy squirrel and above.

Not only do the unsaturated fatty acids, fiber and protein in nuts help lower high cholesterol, reduce blood clots (which lead to heart attacks), and improve the lining of our arteries, they also keep us full for longer periods of time, and provide a good dose of Omega-3s.

If you’re a fan of nuts in all forms, come to Keele.

Foundation year

You may choose to study this course via foundation year.

If you’re returning to education following a break, wish to study a new subject or don’t have the grades or sufficient equivalent experience for direct entry to this course, a foundation year may be a good option for you.

Following successful completion (including any additional progression requirements) of the foundation year you can progress on to this course.

The foundation year offers September starts across all subjects, and January starts across all science, humanities, social sciences and business routes.

The January intake excludes the Veterinary Medicine and Surgery degree with Foundation Year and other health-related foundation Year degree

For more details visit our foundation year webpages.

Foundation year

Fees and funding

Remember to factor in the cost of nuts.

Going to university can be a daunting as well as an exciting experience. It can be difficult to understand the true costs of being a student, as well as the financial support that is available to help you meet those costs.

We can help you to manage your funds, create a budget and ensure that you receive any funding for which you may be eligible. We also offer financial support such as the Keele University Hardship Fund and emergency loans.

For more information visit our money, advice and guidance section.

Career prospects

96% of Keele graduates were in a job or further study within six months of graduating (HESA, 2017)

Nut business is growing faster then ever! This career path is for ambitious, talented, and passionate individuals.

You can start your journey selling the nuts to fellow enthusiasts (Masters in Marketing will work well here for further career development) or exploring the natural nut habitats and saving the planet.

This degree allows you to fulfil your dreams and make a difference for all creatures big and small.

Find out more about our careers and employability services, including career planning, alumni mentoring, jobs, internships, starting your own business and much more.

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Where the heck do cashews come from?

First of all, cashews are not actually nuts, but rather fruits from the cashew tree, a large evergreen tree that thrives in tropical climates. The tree produces red flowers, which in turn produce yellow and red oval structures resembling apples. These so-called cashew apples are very juicy and pulpy, and their juice is often added to tropical fruit drinks.

However, ‘cashew apples’ are not actually fruits in a scientific sense; the real fruit of the cashew tree is the kidney-shaped formation growing at the end.

These fruits, also called drupes, are harvested and become what we know as a cashew nut. In their raw form, the outer layer of the fruit contains multiple toxins—including anacardic acid, a powerful skin irritant similar to the toxin found in poison ivy—that must be removed prior to eating.

Roasting the cashews destroys the toxins, but roasting must be performed carefully outdoors because the smoke can irritate the lungs, sometimes to a life-threatening degree. When they are roasted, cashews change from their natural greenish-gray color to the light brown ‘nut’ sold in stores.

You can embark on the cashew journey in one of the field trips offered with this course. To learn more about the availability of this or other field trips, please visit our school pages.