Overseas Students Postgraduate Prospectus

Keele University, located in the middle of England, is internationally recognised for the 

quality of its teaching and research. 

Every year we welcome postgraduate students from the UK and over 100 countries 

worldwide. Students come here because of our academic reputation, our courses 

relevant to careers, the excellence of our research and training, and our beautiful and 

spacious campus.

120 countries worldwide 

More than 50% of our 

full-time Masters students 

come from overseas 

We are in the top 5 for 

student satisfaction 

The top 100 in the Times 

Higher World’s best young 

universities Over 85% 

of our research is deemed 

world-class or of 

international importance 

We have a 94% Graduate 

employment rate.

About Keele 

Reasons to Choose Keele 1-2 

Study Options 3-4 

Great Support Network 5-6 

Supporting Students at Keele 7-8 

The Campus and Other Facilities 9-12 

The Local Area 13 

Travelling to Keele 14 

English Language Requirements 15-16 

Fees and Other Costs 17-18 

Fees and Scholarships 19-20 

Postgraduate Taught Applications 21-22 

Research Applications 23-26 

Faculty of Health 27 

Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences 28 

Faculty of Natural Sciences 29-30 

Research Institutes 31-40 

Subject Index 

Pre-Masters 43-44 

Business and Management 45-56 

Counselling 57-58 

Education 59-66 

Environment 67-70 

Health 71-74 

Humanities 75-82 

Information Technology 83-86 

Law 87-98 

Media Studies 99-100 

Medicine 101-112 

Physiotherapy 113-116 

Politics 117-120 

Psychology 121-128 

Science 129-134 

Social Science 135-142 

Get in Touch 145-146 

Get an insider’s welcome at: www.facebook.com/KeeleUniversity

Reasons to Choose Keele 

1

When you choose a postgraduate course or a research 

degree, you are making an investment for the future. 

You will be looking for a qualification that will enhance 

your career prospects and a university that will support 

you throughout your studies. 

• Keele is England’s largest university 

campus, with 617 acres of landscaped 

parkland, fields, woodlands and lakes. 

• The main campus is self-contained, 

with all teaching buildings, the 

Library, student residences, shops 

and entertainment all on site. 

Research and library facilities are also 

available at the University Hospital site 

and the Guy Hilton Research Centre. 

• Keele is a research-led university. 

In 2008, the most recent Research 

Assessment Exercise, 85% of our 

research was internationally recognised 

and 11% was rated as world-class. 

• Keele offers a range of full-time taught 

programmes, and a wide variety of 

research opportunities, with both taught 

and research components as well as 

international opportunities. 

• There are nearly 1,000 full-time 

postgraduate students each year, 

and over 1,500 part-time UK and 

EU postgraduates. 

• The Keele Postgraduate Association 

(KPA) provides excellent social facilities 

for postgraduate students and represents 

their interests to the University. 

• Accommodation is available on campus, 

and is offered to international students 

provided they apply for this by the 

stated deadline. 

• With international students being invited 

a few days before the start of semester. 

Welcome Week provides advice and 

guidance about starting your studies, 

as well as supporting you in sorting out 

finance and other practicalities 

• The University provides comprehensive 

learning support services for all students. 

For international students, English 

Language enhancement classes are 

available throughout their studies and 

the International Student Support 

Manager (www.keele.ac.uk/iss/ 

theinternationalstudentsupportteam) 

can help with any questions or issues 

about studying and living in Keele and 

the UK. It is even possible to add a foreign 

language to your studies through the 

Language Learning Unit, which offers six 

different languages across 10 levels. 

See www.keele.ac.uk/llu/ 

• A limited number of Keele International 

Student Scholarships (KISS) of up to 

£3,000 for exceptional candidates 

are available for Masters courses and 

occasionally research degrees, and for all 

students who have graduated from Keele 

with a first degree, a discount of £1,000 

is available on some taught postgraduate 

course tuition fees. For more details on 

bursaries and scholarships please check 

the website. 

2

Study Options 

Postgraduate Certificate 

and Modular Courses 

There are professional certificates 

in Leadership and Management, 

Teacher Education and in Law. 

Master and Postgraduate 

Diploma Courses 

The taught Masters course is 12 months 

full-time. The first two-thirds of the 

course is taught, with assessment 

through coursework and examinations. 

The final third of the course is a research 

project and writing of a dissertation. 

Students who do not wish to work on 

the dissertation can stop their studies 

after the taught elements and gain a 

Postgraduate Diploma. 

MRes 

The Master of Research provides 

an excellent introduction to research 

methods and provides a firm 

foundation for those who wish to 

pursue a research-related career or 

doctoral study in the Humanities and 

the Social Sciences. Students follow 

a structured programme of training 

in a range of research skills and 

methodologies, to enable them to 

approach a research project in a 

systematic and professional way. 

Increasingly, students wishing to 

take doctoral programmes in the 

Humanities and Social Sciences are 

required first to undertake a year’s 

research training (or equivalent), and an 

MRes programme will provide the 

preparation required to successfully 

complete a PhD. MRes programmes are 

usually one year in duration. 

MPhil 

Some people may prefer to take an 

MPhil degree which is a shorter 

programme with a smaller scale project 

then the PhD. These programmes 

comprise a thesis on a specified research 

topic, together with a selection of research 

training modules. They offer a broad 

training in the skills and techniques of 

contemporary research and can be taken 

as stand-alone degrees or as a step 

towards a higher research qualification. 

MPhil programmes are usually one year in 

duration. 

PhD 

The principal research degree available 

at Keele is the PhD, which includes the 

design and implementation of an original 

research project leading to the creation 

and interpretation of new knowledge. It is 

written up into a thesis which describes 

your research project, its definition, 

purpose, methods, results and conclusions. 

These are degrees by research alone, with 

a high level of research training. You will 

produce a thesis, which at PhD level is a 

work of original scholarship worthy of 

publication in a learned journal. You work 

closely with a supervisor who provides 

guidance and support. Standard PhDs are 

three years in duration. You will register 

for a number of formal research training 

modules, which will help you develop skills 

you need to carry out your research and 

broaden your generic skills as a 

professional researcher. International 

(non-EU/EEA) students can only register 

for a full-time PhD. However, we have a 

range of opportunities whereby part of 

the studies are carried out in countries 

where we have made arrangements with 

local universities, e.g. Turkey, Saudi Arabia, 

France and Pakistan. Most research 

3

degrees require a good first degree 

(usually at least a 2:1) or equivalent 

qualification in a relevant subject – some 

also require additional criteria such as 

relevant work experience. 

Professional Development 

Opportunities 

Keele offers continuing professional 

development in health subjects such as 

physiotherapy, nursing, postgraduate 

medicine and pharmacy and in many 

cases these short courses can build up 

into a higher qualification from Keele. 

All the professional courses (in health, 

medicine and social work) carry full 

external recognition and validation, 

so that you can be assured that you are 

continuing to gain relevant expertise 

during your career. 

www.keele.ac.uk/cpdcourses 

Research Registration 

and Timescales 

You may start your PhD or MPhil programme 

at any time of the year (though most start in 

September/ October). Timely completion is 

an important part of the discipline of 

research as it shows your skills at planning, 

time-management, and your ability to finish 

a long-term project. We expect most 

research students to have completed their 

PhD in 36-40 months and we provide 

training and support to this end. You must 

submit your thesis within the maximum 

period allowed, as set out below. 

Only in exceptional cases may these 

limits be exceeded. 

PhD – full-time 48 months 

MPhil – full-time 24 months 

The normal time for completion 

(full-time) is three years for a PhD, 

one year for an MPhil. 

Learn More 

Full details on any of these options 

can be found at 

www.keele.ac.uk/postgraduate and 

www.keele.ac.uk/pgresearch 

If you need any information about 

study modes, the type of programme 

which would be best for you, entry 

requirements or details on professional 

recognition, please contact the relevant 

Course Administrator. 

4

Great Support Network 

Teaching and Support 

Whether you have just graduated, are 

returning to university after several years 

in employment, or are coming to study 

in the UK for the first time – don’t worry, 

that is why we have a wide range of 

support services to ensure you get the 

most from your studies at Keele. 

For Taught Masters programmes, teaching 

will mainly be through lectures, seminars and 

small discussion groups where tutors will 

help direct your learning rather than telling 

you what you should know; those working 

towards a PhD will work closely with their 

supervisor. Whichever form of postgraduate 

study you elect, Keele offers a range of 

resources and support services to support 

you, including a comprehensive Careers 

Service which will help you prepare for 

employment as well as identify specific 

job and career opportunities. 

University Library 

The campus Library offers a variety 

of study environments ranging from 

silent to group study and has bookable 

rooms and individual study carrels. 

Wireless networking is widely available. 

The University also runs a Health Library 

based at the nearby University Hospital 

of North Staffordshire. The Library offers 

access to over 300,000 e-books, around 

600,000 print books and subscribes 

to approximately 6,000 journal titles, 

most of which are online. Specialist 

online databases are available to assist 

your research plus extensive print special 

collections and archives. You can also 

draw on the resources of other libraries 

through the inter-library loan service 

and the Library is also a member of the 

SCONUL (Society of College, National 

and University Libraries) Access scheme 

which enables postgraduate students to 

use and borrow from most other academic 

libraries in the UK. 

For more information on the Library see 

www.keele.ac.uk/library 

IT Services 

IT services supports computing facilities 

across Keele and the hospital campuses, 

from internet access in the study 

bedrooms on the main campus to open 

access PCs in the libraries and facilities 

in the teaching rooms. IT help and advice 

is available from the IT Service Desk 

which is based in the campus Library. 

All Keele students are given an IT account, 

giving access to the campus wired and 

wireless network, email, internet, the latest 

software, archived file storage space, 

colour and black and white printing. 

Keele IT is a member of the eduroam 

community which means that you 

can have access to wireless internet 

in participating institutions in the UK, 

Europe, Asia-Pacific, Canada and USA. 

For more information on the IT facilities 

see www.keele.ac.uk/it 

Email to see how we can support 

international students: iss@keele.ac.uk 

6

Supporting Students at Keele 

At Keele we are all committed to 

supporting and enhancing the student 

experience. University staff and the 

many support services all work together 

to provide a relevant, effective and 

comprehensive service. This ensures 

that all of our students are provided 

with the best opportunity to achieve 

and succeed in the beautiful learning 

and living environment that is Keele 

University. No matter what the question, 

issue or concern, we are here to support 

our students. Professional staff who have 

expertise in areas such as student finance, 

health, disability, accommodation or 

work-related problems are all committed 

to ensuring that our students learn the 

educational, personal and professional 

skills required to build the lives and 

careers they want. 

Student Support and Development 

Services is the first stop for any student 

requiring support, wanting course or 

careers advice or looking to get more 

involved in University life. With a broad 

range of support and development 

services, there will always be an answer 

to any question asked – whatever it 

might be. 

Student Support and Development 

Services (SSDS) is made up of a number 

of services, all of which aim to support 

and develop students whilst they are 

studying here at Keele. Staff are able 

to provide support, information and 

guidance in the following areas: 

• Money and finances 

• Careers and employability 

• Disability and dyslexia support 

• Study skills and support 

• Life in Halls of Residence 

• International student support 

• Counselling and emotional wellbeing 

7

Disability and Dyslexia Support 

The University welcomes applications 

from students with disabilities. 

We encourage you to discuss any issues 

you might have with our Disability Advisers 

prior to making an application for study, 

and if you have a mobility impairment 

we suggest that you make a visit to the 

campus at an early stage, if possible. This 

will enable you to make an informed choice 

about the suitability of the institution. 

The University has a number of 

accessible rooms in Halls of Residence. 

Where possible priority will be given to 

our disabled students. 

For further details about all services 

within Student Support and Development 

Services and information relating 

to student support at Keele, go to: 

www.keele.ac.uk/studentsupport 

Supporting International Students 

Staff in International Student Support 

are available to discuss any issues 

that may arise and will either give you 

advice and support, or direct you to the 

most appropriate source of help in the 

University. They also organise many 

vibrant International events on campus 

and trips across and beyond the UK for 

international students. 

To find out about the various services that 

SSDS can offer check out our webpages at: 

www.keele.ac.uk/studentsupport 

Independent Advice Unit, run by the 

Students’ Union, offers free, confidential 

and impartial advice on a range of issues 

including debt management, immigration 

and visa issues, employment, civil rights, 

and a range of other matters. There is a 

professional counselling service on campus 

and the Keele Postgraduate Association 

offers guidance to postgraduates. 

Health Care 

If you are under medical treatment or 

suffering from any disability you are asked 

to report to the University’s Medical Officer 

as soon as possible, bringing with you any 

relevant information from your own doctor. 

There is a dental service on campus under 

the charge of a full-time Dental Officer. 

All international students should register 

with a GP on campus or locally to be 

entitled to free medical care under the UK 

National Health Service (NHS), but you 

will need to pay the standard prescription 

charge for any prescribed medication. We 

advise international students to take out 

medical insurance for your time at Keele, 

as some treatments or repatriation to 

your home country will not be covered by 

the NHS. 

English Language Support 

Keele’s English Language Unit ensures 

that all students whose first language is 

not English have access to ongoing or 

as-needed language support, whether in 

the form of weekly classes or individual 

‘one-to-one’ sessions with our staff who 

are professional language specialists. 

Build your confidence and skills in English 

alongside your postgraduate degree 

studies – or even work towards an external 

English language qualification. See 

www.keele.ac.uk/llu for further details. 

8

The Campus and Other Facilities 

Keele Postgraduate Association 

The Keele Postgraduate Association 

(KPA) is Keele University’s union for 

postgraduates. Every postgraduate student 

is a member of Keele University Students’ 

Union (KUSU) and the KPA. We are 

your voice within the University; we are 

responsible for representing your academic 

needs and safeguarding your welfare. 

The KPA Clubhouse is located by 

Horwood and Keele Hall and is there to 

make sure you have a good time when 

you’re not studying. Why not visit when 

you come to look round. In the meantime, 

if you have any questions about being a 

postgraduate at Keele, don’t hesitate to 

drop me a line. 

Andy Irwin 

KPA President 2012-13 

Email: kpachair@keele.ac.uk 

www.keelepostgraduate.wordpress.com 

& www.facebook.com/Keelepostgrads 

The KPA has its own annually elected 

sabbatical officer (the KPA President) 

who is responsible for ensuring that 

postgraduate views are represented in 

all manner of university decision-making. 

As well as the President, the KPA has 

numerous part-time officers who support 

the various activities of the KPA. The KPA 

also runs its famous Clubhouse – situated 

behind the Students’ Union on the edge of 

Horwood Hall. The Clubhouse offers a 

leisure space for postgraduate students, 

serves the best food on campus and 

features a fantastic bar with frequent 

evening entertainment. We hope to be 

able to welcome you in the future. 

University Accommodation 

Keele campus is a fantastic place to 

live with a choice of accommodation, 

acres of gardens and woodland and 

just about everything you need is right 

here on campus. 

On Campus 

There are different types of 

accommodation, which are allocated in 

order of a list of priorities and so you are 

recommended to apply as early as possible 

if you have a particular preference for a 

type of room. If you apply by the end of 

June (to arrive at Keele in September) and 

will be a full-time student, you are given 

priority for an offer of accommodation. 

Most of the rooms for postgraduate 

students are single occupancy (we have 

some one-bedroom flats) and on a fixed, 

51-week letting period (which is the 

duration of the Masters programme). 

If you require a shorter time period (for 

instance if you are taking a Postgraduate 

Diploma) then you will need to look for 

accommodation off campus (see opposite). 

University accommodation is all 

self-catering, based in postgraduate 

blocks and houses. The rooms are centrally 

heated and fully furnished, with a bed, 

desk, chair, desk lamp and wardrobe as 

well as carpets and curtains or blinds; 

you will need to supply your own bed 

linen, towels, crockery, cooking utensils 

and cutlery – all these can be bought 

locally. International and EU students 

will also need to book accommodation 

for International Orientation. 

You will be sent an email with details of how 

to apply online for accommodation when 

you accept an offer of a place at Keele. 

Prices of accommodation for 2013/14 will 

be available in March 2013 and will be sent 

to all students who have applied to Keele. 

You will need to send an advance payment 

of £450 with your acceptance to secure the 

9

oom. Of this £300 will be used towards 

payment of the first instalment of 

accommodation fees. The remaining 

£150 is a deposit, which is refundable at 

the end of the occupancy period. 

All student rooms have a data point, so if 

you have a PC or laptop, you can connect 

to the University computer network and 

have Internet access. Currently this is a 

free service. For more information, go to 

www.keele.ac.uk/hallsnet 

All rooms are also fitted with a telephone. 

The service is operated on a pre-paid 

arrangement by phone card, which can 

be topped up as you use your telephone. 

All telephones can be used for internal 

calls without charge, and can receive 

incoming calls. 

Off Campus 

If you are coming to Keele with your family, 

there are a limited number of houses and 

flats available on campus. You can also 

find suitable accommodation off campus. 

The Student Accommodation Office can 

provide advice and information on 

properties in the local area which has some 

of the cheapest rents in the country. 

We strongly advise you to contact us as 

early as possible for details. Alternatively, 

you can find details of accommodation 

on: www.keelestudentpad.co.uk/home 

We recommend that students bringing 

their family travel alone to Keele a few 

weeks before the beginning of the course, 

when single accommodation can be rented 

at Keele on a temporary basis whilst 

looking for suitable accommodation in 

the local area. 

Watch the video: Life at Keele – 

UK and international students 

www.youtube.com/keeleuniversity 

Room type 

Room in a traditional block 

without a washbasin 

Total 

cost* 

*Please note that all fees quoted are 

2012-2013 rates and correct at time of 

going to print. 

Learn More 

For further details please contact 

Student Accommodation Office 

Keele University, Staffordshire 

ST5 5BG, United Kingdom 

Telephone: +44 (0) 1782 734152 

Email: accomenq@keele.ac.uk 

www.keele.ac.uk/studyatkeele/ 

accommodation/postgrads 

Places of Worship 

Approx. 

weekly rent 

£3,690 £73 

Room in a flat £3,882 £77 

En suite (includes shower, 

toilet and washbasin) 

£6,300 £124 

On campus we have an interdenominational 

Chapel, which provides a focus for 

Christian worship and a quiet/prayer room 

called The Space, which individuals of any 

or no faith can use for personal worship or 

quiet contemplation. 

There is a Mosque (located in Barnes 

Hall but open to all students on and off 

campus) with facilities for Muslim worship. 

There are also student societies dedicated 

to supporting students in their religious 

worship and life, including an Islamic 

Society, Keele Evangelical Christian Union 

and CathSoc. 

10

Eating and Shopping 

All student accommodation on 

campus has kitchen facilities so you 

can cook meals for yourself and for 

friends. There is a small supermarket 

on campus and two convenience stores. 

Each varies in size but they are designed 

to enable students to purchase essential 

food and drink items for self-catering, 

including many staple ingredients 

for international cuisine. Look out 

for our special offers each month in 

store. There are also two large 

supermarkets a short bus ride away 

in Newcastle-under-Lyme, and some 

excellent quality and good value 

eating places on campus. 

Many of the teaching rooms are 

located in the Chancellor’s Building 

where there is the Comus Restaurant, 

Le Café coffee shop and Vite and 

Eat takeaway selling sandwiches, 

cold snacks and hot and cold drinks. 

There are many other places to eat, 

drink and socialise including Hawthorns 

Restaurant, Lindsay Café Bar, Keele 

Postgraduate Association Clubhouse 

and the Students’ Union building. 

Student bars are located near 

to the main Halls of Residence 

and can be found at Hawthorns, 

Horwood and Barnes Halls. 

These small but lively bars each 

have their own distinctive character 

offering non-alcoholic and alcoholic 

drinks as well as social entertainment 

on a regular basis. 

All Keele students are issued with a 

‘Keele Card’ which, as well as being your 

Library and ID card, can also be used, 

with pre-paid credit, to buy food and 

drink on campus, with excellent discounts 

and offers on food and drink in many of 

the restaurants and cafés. 

You will also find a newsagents, 

bookshop, bank and several ATMs on 

campus, and the Students’ Union has 

a general shop selling stationery and 

other goods, a Post Office and a 

Print Shop for low cost printing and 

photocopying. For further information 

about restaurants, cafes, shops and 

bars including opening times visit: 

www.keele.ac.uk/tastekeele 

Sports 

There are excellent facilities for a 

wide range of indoor and outdoor 

sports at Keele. The University Sports 

Centre has a well-equipped Fitness 

Centre, an indoor climbing wall, 

courts for basketball, five-a-side 

football, badminton, squash, table 

tennis, netball, karate and aerobics. 

There are classes throughout the year 

in activities such as squash, trampolining, 

aerobics, yoga and keep fit. 

Outdoors there is an astro pitch and 46 

acres of playing fields for grass hockey, 

football and rugby, netball, tennis, cricket 

and almost anything else. There are two 

golf courses and a driving range just across 

the road from campus. The University 

Athletic Union organises over 30 sports 

clubs for fun and for competition. 

12

The Local Area 

Introduction to the Local Area 

The nearest town to Keele is 

Newcastle-under-Lyme which has a 

good selection of shops selling clothes, 

jewellery, electrical goods, books, CDs, 

DVDs, and two large supermarkets. 

There is also a Chinese medicine centre. 

Newcastle has a street market in the centre 

on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and 

Saturdays, with a farmers’ market on the 

last Friday of the month. Fruit and 

vegetables are probably cheaper here 

than anywhere else, and the market stalls 

are also a cheap source of pots and pans, 

crockery, bed linen, and clothing. 

There is a large, multi-screen cinema, a 

swimming pool and a public library, which 

has CDs and DVDs to borrow as well as 

books. The main shopping centre is Hanley, 

which is easily reached by bus from 

campus. Here there is a large shopping 

centre and a wide variety of shops and 

facilities. Festival Park, located between 

Newcastle and Hanley, has a cinema, 

bowling alley, a dry ski-slope, and a 

swimming pool with chutes, slides, etc. 

The main theatre for the area is the 

New Victoria Theatre, just outside the 

centre of Newcastle. There are regular 

features including a Shakespeare play in 

the early summer, and a pantomime at 

Christmas. The main theatre in Stoke-on- 

Trent is The Regent in Hanley, where West 

End plays and musicals are performed. 

The area around Keele is called 

‘The Potteries’ because this is the UK’s 

(indeed in its time one of the world’s) 

leading centre for pottery and fine china. 

There are a number of factories offering 

tours and demonstrations, together with 

the chance to visit their ‘seconds’ shops. 

13

Travelling to Keele 

The University is easily accessible by 

rail or road from most major English 

cities; London is less than two hours 

away by train and both Manchester 

and Birmingham international airports 

are within an hour’s drive. 

Keele University is two miles west of 

Newcastle-under-Lyme, on the A525 

road to Whitchurch, Nantwich and Crewe. 

Hawthorns Hall is a mile further west, 

just off the A525, in Keele village. 

A regular bus service through the 

campus connects the University with 

the neighbouring village of Keele, 

with the nearest town, Newcastle-under- 

Lyme, and also with the major local centres 

of Stoke-on-Trent and the Potteries. 

Arrival by Air 

Manchester International Airport 

This is the nearest airport to Keele (about 

40 miles away). Onward travel is easiest by 

National Express coach; you can also take a 

train to Stoke-on-Trent or Crewe stations. 

Birmingham International Airport 

Birmingham International airport is nearly 

60 miles from Keele. Onward travel using 

either train or coach is straightforward. 

Meet and Greet 

We offer a ‘Meet and Greet’ service for 

students who are starting in September, 

and who arrive at Manchester and 

Heathrow airports on specific dates. 

London Heathrow Airport 

The easiest way to travel from Heathrow 

to Keele is to travel to London Euston 

rail station on the Underground 

from Heathrow, then take the train 

to Stoke-on-Trent or Crewe. 

London Gatwick Airport 

If you are travelling by train, travel to 

London Victoria station (by coach or 

Underground) and then take the 

Underground (Victoria line) to 

London Euston rail station and take 

the train to Stoke-on-Trent or Crewe. 

The National Express coach from 

Gatwick to Stoke-on-Trent (Hanley bus 

station) requires you to change coaches 

at Birmingham. 

Arrival by Rail 

The nearest railway station is 

Stoke-on-Trent; there is a connecting bus 

service to the University or take a taxi. 

Alternatively, travel to Crewe railway station 

and use the hourly bus service to Keele 

village, or a taxi. 

Arrival by Coach 

Coaches from all parts of the country 

call at Hanley or Newcastle-under-Lyme 

bus stations. Buses to Keele leave every 

15 minutes. 

Arrival by Car 

From the North – leave the M6 motorway at 

junction 16 and, turning left, follow the A500 

and the A34 to Newcastle-under-Lyme, then 

onto the A525 Whitchurch road to Keele. 

From Manchester Airport – take the M56 

westbound to exit 7 for the A556 to M6 

southbound. Then proceed as directed 

‘from the north. 

From the East – follow the main roads to 

Newcastle-under-Lyme, then onto the A525 

Whitchurch road to Keele. 

From the South – leave the M6 motorway 

at junction 15 and follow the A519 to 

Newcastle-under-Lyme, then onto the 

A525 Whitchurch road to Keele. 

From the West – from Crewe: approach 

by the A525 road; from Shrewsbury: 

via the A53. 

14

English Language Requirements 

International students are students who 

come from another country apart from the 

United Kingdom. However, for the purposes 

of tuition fees, students from the EU are 

classified as home students. This section 

applies to all international students unless 

otherwise stated. 

If you are unclear about your status, 

please contact either Keele International 

Admissions international@keele.ac.uk 

or if you are an EU or EEA student, 

contact the Home Admissions Team at 

homeeuadmissions@keele.ac.uk 


If English is not your first language, 

we will usually ask you to take one of the 

internationally recognised English language 

qualifications for entry to Keele, such as 

IELTS or TOEFL. The standard English 

language requirements are listed opposite. 

Equivalent TOEFL and Pearson scores are 

listed on our website at 

www.keele.ac.uk/international 

Pre-sessional English Course 

If you do not have current documentation 

of the required level of English language, 

you must either retake your language test 

or attend and successfully complete a 

Keele pre-sessional (summer) English 

course before the start of your 

postgraduate studies. Please note that 

there are additional fees for these courses 

which can be found at 

www.keele.ac.uk/llu/englishlanguage 

Our pre-sessional English courses provide 

an excellent opportunity for you to 

strengthen your academic English skills 

and your fluency in English. Attending a 

pre-sessional English course will provide 

you with a valuable ‘head start’ to 

achieving academic success, as well as a 

chance to become familiar with English 

culture, customs, food and weather. 

Many students who have met the English 

language requirement for their Keele 

course choose to take a summer English 

course as they know this will help them 

prepare for their Masters or PhD studies. 

We offer a 6-week and a 12-week 

pre-sessional English course. Your current 

level of English will determine the most 

appropriate course for you. 

We will send you an application for the 

relevant pre-sessional course with your 

offer of a place at Keele. 

Visa Requirements 

If you have fulfilled your other academic 

requirements and have enrolled on a 

pre-sessional course, you will be given 

an unconditional offer of a place at Keele. 

This means that you only need to apply 

for one visa to cover your entire study 

time at Keele. 

15

Standard English 

Language Requirements 

MAs in Humanities and Social Sciences 

including Keele Management School and 

Law IELTS 6.5 (with no sub-tests lower 

than 5.5) unless stated differently in the 

course entry. 

MA in Counselling 

Psychology/Psychology Studies IELTS 7.0 

(minimum of 6.5 in each sub-test) 

MA in Climate Change Studies/ 

Environmental Politics/Environmental 

Sustainability and Green Technology/ 

Diplomatic Studies/European Politics 

and Culture/Global Security/International 

Relations/Political Parties and Elections 

IELTS 6.5 (with a minimum of 6.0 in 

each sub-test) 

MSc in Information Technology and 

Management/Internet and Web 

Technologies/Blood Sciences/Biomedical 

Engineering/Cell and Tissue 

Engineering/Molecular Parasitology and 

Vector Biology/Scientific Research Training 

IELTS 6.5 (with no sub-test below 5.5) 

Applied Clinical Anatomy 

(PG Cert)/MSc Neurological Rehabilitation/ 

Neuromusculoskeletal Health 

Care/Physiotherapy 

IELTS 6.5 (with no sub-test lower than 6.0) 

MSc Child Social Development/Clinical 

Psychological Research/Psychology/ 

Psychology of Health & Wellbeing IELTS 6.5 

(with no sub-test lower than 5.5) 

16

Fees and Other Costs 

The international tuition fees for 2013/14 

will be listed on our website 

www.keele.ac.uk/postgraduate from November. 

Deposits 

All self-funding applicants, holding an unconditional 

place, which they have firmly accepted will be 

required to pay a £2,000 deposit. The deposit will be 

used towards the first instalment of your tuition fees. 

You will be required to pay a deposit if you are a 

self-funding student who has either: 

a) Been issued with an unconditional offer and 

firmly accepted this offer or 

b) Been issued with a conditional offer, are in receipt 

of your results and Keele has confirmed that they 

are happy to accept you on the basis of these, 

and you have firmly accepted your offer. 

We must have received your deposit before 

we can issue you with a CAS (Confirmation of 

Acceptance of Studies) number for your visa 

application. The amount of fees paid will be 

stated on the CAS statement, and the UK Border 

Agency has indicated that payments of deposits 

can substantially support a visa application. 

If you are in receipt of a full scholarship you 

must send us evidence of this as soon as you 

are able. A CAS number will not be issued 

until we receive this evidence. 

Scholarships and Bursaries 

The following scholarships and bursaries are 

available only to international students paying 

overseas tuition. 

North American Tuition 

Breaks and Bursaries 

We offer specific funding opportunities for 

students from North America. 

For further details see: 

www.keele.ac.uk/studentfunding/ 

bursariesfornastudents 

There are tuition breaks as well as the 

NAFKU scholarship. 

Santander Scholarships 

We have a range of scholarships funded by the 

Santander Bank for students from Latin America. 

For further details see: 

www.keele.ac.uk/studentfunding/santander 

Commonwealth Shared 

Scholarship Scheme 

Commonwealth Shared Scholarships may be 

available for students from Commonwealth 

countries for courses that have a development 

aspect. Please enquire at the time of applying for 

the following courses: 

Human Rights, Globalisation and Justice 

Environmental Sustainability and Green Technology 

Environmental Politics 

Gender, Sexuality and Human Rights 

Diplomatic Studies 

Global Security 

KISS (Keele International 

Student Scholarship) 

Scholarships of up to £3,000 towards the cost of 

annual tuition fees are available for postgraduate 

taught courses for exceptional candidates. 

For more information see: 

www. keele.ac.uk/international/ 

thinkingofapplying/postgraduatetaughtmasters 

degrees/feesandscholarshipinformation 

Occasional KISS Scholarships may be available for 

outstanding candidates for postgraduate research 

courses. Please contact the relevant Research 

Institute via www.keele.ac.uk/research 

Natural Science Bursaries 

A scholarship of £1,000 is on offer to all 

international students who start a postgraduate 

taught course within the Faculty of Natural 

Sciences in 2013. The scholarship is guaranteed 

and will be deducted from the tuition fees. 

Normally these bursaries or scholarships cannot 

be held concurrently. 

See also Fees and Scholarships page 19. 

17

General Living Costs 

If you live on campus, your accommodation costs 

for 2013/14 will be in the range of £3,700-£6,300, 

depending upon the type of accommodation you 

choose (see page 9). Other living costs vary but 

we estimate that you will need in total at least 

£800 per month, plus the cost of travel to and 

from Keele. You will need to demonstrate to the 

UK Border Agency that you have £800 per month 

in order to be eligible for a TIER 4 visa. 

Employment 

International full-time students can take up 

part-time paid work whilst studying in the UK, 

for up to 20 hours per week. If you are married 

and your spouse is with you in the UK, your 

spouse is also allowed to work, provided that 

you are enrolled on a course that lasts for at least 

12 months (e.g. a Masters or PhD programme). 

There are a number of part-time jobs available 

on campus, particularly in our catering outlets, 

and various opportunities in local businesses. 

The University has a ‘JobShop’ which helps 

students find work. Please remember, however, 

that you must not allow paid work to interfere 

with your academic studies. 

Student Visas 

If you have unlimited leave to remain in the UK, 

a right of abode or other immigration status which 

does not have any restrictions or time limit on your 

stay in the UK (such as British Nationals Overseas 

passport), then you can travel to the UK for study 

at any time. If you do not have this status, you will 

have to apply for entry clearance (a ‘visa’) to study 

in the UK and in order to gain this, Keele must 

provide you with a serial number known as a 

Confirmation of Acceptance of Studies (CAS); 

this is issued by the UK Border Agency. 

When you receive an unconditional offer of a 

place from Keele, we will send you a ‘CAS 

Checklist’ letter which contains personal details 

including your date of birth and travel document 

number and details of any deposits you have 

made. You must check and sign this and return it 

to Keele International. 

We will then issue you with a unique CAS number 

and you should present this with your visa 

application to confirm that you have a formal 

offer of a place to study full-time. You will also be 

required to provide evidence that you have 

sufficient funds to cover your studies. 

The process of applying for a visa can take quite 

a few weeks, so the earlier you can make your 

application to Keele for a place on a course, 

the earlier we can process your application and 

provide you with all relevant paperwork. 

However, we cannot issue a CAS more than three 

months prior to the start date of your course. 

Please note that a condition of your student visa 

is that you can show that you have sufficient 

funds available to you to cover the full cost of 

your studies in the UK. Currently you will have 

to show bank statements with a minimum of 

£800 per month plus the total tuition fee for one 

year of your course (minus the £2,000 deposit). 

The tuition fee will be in your letter of offer. 

Full details are given at www.ukvisas.gov.uk 

Overseas Representatives 

Keele works with a number of overseas 

representatives (agents), based in countries 

including Brunei, China, the Gulf States, 

Hong Kong, India, Kenya, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, 

Taiwan and Vietnam. We select our agents 

carefully and keep in contact with them regularly. 

Many of our agents have staff who have visited 

Keele, so they have seen our campus and facilities. 

We also send Keele staff to the agents’ offices a 

number of times each year. 

For details see www.keele.ac.uk/international/ 

thinkingofapplying/localrepresentatives 

These representatives can advise you on courses 

at Keele and help you with your application for 

Keele and for a visa. 

You do not have to apply to Keele through an agent 

– you can make an independent application and all 

applications are given the same consideration. 

18

Fees & Scholarships 

The University charges an annual tuition 

fee. This covers the cost of your tuition, 

examination and graduation, and includes 

membership of the National Union of 

Students. Fees are payable at the start of 

your programme. 

The fees you pay depend on whether you 

are classed as an overseas student for fees 

purposes. The criteria for definition are 

set by the British Government. For further 

information a brief guide is available at 

www.ukcisa.org.uk 

It is important that you plan correctly 

how much you will be spending over the 

duration of your course at Keele University. 

Tuition fees are fixed but your living 

expenses may vary. 

Postgraduate Research Tuition 

Fees 2012-13 

PhD, MD, DM, and MPhil Degrees 

Overseas students 

Non-laboratory programmes £10,750 

Laboratory programmes £13,500 

Intermediate disciplines* £12,500 

*Intermediate disciplines include: Pure or Applied 

Mathematics, Statistics, Geography, Pharmacy, 

Nursing, Midwifery and Physiotherapy. 

Postgraduate Taught Masters 

Details of course fees can be 

found on the relevant course entry at 

www.keele.ac.uk/pgtcourses 

Please note fees will be subject to an 

annual increase each year (usually no 

more than 3-5% although the University 

reserves the right to apply higher levels 

of increase). 

PhD Degree 

The standard annual tuition fees for 

2012-13 are listed in the table opposite. 

Please note fees will be subject to an annual 

increase each year (usually no more than 

3-5% although the University reserves the 

right to apply higher levels of increase). 

KPA Bursaries 

The KPA has successfully launched 

a bursary scheme which aims to 

provide additional financial support to 

postgraduate students in undertaking 

training and dissemination and research 

activities. The bursaries are open to ALL 

postgraduates at Keele and awards given 

can reach a maximum of £500 for each 

individual applicant. Last year, through the 

bursary scheme, the KPA supported 10 

students, funding them collectively with 

just under £3,500. This funding was used 

to support a range of activities including: 

training in the use of specialist scientific 

equipment, attendance at conferences 

and workshops, and use of the National 

Archive in Kew. 

Studentships 

Keele University has a number of 

studentships available; these are 

funded internally or from external 

sponsors such as research councils or 

from industry. If you are interested in 

any of the studentships available you 

can apply online. 

19

Postgraduate Taught Applications 

Entry Requirements 

The particular entry requirements for each course 

are given on the Keele website www.keele.ac.uk/ 

postgraduate As a general rule, you will need the 

equivalent of a UK honours degree at second-class 

standard or higher and if English is not your first 

language, you will need to provide an appropriate 

qualification. Staff will be happy to advise on the 

acceptability of your qualifications before you apply. 


Anyone applying from a country where English 

is not the first language is required to show 

evidence of English language competence, 

obtaining at least an IELTS score of 6.5 

(with no sub-test lower than 5.5) or hold a 

previous degree which has been taught and 

examined in English, unless the specific entry 

for the course indicates otherwise. 

For a comparison of IELTS scores to other English 

Language qualifications please see: 

www.keele.ac.uk/english-languagerequirements 

Making an Application 

Keele has an online application form which is 

available at www.keele.ac.uk/postgraduate 

There is no application fee. 

This online application will allow you to complete 

your personal details and enter your qualifications 

(those completed or those you are still studying for). 

You can also upload your personal statement and 

scanned/PDF copies of transcripts and copies of 

certificates. When you make an application you will 

be given a web login to allow you to track the 

progress of your application, and submit any further 

information required prior to the submission of your 

application. Full details are given on the website. 

Please note that we encourage you to apply as soon 

as possible, and before you complete any 

qualifications required for entry, including English 

language tests where appropriate. You will need to 

include a personal statement, explaining why you 

are applying for the particular course and including 

details of any relevant work or professional 

experience. You will need to supply Keele University 

with originals or certified copies of relevant 

qualifications before you will be allowed to enrol 

at Keele. 

Courses where applications are not 

through Keele 

Applications for some professional courses are made 

through a national central admissions system. If you 

wish to apply for these courses you should contact 

the following: 

Postgraduate Certificate of Education (PGCE) 

Contact: Graduate Teacher Training Registry (GTTR) 

www.gttr.ac.uk 

MA in Social Work 

Contact: Universities and Colleges Admissions 

Service (UCAS) 

www.ucas.com 

Common Professional Exam in Law (CPE) 

Contact: CPE Central Applications Board 

www.lawcabs.ac.uk 

The MSc course in Molecular Parasitology and 

Vector Biology is run jointly by the Universities of 

Keele, Manchester and Salford, and all applications 

are handled by Salford. You may obtain details of 

the course from the School of Life Sciences at Keele 

(and the website), but application forms should be 

obtained from, and sent to: 

Admissions Secretary 

School of Environment and 

Life Sciences 

University of Salford, Salford 

Manchester M5 4WT, UK 

Telephone: +44 (0) 161 295 5525 

Email: info-els@salford.ac.uk 

www.els.salford.ac.uk 

Closing Dates 

For MSc Neuromusculoskeletal Health Care, 

MSc Physiotherapy and MSc Neurological 

Rehabilitation, there is an application closing 

date of 30 June 2013, and we will only consider 

applications from applicants who meet all conditions 

of entry to the course and supply all their relevant 

documentation to us by 31 July 2013. 

For the majority of courses there is no official closing 

date but we advise that applications for courses that 

start in September should, if possible, be made by 

the end of June at the very latest. 

21

If you know that you are not able to meet our 

English language requirements, you should apply 

earlier, so that an offer can be made to attend a 

pre-sessional English Language course. If you wish 

to live on campus it is particularly important that 

you apply early. 

If you apply later than one month before the start of 

your intended course, we cannot guarantee that all 

the paperwork will be completed by the start date. 

Processing Applications 

You will receive an acknowledgement of your 

application within 24 hours and we aim to process 

applications, and dispatch our decision on 

your application, within 10 working days. You 

should note that the processing of your 

application might be delayed if the information 

provided on your form is incomplete or if we are 

awaiting copies of qualifications. Sometimes our 

offer of a place is conditional upon performance in 

examinations that you still have to take – this could 

include English language tests. Offers may also be 

conditional on you sending us references, 

certificates or transcripts. Once a decision on your 

application has been reached, this will be sent to 

you by email. 

Please make sure that you send us all relevant 

information as soon as possible, otherwise there 

may be a delay in making your offer unconditional 

and this will delay us issuing you with the paperwork 

for you to apply for your student visa. 

Accepting a Place 

Once you have received your offer, you will need 

to email us to accept your offer. Full details of 

how to do this will be in your offer letter. 

Please note that if we make you an offer of a 

place at Keele, this does not mean that the 

University will provide any financial assistance. 

Any scholarship or bursary awards will be made 

to you separately. 

If you accept an offer from Keele, you must agree 

to observe the Charter, Statutes, Ordinances and 

Regulations of the University. 

If you have declared a disability on your 

application form, and if we make you an offer of a 

place, then we will inform our Disability Services 

Co-ordinator who will contact you to discuss your 

support needs (see also page 8). 

Pre-arrival Information 

Once you have accepted the unconditional offer 

of a place at Keele, or met the conditions of any 

offer, then you will be sent pre-arrival information. 

We will send this out from July 2013 for students 

starting their course in September 2013. In addition, 

your School will contact you about starting your 

course and any preparations you need to make. 

The actual date of your arrival in the UK will also 

be affected by whether you are taking any 

pre-sessional English Language courses. 

How to Pay 

Tuition fees can be paid in a maximum of two 

instalments. For September starters payments are 

due in October and January. For students living in 

University accommodation payment is split into 

three instalments of 40%, 40% and 20% with 

payments due in October, January and May. 

The exact dates will be specified on the 

invoice you receive once you have enrolled at 

the University. 

Keele University accepts payments by the 

following methods: cash, cheque, credit or debit 

card, bank transfer, online through eVision or by 

direct debit. 

Sponsored students must provide written 

confirmation from their sponsor of the amount 

of funding they are receiving, together with full 

address details and any reference that needs to 

be quoted on the invoice. 

For general enquiries and to make payment of 

fees please contact the Income Office either by 

email income@keele.ac.uk or by telephone 

+ 44 (0) 1782 733469 / 734323 / 734324 / 733152 

or go to www.keele.ac.uk/finance/income 

International Study Centre 

Should you not match Keele’s postgraduate degree 

entrance requirements, you can take the Pre-Masters 

programme at the International Study Centre. 

See www.keele.ac.uk/isc for further details. 

Learn More 

If you have any questions about Keele courses 

and acceptable qualifications, please see 

www.keele.ac.uk/studyatkeele 

For details of our Masters courses refer to the 

taught directory: www.keele.ac.uk/pgtcourses 

22

Research Applications 

This section is designed to guide you through the 

processes so that the correct decision is made 

both for yourself and for Keele. 

We focus on applications for PhD programmes, 

but the same processes apply to MPhil 

programmes and include the following steps: 

• Should you seek direct entry to a PhD or do a 

Masters degree first? 

• Contact the Research Institute 

• Check the entry requirements including English 

language requirements 

• Explore funding options 

• Make a formal application 

Note that the application process for professional 

doctorates is more straightforward and you can 

either first contact the Research Institute 

informally or make a direct application. 

Should you seek direct entry to a 

PhD or do a Masters degree first? 

Direct entry from a good first degree (normally a 

2.1 or above) is still the norm in science disciplines, 

but most humanities and social science disciplines 

also look for relevant research training in the form 

of a Masters qualification before they will accept 

students to a PhD. Many of these programmes 

give MRes qualifications, but some give other 

qualifications (MA, MSc) though they are still 

essentially research training. 

MRes programmes have been designed to provide a 

formal research training programme as preparation 

for a PhD or a research career. 

For a full A-Z list of research areas available at 

Keele please go to 

www.keele.ac.uk/researchsubjects 

For details of our Masters courses including MRes 

courses, refer to the taught directory: 

www.keele.ac.uk/pgtcourses 

Contact the Research Institute 

All research is conducted within the Research 

Institutes (RIs), and contact details for these 

are available from the website. 

We recommend that once you have identified 

the subject area in which you wish to undertake 

a research degree, you contact the respective 

RI to express your interest in applying. This 

pre-application stage will allow you to discuss 

your research proposal, supervision and entry to 

the research programme and identify whether 

further work on a Keele application is likely to 

be productive. 

It is useful to give the following information in 

your first email or other contact: 

• Name 

• Intended degree (PhD or MPhil) 

• Broad field of intended research (discipline) 

• More specific topic(s) of interest 

• Either a brief research proposal or some 

research ideas or a request for projects in your 

preferred subject area 

• Indicate any preferred supervisor if known 

• Indicate whether you are seeking funding 

• University-level qualifications (including class 

of first degree, GPA or final overall percentage) 

and relevant professional experience 

• English Language qualification, where applicable 

The RI will be able to give you a preliminary view 

about whether your proposed research and 

background would be a good fit with their 

research strengths and, if so, identify an 

appropriate supervisor. They will also be able to 

give an initial view about funding opportunities. 


Before submitting an application, ensure that you 

meet the entry requirements. 

• Qualifications and experience – any academic 

and professional qualifications or industrial 

experience you may have are normally taken 

into account, and in some cases form an integral 

part of the entrance requirement 

• Research programmes – entry to our research 

programmes usually requires an honours degree 

with a first or 2.1 classification, or the equivalent if 

you have been educated outside the UK 

23

• Non-standard qualifications – if your 

qualifications are non-standard or different from 

the entry requirements stated, please contact 

the relevant Research Institute to discuss 

whether your application would be considered 

• Check you have met the required English 

language requirements 

Please note: Entry to many programmes is highly 

competitive; consequently, we also consider the 

skills, attributes, motivation and potential for 

success of an individual when deciding whether to 

make an offer. 

After we have received your application, you may, 

if you live in the UK, be invited for an interview or 

to visit us to discuss your application. 


In addition to academic qualifications, you are 

very likely to be required to produce evidence of 

your English language ability. This is because in 

order to benefit from your studies, you need to 

demonstrate that you have a good level of written 

and spoken English before taking up a place here. 

Some research programmes may have slightly 

different requirements than those stated and the 

offer will include full details where this is the case. 

Please see the table below and check the website 

for details for specific programmes. 

For a comparison with other English Language 

qualifications please see: 

www.keele.ac.uk/pgresearch/ 

entryrequirements/ 

englishlanguagerequirements 

If you hold a first and/or second degree which 

has been taught and examined in English, 

you are likely to be exempt from the English 

Language requirement. 

Explore Funding Options 

It is your responsibility to ensure you have 

sufficient funds to pay your annual tuition fees 

and to cover living expenses. The latest 

studentships can be found at 

www.keele.ac.uk/pgrstudentships 

Make a Formal Application 

No formal offer will be made until an online 

application has been submitted. 

Online Application and 

Relevant Documentation 

To complete an online application, please note 

you will need the following information: 

• An outline of your proposed research. Contact 

the Research Institute to establish whether this 

should be a full research proposal or a summary 

of interest, experience and expertise 

• Copies of transcripts and certificates verifying 

your qualifications 

• Details of two references from referees who can 

comment on your academic and professional 

work as appropriate. Please provide email 

addresses for your referees. Referees are 

automatically emailed when you submit an 

online application. We will accept references 

that are emailed directly if they are sent from 

the referee’s own academic or professional 

email address 

If you have already been in discussion with an RI 

and prospective supervisor, please make sure that 

you indicate clearly on the form the relevant 

Research Institute and name of the supervisor. 

English Language Requirements: IELTS 

Subject Area 

Science, Medicine, Pharmacy and Physiotherapy 

Business, Health Sciences, Humanities, Public Policy and 

Social Sciences 

Education and Law 

IELTS Score 

6.0 with no less than 5.5 in any sub-test 



24

Research Applications 

If you are currently undertaking a Masters degree 

you must supply transcripts of your work to date 

and a reference from your course director. If you 

are accepted on this basis and start your PhD 

programme before results of your Masters degree 

are confirmed, you will be required to confirm you 

have passed the Masters degree before the end of 

December. If you have not passed you may be 

required to withdraw from the PhD programme. 

Start Dates and 

Application Deadlines 

You may commence your research degree 

(PhD or MPhil) at any time during the year. 

However, most orientation programmes and 

research training modules assume that students 

will normally be starting their research degree in 

September (which most students do). Professional 

Doctorate programmes have specific start dates – 

please check these with the relevant Research 

Institute. It may also be difficult to find campus 

accommodation for students wishing to start at 

times of the year other than September. 

There is no closing date for applications and forms 

may be submitted at any time during the year. 

However, you are advised to allow at least a month 

to complete all necessary procedures before the 

intended start of your programme. If you wish to 

live on campus (full-time students only) it is 

particularly important that you apply early. 

Processing Your Application 

and Accepting a Place 

Once we receive your application form, we will 

need to identify an appropriate supervisor and 

see whether you are suitable for a doctoral 

programme. Some Research Institutes will also 

wish to ensure that you have appropriate funding 

for the whole programme. To help us process your 

application as quickly as possible, please follow 

any advice given to you by the Research Institute 

and make sure you stay in touch. Please note that 

if we make you an offer of a place at Keele, this 

does not mean that the University will provide any 

financial assistance. Any studentship, scholarship 

or bursary awarded will be indicated on your offer 

or made to you separately 

The Research Institute will contact you about your 

application as soon as it has been considered, 

and may also get in touch to request additional 

information about your application or your project 

prior to a final decision being made. 

Once a decision has been reached, we will advise 

you whether or not it has been possible to offer 

you a place. Sometimes our offer of a place 

is conditional upon performance in examinations 

that you still have to take – this could include 

English Language tests. Any offer is subject to 

your agreement to observe the Charter, Statutes, 

Ordinances and Regulations of the University. 

Details are in our offer pack. If you accept our 

offer you will be understood to have given such 

an agreement. 

All formal offers are issued by the University – 

you should not accept any other assurances that 

you have been offered a place. 

The offer of a place carries no implication that the 

University will provide financial assistance. You will 

be required to find sufficient funding for the tuition 

fees and for your living expenses. 

Pre-arrival Information 

Once you have accepted the unconditional offer 

of a place at Keele, or met the conditions of any 

offer, you will then be sent pre-arrival information 

with details for starting your programme and any 

preparations you need to make. EU students will 

be invited to join International Orientation run in 

September and organised by the International 

Student Support Team. 

25

The Small Print 

Applicants must note that, by accepting a place at Keele 

University, they give an undertaking to abide by the rules and 

regulations in force, both academic and disciplinary. It is the 

responsibility of students to make themselves familiar with 

these rules and regulations, and to understand that any 

breaches may lead to disciplinary action. 

Information given in this prospectus is accurate at the time of 

printing. The University cannot guarantee, however, that all 

courses will be available, in exactly the form and detail 

described, to students entering the University from September 

2013. It may be necessary to vary the content or availability of 

some courses after students have been admitted. 

26

Faculty of 

Health 

Exciting opportunities exist within the Faculty 

for postgraduate study in terms of both taught 

programmes and research degrees, undertaken 

either full or part-time, with opportunities for 

work-based learning in the latter case. In addition, 

most individual modules can be taken on a 

stand-alone basis, either as part of continuing 

professional development or as a means of 

working towards a postgraduate award over a 

period of up to five years. An increasing number 

of modules are delivered partly or wholly via 

distance learning. 

Most taught programmes provide awards at 

certificate, diploma and Masters degree level, 

thus allowing a range of exit points. Whilst 

some programmes are oriented to specific 

professional disciplines – such as medicine, 

nursing, pharmacy and physiotherapy – others 

are interdisciplinary and cater for those with 

either a professional or an academic interest in 

health and healthcare. 

All these programmes include a focus on 

research and the interpretation of evidence. 

In addition, the MRes Health Research provides a 

comprehensive training in research methodology, 

and forms excellent preparation for a research 

degree or a career in health services research. 

Most programmes allow a choice of option 

modules from within the Faculty, and from other 

Faculties in the University. Accreditation of prior 

certificated or experiential learning is possible. 

Postgraduate research degrees – MPhil or 

PhD – are provided by the two Research 

Institutes in the Faculty, each of which has an 

international research reputation. The Institute for 

Science and Technology and Medicine conducts 

research in a range of multi-disciplinary areas 

including biomedical engineering, neuroscience, 

medical imaging, pharmacy, genetics and the 

mechanisms and control of diseases such as 

diabetes, stroke, cancers, respiratory and 

metabolic conditions. The Institute for Primary 

Care and Health Sciences houses the Arthritis 

Research UK National Primary Care Centre and 

conducts research principally on the epidemiology 

and conservative management of musculoskeletal 

pain and other chronic conditions, with not only a 

principal focus on the primary care context, but 

also a growing interest in the primary/secondary 

care interface. A professional doctorate is available 

in medicine (DM). This provides advanced 

professional and academic training and a supervised 

research project at doctoral level, though normally 

of smaller scale than in a PhD. 

27

Faculty of 

Humanities and Social Sciences 

The Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences 

is the largest in the University, with over 200 

academic staff and 1,000 postgraduate students. 

Our six Schools offer a number of postgraduate 

programmes across a wide range of humanities 

and social science subject areas to suit students 

with many different interests, aspirations and 

levels of experience, from recent graduates 

seeking to improve their prospects in a 

competitive jobs market or to prepare themselves 

for doctoral study, to experienced professionals 

aiming to extend their skills and knowledge. 

Our professionally accredited programmes allow 

students to gain the qualifications needed for 

entry into teaching, law and social work, and those 

already in professional roles to satisfy continuing 

professional development requirements. 

Within the Faculty we take great care to match the 

mode of delivery to the needs of our diverse body 

of students. We therefore offer traditional full-time 

masters programmes alongside part-time and 

block-taught programmes which allow study to 

be combined with full-time work. Some of our 

programmes can be built up from individual 

modules taken over a number of years, and many 

of our modules can be taken individually for 

academic credit and/or CPD points without the 

need to be registered for a full degree programme. 

Many of the academic staff in the Faculty have 

national and international reputations for 

scholarship and research, and together with support 

staff they have many years’ experience of delivering 

our programmes and of supporting students. 

The Faculty is also home to the Language Learning 

Unit, which provides a service to the whole 

University, including English Language modules for 

non-native speakers designed especially for 

postgraduate students. 

Many of our taught programmes provide ideal 

preparation for research degrees (MPhil, PhD and 

Professional Doctorates). Our research degrees 

provide opportunities to develop specialist 

expertise and high-quality research skills. 

Every research student is attached to one of the 

Faculty’s two Research Institutes (Humanities or 

Social Sciences), and works with a supervisory 

team whose expertise is carefully matched to the 

student’s project. 

The Research Institutes are vibrant research 

communities that bring together research students 

and academic colleagues across the disciplines, 

offering rigorous research training and a range of 

development opportunities. Each year they run a 

full and diverse programme of research events and 

training activities, shaped by the needs, priorities 

and preferences of students. As members of the 

Institutes, research students can apply for funding 

support to attend external training programmes, 

undertake archival research or fieldwork and 

present work at conferences. Funds are also 

available to support research students as they 

organise research events such as symposia and 

specialist workshops. The Institutes are pleased to 

offer an array of training on broader topics, such 

as: accessing funding for research, using social 

media in research and public/media engagement. 

Every year the Faculty offers full and part 

studentships for research, as well as a number of 

Graduate Teaching Assistantships. In partnership 

with Salford University, Keele is also able to offer a 

number of Arts and Humanities Research Council 

studentships for taught and research programmes. 

28

Faculty of 

Natural Sciences 

The Faculty of Natural Sciences at Keele University 

has an international reputation for quality in 

teaching and research, which means that you will 

receive knowledge and training at the cutting edge 

of your chosen discipline. 

The Faculty offers postgraduate degrees across 

a wide range of subjects. Many of our postgraduate 

taught programmes are offered through a 

part-time route, giving you an opportunity to 

develop and/or refresh your skills whilst undertaking 

other commitments. 

Employability is one of the key priorities within our 

Faculty, and we have strong connections with 

national and international industrial partners and 

research institutes. Many of our postgraduate 

programmes give you an opportunity to undertake 

an internship or a project with industry or research 

institutes, not only in the UK but within the rest of 

the world. 

Over the last few years, facilities within the Faculty 

of Natural Sciences have benefited from five million 

pounds worth of investment which has been utilised 

in refurbishing laboratories and postgraduate 

study rooms. This means that you will have the 

best facilities to undertake your study. 

As well as additional English language 

support available for overseas students, 

if needed, you are guaranteed the support of a 

personal tutor throughout your study. Personal 

tutors give advice and valuable feedback on your 

assignments, allowing you to improve your 

performance and develop the skills you will need 

for your future career. 

The quality of our support and the student 

experience is reflected in the results of the latest 

National Student Survey which rated Keele 

University in the top ten in the UK for overall 

student satisfaction. 

As well as a warm welcome and full support, 

all staff in the Faculty will ensure you reach your 

full potential and give you invaluable training that 

will equip you for your chosen career. 

29

Research Institute for the 

Environment, Physical Sciences 

and Applied Mathematics 

Overview 

Welcome to EPSAM, Research Institute for the 

Environment, Physical Sciences and Applied 

Mathematics. The Institute is composed of more 

than 80 academic and contract research staff 

plus over 60 postgraduate researchers across a 

spectrum of science from Fire Ecology through 

to Stellar Astrophysics. 

The Institute seeks to promote interdisciplinary 

research synergies and collaboration, both 

internally and externally, and has a wealth of 

experience of Research Council, industrial and 

charity-funded research grants and contracts. 

As well as supporting innovative research by 

ambitious individual scholars and teams, the 

Institute aims to foster cross and interdisciplinary 

co-operation across all of Keele’s scientific 

disciplines. Our staff are here to provide you with 

expert research training and supervision, while 

our dedicated support team will give you advice 

on grant applications, research support facilities 

within the Institute and assistance for a wide 

range of research and training events. 

Research Clusters 

Our research activities are focused in discipline 

specific clusters; 

• Astrophysics 

• Computer Science 

• Environment and Sustainability 

• Geosciences 

• Materials Chemistry and Sustainable Technology 

• Mathematics 

• Medicinal and Pharmaceutical Sciences 

Within the clusters, we have a wide range of 

dedicated, state-of-the-art research facilities 

including analytical instrumentation 

(e.g., scanning electron microscopes, mass 

spectrometers, etc), high-level supercomputing 

facilities and field-based environmental & 

geophysical monitoring equipment. 

All of our postgraduate researchers belong to a 

cluster and we actively encourage crossdisciplinary 

working across the full range of 

discipline groups. 

31

Postgraduate Research 

Programmes 

We welcome enquiries from well-qualified 

graduates throughout the year. Funding is not 

guaranteed, but is available in many cases, 

whether it is an externally funded studentship 

or Keele-funded fee waiver. We have a flexible 

approach to postgraduate research studies and 

welcome applicants for either full or part-time 

studentships. Information on current research 

topics and the facilities we have can be found on 

our web site. www.keele.ac.uk/epsam/ 

prospectivestudents 

In the first instance, we advise that you contact 

the research cluster heads (contact address are 

available on the cluster web pages – 

www.keele.ac.uk/epsam/researchclusters to 

discuss potential research topics and likely 

funding routes. Alternatively, you can email 

Dr Nigel Cassidy (EPSAM PGR Director 

– n.j.cassidy@esci.keele.ac.uk and he will put 

you in contact with the relevant cluster. 

Postgraduate Research Training 

Research training is a vital part of postgraduate 

studies and we provide a number of modules 

directly aimed at students in the Natural and 

Physical Sciences, as well as a compulsory 

EPSAM research methods training module for all 

postgraduate students. Students are encouraged 

to develop their own training programme to 

meet any skills/learning needs but we do 

provide dedicated help with scientific writing, 

oral and poster presentations, publishing 

scientific papers and managing your time as a 

research student. 

Every year we hold the “EPSAM Fest”, 

a multidisciplinary conference where students 

are able to present their research to staff and 

peers from across the EPSAM disciplines. 

The event is highly regarded and provides an 

excellent opportunity for students to interact 

with subject specialists. Awards are provided for 

the best oral and poster presentations and the 

wining students usually go on to compete in the 

national Vitea research symposium. 

For more information about the Research 

Institute for the Environment, Physical Sciences 

and Applied Mathematics, visit our website: 

www.keele.ac.uk 

32

Research Institute for 

PhD, MPhil, DM in Science and 

Technology in Medicine Subject Areas 

Overview 

The Institute for Science & Technology in 

Medicine bridges the interface between new 

advances in basic science and technology with 

medicine and clinical practice. It successfully 

integrates Keele University’s biomedical research 

strengths across the Faculties of Health and 

Natural Sciences. The Institute aims to improve 

the health of patients in the UK and elsewhere in 

the world, by applying knowledge gained from 

basic science to develop insights into the causes 

of disease and ways of treating them. 

ISTM brings together biological scientists, 

physicists, chemists, engineers, pharmacists and 

mathematicians as well as clinical academic 

colleagues working within the NHS. In addition 

to the main University campus at Keele, research 

at the University Hospital is consolidated at the 

Guy Hilton Research Centre, which provides 

state-of-the-art basic science laboratories for 

clinically oriented research. Particular emphasis 

is placed on multi and interdisciplinary research, 

fully exploiting the wide variety of expertise 

which resides within the Institute. In addition to 

extensive collaborative work within the Institute, 

ISTM members have active collaborations with 

universities throughout the UK, and over 35 

countries in Europe, USA and the developing 

world. For postgraduate research degrees ISTM 

has specific funded links with laboratories and 

training programmes in Beijing, Florida and 

several European universities. Members of the 

Research Institute currently hold grants from the 

MRC, BBSRC, EPSRC, The Wellcome Trust, 

NIHR and the EU in addition to a wide variety of 

other sponsors. 

In the UK Research Assessment Exercise (RAE) 

2008, 90% of the Institute’s submitted staff 

were rated as international quality researchers, 

with 10% ranked as world-leading. The research 

facilities were commended as “internationally 

recognised, excellent standard”. This allows 

basic, strategic and applied research to take 

place in a consistently top-quality environment, 

with clear focus and routes into exploitation in 

bioscience industries and healthcare. 

The 70 academic and clinical staff in the 

Institute provide supervision, often through 

multidisciplinary teams, for more than 90 PhD 

and 45 Masters students and contribute to the 

teaching of our undergraduate medical and 

science students at the University of Keele. 

In the academic year 95% of ISTM’s PhD 

students submitted their thesis within 

4 years of study, meeting all national 

studentship funders’ targets. 

Opportunities for Postgraduate 

Research in ISTM 

We are pleased to receive enquiries and 

applications from well-qualified graduates 

interested in postgraduate study at the Institute 

at any time. All applications for PhD, MPhil and 

DM postgraduate research in ISTM are 

administered through the office of the 

Director of Postgraduate Research 

(t.j.greenhough@keele.ac.uk; 

l.j.cartlidge@keele.ac.uk). Enquiries for 

postgraduate entry should initially be directed 

to the Director who will be pleased to assist 

you with all aspects of your application including 

identifying a suitable course, research group and 

supervisor, entry requirements (Academic and 

English Language) and the costs associated 

with the course. Formal application is 

always required: go to the course list at 

www.keele.ac.uk/researchsubjects. In some 

cases assistance with funding may be available. 

33

Research expertise is concentrated in four themes which have considerable overlap. These are Bioengineering and 

Therapeutics, Neuroscience and Human Metabolism, Infection, Inflammation and Immunity, and Clinical and 

Diagnostic Science. Within each theme there are internationally recognised Research groups who offer Research 

Degree training in the following areas: 

Research Field 

Biology, Biochemistry, 

Neuroscience, Biomedical Science 

Bioengineering & Therapeutics, 

Stem Cells, Cell and Tissue 

Engineering 

Cell and Molecular Biology 

Molecular Medicine 

Structural Biology 

Apoptosis 

Epigenetics 

Regenerative Mechanisms 

Stem Cells 

Biomedical Technologies 

Biomaterials for Tissue 

Regeneration 

Research Topics 

Proteomics 

Cell Physiology and Pathology 

Neuroscience 

Glycobiology 

Orthopaedic Tissue Engineering 

Magnetic Nanotechnologies 

Rehabilitation Engineering 

Biomechanics and 

Mechanobiology 

Clinical Science 

Pharmacy 

Diagnostic Science 

Imaging 

Respiratory Disease 

Metabolic Disease 

Diabetes 

Stroke 

Rehabilitation 

Cancer Studies 

Pharmaceutics 

Medicinal Chemistry 

Trace Gas Analysis 

Lung Disease 

Non-destructive, Optical and 

Real-time Imaging 

Cardiology 

Neurology 

Multiple Sclerosis 

Trauma 

Obstetrics and Gynaecology 

Dementia 

Pharmacology 

Biosensors, Biomarkers 

and Biomaterials 

Genetics Cancer Genomics/Epigenomics Molecular Epidemiology 

Entomology, Parasitology 

Inflammation, Infection, 

Immunology 

Malaria, Mosquitoes and Man 

Insect Ecology 

Chemical Ecology 

Rheumatology 

Structural Immunology 

Parasite-Insect Interactions 

Leishmaniasis 

Fish diseases 

Comparative Immunology 

Apoptosis 

Human Metabolism Lipid Metabolism Renal Disease 

For further details of available research areas and topics, please see the complete listing of current 

Research Areas in ISTM. 

34


Primary Care and Health Sciences 

The Research Institute for Primary Care and 

Health Sciences is built on dynamic partnerships 

of multidisciplinary academic teams, based at 

Keele, and clinicians in the local health services. 

The Institute works in close partnership with 

patients and local NHS clinicians in North 

Staffordshire to carry out large-scale studies 

following the health of local residents over time; 

to investigate new and established treatments in 

randomised controlled trials with an especial 

emphasis on multidisciplinary approaches; and 

to carry out research which is relevant to the 

NHS and addresses questions of importance to 

healthcare practitioners and people who suffer 

from the conditions we study. 

The National Arthritis Research UK Primary Care 

Centre is our largest research group, focusing on 

chronic musculoskeletal pain. This affects one 

third of adults at any one time and is the 

commonest cause of adult disability in the UK. 

Our multidisciplinary group researches the 

causes, consequences and treatments of 

common musculoskeletal problems seen in 

primary care; what happens over time to people 

who suffer from these problems; how best to 

prevent pain and restricted activity; what are the 

most effective treatments; and what are 

peoples’ beliefs and understanding about pain 

and how these affect their choice of treatments. 

In 2009 the Centre was awarded the Queen’s 

Anniversary Prize for Higher and Further 

Education for its internationally recognised 

research programme. 

Our research education, training and capacity 

development strategy aims to maintain a 

competitive PhD programme, which can attract 

the brightest new scholars and train them in the 

research methods relevant to primary care of 

musculoskeletal disease, and post-doctoral 

programmes which develop the high-quality 

academic workforce of the future. Pump-priming 

from Centre funds, combined with matched 

University investment, has enabled us to provide 

a scheme that is competitive for Research 

Council bursaries. 

We aim to provide PhD students with 

high-quality skills and experience needed to 

work in research, academia, or related fields 

following their PhD. Training programmes for 

PhD students are structured and tailored to the 

individual. Students are required to complete 60 

Masters-equivalent credits, which can be done 

through internal or external courses. Centre 

funding means that students can attend the 

most appropriate training course for their needs. 

We emphasise the development of transferable 

skills, using the nationally recognised Researcher 

Development Framework as a structure, and 

offer tailored provision to meet students’ 

personal development needs. This currently 

takes the form of Postgraduate Coaching, which 

focuses on development of transferable skills 

such as time and project management; 

one-to-one language and communication skills 

training; or intensive input appropriate to the 

students’ needs, e.g. enhanced intensive 

supervisory sessions. We are also developing 

intensive writing skills training to meet identified 

student needs. 

Our postgraduate students benefit from an 

established infrastructure for research and work 

alongside an internationally renowned 

multidisciplinary team. Students form part of a 

vibrant group of over 40 postgraduate students, 

and play a full part in the Centre, presenting at 

internal seminars, attending journal clubs and 

arranging student group meetings. Students also 

have access to specialised training courses and 

the opportunity to present their research at 

national or international conferences. 

Subject Headings: 

• Applied Biostatistics 

• Epidemiology and intervention research 

• Health Economics 

• Healthcare professional focused research 

• Health Services Research 

• Medical Sociology 

• Multi-morbidity 

• Musculoskeletal conditions 

• Occupational research 

35


PhD, MPhil and Professional Doctorates 

in Social Sciences Subject Areas 

Overview 

Keele’s Research Institute for Social Sciences 

brings together over 300 academic staff and 

postgraduate students working across a range 

of social science disciplines. Staff and research 

students are grouped within five Research 

Centres, these providing a focus for seminars, 

grant activity, student support and supervision: 

• Centre for Economics and Management 

• Centre for Law, Ethics and Society 

• Centre for the Study of Politics, International 

Relations and Environment 

• Centre for Psychological Research 

• Centre for Social Policy 

In RAE 2008, 85-95% of research across the 

main areas submitted was judged to be of 

international quality. Members of the Research 

Institute currently hold major grants from the 

Economic and Social Research Council, the 

Medical Research Council, the British Academy 

and the European Union. The RI welcomes 

researchers from across the University and 

beyond to attend the regular programme of 

seminars, conferences and workshops advertised 

elsewhere on this site. 

Environment and Training: 

The Research Institute for Social Sciences is 

a thriving academic community made up of 

active researchers in a wide variety of areas. 

We welcome postgraduate research students 

from around the world as members of this 

community and provide support and facilities 

to enable them to achieve their full potential 

in a stimulating and lively environment. 

The Research Institute offers a high standard 

of facilities to its postgraduates, including 

well-equipped office space, postgraduate 

seminars, access to research funding, an annual 

postgraduate colloquium, social events and 

weekly networking meetings, where 

postgraduate issues can be explored in an 

informal atmosphere. The interdisciplinary 

nature of the Institute provides excellent 

opportunities for networking both with other 

postgraduates and with the academic staff at 

Keele, thus enabling postgraduate researchers to 

participate fully in all aspects of the research 

process. Research students are a very valuable 

part of the Research Institute and we aim to 

provide an environment where your research can 

develop and flourish. 

Research training is provided in many different 

parts of the University and has several purposes; 

most directly it is to help you complete your thesis 

or project i.e. subject-specific research training 

(RT). Equally important is the development of 

other, broader capabilities – generic skills – in 

managing your research, personal effectiveness, 

communication, networking and team-working, 

accessing research funding and career 

management. These are the skills that you may 

develop directly as part of your everyday research 

work (in the archive, the laboratory, the hospital, 

the field, the classroom), but they can be 

significantly enhanced through dedicated courses 

and specialist training. In addition to the training 

provided at Keele, we support our postgraduates 

to undertake specialist training offered at 

other institutions. 

Research Areas: 

We offer courses at both full and part-time 

across a range of research areas: 

• Business Administration 

(Professional Doctorate) 

• Criminology (PhD and MPhil) 

• Economics (PhD and MPhil) 

• Education (PhD, MPhil and 

Professional Doctorate) 

• Employment policy and Equalities 

(PhD and MPhil) 

• Ethics (PhD and MPhil) 

• Human Geography 


• Health Policy and Governance (PhD and MPhil) 

• Law (PhD and MPhil) 

37

• Management (PhD and MPhil) 

• Nursing (PhD and MPhil) 

• Philosophy (PhD and MPhil) 

• Politics and International Relations 


• Psychology (PhD and MPhil) 

• Public Policy (PhD and MPhil) 

• Social Gerontology 


• Social Policy (PhD and MPhil) 

• Social Work (PhD, MPhil and 


• Sociology (PhD and MPhil) 

For full details on each of our Research Areas, 

please visit: www.keele.ac.uk/researchsubjects 

Choosing a Research Degree – PhD, MPhil or 

Professional Doctorate: 

Research Degree (PhD) 

These are degrees by research alone, with a high 

level of research training. 

• You will produce a thesis, which at PhD level is 

a work of original scholarship worthy of 

publication in a learned journal 

• You work closely with your supervisors who 

will provide guidance and support 

• Most of our research degrees can be 

undertaken by full-time or part-time study 

• Standard PhDs are three years in duration 

(six years part-time) 

• You will register for a number of formal 

research training modules, which will help you 

develop skills you need to carry out your 

research and broaden your generic skills as a 

professional researcher 

Research Degree (MPhil) 

These programmes comprise of a thesis on 

a specified research topic, together with a 

selection of taught modules. They offer a 

broad training in the skills and techniques 

of contemporary research and can be taken 

as stand-alone degrees or as a step towards 

a higher research qualification. MPhil 

programmes are usually one year in duration, 

two years part-time. 

Professional doctorates 

Professional doctorate programmes are 

increasingly the choice of professionals in a 

number of fields, particularly health, social work 

and education. 

Professional doctorates are more structured 

programmes divided into two stages. Stage 1 

is a two-year programme of research training 

and interaction with a cohort of peers. 

This is formalised within modules which have 

assessment, though the number of credits and 

modules will vary with the programme. At the 

end of Stage 1 there is a progression process 

before participants may commence to Stage 2. 

Stage 2 (minimum two years) constitutes 

the research project which is based on the 

participant’s professional practice. Research 

findings should be broadly transferable to the 

workplace. The final degree is awarded on the 

basis of a thesis which sets out the definition, 

purpose, methods, results and conclusions of the 

research project in the same way as for a PhD. 

Entry Requirements: 

Please visit the University webpages for full 

details: www.keele.ac.uk/pgresearch/ 

entryrequirement 

• Most research degrees normally require a good 

first degree (usually at least a 2:1) and a Masters 

degree or equivalent qualifications in a relevant 

subject – some also require additional criteria 

such as relevant work experience. 

38


PhD and MPhil in 

Humanities Subject Areas 

Overview 

Keele’s Research Institute for the Humanities has 

over 45 full members and brings together over 

100 academic staff and postgraduate students 

working mainly in History, Music and Music 

Technology, English Philosophy and American 

Literature and Creative Writing. The Institute 

supports the research of ambitious individual 

scholars and teams, and fosters cross and 

interdisciplinary cooperation. In RAE 2008, 

85-95% of research in Music, English and History 

was judged to be of international quality; 

members of the Research Institute currently 

hold grants from the Leverhulme Trust, the Arts 

and Humanities Research Council, the British 

Academy and Staffordshire County Council. 

Environment and Training 

We enjoy a thriving postgraduate environment 

in Humanities. We encourage our postgraduate 

researchers to participate in training courses and 

conferences, for which funding can be sought. 

The Institute welcomes postgraduate research 

students from around the world as members of 

this community, providing a high standard of 

facilities, including postgraduate seminars, 

an annual postgraduate conference and social 

events. The interdisciplinary nature of the 

Institute provides excellent opportunities for 

networking both with other postgraduates and 

with the academic staff at Keele, thus helping 

postgraduate researchers to achieve their full 

potential in a stimulating and lively environment. 

Research students are supported through the 

provision of: shared office space, IT equipment 

and research funding to support some travel and 

other expenses. There are significant library 

resources at Keele to support Humanities 

research, including Early English Books Online 

(EEBO) and Eighteenth Century Collections 

Online (ECCO), as well as the private David 

Bruce Centre Library for American Studies 

students and the Staffordshire Studies 

repository for those interested in local writers. 

Keele is ideally located near to other major 

libraries and collections, such as Manchester’s 

John Rylands and Chetham’s Libraries, 

Gladstone’s Library at St Deiniol’s, and the 

University Libraries of Birmingham, Oxford and 

Liverpool. Staff in the Humanities have 

established collaborative working relationships 

with major archives and record offices within the 

region. In addition, Keele is less than two hours 

away from the extensive scholarly resources and 

libraries of London. 

Research training is provided in many different 

parts of the University and has several purposes; 

most directly it is to help you complete your 

thesis or project i.e. subject-specific research 

training (RT). Equally important is the 

development of other, broader capabilities – 

generic skills – in managing your research, 

personal effectiveness, communication, 

networking and team-working, accessing 

research funding and career management. 

These are the skills that you may develop 

directly as part of your everyday research work 

(in the archive, the laboratory, the hospital, the 

field, the classroom), but they can be 

significantly enhanced through dedicated 

courses and specialist training. In addition to the 

training provided at Keele, we support our 

postgraduates to undertake specialist training 

offered at other institutions. 

Research Areas 

We offer courses at both full and part-time 

across a range of research areas: 

• English (PhD and MPhil) 

• History (PhD and MPhil) 

• Music (PhD and MPhil) 

• American Studies (PhD and MPhil) 

• Film Studies (PhD and MPhil) 

• Media, Communications and Culture 


For full details on each of our Research Areas, 

please visit: www.keele.ac.uk/researchsubjects 

39

Choosing a Research Degree – MPhil or PhD: 


These are degrees by research alone, with a 

high-level of research training. 

• You will produce a thesis, which at PhD level is 

a work of original scholarship worthy of 


• You work closely with your supervisors who 

will provide guidance and support 

• Most of our research degrees can be 

undertaken by full-time or part-time study 

• Standard PhDs are three years in duration 

(six years part-time) 

• You will register for a number of formal 

research training modules, which will help 

you develop skills you need to carry out your 

research and broaden your generic skills as a 

professional researcher 

• Most research degrees normally require a good 

first degree (usually at least a 2:1) and a 

Masters degree or equivalent qualifications in a 

relevant subject – some also require additional 

criteria such as relevant work experience. 


These programmes comprise of a thesis on a 

specified research topic, together with a 

selection of taught modules. They offer a broad 

training in the skills and techniques of 

contemporary research and can be taken as 

stand-alone degrees or as a step towards a 

higher research qualification. MPhil programmes 

are usually one year in duration, two years 

part-time. 

Entry Requirements: 

Please visit the University webpages for full 

details: www.keele.ac.uk/pgresearch/ 

entryrequirements 

40

Courses 

Pre-Masters 43-44 

Business and Management 45-56 

Counselling 57-58 

Education 59-66 

Environment 67-70 

Health 71-74 

Humanities 75-82 

Information Technology 83-86 

Law 87-98 

Media Studies 99-100 

Medicine 101-112 

Physiotherapy 113-116 

Politics 117-120 

Psychology 121-128 

Science 129-134 

Social Science 135-142

Courses 

Pre-Masters 

Pre-Masters 

Course Title: 

Pre-Masters in Business and 

Management; 

Pre-Masters in Computing; 

Pre-Masters in Physiotherapy 

Course Type: 

Pre-Masters 

Mode of Study: 

Full-time 

Contact Details: 

Keele University International Study 

Centre Student Enrolment Adviser 

Contact Telephone: 

+44 (0)1273 339333 

Website: 

www.keele.ac.uk/isc 

Overview 

For a 12-month Masters degree at 

Keele you will need: 

• a range of academic and learning 

skills which you may not have 

experienced in your home country 

• the ability to adapt to a new 

cultural environment and 

thrive academically 

• the right academic qualification 

and a substantial understanding 

of the subject 

• the ability to use English in the 

academic environment and to a 

high standard. 

If you do not meet the entry 

requirements for direct entry, or 

want to refresh your knowledge, 

you can follow our specialist 

Pre-Masters programme. 

The Pre-Masters is a two-term 

programme of academic 

subjects, study skills and English 

language training, designed 

specifically to meet the needs 

of international students. 

There are three routes: 

Business and Management 

Progressing to: 

• Marketing MA 

• Human Resource 

Management MA 

• Management/International 

Business MA 

Computing 


• Internet and Web 

Technologies MSc 

• Information Technology 

and Management MSc* 

• Project Management MSc* 

Physiotherapy 


• Physiotherapy MSc 

• Physiotherapy (Neurology)MSc 

* also available from the Business 

and Management route 

Facilities 

The Pre-Masters is taught within 

a highly supported learning 

environment at the Keele University 

International Study Centre (ISC) 

in the heart of the campus. The 

Pre-Masters is taught by specialists 

in university preparation and 

progress will be monitored at all 

times to make sure students 

remain on track to complete the 

programme successfully. 

Course Aims 

The Pre-Masters will give you the 

skills, knowledge and confidence to 

succeed in your Masters studies. 


The course is open to international 

students who have: 

• Recognised higher/advanced 

diploma in a related subject area, 

or 

• Recognised degree in related 

field, 

or 

• Honours degree in any subject 

43

Courses 

English Language 

Requirements 

International students must have 

IELTS 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in 

each sub-test or equivalent. 

Course Modules 

English and Skills for 

University Study 

Over these two modules, 

you will develop your English 

communication skills and learn 

a range of study skills, including 

writing and reading strategies, 

presentation and seminar 

participation, organisation of time 

and materials, meeting deadlines 

and responding to feedback. 

When you have completed these 

modules, you will be able to take 

notes and write essays in English. 

You should also have the 

confidence to give presentations, 

answer follow-up questions and 

contribute to seminar discussions. 

Individual Research Project 

You will produce an extended 

project, using what you have 

learned about research methods, 

and selecting and using material 

appropriately and effectively. 

Analytical Techniques and 

Problem Solving 

You will gain an awareness of 

the importance of acquiring and 

using an analytical approach 

towards your studies. You will 

understand the importance of 

critical reasoning in evaluation 

materials and in constructing 

our own arguments. You will 

also explore a range of 

problem-solving techniques. 

Depending on your chosen 

route, you will then study a 

further two modules: 

Business and Management – 

Business Ethics and Introduction 

to Statistical Analysis 

Computing – Programming 1 – 

Fundamentals and Programming 2 

– Data Structures and Algorithms 

Physiotherapy – Ethics and 

Introduction to Statistical Analysis 

Teaching and 

Assessment 

Students are taught in seminar 

groups where the emphasis is on 

developing effective study skills 

for Masters Courses. In particular, 

students develop as independent 

learners as they progress on the 

course. Assessment is by a 

combination of examination, 

essays and research projects, 

with an opportunity to present 

in a friendly group environment. 

FULL TIME 

Research Methods 

You will develop skills relating 

to research methods. You will 

focus on developing an 

understanding of the application, 

collection and limitation of a 

variety of techniques related to 

data and materials relevant to 

analysis within the chosen 

subject area. You will consider 

quantitative and qualitative 

methods of data collection, 

look at the various sources of 

information, both written and 

electronic and begin preparing 

for your Research Project. 

“Although I am an English language 

speaker, the Pre-Masters has helped 

me with my academic English and 

communication skills. The research 

method course is very helpful and will 

definitely assist me through my Masters. 

The tutors are experts in their fields and 

always ready to help.” 

Bardia Baloutch, Pre-Masters student 

2010-11; now studying MSc Information 

Technology and Management 

44

Courses 


Finance and Information Technology 

Course Title: 

Finance and Information Technology 

Course Type: 

MSc, Postgraduate Diploma, 



Full-time 


Postgraduate Administrator 

Contact Email: 

pgkms@keele.ac.uk 

Website: 

www.keele.ac.uk/kms/mscfinanceit 

Overview 

Rapid changes in information 

technology and globalisation 

of the world’s economic and 

financial systems demand that 

modern day finance professionals 

have analytical and technical 

skills alongside the intellectual 

curiosity to enable them to learn 

and adapt throughout their 

working lives. Taught jointly by 

the Management School and 

the School of Computing and 

Mathematics, the MSc in Finance 

and Information Technology 

is designed to provide these 

skills, developing a systematic 

understanding of finance 

together with the technical 

ability and professional skills to 

work with, manage or develop 

information systems within a 

financial organisation. 

Facilities 

The programme is delivered in 

a supportive and challenging 

learning environment by a team 

of internationally recognised 

academics who maintain a strong 

commitment to excellence and 

innovation in teaching and research. 

Newly refurbished accommodation 

in the Management School includes 

a dedicated lecture theatre and 

multi-functional IT suite for 

MSc students. Dedicated facilities 

for information technology 

are located in the School of 

Computing and Mathematics. 

An extensive collection of 

finance and Information 

Technology-related materials 

are held in the University Library. 

Course Aims 

The programme develops a 

systematic understanding in 

finance and information technology 

alongside a command of 

analytical techniques, computing 

and appropriate software. 

The programme also develops 

a range of employability skills, 

with particular emphasis on 

building enhanced professional 

and practical capabilities, including 

project management, team building 

and communication skills. 


The course is open to all graduates 

with a minimum of a second-class 

honours degree or equivalent, 

preferably in a business-related or 

quantitative subject area. Students 

with appropriate professional 

qualifications or relevant work 

experience may also be considered. 


Requirements 

International students whose first 

language is not English must have 




Core modules comprise: 

Financial Markets 

This module introduces students to 

investment analysis and the basis 

for asset pricing and portfolio 

choice. The module highlights a 

number of key themes including the 

notion of discounting for time and 

discounting for risk and the 

near-informational efficiency of 

financial markets. 

Quantitative Methods in Finance 

Introduces students to the key 

mathematical and statistical 

techniques used in finance. 

Systems Analysis 

This module provides skills 

in systems analysis using an 

object-oriented approach to 

modelling and specifying 

system requirements. 

45

Courses 

Enterprise Information Systems 

This module focuses on providing 

the student with the skills to do 

this analysis and the knowledge 

of enterprise information systems 

to enable the selection and 

introduction of effective IT solutions 

within an organisation. 

Financial Modelling 

Analyses the use and application 

of computer simulation methods to 

the modelling of bonds, stocks and 

derivatives. Practical use is made 

of computer software throughout 

the module. 

Metrics, Estimation, 

Analysis and Teams 

This module provides students 

with the requisite skills and 

knowledge involved in the 

collection and use of metrics 

and their subsequent analysis 

for either project monitoring or 

process improvement. 

Financial Instruments 

This module explores the use of 

financial engineering techniques 

associated with the use of financial 

derivatives such as options, futures 

and swaps to hedge against risk. 

International Finance 

This module analyses foreign 

exchange markets, including risk 

factors and the implications of 

exchange rate risk. 

Networks and Security 

In this module, students will gain 

an understanding of contemporary 

networks and the abstractions and 

protocols which underpin them. 

Systems Design 

The provision of appropriate 

design is critical. This module will 

provide skills in software design and 

implementation relevant to business 

information systems. 

Content Management 

In this module, students will 

explore the use of modern 

web technologies in the provision 

of secure and reliable content 

management systems and 

obtain an understanding of the 

techniques and processes involved 

in the design and implementation 

of a content management system. 

Teaching and 

Assessment 

Modules are taught in lectures, 

tutorials and computer laboratory 

classes. Practical use is made of 

standard software and data 

sources. Taught modules are 

assessed by a combination of 

unseen examination and 

coursework which may include 

essays, mini projects and tests. 

FULL TIME 

Students choose one from the 

following list of electives: 

Corporate Finance 

This module focuses on the 

valuation of the firm and its 

investment opportunities, corporate 

structure and governance. The key 

features of corporate finance are 

addressed using general methods 

of asset pricing such as replication, 

arbitrage, and stochastic discounting. 

Applied Finance 

Analyses the modelling of financial 

data using statistical techniques. 

Practical use of relevant computer 

software is made. 

“The staff at Keele helped me to fit my 

studies in around my busy working life. 

Each module was fascinating in its own 

right – and the course gave me the skills 

I needed to take my next career stop.” 

Part-time student 2008-2011 

“We encourage people to think outside 

their own boundaries: to develop 

the analytical and research skills they 

need to bring fresh perspectives to this 

evolving arena.” 

Senior Lecturer 

46

Courses 


Finance and Management 

Course Title: 

Finance and Management 

Course Type: 




Full-time 




pgkms@mngt.keele.ac.uk 

Website: 

www.keele.ac.uk/kms/ 

mscfinancemanagement 

Overview 

The MSc in Finance and 

Management is designed for 

students who wish to follow a 

career in the investment 

management industry or as a 

financial officer within a commercial 

or public organisation. 

A distinctive feature of the 

programme is that it builds on 

a comprehensive and rigorous 

treatment of core modern 

financial theory and key aspects 

of management practice to 

provide a systematic understanding 

of these business areas. 

Facilities 

The programme is delivered in 

a supportive and challenging 

learning environment by a team 

of internationally recognised 

academics who maintain a strong 

commitment to excellence and 

innovation in teaching and research. 

The Management School is 

located in newly refurbished 

accommodation and among the 

new facilities are a dedicated 

lecture theatre and multi-functional 

IT suite for MSc students. 

An extensive collection of finance 

and management-related materials 

are held in the University Library. 

Course Aims 

The focus of the programme 

is on developing a systematic 

understanding in the relevant areas 

of finance and critical management 

thinking. Having completed the 

programme you will have a practical 

and theoretical understanding 

of finance and management, 

a command of analytical techniques, 

together with confidence in the 

analysis and evaluation of finance 

and management problems and 

their solutions. The programme also 

develops a range of employability 

skills, with particular emphasis on 

building enhanced professional and 

practical capabilities. 

In addition, the programme 

provides a foundation for pursuing 

further study at doctoral level. 



with a first or second-class (2.1 or 

2.2) honours degree or equivalent, 

preferably in a business-related or 

quantitative subject area. Students 

with appropriate professional 




Requirements 





Course Content 

Programme duration is 12-months, 

full-time. Students study six core 

modules and two elective modules 

between September and April 

followed by a project or dissertation 

worth 60-credits. Guidance is 

provided on dissertation/project 

topics with each student assigned 

a supervisor. 

The MSc award may be awarded 

with merit or distinction. Lower 

level PG Diploma and PG Certificate 

awards are also available. 


Core modules comprise: 

Financial Markets 

This module introduces students 

to investment analysis and the basis 

for asset pricing and portfolio 

choice. The module highlights a 

number of key themes including 

the notion of discounting for time 

and discounting for risk and the 

near-informational efficiency of 

financial markets. 

Quantitative Methods in Finance 

Introduces students to the key 

mathematical and statistical 

techniques used in finance. 

47

Courses 

Marketing and 

Operations Management 

The focus here is on key 

concepts and aspects pertaining 

to marketing and the management 

of design and operations in 

business organisations. 

Accounting and Finance 

Financial accounts provide needed 

information about an organisation 

for external decision-makers such 

as shareholders, banks, suppliers 

and government. This module 

provides an understanding of the 

underlying business transactions 

that are needed in constructing 

financial accounts. 

Strategy and 

Information Management 

This module provides an overview 

and understanding of the process 

and procedures of strategy 

management, including the 

identification, extraction and use 

of relevant business information. 

Applied Finance 

Analyses the modelling of financial 

data using statistical techniques. 

Practical use of relevant computer 

software is made. 

Students choose two from the 

following elective modules: 

Corporate Finance 

This module focuses on the 

valuation of the firm and its 

investment opportunities, corporate 

structure and governance. 

The key features of corporate 

finance are addressed using 

general methods of asset pricing 

such as replication, arbitrage, 

and stochastic discounting. 

Financial Modelling 

Analyses the use and application 

of computer simulation methods 

to the modelling of bonds, stocks 

and derivatives. Practical use is 

made of computer software 

throughout the module. 

Financial Instruments 

Derivative instruments are 

widely used to hedge against risk. 

This module explores the use of 

financial engineering techniques 

associated with the use of financial 

derivatives such as options, futures 

and swaps. 

Behaviour Finance 

This module explores the analytical 

tools of behavioural finance, where 

an explicit role for psychological 

factors, heuristics and biases in 

investment decisions is allowed. 

International Finance 

This module analyses foreign 

exchange markets, including risk 

factors and the implications of 

exchange rate risk. 

Entrepreneurship 

Develops an understanding of 

the theories of entrepreneurship 

within the areas of finance, 

management and marketing. 

Real-world examples are used 

and particular emphasis 

placed on IT start-ups and the 

knowledge economy. 

Teaching and Assessment 

Modules are taught in lectures, 

tutorials and computer laboratory 

classes. Practical use is made of 

standard software and data sources. 

Taught modules are assessed by a 

combination of unseen examination 

and coursework which may include 

essays, mini projects and tests. 

“The staff at Keele helped me to fit my 

studies in around my busy working life. 

Each module was fascinating in its own 

right – and the course gave me the skills 

I needed to take my next career stop.” 


“We encourage people to think outside their 

own boundaries: to develop the analytical 

and research skills they need to bring 

fresh perspectives to this evolving arena.” 

Senior Lecturer 

FULL TIME 

48

Courses 


Human Resource Management 

Course Title: 

Human Resource Management 

Course Type: 

MA, Postgraduate Diploma 


Full-time 

Contact Details: Sarah Spink, 

Postgraduate Administrator, 

Claire Butters, Postgraduate 

Team Co-ordinator 

Contact Emails: 

s.a.spink@keele.ac.uk, 

c.l.butters@keele.ac.uk 

Website: 

www.keele.ac.uk/pgtcourses/kms/ 

pgdipandmahrm 

Overview 

This is a high-quality and distinctive 

programme for candidates with a 

first degree, or those with other 

acceptable qualifications and relevant 

experience, subject to interview, 

and is available by full-time study. 

The programme is designed for 

students wishing to access in-depth 

academic study in the field of 

Human Resource Management and 

associated disciplines, with a view 

to working, researching or teaching 

in the subject area. 

Keele University is a main provider 

of Human Resource Management 

(HRM) and Industrial Relations 

courses and research in the UK. 

Students come from a wide range 

of backgrounds and disciplines, and 

from Europe, Africa and Asia, as 

well as the UK. The subject group is 

active in research and publication, 

focusing on international and 

national employment and equalities 

aspects of public policy, spanning 

both private and public sectors, 

and typically featuring high levels of 

engagement with employers, trade 

unions, and government bodies. 

Facilities 

Postgraduate students benefit 

from a wide range of support, 

including a range of learning 

resources, research training and 

accessible tutors and supervisors. 

Each student is allocated an 

Academic Tutor, whose role is to 

work with the student to explain 

key themes, develop study and 

writing skills and provide advice 

on assessment. Non-native English 

speakers are also supported by 

the English Language Unit of the 

University, who provide additional 

language tuition. 

Course Aims 

The MA programme in Human 

Resource Management provides 

a thorough understanding of the 

employment relationship and an 

excellent grounding in the theory 

and practice of HRM, labour 

management and industrial 

relations. It locates these in an 

historically informed treatment of 

the whole subject area. It examines 

key institutions, problems and 

issues in contemporary HRM and 

industrial relations, including the 

rights and interests of employees as 

well as the formation and impact of 

public policy. The main focus is on 

the UK, but this is set within a 

broader comparative perspective, 

enabling an assessment of 

contrasting systems of industrial 

relations and an evaluation of a 

range of crucial issues on a 

European and global scale. 

Major course aims: 

• To provide academically rigorous 

education in HRM, industrial 

relations and associated disciplines 

• To develop the analytical skills 

of students 

• To develop a critical approach to 

HRM literature, issues and practice 

• To prepare students for further 

study or career progression 


Applicants are normally required 

to hold at least a second-class 

honours degree (2.1 or 2.2) or 

overseas equivalent. Students 

who have appropriate professional 




Requirements 

Applicants whose first language is 

not English will be required to show 

competency in English (IELTS 6.0 

or equivalent). 

Course Structure 

There are seven taught modules 

and a research-based dissertation. 

Each taught module is assessed by 

an essay, and the dissertation 

consists of an extended piece of 

49

Courses 

writing based on a small research 

project carried out by the student. 

In order to obtain a Masters degree, 

students must obtain 180 credits, 

of which 120 credits are from taught 

modules and 60 credits from the 

dissertation. Students who 

successfully complete only the 

taught modules will be awarded a 

Postgraduate Diploma. All modules 

are compulsory, and are at Level 4 

(Masters level). 


Taught modules (total 130 credits) 

• Understanding and Researching 

the Employment Relationship 

(10 credits) 

• Foundations of the Employment 

Relationship (20 credits) 

• Employers and the Management 

of Labour (20 credits) 

• Managing Employee Resources 

(20 credits) 

• Managing Employee Relations 

(20 credits) 

• Pay Determination (20 credits) 

• Employee Development and 

Training (20 credits) 

Dissertation (60 credits) 

Where applicable, students are 

encouraged to undertake research 

connected with current or previous 

HRM experience. Students are 

required to produce a written 

research proposal and gain ethics 

approval, and all students are 

allocated a supervisor. 

Teaching and 

Assessment 

The majority of the modules 

are delivered through lectures 

supported by tutorials. The module 

‘Understanding and Researching 

the Employment Relationship’ 

introduces students to their 

programme of study and provides 

preparation for the dissertation. 

It is assessed on the basis of a 

1,500-word essay, and must be 

passed in order to obtain the 10 

credits and before proceeding 

to the dissertation. However, 

no formal marks are attributed 

to it. All other taught modules are 

each assessed by a 3,000-word 

essay, the dissertation is 15,000 

words. The pass mark for each of 

these modules is 50%. 

“Keele’s MA in HRM is an engaging 

course with enlightening and supportive 

lecturers. The course covers a broad 

range of theory which can create many 

opportunities for graduates. Following 

the MA I was fortunate to be offered a 

PhD with funding through a graduate 

teaching assistantship programme.” 

Trevor de Middelaer, 

MA in HRM student 2010-2011 

FULL TIME 

50

Courses 


Management/International Business 

Course Title: 

Management/International 

Business 

Course Type: 

MA 


Full-time 


Liz Riley 


e.riley@keele.ac.uk 

Website: 

www.keele.ac.uk/kms/ 

pgmamanagementintbusiness 

Overview 

Keele Management School offers 

two distinct MA programmes in 

Management and in International 

Business. Both programmes aim 

to extend management skills, 

preparing students for the world of 

work so that they can achieve their 

potential. The MA International 

Business offers a robust grounding 

in distinct aspects of international 

management and global business. 

The MA Management allows 

students to choose a more generic 

programme across the 

management disciplines, with a 

particular emphasis on leadership 

and entrepreneurship. 

Alongside lectures and seminars, 

students are offered a portfolio of 

leading-edge opportunities to 

enhance their career prospects, 

which, depending on electives 

registered for, may include a study 

trip, explorations of personal and 

team-building skills, the undertaking 

of a consultancy study, and some 

competitively allocated domestic 

internships where students will learn 

‘on the job’ in real-life businesses 

(while the School is keen to offer the 

full range of those opportunities in 

any given year, availability cannot 

be guaranteed). 

Facilities 

The MA Management/International 

Business is taught in modern 

teaching rooms across the 

University, almost all of which are 

equipped with computers, internet 

access and electronic whiteboards 

or projection equipment. Rooms 

may be arranged either in 

traditional lecture format or more 

informally to allow students to work 

together in small groups. 

Course Aims 

Both the MA Management and the 

MA International Business seek to 

develop well-rounded, thoughtful, 

reflective, and active professionals 

with excellent skills that will 

enhance career prospects. Both 

programmes adopt a critical 

management studies perspective, 

contributing to (and pre-dating) 

the current debates regarding the 

future of capitalism and the often 

problematic relationship between 

globalisation, organisation and the 

wider social environment. 

Our teaching and learning strategy 

is wide-ranging and innovative, 

seeking to give students a rich 

learning environment that draws 

actively on both academic research 

and business practice. 


Applicants will need at least a 

second-class honours degree or 

overseas equivalent qualification 

in order to apply to study the 

programmes. Exceptionally, 

students who have appropriate 

professional qualifications or 

relevant work experience 

may also be considered with 

a weaker qualification. 


Requirements 






Compulsory modules are designed 

to ensure that students develop 

expertise in their specialist area, as 

well as developing familiarity with 

other business functions such as 

marketing, accounting and finance. 

Elective (optional) modules enable 

students to hone their theoretical 

and practical skills in individual 

topics. The combination of 

theoretical and practical modules is 

designed so that students graduate 

with a critical perspective on 

current international business 

practices, as well as having practical 

experience of real-world issues. 

51

Courses 

In the first semester, students on 

both MA programmes follow a 

common set of modules 

introducing them to a consolidated 

perspective on management and 

international business at Masters 

level. In the second semester, 

students select one of two 

pathways and specialise in either 

Management or International 

Business. Here students will be able 

to move to a deeper knowledge 

and understanding of business and 

management, either concentrating 

on the strategic and operational 

aspects of business management or 

specialising in the study of business 

behaviour in the global economy. 

Following successful completion 

of the taught components of the 

programmes, students can choose 

to complete a dissertation or do a 

Company Internship. 

FULL TIME 


Semester One 

Title Credits Status 

Critical Management Studies 15 Compulsory 

Globalisation and International Management 15 Compulsory 

Accounting and Finance 15 Compulsory 

Marketing and Operations 15 Compulsory 

Semester Two 


Leadership 15 Compulsory (Management) 

Entrepreneurship 15 Compulsory (Management) 

International Business Developments 15 Compulsory (International Business) 

International Financial Reporting 15 Compulsory (International Business) 

Creativity and Personal Development (study trip) 15 Compulsory 

Elective options 

For the remaining 15 credits, students can choose among the following options: 


Branding 15 Option 

Strategic Human Resource Management 15 Option 

Commerce and Information Technology 15 Option 

Semester Three 

Students who pass all elements of the taught programme then progress to do either a dissertation or 

a Company Internship: 

Title 

Credits 

Dissertation 60 

Company Internship 60 


The MA is taught by a mixture of 

assigned lectures, tutorials, classes, 

seminars and other teaching 

formats such as the study trip. 

Keele University operates a module 

credit system, where each module 

on the MA is worth 15 credits. This 

corresponds to 150 hours of study, 

which is normally broken down into 

taught contact hours, assessment 

preparation, class preparation and 

independent study. The programme 

design presumes that students 

attend all assigned teaching 

52 

and contact times as advertised, 

devote adequate time to 

assignment preparation and 

supplementary readings. 

The programme starts in 

September and lasts for 12 months.

Courses 


Marketing 

Course Title: 

MA Marketing 

Course Type: 

Master 


Full-time 


Postgraduate Administrator, 

Sarah Spink, 


pgkms@keele.ac.uk 

s.a.spink@keele.ac.uk 

Website: 

www.keele.ac.uk/kms/mamarketing 

Overview 

The MA in Marketing is designed for 

students who wish to follow a career 

in marketing within a commercial, 

professional, industrial or public 

organisation, and who also require 

an appreciation of marketing and 

management issues within the wider 

business and social context. 

Facilities 

Postgraduate students benefit from 

a wide range of support including 

research training, accessible staff 

supervisors and access to IT and 

market research tools. All staff at 

Keele Management School are 

accessible and located in the 

Darwin Building. Our teaching is 

underpinned by research-active 

staff who are grouped within the 

Centre for Culture, Organisation and 

Markets. We focus mainly on critical 

approaches to the study of work, 

cultures of work, work systems/ 

organisation, and to markets, 

consumers and consumption within 

the context of social and economic 

change. Primarily employing 

qualitative and ethnographic 

methods, our research perspectives 

are interdisciplinary and sensitive 

to gendered social relations in work 

and consumption, as well as issues 

of power and identity in cultural 

formations. A seminar series offers 

the opportunity to engage with this 

cutting-edge research. 

Course Aims 

Students develop subject-specific 

knowledge and skills, and 

transferable skills, with particular 

attention paid to the development 

of critical and analytical thinking. 

The MA in Marketing is designed to 

provide a rigorous understanding 

of marketing and contemporary 

marketing practice, underpinned 

by theoretically-informed and 

critical approaches to marketing 

and management. The course 

combines conceptual, theoretical 

and practical approaches to the 

study of marketing. Successful 

students will gain: 

• Thorough understanding of 

contemporary marketing 

knowledge and techniques, as 

applied in a range of commercial 

and public organisations. 

• Critical awareness of, and 

evaluation of, current marketing 

theory, informed by leading-edge 

research in the field. 

• Analytical and creative techniques 

to deal with complex marketing 

problems and their solutions. 

• Enhanced management skills and 

practical marketing skills leading 

to improved employability. 




2.2) honours degree or equivalent. 


Requirements 






During the first semester 

(September to January) students 

study four core modules, followed 

in the second semester (January to 

May) by a further four modules, 

some of which are options chosen 

by the student. Each taught module 

is worth 15 credits. In the later 

stages students undertake a project 

or a dissertation which is worth 60 

credits. Students gaining 180 credits 

from a combination of taught 

modules and the successful 

completion of the dissertation will 

be awarded an MA. Students gaining 

120 credits but not proceeding to 

the dissertation/project will be 

awarded a Postgraduate Diploma. 

Students who do not gain 120 

credits but pass modules worth 

60 credits will be awarded a 

Postgraduate Certificate. 

53

Courses 


• Marketing Management: Provides 

an overview of marketing and 

how it is performed and organised 

in a variety of market settings. 

• Consuming Behaviours – Evaluates 

and explores the relationship 

between marketers and 

consumers, underpinning cultural 

practice that drives consumption. 

• Marketing Research Theory 

and Practice – Provides a 

framework for marketers to 

understand philosophical 

debates about research, and to 

consider appropriate 

methodology and methods. 

• Contemporary Issues in 

Marketing – Considers 

contemporary thinking 

in marketing, and the theories 

that are currently shaping and 

influencing marketing 

practice and practitioners. 

This module will focus on 

recent developments and 

current concerns for the 

interrelationships between 

marketing, society and 

culture, and will involve 

external guest speakers. 

• Strategy and Information 

Management – Widens the 

focus of study to consider 

issues and insights at 

corporate strategic level, 

and to evaluate the influences 

of this level of decision-making 

upon functional areas, 

including marketing. 

• Accounting and Finance – 

Provides students with a 

working knowledge of relevant 

aspects of financial and 

management accounts, so that 

as market practitioners they can 

engage with other specialists in 

the organisation. 

• Dissertation – Focuses on a 

relevant aspect of marketing, 

and demonstrates engagement 

with current thinking in marketing. 

Option modules may change 

each year but titles could include, 

for example: 

• Branding 

• e-Commerce 

• Entrepreneurship 

• Marketing Communications 

Theory 

Teaching and 

Assessment 

The Course Director is responsible 

for running the programme 

and providing support and 

information for students. Taught 

modules are usually assessed 

by a mixed diet of examinations 

and coursework, the latter 

including essays, practical 

projects, marketing plans, 

reports and presentations. 

Guidance is provided on 

dissertation/project topics 

and each student will be assigned 

a supervisor. 

“This is a challenging – but rewarding – 

area of study... There is the opportunity 

to engage with theory and practice, not 

just through the teaching team, but from 

other speakers as well… You will develop 

some practical marketing skills and also 

learn something about what it’s like to 

be a marketer... But you also need to 

understand the theory that underpins 

marketing, so you can make more 

theoretically-informed decisions about 

markets, marketing and consumption.” 

Dr Nia Hughes, Course Director 

FULL TIME 

54

Courses 


Project Management 

Course Title: 

Project Management 

Course Type: 

MSc 


Full-time or part-time 




pgradapp@keele.ac.uk 

Website: 

www.scm.keele.ac.uk 

Overview 

The MSc in Project Management 

Course brings together 

components from both the School 

of Computing and Mathematics 

and the Keele Management School. 

A successful project manager 

balances the conflicting goals of 

resource usage, quality of product, 

time to market and customer 

satisfaction. The programme is 

intended to provide the student 

with the technical and process 

skills to undertake the role of a 

project manager in the modern 

business environment. 

Facilities 

Postgraduate students within 


Mathematics benefit from a 

dedicated laboratory workroom 

with 24-hour access. The majority 

of the course is undertaken within 

the School’s dedicated facility 

close to the computing staff, 

which encourages learning in a 

supportive environment. 

Course Aims 

The course will cover all the 

basic project management 

areas as defined in the Project 

Management Book of Knowledge 

and in addition will provide the 

soft skills required in team building 

and people management. 


MSc applicants are expected 

to hold at least a Second 

Class Honours Degree 

(or overseas equivalent), 

or to have gained appropriate 

professional qualifications and 

work experience. 


Requirements 

International applicants will also 

need to have an English Language 

qualification of IELTS 6.5 (with a 

minimum of 5.5 in each sub-test or 

equivalent) or a degree examined 

in English. 


The course is a full-time 12 month 

programme starting in September, 

comprising six 15-credit taught 

modules and one 30-credit 

distributed team project module 

(120 credits) plus a dissertation 

or internship (60 credits). During 

semester one students take four 

core modules. During semester 

two students take three core 

modules. Students then undertake 

either a dissertation or internship, 

which is often industrially based. 


Core Modules 

Accounting and Finance 

– This module gives an 

understanding of the 

organisational role of accounting 

and finance and the theory 

underlying financial accounting, 

management accounting and 

financial management. 

Marketing and Operations 

Management – This module 

explores marketing and operations 

concepts and issues in-depth and 


marketing mix, strategies for new 

products and branding, and the 

strategic aspects of marketing. 

55

Courses 

People and Organisations – 

This module is intended to 

encourage independent and 

critical thought on how the terms 

‘people’ and ‘organisation’ are 

understood, related and managed. 

Project Scope and Portfolio 

Management – This module 

incorporates scope management 

and integration management, 

which assess the scale of the project, 

its component parts and processes, 

and their integration in order to 

achieve project goals. It will also 

consider how these aspects impact 

on the organisation as a whole 

and the overall delivery of the 

full portfolio of projects to be 

undertaken by the organisation. 

Sourcing and Supply Strategy – 

This module covers the acquisition 

process for both product 

components needed by the 

project and the provision of 

methods, tools and systems to 

support a project. 

Metrics Estimation, Analysis 

and Teams – This module 

provides students with the 

requisite skills and knowledge in 

the collection and use of metrics 




Project Management Distributed 

Group Project (30 credits): 

This module involves the students 

as part of a small project team 

undertaking the research and 

project management needed in 

producing a bid response for an 

identified project scenario. The 

students will all have an opportunity 

to apply the skills they have learnt 

across the full spectrum of 

modules, as the bid response 

will require the production 

of plans, estimates, scoping 

documents, risk and quality plans 

and the selection of appropriate 

staff to populate the project plan. 

Dissertation/ 

Student Consulting 

Provides an integration of 

concepts taught on the course 

in either an academic or 


Teaching and 

Assessment 

The taught modules are mainly 

assessed by coursework, with 

examinations in some modules. 

Project assessment is based largely 

on a substantial final report. 

“This course forced me to seek 

motivation from variety of sources, 

consequently building on my practical 

knowledge. Therefore I feel I have gained 

and developed many skills in terms of my 

own personal creativity and development 

for the role of a project manager. I was 

really compelled to think practically 

and found this challenging, enjoyable 

and most importantly a significant step 

in further career aspirations as Project 

Manager and handling of projects.” 

“Through the team project, we applied 

all the learned knowledge (like team 

building, project planning, estimation, 

monitoring and control etc.) into practice 

in managing a ‘real’ project as a team 

member in a ‘real’ business setting.” 

The above are comments from 

some of our 2011-2012 students 

PART TIME/FULL TIME 

56

Courses 

Counselling 

MSc Counselling Psychology 

Course Title: 

MSc Counselling Psychology/ 

MSc Counselling Psychology Studies 

(full-time) 

Course Type: 

Postgraduate 


Full-time 


Jo Gravano 


g.gravano@keele.ac.uk 

Website: 

www.keele.ac.uk/psychology 

Overview 

The MSc Counselling Psychology 

programme is a professional 

training in counselling and is 

accredited by the British 

Association of Counsellors and 

Psychotherapists (BACP) as a route 

of professional counsellor training. 

Candidates for accreditation must 

note that they will also have to 

meet all other criteria in line with 

BACP accreditation procedures. 

The philosophy of the therapeutic 

training we offer is integrative in 

nature and built upon a strong 

person-centred foundation. 

The Keele counselling model is 

founded on a person-centred 

view of personhood and 

person-centred ways of being. 

Integral to the model is the 

centrality of the therapeutic 

relationship, and Roger’s belief in 

the ‘self-therapeutic capacity and 

wisdom of clients’. However, we 

also take a strong ‘anti-schoolism’ 

stance which reflects our 

sincere respect for other, 

non-person-centred practices and 

practitioners. Our starting point 

for the Keele Counselling Model is 

thus a unifying ethos which 

enables us to respect and welcome 

a diversity of professional skills 

and orientations. The centrality 

of a secure and constantly 

reviewed ethical 

position, based on the BACP 

Ethical Framework for Good 

Practice in Counselling and 

Psychotherapy, is presented to 

the programme members as a 

major personal responsibility. 

Facilities 

The programme offers 

postgraduate students: therapeutic 

training; research training; 

access to highly trained staff 

who are therapists, supervisors 

and researchers. Attendance at 

Keele’s annual international 

counselling conference in which 

national and international 

counselling scholars and 

researchers are invited to speak. 

DVD recording equipment and 

rooms for counselling observation 

work and IT equipment. 

Course Aims 

The programme aims to equip 

successful students with the 

knowledge and expertise to 

support their work as professional 

humanistic counsellors. It aims to 

integrate students’ counselling 

skills practice with academic study 

at Masters Level and to facilitate 

student learning in the three areas 

of psychology practice: counselling 

skills, counselling-related theory 

and self-development. The 

programme offers to students a 

thorough theoretical grounding in 

Counselling Psychology and an 

introduction to research 

methodology. The principles 

underpinning the programme 

are empowerment, holistic 

development, relationships 

and community. 


The course is open to graduates 

with a good degree or equivalent, 

for example, professional 

qualifications. In some cases where 

students have significant relevant 

experience, this requirement may 

be waived. Applicants must also 

demonstrate commitment and 

motivation; emotional maturity; 

a capacity for sustained 

self-directed study; ability to 

present written exposition of 

information and argument; to work 

experientially as a member of a 

group; demonstrate an awareness 

of self and an awareness of the 

nature of prejudice and oppression. 


Requirements 

International students whose 

first language is not English must 

have an IELTS score of at least 

7.0 with at least 6.5 in each 

sub-test (or equivalent). 

57

Courses 


The course is taken full-time over 

one year. All Masters students are 

required to take four 30-credit 

taught modules (120 credits at 

Level 4), plus a research training 

module (15 credits) and a 60-credit 

dissertation, see below. All modules 

must be passed for the award to 

be made (total of 195 credits). 

Students who successfully complete 

only the four 30-credit taught 

modules (120 credits) may exit 

with a Postgraduate Diploma, 

and those successfully completing 

only the two modules indicated 

*below (60 credits) may exit with 

a Postgraduate Certificate. 

In addition, all students have 

tutor-led training in the practical 

skills of counselling, as well as 

access to DVD recording equipment 

for counselling practice with peers 

and for the production of case 

material for critical analysis. 

Students must complete a 

minimum of 100 hours of 

supervised counselling practice 

and have a minimum of eight hours 

of personal therapy. Students 

may have to pay for their own 

counselling supervision and 

personal therapy and are required 

to arrange these for themselves. 

However, our Placement Officer 

will be happy to help and advise 

students with this. Some students 

find it difficult to complete their 

100 hours of counselling within the 

academic year but are entitled to 

continue with this requirement 

until the September after they first 

registered for the programme. 

The award is withheld until this 

requirement is met. If students 

do take longer to meet this 

requirement, this may have 

financial implications, especially 

for overseas students. They may 

decide to spend an extra year in 

the UK to finish their counselling 

hours. Alternatively, if the 

completion of a counselling 

placement is not a requirement 

for a student’s future plans i.e. 

they intend to pursue a career 

in a counselling related field, 

then they are entitled to transfer 

to the MSc in Counselling 

Psychology Studies. 

The programme begins with 

compulsory attendance at a 

residential weekend and a 

two-week induction. Attendance at 

the annual counselling conference 

is also compulsory and at a 

Saturday Placement day. 


Module 1: Exploration in 

counselling (30 credits)* 

Module 2: Understanding in 

counselling (30 credits) 

Module 3: Integration in 

counselling (30 credits) 

Module 4: Practicum (30 credits)* 

Module 5: Research methods 

(15 credits) 

Module 6: Dissertation: 

The preparation and submission 

of a dissertation will give students 

the opportunity to research, 

in-depth, a counselling topic 

or issue of interest to them. 

The length of the dissertation 

is 20,000 words. 

Teaching and 

Assessment 

We employ a wide variety of 

teaching and learning strategies 

including lectures, large group 

work, community meetings, 

tutorials and small group work. 

Within this framework students are 

introduced to a range of practices 

which are related to relevant 

philosophical traditions including 

existentialism, phenomenology and 

poststructuralism. Throughout the 

course, students are supported to 

establish a sense of coherence in 

their own position. 

All modules are assessed on the 

basis of coursework. The pass mark 

for a module is 50%. The dissertation 

is a piece of independent research 

written up in 15,000 – 20,000 words. 

Masters students attaining 

exceptional performance (course 

average of at least 70% including 

70%+ for the dissertation) may be 

awarded a distinction. 

FULL TIME 

58

Courses 

Education 

Post/Professional Graduate Certificate in 

Education –Secondary – Initial Teacher Education 

Course Title: Post/Professional 

Graduate Certificate in Education – 

Secondary – Initial Teacher Education. 

Course Type: 

Post/Professional Graduate 

Certificate in Education (PGCE). 


Full-time 




k.a.pickin@keele.ac.uk 

Website: 

www.keele.ac.uk/pgtcourses/ 

pgce-secondaryteaching 

Overview 

This one-year (36 weeks) full time 

programme is aimed at enabling 

course participants to achieve an 

academic award at the University 

along with the recommendation 

for Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) 

for working in maintained schools 

in England. To be recommended 

for QTS course participants are 

required to meet National 

Teacher Standards. 

Course participants undertake 

study in the University and aspects 

of the programme are delivered in 

partnership with expert 

practitioners in local schools and 

other educational organisations. 

A minimum of 24 weeks (120 days) 

is spent on professional placement 

in schools. 

Facilities 

The programme is delivered by a 

team of tutors at Keele along with 

leading practitioners in partnership 

secondary schools. Within the 

University, there are dedicated 

teaching facilities and the 

programme makes use of the 

opportunities provided through 

working in partnership with schools. 

Course participants are supported 

throughout by the Keele Learning 

Environment (KLE). 

Course Aims 

The aims of the PGCE Programme 

are to: 

• support the development of newly 

qualified teachers as highly 

motivated, creative, reflective 

practitioners based on research 

and scholarship; 

• enable Trainee Teachers to 

become effective subject 

practitioners; 

• develop Trainees’ understanding 

of issues relating to teaching and 

learning in their specific subject 

specialism; 

• inform Trainees’ professional 

practice on the basis of theory, 

research and practical experience; 

• prepare Trainees for a career in 

teaching that will prove to be 

successful and rewarding; 

• develop in Trainees a 

commitment to, and enthusiasm 

for, continuing professional and 

personal development. 


• Mathematics and English 

Language at GCSE grade C 

or above (or equivalent 

qualification); 

• Keele offer tests for GCSE 

‘equivalence’; 

• Relevant degree (for the subject 

applied for) – at a minimum of a 

Lower Second Class Honours (2.2). 

In respect of applicants from 

outside the United Kingdom, a 

NARIC verification will inform the 

judgement as to the suitability of 

the degree; 

• Experience or awareness of 

relevant educational issues 

is desirable; 

• Observation in a school prior to 

interview provides evidence of 

interest, commitment and 

preparation and is desirable; 

• You must be medically fit to take a 

teacher training course in England; 

• You will have to disclose any 

previous criminal convictions, 

cautions or bindovers, irrespective 

of when they occurred and to 

agree to an enhanced criminal 

record check through the Criminal 

Records Bureau (CRB) for courses 

in England. 


Requirements 



IELTS 7.0 or equivalent with a 

minimum of 6.5 in each sub-test 

or equivalent. 

59

Courses 


This full-time course involves a 

minimum of 120 days on 

professional placement and a 

minimum of 60 days taught input 

delivered both in the University and 

in schools and other learning 

environments. During the 

professional placements (which will 

take place in at least 

two different schools) course 

participants undertake observation 

and study alongside a teaching 

timetable that increases as the 

placements progress. 

Course Modules: 

Module 1: Subject Identity 

and Pedagogy 

Module 2: Critical reflections on 

Pedagogical and 

Professional Practice 

Module 3: Education & 

Professional Studies 

Module 4: Supplementary Studies 

• To provide opportunities for 

students to meet the requirements 

for Qualified Teacher Status; 

• To enable Associate Teachers to 

gain the specialist knowledge and 

skills to become effective teachers 

of their specialist subject; 

• To develop a critical approach to 

subject knowledge and 

understanding; 

• To develop a personal and 

philosophical understanding 

of the subject and its place in 

the curriculum; 

• To develop a research-based 

approach to professional practice 

and development; 

• To assist students to develop 

knowledge, skills and 

understanding in key 

professional matters; 

• To gain insight into the needs and 

abilities of all learners, including 

those who may be gifted or have 

learning difficulties; 

• To consider approaches to 

classroom management; 

• To encourage a recognition of the 

importance of differentiation, 

both in respect of ability and 

learning styles; 

• To develop an understand of 

issues relating to teaching and 

learning and to commence the 

building of a framework within 

which Associate Teachers can 

analyse and interpret their 

experiences within their own age 

phase of training; 

• To develop the skills 

of the reflective and 

reflexive practitioner; 


Associates to appraise and review 

their development as a teacher 

and as a learner, identifying areas 

of strength and issues/targets for 

their continuing professional 

development, for their Career 

Entry Development Profile and 

NQT year. 

FULL TIME 

Module 5: Primary School 

Experience 

Module 6: Initial Secondary 

School Experience 

Module 7: Consolidation Secondary 

School Experience 

Module 8: Final Secondary School 

Experience 

The modules are delivered in such 

a way so that programme 

participants relate theory to 

practice and in so doing are 

provided with the opportunity to 

engage with a number of core 

aims of the modules, including: 

• Individual subjects offer learning 

opportunities for the students on 

their course to develop 

complementary skills and 

knowledge that will enhance their 

work in their main subject; 


understand the nature of their 

curriculum area at the primary 

age phase; 

• To develop an understanding of 

issues relating to progression and 

transition between key stages; 


understand the nature of their 

curriculum area at the Secondary 

age phase; 

Teaching and 

Assessment: 

Each academic module is formally 

assessed through written 

assignments that require the student 

to examine aspects of their own 

practice in the light of theory and 

vice versa. QTS is formally assessed 

through a portfolio of evidence 

mapped against each of the National 

Teacher Standards. There are a 

number of formative activities to 

support students in academic work, 

formative feedback is given on each 

essay and formative feedback is 

provided at regular intervals on the 

portfolio of evidence. 

60

Courses 

Education 

PGCE International 


Graduate Certificate in Education 

– International (PGCEi) – Initial 

Teacher Training 

Course Type: Post/Professional 



Full-time (taught sessions 

and distance learning) 




m.shaw@keele.ac.uk 

Website: 

www.keele.ac.uk/education/ 

pgceinternational 

Overview 

This programme is aimed at those 

teachers working in international 

schools who do not have a formal 

teacher training qualification and/or 

those who wish to work as teachers, 

particularly within the international 

school context. During this one-year 

programme, participants attend 

teaching blocks at particular points 

in the academic year and these are 

interspersed with periods of 

directed and self-supported study, 

along with periods of professional 

placement (teaching practice). 

Facilities 

The programme is delivered by 

Keele University tutors and is 

hosted by Harrow International 

School, Bangkok. Each of the core 

modules is supported by an 

extensive range of online and 

paperbased distance learning 

support material that are provided 

by the University. 

Students undertake a series of 

professional placements and these 

may be in a school where a course 

participant is employed (if already a 

teacher), at Harrow International 

School or at another school agreed 

by the University in conjunction 

with the course participant. 

Course Aims 

The educational aims of the 

programme are to support the 

development of new teachers who 

are able to draw on theory and 

practice to support their own 

development. Through study and 

extended periods of work within 

the classroom and the wider school 

environment, the intention is to 

create teachers who are 

outstanding professionals and who 

exhibit a commitment to equality 

and social justice. An aim of the 

programme is to enable 

participants to demonstrate 

academic capability at more than 

one level, up to and including 

Masters degree level. 


Students should have a good 

degree from a recognised university. 

A NARIC verification will inform 

the judgement as to suitability of 

the degree. All applications are 

considered by tutors at Keele, 

in consultation with the part-time 

tutor team in Thailand. 

For students who fall short 

of the requirements, relevant 

work experience, or evidence 

of experience in the field, 

can be considered as a 

compensating element. 


Requirements 







There is both a taught and 

self-study component. Teaching is 

provided in a series of three-day 

sessions between November and 

June. Course participants undertake 

directed and self-supported study 

on a weekly basis between the 

formal taught sessions. 

A series of professional placements 

within a school or college are also 

undertaken. Depending upon the 

prior experience of an individual, 

there may be a possibility of 

Accreditation of Prior Experiential 

Learning (APEL) against elements 

of the professional placements. 

However, as a minimum all course 

participants are required to 

undertake the final placement 

of c. 13 weeks in duration. 

61

Courses 


Module 1: The Beginning Teacher: 

Subject Identity 

and Pedagogy. 

This module engages participants 

with the principles of subject/ 

curriculum and related pedagogies. 

It encourages them to take a critical 

and analytical approach to 

knowledge and the factors that 

influence perceptions of attitudes 

towards knowledge. 

The module also develops, 

for the participants, the principles 

of teaching, learning and 

assessment – key strands to enable 

participants to develop their 

competence as beginning teachers. 

Module 2: Critical Reflections 

on Pedagogical and 

Professional Practice. 

This module provides participants 

with the opportunity to undertake 

a piece of classroom-based 

research, looking at their own 

practice and/or that of others that 

they have observed. The research 

focus/foci will enable the 

participants to look at policy within 

a localised context and offer the 

opportunity to critically review and 

evaluate the impact of particular 

initiatives or approaches. 

In addition, the module provides 

the opportunity for participants to 

consider the role of teacher as an 

agent of change and as a leader 

and to be able to critique theories 

of leadership as they apply to the 

teaching profession. 

Module 3: The Developing 

Teacher: The Wider 

Professional Role. 

This module explores the broader 

role of the teacher, beyond specialism 

in the curriculum and/or age phase. 

It encourages the participants to 

develop her/his understanding of the 

role as a professional within whole 

school and wider community 

contexts. In a similar vein, the 

participants are challenged to 

consider the needs of the child in this 

wider environment and to look at the 

barriers that may prevent some 

pupils from being able to engage 

successfully in the learning process 

– and the implications of this. 

Module 4: Teaching Practice 1. 

A three week (15 day) training 

experience within a school/college 

context relevant to the age phase in 

which the programme participant is 

training. Participants undertake 

professional practice to develop the 

knowledge, skills and understanding 

that will enable them to become 

competent and effective teachers. 

Module 5: Teaching Practice 2. 

A three week (15 day) training 


context relevant to the age phase 

in which the programme participant 

is training. Participants undertake 

professional practice to develop the 

knowledge, skills and understanding 

that will enable them to become 

competent and effective teachers. 

Module 6: Final Teaching Practice. 

A 13-week (65 day) training 


context relevant to the age phase 

in which the programme participant 

is training. Participants undertake 

professional practice to develop 

the knowledge, skills and 

understanding that will enable 

them to become competent and 

effective teachers. 

Teaching and 

Assessment 

A formal assignment of c.4,000 

words is required for modules 

1, 2 & 3. These three modules also 

require participants to undertake a 

series of formative assessment 

activities. The professional 

placement modules (4, 5 & 6) 

assess competence in the classroom 

and end of teaching practice 

reports are produced by the 

mentors responsible for the 

participants whilst they are in 

their placement school/college. 

Participants also produce a 

reflective journal and, in respect of 

their final teaching practice module 

(6), they are required to produce a 

portfolio of evidence and an 

analyse of their professional journey 

towards becoming a teacher. 

FULL TIME 

62

Courses 

Education 

Professional Graduate Diploma in International 

Education (PGDIE) 

Course Title: 

Professional Graduate Diploma in 

International Education (PGDIE) 

Course Type: 

Graduate Diploma 


Full-time 

Contact: 

Indus Training and Research 

Institute, Bangalore, India 


anita.rao@itari.in 

ankur.rupani@itari.in 

Website: 

www.itari.in/plan.asp 

Overview 

This programme is aimed at those 

teachers working in international 

schools who do not have a formal 

teacher training qualification and/or 

those who wish to work as teachers, 

particularly within the international 

school context. From the 2013/14 

academic year, it is intended that 

this one-year full-time programme 

will also be available on a part-time 

basis over two years. 

Taught sessions are supported 

by online materials and course 

participants undertake periods of 

professional practice within the 

international schools setting. 

Facilities 

The programme is delivered at 

the Indus Training and Research 

Institute (ITARI) in Bangalore which 

is based on the INDUS International 

School Campus. Course participants 

are supported by additional 

resources provided by Keele 

University, and tutors from the 

University visit ITARI on two 

occasions during the academic year. 

Course participants undertake a 

professional teaching practice at 

the Indus Community School which 

is also based on the INDUS 

International School Campus and 

they will undertake primary and 

secondary teaching practices in the 

International School before 

undertaking their final teaching 

practice with their preferred age 

phase (primary or secondary). 

Course Aims 

The educational aims of the 

programme are to support the 

development of new teachers who 

are able to draw on theory and 

practice to support their own 

development. Through study and 

extended periods of work within 

the classroom and the wider 

school environment, the intention 

is to create teachers who are 

outstanding professionals and who 

exhibit a commitment to equality 

and social justice. An aim of the 

programme is to enable 

participants to demonstrate 

academic capability at more than 

one level, up to and including 

Masters degree level. 



degree from a recognised 

University within India. Where 

applicants for the programme 

reside and have studied outside of 

the country, a NARIC verification 

will inform the judgement as to 

suitability of the degree. 

For students who fall short of 

the ‘good degree’ requirement, 

relevant work experience, 

or evidence of experience in 

the field, can be considered as 

a compensating element. 


Requirements 

The programme is taught through 

the medium of English and the 

work in the schools is also 

undertaken through the medium 

of English. Competence in spoken 

and written English is therefore 

an essential requirement. Each 

applicant will have her/his 

capability assessed. Although this 

programme does not formally use 

IELTS it is expected that students 

whose first language is not English 

will have a level of capability 

approximating to IELTS 6.5 or 

equivalent with a minimum of 5.5 

in each sub-test or equivalent. 


This full-time programme 

commences with a 12-week taught 

programme at ITARI . During this 

phase course participants spend 

half-a-day a week in the 

International School. The following 

14 weeks are divided between 

taught sessions at ITARI and 

professional practice in the 

Community and International 

Schools. A final professional 

63

Courses 

practice (Internship) of 12 weeks 

is undertaken at the International 

School – either in Bangalore or 

at one of the INDUS Trust’s 

other international schools in Pune 

and Hyderabad. 


Module 1: The Beginning Teacher: 

Subject Identity and Pedagogy: 

This module engages trainees 

with the principles of subject/ 

curriculum and related pedagogies. 

It encourages them to take a 

critical and analytical approach to 

knowledge and the factors that 

influence perceptions of attitudes 

towards knowledge. 

The module also develops, for 

the trainees, the principles of 

teaching, learning and assessment 

– key strands to enable trainees to 

develop their competence as 

beginning teachers. 

Module 2: The Beginning 

Teacher: Critical Reflections on 

Pedagogical and Professional 

Practice: This module provides 

trainees with the opportunity to 

undertake a piece of classroombased 

research, looking at their own 

practice and/or that of others that 

they have observed. The focus/foci 

will enable the trainee to look at 

policy within a localised context and 

offer the opportunity to critically 

review and evaluate the impact of 

particular initiatives or approaches. 

Module 3: The Developing 

Teacher: The Wider Professional 

Role: This module explores the 

broader role of the teacher, 

beyond specialism in the curriculum 

and/or age phase. It encourages the 

trainee to develop her/his 

understanding of the role as 

a professional within whole school 

and wider community contexts. 

In a similar vein, the trainees 

are challenged to consider the 

needs of the child in this wider 

environment and to look at the 

barriers to learning. 

Module 4: Practicum 1: A 30 x 

half-day training experience 

within a primary age phase 

context. Trainees commence 

their professional practice to 

develop the knowledge, skills 

and understanding that will enable 

them to become competent 

and effective teachers 

Module 5: Practicum 2: A 25 x 

half-day training experience 

within a middle years age phase 

context and a 15 x half-day training 

experience within a secondary age 

phase context. Trainees undertake 






Module 6: Internship: A 60-day 

training experience within a 

designated age phase (primary 

or secondary). Trainees undertake 






Teaching and 

Assessment 

The programme is assessed 

through written work in the form 

of essays and practice-based 

research assignments; these are 

complemented by a reflective log 

and critical commentary that draws. 

on the work undertaken in the 

professional practice modules 

throughout the programme. 

The use of these forms of 

assessment enables judgements 

to be made about the students 

knowledge and understanding 

of module content and their 

capacity to critically examine 

their practice in the classroom 

and in the wider school 

environment in light of the theory. 

Formative assessment in the 

programme takes a variety 

of forms; these include the 

development of teaching and 

learning resources, assessment 

tools/guidance, presentations, 

and individual discussions. These 

activities consolidate and extend 

the work that has been undertaken 

in the taught sessions. They also 

enable course participants to 

demonstrate key skills that are 

relevant to their professional 

practice and competence. 

Overall professional competence 

is assessment within the school 

environment and a series of 

formal reports are produced at 

the end of each phase of practice 

in the classroom. 

FULL TIME 

64

Courses 

Education 

Post/Professional Graduate Certificate in 

Education – Primary – Initial Teacher Education 


Graduate Certificate in Education – 

Primary – Initial Teacher Education 

Course Type: Post/Professional 


(PGCE) 


Full-time 




k.a.pickin@keele.ac.uk 

Website: 

www.keele.ac.uk/education 

Overview 

This one-year (38 weeks) 

full-time programme is aimed at 

enabling course participants to 

achieve an academic award at 

the University along with the 

recommendation for Qualified 

Teacher Status (QTS) for working 

in maintained schools in England. 

To be recommended for QTS, 

course participants are required to 

meet National Teacher Standards. 

Course participants undertake 

study in the University and 

aspects of the programme are 

delivered in partnership with 

expert practitioners in local 

schools and other educational 

organisations. A minimum of 

24 weeks (120 days) is spent on 

professional placement in schools. 

Facilities 

The programme is delivered by a 

team of tutors at Keele along with 

leading practitioners in partnership 

primary schools. Within the 

University, there is a dedicated 

teaching facility and the 

programme makes use of the 

opportunities provided through 

working in partnership with schools. 

Course participants are supported 

throughout by the Keele Learning 

Environment (KLE). 

Course Aims 

• Critically evaluate the place of 

the subject in which they are 

developing a specialism within 

the Primary school curriculum; 

• Design and implement specialist 

subject components in the school 

curriculum, suitable for a range of 

ability levels among their chosen 

age phase; 

• Critically evaluate and 

develop teaching and learning 

resources, methods and 

assessment procedures; 

• Identify and devise suitable 

responses to the organisational 

constraints within the school; 

• Demonstrate their personal 

abilities in the use of Information 

and Communications Technology, 

and be able to apply such 

technology to the subject in 

which they are developing a 

specialism and in their work 

across the Primary curriculum; 

• Realise the potential of the world 

outside the school as a resource 

for teaching and learning; 

• Demonstrate an ability to 

extend their knowledge and 

understanding into new areas 

of their specialist primary area, 

and to adapt such knowledge 

to meet the requirements of 

the classroom; 

65 

• Demonstrate an ability to 

examine current educational 

and professional issues, and 

government policy, in a critical 

and analytical manner; 

• Demonstrate an ability to identify 

weaknesses and strengths in their 

own teaching and take positive 

steps to improve their capability; 

• Comply with the standards 

of professional competence 

expected of teachers in schools. 


Students should have a minimum 

of a lower second-class honours 

degree. The content of the degree 

should be education-related or 

align with the National Curriculum; 

in particular, consideration will be 

given to applicants whose degree 

aligns with a National Curriculum 

Core Subject. 

In respect of applicants from 

outside the United Kingdom, 

a NARIC verification will inform 

the judgement as to the suitability 

of the degree. 

As specialist pathways in 

Mathematics, Modern Languages 

and Science are offered, there is 

an expectation that candidates 

will have relevant prior study 

and attainment.

Courses 

It is an expectation that applicants 

are able to demonstrate that they 

have had appropriate prior 

experience of working in/engaging 

with primary schools and/or other 

appropriate learning contexts. 


Requirements 







This full-time course involves 

a minimum of 120 days on 

professional placement and a 

minimum of 70 days taught 

input delivered both in the 

University and in schools and 

other learning environments. 

During the professional placements 

(which will take place in at least 

two different schools), course 

participants undertake observation 

and study alongside a teaching 

timetable that increases as the 

placements progress. 


Module 1: Learning and Teaching 

and the Primary Specialist: 

This module seeks to set the 

generic educational issues 

explored within the PGCE 

programme within the context of 

their primary specialist subject 

and the relevant age phase(s). 

The module will encourage 

Associate Teachers to engage in 

thinking about pedagogy in respect 

of their primary specialism, subjects 

across the primary curriculum and 

age phase. 

Module 2: Subject Knowledge 

for Learning and Teaching: 

This module is designed to 

develop Associate Teacher’s 

subject knowledge and 

understanding and their ability 

to make use of this knowledge in 

the development of high-quality 

lessons, learning materials and 

assessment strategies. 

Module 3: Education and 

Professional Studies: This module 

will encourage Associate Teachers 

to explore a wide range of current 

educational issues that are relevant 

to all aspects of teaching, 

irrespective of subject or age phase 

and encourage them to consider 

these in light of their own primary 

specialist subject, subjects across 

the primary curriculum and 

age phase. This will include a 

consideration of such issues as 

the nature of the curriculum, 

the role of education in society 

and the process skills required in 

order to be an effective teacher. 

Module 4: Teaching Practice: 

This module is the school-based 

aspect of course participants’ 

training that will provide the 

government-required experience 

of teaching in schools. 120 days’ 

placement in a Primary school 

and other appropriate educational 

settings will be undertaken, 

with Associates undertaking 

substantive placements in a 

minimum of two institutions. 

Teaching and 

Assessment 

The programme is assessed 

through written work in the form 

of essays and practice-based 

research assignments. Course 

participants are required to 

demonstrate the skills of critical 

self-reflection throughout the 

programme and this is supported 

through the use of a reflective log, 

which also enables participants to 

manage the process of evidence 

collection against the national 

requirements for a recommendation 

of Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) 

to be made. 

FULL TIME 

66

Courses 

Environment 

MA in Climate Change Studies 

Course Title: 

MA in Climate Change Studies 

Course Type: 

MA 




Postgraduate Co-ordinator 


k.s.ainsworth@keele.ac.uk 

Website: 

www.keele.ac.uk/spire/ 

postgraduate/ 

mainclimatechangestudies 

Overview 

Climate change is as much a 

political issue as a scientific one, 

and will remain so for the 

foreseeable future. Those able to 

understand and address the social, 

ethical and political challenges it 

poses will be highly valuable 

citizens and employees. 

This new MA, unique in the UK, 

draws on both natural and social 

sciences to set these challenges in 

context. Core modules cover 

international agreements, national 

regulation and policymaking, NGO 

campaigns, and grassroots activism. 

Formal and informal responses to 

climate change are examined from 

economic, business, scientific, 

governmental, and civil society 

perspectives. Students develop 

an in-depth understanding of the 

complex relationships between 

climate politics and related areas 

of concern such as peak oil, 

resource depletion, biodiversity, 

gender, food sovereignty, 

and environmental security. 

The course is hosted in the School 

of Politics, International Relations 

and Philosophy (SPIRE) and 

primarily taught by members 

of the Centre for Environmental 

Action and Thought (CREATe), 

the UK’s pre-eminent cluster of 

environmental politics specialists. 

Additional expert input is drawn 

from other academic departments 

and from experts outside 

the University. 

Keele’s large campus is undergoing 

a major redevelopment programme 

with sustainability at its heart. 

As a student on the MA in Climate 

Change Studies, you will be able 

to see these exciting developments 

at first hand. 

Course Aims 

The aims of the course are to 

enable students to: Think, talk, 

and write about climate change, 

and the ways in which it is 

represented, in a systematic, critical 

and well-informed way; Understand, 

evaluate and apply a range of 

theories about the political 

consequences of climate change, 

and appreciate the theory and 

empirical reality of responses to 

climate change in their social 

and political contexts; Develop 

the ability to conduct and report 

on their own research using 

appropriate techniques of 

scholarship in the social sciences. 

These research skills are essential 

for the dissertation, but also give 

a good grounding for future 

academic or professional work. 


In order to apply you must have 

a first degree (UK second-class 

honours degree or equivalent or 

above). Where English is not a first 

language, proof of English language 

competence will be required (IELTS 

6.5 or equivalent, with a minimum 

of 6 in each sub-test). 


Completion of the MA requires 

180 credits, obtained through four 

30-credit modules and a 60-credit 

dissertation of 15,000 words. Each 

module is delivered once a year as 

an intensive four-day block of 

seminar classes, bringing the course 

within reach of students whose 

commitments prevent them from 

living at Keele. Students completing 

the four modules but not the 

dissertation will be awarded a 

Diploma rather than the full MA. 

Indicative Content 

of Modules 

Climate Change: Science, Power, 

Policy & Economics (Module 

Co-ordinator: Dr Philip Catney) 

• Climate change science for 

non-scientists 

• Climate policymaking in specific 

countries including the UK, the 

EU, the USA, India and China 

67

Courses 

• Market-based instruments 

and regulation 

• Carbon trading and offsets 

• The EU and emissions trading 

• The science-policy interface 

• The economics of climate change 

Climate Change: International 

Relations, Adaptation, Mitigation 

and Security (Module Co-ordinator: 

Professor John Vogler) 

• The UNFCC and the IPCC 

• The ozone and climate regimes 

compared – determinants of 

effectiveness 

• Effectiveness and implementation 

of climate agreements 

• NGOs and international 

climate politics 

• The EU as an international 

climate leader 

• The trade-environment problem 

• Business interests and 

international climate politics 

• A North-South deal on mitigation, 

adaptation and development 

• Climate and security 

Climate Change: Citizenship, 

Activism, Democracy and Justice 

(Module Co-ordinator: Professor 

Andrew Dobson) 

• Changing environmentrelated 

behaviour I, the UK 

government’s strategy II, 

citizenship-based alternatives 

• Contesting climate change 

– activism and its impacts 

• Gender and climate change 

• Democracy and climate change 

• An authoritarian imperative? 

• The democratic alternative 

• Climate change and justice 

• Frameworks 

• Principles 

Climate Change: Strategic Futures, 

Policy Challenges (Module 

Co-ordinator: TBA) 

• Futurology 

• Climate change scenarios: 

scientific facts, scenarios and 

best guesses 

• Climate change, peak oil and the 

Transition Towns movement 

• Climate change and 

post-apocalypse fiction 

• Climate change and limits 

to growth 

• Climate change and shifting 

green priorities: landscape, 

ecology, survival 

• Plan B: green capitalism and 

climate mitigation 

• Plan C: Geo-engineering and 

planetary management 

Dissertation (Module Co-ordinator: 

Dr Brian Doherty) 

15,000-word dissertation on any 

aspect of climate change politics, 

to be agreed with supervisory staff. 

Students may be able to undertake 

relevant fieldwork to research the 

work of an organisation working in 

the field of climate change. 

Teaching and 

Assessment 

Each module is assessed by a 

coursework essay plus a range 

of skills-training exercises. Students 

demonstrating an outstanding 

level of work will receive their 

degree with distinction. 

International 

SPIRE is a thoroughly international 

school, and is particularly 

welcoming to international 

students, as well as providing 

plenty of opportunities for home 

students to broaden their horizons. 

We have staff with educational 

backgrounds in a wide variety of 

countries, such as Canada, Bulgaria, 

Italy, Austria, Romania, and Turkey, 

who present their research all 

around the world. Students have 

the opportunity to hear visiting 

lecturers from various different 

countries, arranged through our 

ERASMUS partnerships. 

International students will join 

established international 

communities at Keele, and will find 

plenty of support mechanisms in 

place to help them make the 

transition to study in the UK. 


• Protesting climate change 

– justifications and prohibitions 

68

Courses 

Environment 

MSc Environmental Sustainability & Green Technology 

Course Title: 

Environmental Sustainability & 

Green Technology 

Course Type: 





Contact Details: Karen Babb, 



k.a.babb@keele.ac.uk 

Website: 

www.keele.ac.uk/gge 

Overview 

The world is facing increasing 

environmental threats which are 

posing severe scientific, social and 

economic challenges to the human 

race. These challenges include: 

the depletion of natural resources, 

the loss of diversity and the need 

to develop new forms of energy 

generation, whilst efficiently utilising 

existing energy sources. Tackling 

these environmental problems 

and establishing a sustainable 

environment requires the adoption 

of appropriate policies and 

managerial strategies. 

The interdisciplinary nature of this 

postgraduate course provides a 

broad understanding of these 

environmental problems, whilst 

embedding the appropriate 

specialist scientific, managerial and 

generic skills for a career in the 

environmental sustainability sector. 

The course incorporates Keele 

University’s internationally 

recognised expertise in research 

and teaching on environmental 

issues. It is taught by a team of 

environmental specialists working 

in the fields of environmental 

technologies, biological sciences, 

chemical science, project 

management, and environmental 

policy and politics. 

Course Aims 

The MSc in Environmental 

Sustainability and Green Technology 

is designed to provide an 

interdisciplinary understanding of 

environmental challenges whilst 

giving the opportunity to specialise 

in several sustainability themes 

related to geosciences, energy 

generation, biological science, 

sustainable technologies, 

environmental policy and politics, 

and project management. As a 

student on the MSc Environmental 

Sustainability & Green Technology 

course you’ll gain: 

• An understanding of knowledge 

in the areas of science, 

technology, policy and green 

political theory relevant to 

environmental sustainability. 

• Experience in analytical 

and computer techniques 

which will allow you to 

contribute to the solving of 

environmental challenges. 

• A conceptual understanding to 

evaluate critically current research 

and advance scholarship in 

environmental sustainability. 

• A comprehensive understanding 

of experimental design, planning 

and scientific techniques within a 

research project. 

• Problem-solving and team working 

skills relevant to the 

implementation of sustainable 

technologies and policies. 


Applicants should have a first 

degree (UK second-class 

honours degree or above) or 

equivalent qualification (generally 

an aggregate mark of at least 60%). 

Students without a degree but with 

relevant professional training will 

also be considered. 


Requirements 






The MSc programme comprises 

eight taught 15-credit modules and a 

60-credit research project which is 

undertaken either at Keele University 

or on placement with an industrial 

collaborator. This structure allows 

students to obtain a postgraduate 

certificate (60 credits) or a 

postgraduate diploma (120 credits) 

depending on the number of 

modules studied. 

69

Courses 

The course is structured into 

three main sections: 

• You’ll be given an introduction 

to sustainable technologies and 

environmental politics 

• You’ll take a look at case studies, 

and develop your research skills 

• Finally, you’ll complete your 

research project, which can be 

carried out at Keele, elsewhere in 

the UK, or abroad (with approval). 

The first two sections also allow 

for a choice of option modules, 

according to your particular interest. 

This interdisciplinary course gives 

you the opportunity to choose 

from a diverse range of subjects 

which include: 

• Environmental Decision Making in 

the UK 

• Clean & Green Technologies: 

Power from Below and Above 

the Earth 

• Trees, Forests and Global Change 

• Geoscience Resources & Hazards 

• Environmental Politics & Policy in 

India & China 

• Sustainable Fisheries & 

Aquaculture 

Cross-theme studies are 

encouraged. This interdisciplinary 

knowledge is then applied in a 

student-centred learning situation. 

This provides the necessary 

teamwork and problem-solving 

skills to formulate strategies to 

address a range of environmental 

and sustainability challenges. 

The 60-credit research project 

is preceded by a Research 

Skills module. 


Modules are assessed by assignment 

and/or examination. The research 

project is based on the submission 

of a 15,000 – 20,000 word report 

that is undertaken by the student in 

conjunction with an academic 

supervisor and, where appropriate, 

an industrial collaborator. 

“Once I saw the commitment the 

University was making to sustainability, 

I knew it was the place for me. 

This programme has pushed me to stay on 

top of the ever-changing world of clean 

energy and I believe the skills I gained 

at Keele will give me an edge in the job 

market over other university graduates.” 

Elizabeth Marie Thomason. 

Full-time international student 2011/12 


70

Courses 

Health 

Health Research 

Course Title: 

Health Research 

Course Type: 

MRes 




Sarah Skinner 


s.a.skinner@keele.ac.uk 

Website: 


healthresearch 

Overview 

This MRes in Health Research 

prepares students for a researchrelated 

career by providing a 

structured programme of training 

in a range of research skills and 

methodologies. Increasingly, 

students wishing to take doctoral 

programmes are finding it 

advantageous, and indeed may 

be required to undertake a year’s 

research training (or equivalent) 

prior to enrolling on the doctorate. 

Until the 1990s, postgraduate 

research was focused exclusively 

on the production of an original 

doctoral thesis. It is now seen as 

part of a much broader 

programme of research training. 

While the doctoral thesis remains 

central, issues of research design, 

methods of data collection, and 

procedures for data analysis are 

now also included as part of the 

explicit research training process. 

This MRes programme will provide 

the preparation required to 

successfully complete a PhD and 

will normally fulfil the research 

training requirements specified 

within a doctoral programme. 

The MRes also provides a 

Masters level qualification in its 

own right for those seeking 

specialist research training but 

who may not wish to proceed to 

a doctoral degree. 

The MRes in Health Research 

provides a broad but intensive 

training in the methodologies 

relevant to non-laboratory 

research in health, healthcare, 

medicine, and allied fields, 

and provides training in both 

qualitative and quantitative 

approaches to research. 

A number of the modules in 

the programme are taught across 

the health and social science 

disciplines within the University, 

giving the MRes a strong 

multidisciplinary perspective. 

Facilities 

The School of Health & 

Rehabilitation is based on Keele 

campus and has a well-established 

undergraduate physiotherapy 

programme. Modules are also 

taught in other Schools within 

the University such as the Schools 

of Nursing & Midwifery, Medicine, 

and Pharmacy. 

Course Aims 

The general aims of the 

programme are as follows: 

• To equip participants with a 

range of research methods and 

strategies relevant to research in 

the area of health and healthcare 

• To assist participants to develop 

skills of research design and data 

analysis in both qualitative and 

quantitative research (including 

the use of relevant software 

programs), and provide an 

opportunity to attain advanced 

proficiency in one of these areas 

• To develop the qualities 

needed for critical evaluation 

of health research 

• To provide practice in a 

range of transferable skills, 

improve existing skills and 

enhance employability, 

whether in an academic 

context or in applied clinical 

or health services research 

71

Courses 


Applicants should be graduates 

normally with a good honours 

degree (2.1 or above) in a relevant 

subject (e.g. medicine, nursing, 

allied health professions, 

pharmacy, psychology, social 

sciences, applied statistics). 

However, students from different 

backgrounds who believe they 

have the capacity to undertake 

postgraduate work should contact 

us to discuss their situation. 

Applicants should ensure that their 

personal statements identify why 

they wish to study this course. 


Requirements 

For students whose first language 

is not English, evidence will be 

required of successful completion 

of an English Language 

qualification such as TOEFL 

(minimum 600) or IELTS 

(minimum 6.5 with at least 

6 in each sub-test). All applications 

are assessed on an individual basis. 


A Masters degree is 180 credits, 

made up of taught modules 

up to 120 credits plus a dissertation 

of 60 credits. Those taking 

taught modules only may qualify 

for a Postgraduate Diploma 

(120 credits). It is also possible 

to gain a Postgraduate 

Certificate through the completion 

of certain taught modules. 


For the MRes in Health Research, 

all students are required to take 

the following modules: 

• Research Methods in Health 

(15 credits) 

• Literature Searching and 

Synthesis (15 credits) 

• Qualitative Data Analysis 

(20 credits) 

• Quantitative Data Analysis 1 

(20 credits) or Statistics and 

Epidemiology (15 credits) 

• Ethics in Research (10 credits) 

• Two or more option modules 

(subject to availability) which 

with the above modules will 

make a total of 120 credits; 

e.g. Quantitative data analysis 

2 (20 credits), Advanced 

qualitative methods: 

ethnographic research 

(20 credits), Survey research 

(10 credits), Multivariate methods 

(10 credits), Reliability analysis 

(5 credits), Assessment and 

Measurement (15 credits), 

Independent study (15 credits). 

Students who are clinical 

practitioners may take an option 

module in an area related to 

their practice 

• Dissertation (60 credits); 

all students complete a 

15,000-word dissertation in an 

approved area. Dissertation 

workshops provide support 

for students. 

Teaching and 

Assessment 

Assessment of modules takes 

a variety of forms, which may 

include coursework, written 

examinations, and portfolios. 

Students must pass all the taught 

modules before they may formally 

register on the dissertation. 


72

Courses 

Health 

Health Visitor 

Course Title: 

Postgraduate Diploma/MSc 

Specialist Community Public Health 

Nursing (Health Visiting) 

Course Type: 

Postgraduate Diploma 




Lynsey Rees 


l.j.rees@keele.ac.uk 

Website: 

www.keele.ac.uk/ 

nursingandmidwifery 

Overview 

This course has been designed to 

produce specialist community public 

health practitioners who are safe, 

competent, and deliver professional 

practice in a community public 

health setting, meeting Nursing and 

Midwifery Council (NMC) standards 

for Specialist Community Public 

Health Nursing. 

Students are prepared to work 

with communities, families and 

individuals to improve health 

and reduce health inequalities to 

optimise life chances, in partnership 

with people and organisations, 

in support of the government 

health and social agenda. 

On successful completion of 

this course, the student is able to 

register with the NMC on the 

third part of the register as a 

Specialist Community Public 

Health Nurse. Students studying 

at postgraduate level have an 

opportunity to undertake a 

dissertation after the course to 

convert their postgraduate diploma 

to a Masters Degree. 

Students develop their leadership 

skills on the programme, to plan 

and lead services and initiatives 

which promote health improvement, 

as well as community practitioner 

prescribing as applicable to their role. 

Facilities 

Keele University School of Nursing 

and Midwifery is based at the 

Clinical Education Centre within 

the University Hospital of North 

Staffordshire (NHS) Trust. 

The Clinical Education Centre, 

which opened in September 2004, 

is a contemporary, state-of-the-art, 

building which houses not only the 

School of Nursing and Midwifery, 

but also incorporates part of the 

well-established Undergraduate and 

Postgraduate School of Medicine. 

The spacious and light interior of 

the building consists of seminar 

rooms, extensive clinical skills 

laboratories, interprofessional 

Health Library and IT laboratories, 

which not only provide high-tech 

learning and teaching facilities, but 

also allow and encourage 

multidisciplinary learning and team 

working, an approach that we 

believe is key to developing a 

professional healthcare workforce 

for the future. 

Course Aims 

The aim of this programme is to 

support the development and 

enhancement of essential 

knowledge and skills in the 

registered practitioner to equip 

them to develop their careers in 

specialist community public health 

nursing. This will be actualised 

through building upon the 

theoretical and clinical basis of their 

specialised area of practice, through 

delivering a coherent programme 

of study. The award options will 

have a contemporary focus and 

initially serve to meet the NMC 

standards of proficiency (2004) 

for those aspiring to work within 

the field of Health Visiting. 

Each award pathway, as developed, 

will be designed to develop and 

enhance the individual practitioner’s 

application of specialist theory to 

their practice area. 


The West Midlands Strategic 

Health Authority (WMSHA) are 

advertising the Health Visitor 

training opportunities at the 

following website: www. 

healthvisiting.westmidlands.nhs.uk/ 

RegionalRecruitment.aspx. Potential 

applicants will apply through a 

regional application process which 

requires the applicant to select first 

and second choice Higher 

Education provider and first and 

second choice placement provider. 

Placement Providers (Trusts) 

undertake the interviewing process. 

At the end of the selection process 

all HEIs will be notified of who 

has been successful for which 

73

Courses 

universities and placement areas. 

NHS Trusts providing placements 

will then liaise with the applicants 

to undertake Trust induction/ 

mandatory requirements e.g. 

Occupational Health and CRB 

processing. Higher Institution 

providers will then register the 

successful applicants 

onto the programme. 

Potential/prospective 

students will: 

be a registered nurse or midwife 

and will normally be a graduate. 


Requirements 






The Postgraduate Diploma 

Specialist Community Public 

Health Nursing Award – recordable 

with the NMC – comprises of six 

taught modules: 

Core Modules: 

• Leadership and Management 

for Healthcare Professionals 

(15 level 7 credits) 

• Public Health and Social Policy 


• Specialist Community Practice 


• Research Methods 


Successful completion of the 

Postgraduate Diploma will lead to 

the NMC approved specialist and 

recordable qualification ‘Specialist 

Community Public Health Nursing 

(Health Visiting)’. 

Those who have been successful 

within the PGD will be eligible to 

proceed onto the Masters award – 

subject to the rules of progression. 

The award of an MSc Specialist 

Community Public Health Nursing 

(Health Visiting) requires 

successful completion of the 

Professional Practice Dissertation 

(route 1) or the Faculty Dissertation 

Module (route 2). 

Teaching and 

Assessment 

Lead lectures: where the lecturer 

provides students with a 

framework and context for further 

reading and independent study. 

Tutor-led tutorials: where the 

lecturer focuses on a topic of 

interest and relevance to the 

module to be discussed in-depth 

within a small group. 

Student-led tutorials: where the 

student leads the discussion on a 

topic of interest and relevance to 

the module within a small group or 

on a one-to-one basis. 

Problem-solving scenarios: 

where case-based scenarios 

will be used to focus students’ 

attention and develop their 

problem-solving skills. 

Small group work: where students 

work together in small groups to 

discuss and evaluate practice and 

associated evidence, then share 

group summaries in a final 

plenary session. 

Experiential learning: where 

students reflect on and critically 

appraise their experiences 

in practice. 

Interactive practical examinations 

are used as formative and 

summative assessments within 

the programme. They enable the 

student to demonstrate practical 

skills within a simulated 

environment using either clinical 

scenarios or a specific clinical 

procedure. The examination will 

assess appropriate knowledge and 

understanding and the students 

ability to reflect in action, problem 

solve, and make decisions. 

KLE and blended learning 

approaches: where the University’s 

virtual learning environment is 

used to facilitate on line 

discussions, ‘blogs’, conditional 

release tasks and access to a wide 

range of learning resources and 

research tools. 

Independent study: where 

students are self-directed in 

relation to the various study 

demands of each module and its 

assessment. This is particularly 

relevant to portfolio development. 


• The Developing Child 


• Community Practitioner 

Nurse Prescribing (V100) 


Case study presentations: where 

the lecturer and/or students will 

present a specific case and use 

this as a vehicle for discussion 

and critical analysis. 

74

Courses 

Humanities 

Creative Writing 

Course Title: 

Creative Writing 

Course Type: 

MA, Postgraduate Diploma, 





Scott McCracken 


s.mccracken@keele.ac.uk 

Website: 

www.keele.ac.uk/english/ 

prospectivepostgraduates/ 

macreativewriting 

Overview 

The Keele MA in Creative Writing 

offers a distinctive and exciting 

opportunity to develop your 

creative and professional skills 

as a writer. 

Working with published writers 

from within and outside the 

University, the Keele Writing MA 

offers participants an opportunity 

to improve their writing and to 

bring it up to publishable standard 

while learning more about the 

critical and intellectual context in 

which their work is situated. 

Students on the Keele Writing 

MA also participate directly in the 

development and maintenance 

of the events, publications, 

workshops and short courses 

which constitute Keele’s vibrant 

writing culture – typically through 

opting to gain experience in one of 

the areas in which writers often 

establish a secondary income – 

reviewing, editing and teaching. 

You can study full-time or 

part-time for this MA. It is also 

possible to take short courses in 

Creative Writing, delivered as part 

of our MA programme, as well as 

Certificate and Diploma-level 

courses in the subject. 

Facilities 


from a wide range of support 

including writing workshops, 

accessible staff supervisors, Keele 

University Library, Keele Writing 

Room, and access to IT and 

database research tools. 

Keele Writing has a regular series 

of readings by well-known writers. 

Recent visitors include Carol Ann 

Duffy, Sean O’Brien, Jackie Kay, 

Carol Birch, Gwendoline Riley. 

Students may submit their poetry 

to be judged for the Roy Fisher 

Prize, endowed by the Poet 

Laureate, Carol Ann Duffy. 

All staff who teach on Keele’s 

Writing Programme are published 

authors. The writing tutors have 

published highly regarded novels 

and collections of poetry. 

Course Aims 


the practice and study of 

creative writing at an advanced, 

publishable level 

• To provide a supportive and 

constructively critical environment 

in which students can work with 

published writers and their peers 

to improve their writing 

• To provide students with the 

necessary skills to write at an 

advanced, publishable level 





Applicants will normally be 

expected to have a good honours 

degree (normally 2.2 or above). 

They will be required to submit a 

portfolio of work to the admissions 

tutor (usually the Programme 

Director). A high-quality portfolio 

will take precedence over a first 

degree and may be taken as 

evidence of APEL. The portfolio 

should consist of 10-15 poems 

and/ or 5,000 – 6,000 words of 

prose. If it is considered of 

sufficient quality, the admissions 

tutor will pass it on to one of the 

creative writing tutors specialising 

in the genre chosen by the 

applicant. That tutor may then 

recommend an interview, on which 

the final decision will be based. 

Up to 30 credits from a 

comparable programme may 

be taken as APCL. 

75

Courses 


Requirements 






Students choose three stand-alone 

taught modules. In addition, 

students complete a portfolio 

of original work. Students will 

have the opportunity to take any 

single module as a short course 

or to combine two modules and 

be awarded a Postgraduate 

Certificate (60 credits) or to 

complete four modules and 

receive a Postgraduate Diploma 

(120 credits). 

The contents of each module are 

summarised below. 


The core module ‘The Writer 

as Critic, The Critic as Writer’, 

looks at questions of influence, 

the critical process of reading 

other writers’ work and the 

cultural context in which a writer 

lives and works. Students study 

contemporary examples of script, 

poetry and fiction. 

Writing Fiction is a workshopbased 

module on writing short 

fiction and novels. 

Writing Poetry is a workshopbased 

module on writing poetry. 

Life Writing is a workshop 

module on writing memoir, 

biography and autobiography. 

Writer in the Community offers 

students the chance to do a 

practical project such as a literary 

publication, a literary event, or a 

project that involves putting on 

workshops, writing classes, or 

mentoring student writers. 

Teaching and 

Assessment 

The writing modules are assessed 

by a portfolio of work and a critical 

commentary that reflects on the 

contents of the portfolio. The core 

module is assessed by written 

assignments and a presentation. 

The Writer in the Community is 

assessed by a portfolio of work. 

“The MA in Creative Writing at Keele 

gave me the confidence to become a 

writer in my own right. I have never 

looked back.” 


“We encourage students to nurture 

their own talent, giving them the 

structure and the constructive criticism 

they need to develop as a writer.” 

Scott McCracken, Professor of English 


76

Courses 

Humanities 

MA in English Literatures 

Course Title: 

English Literatures 

Course Type: 

MA, PGCert, PG Dip 




Professor David Amigoni 


d.amigoni@keele.ac.uk 

Website: 

www.keele.ac.uk/english/ 

prospectivepostgraduates 

Overview 

The MA in English Literatures offers 

advanced study in canonical 

periods and texts, whilst also 

offering exciting opportunities for 

interdisciplinary and innovative 

approaches to literatures in English. 

It provides a structured learning 

environment, offering its students 

a wide choice of modules from 

Renaissance Literature, through 

the Romantic and Victorian 

periods, to the Twentieth-Century, 

Postmodernism, American 

Literatures and Film Studies. 

Students benefit from a wide choice 

of dissertation topics, and have the 

opportunity to share discussion 

with students taking other 

Masters degrees in the School of 

Humanities, such as Global Media 

and Culture and Mres in Humanities 

(English) and creative writing. 

Facilities 



including research training, 

accessible staff supervisors, a 

well-stocked library, and access 

to online research tools. 

English at Keele is highly rated 

for teaching and research. We are 

committed to engaging and 

inspiring seminar teaching and to 

innovative and interdisciplinary 

research methods. 

We offer opportunities to 

participate in a variety of 

cutting-edge, interdisciplinary 

research cultures, such as 

medical humanities, culture 

and gerontology, environmental 

humanities and film studies. 

A lively research culture includes 

reading groups, regular guest 

speakers, the opportunity to 

present your work to staff and 

other students. We socialise 

too, with drinks in the local 

postgraduate pub after some 

seminars and speakers’ talks. 

Course Aims 

The Masters programme enables 

students to engage in wide and 

varied reading among the regional 

and global varieties of literature and 

literary criticism; to think both 

critically and creatively about 

literature in English, assessing the 

form and meaning of literary and 

filmic texts; to develop their 

understanding of the characteristics 

of key literary genres and periods, 

and of the principles of canonisation 

that elevate and marginalise texts 

and authors; to apply a range of 

critical ideas and theories to the 

texts and authors they study; to 

communicate ideas and arguments 

with clarity; and to work both by 

themselves and as part of a team, 

to deliver specific projects. 





Applicants will normally be 

expected to have a good honours 

degree in English or a cognate 

discipline (normally 2.1 or above, 

or its international equivalent). 

Applicants with other qualifications 

and other experience are welcome 

to apply, and will be considered 

on a case-by-case basis. 


Requirements 



IELTS 7.0 with a minimum of 6.0 



There is both a taught and a 

research component. All students 

on the MA programme take two 

15-credit modules in Humanities 

Research Skills and further two 

30-credit modules: Criticism, 

Analysis Theory, and Canon, 

Anti-Canon, Context. A third 

30-credit module is chosen from a 

wide range of options. The degree 

culminates in the writing of a 

60-credit dissertation on a topic 

of your choice. 

77

Courses 

Students may also elect to take 

modules for a Postgraduate 

Diploma (120 credits) or a 


(60 credits). To be awarded the 

Diploma, a student normally 

requires a total of at least 120 

credits for the four taught modules. 

To be awarded a Postgraduate 

Certificate a student requires a 

total of at least 60 credits 

consisting of two modules. 


Module 1: Humanities Masters 

Research Training 

This module is delivered in two 

15-credit sections. Research Skills in 

the Humanities runs in semester 1, 

and introduces students to the tools 

and practices they will need in order 

to study English at Masters level, 

such as Library and IT skills, the 

research process, and how to write a 

literature review. The second section 

of the module, delivered in semester 

2, is ‘Reflective Practice’. In this 

section of the course, students share 

discussions of wide-ranging 

theoretical approaches to 

interpretative study with students 

enrolled on other disciplines, in order 

to maximise their exposure to 

interdisciplinary approaches. Topics 

might include: Memory and Trauma, 

the State and the Public Sphere, 

Questions of Value. 

Module 2: Canon, 

Anti-Canon, Context 

This module develops skills in 

comparative reading between 

periods and cultural contexts (early 

modern and modern, England and 

America); it compares canonical 

material with non-canonical texts, 

national and global contexts, 

raising questions about literary 

value between periods. The module 

explores the cultural politics of 

acts of recovery, restoring access 

to more marginal texts that cast 

light on material that is considered 

central and ‘valuable. It enables 

students to situate literature and 

the phenomenon of ‘literariness’ 

in context, including its relationships 

to non-literary materials. It is integral 

to the MA programme but it can 

also be taken as a free-standing 

module by post-experience learners. 

Module 3: Criticism, 

Analysis, Theory 

This module focuses on central 

theoretical and critical issues. 

It enables students to draw 

distinctions between major 

paradigms in literary criticism and 

cultural and critical theory, and to 

give students confidence in applying 

such theory to a range of literary 

texts. Topics might include: 

Orientations of Criticism; Formalism 

and Contextualism; Genre Theory; 

Feminism and Psychoanalysis; 

Marxism and Deconstruction; 

Historicism; Cultural Geography 

and Ecocriticism. 

Module 4: This is an option module 

students may choose from a 

variety of modules, which change 

from year to year, but which may 

include: Postcolonialism: Fiction, 

Film and Theory; Victorian Culture 

and Context; Shakespearean 

Stages; Sex, Scandal and Society: 

Eighteenth Century Writing; Film 

Noir: The Dark Side of America. 

Teaching and 

Assessment 

Teaching methods vary according 

to the subject matter and aims 

of the module. They include 

seminars in groups of up to 15 

students; workshops in research 

skills; focused group work and 

collective class discussions; 

web-based learning using the 

Keele Learning Environment (KLE), 

and, in the case of the dissertation 

module, the opportunity to 

undertake a piece of advanced, 

independent research supervised 

and supported by a member of 

staff with expertise in the area. 

Students also have regular 

opportunities to talk through 

particular areas of difficulty with 

their module and tutorial group 

leaders on a one-to-one basis. 

Assessment on the course is 

varied, and includes essays; 

Critical Analyses of Other 

Scholars’ Work; Annotated 

Bibliographies; Reflective Study 

Diaries; Oral Presentations, and 

finally, the Dissertation. Students 

may also produce formative 

assessments, which although not 

formally marked, allows them to 

monitor their own progress and 

discuss that ongoing progress 

with their tutors. 


78

Courses 

Humanities 

History 

Course Title: 

MA in History 

Course Type: 

MA 




Dr Ian Atherton 


i.j.atherton@keele.ac.uk 

Website: 

www.keele.ac.uk/pgtcourses/history 

Overview 

The taught MA in History offers 

distinctive opportunities for 

postgraduate study in History 

at Keele. It provides coverage of 

the attempts of human beings in 

past societies, from the Middle 

Ages to the very recent past, 

to organise life materially and 

conceptually, individually and 

collectively. It enables students to 

engage critically with the contested 

nature of the past and the role of the 

discipline as a mediator for 

understanding both the past and the 

present. This exciting new course is 

aimed at anyone wishing to pursue 

the study of History at a higher level, 

whether they have recently 

completed a first degree or they 

wish to return to study later in their 

career. Applications are welcomed 

from people with a professional 

degree in teaching such as History 

teachers who wish to undertake 

the programme for subject update 

and career development. 

Facilities 

All members of staff have 

doctorates (PhDs or equivalent) 

in History or a related discipline. 

All are active researchers and 

experienced teachers whose work 

has been widely published in books 

and leading international journals. 

In the most recent government-run 

assessment of research, the RAE 

2008, 85% of our research was 

judged to be either ‘world-leading’ 

or of international importance for 

its originality, significance and 

rigour. In the very highest 

category, research outputs 

(books, articles etc) judged to 

be world-leading, we were placed 

8th in the table of the best History 

departments in the country. 

The staff group has extensive 

experience of teaching 

at undergraduate and postgraduate 

level in universities in the UK, 

continental Europe, and 

North America. 

Course Aims 

The Masters programme 

allows students to deepen their 

historical knowledge of a variety 

of places, topics and themes, 

to understand historical change 

over time and the nature of 

peoples and societies in the past. 

The programme develops students’ 

ability to research, plan and write 

a substantial independent project. 

Students develop not only 

subject-specific knowledge and 

skills, but also transferable skills; 

additionally, the programme 

can lead on to further study at 

doctoral level. 


Applicants should normally have 

a good honours degree (2.1 or 

above) in History or other relevant 

humanities subject. Applicants 

with other qualifications and other 

experience are considered on 

a case-by-case basis. 


Requirements 



have IELTS 6.5. 



research component, made up of 

five taught modules (120 credits) 

and a dissertation (60 credits) 

leading to the MA. Students 

may complete their studies after 

acquiring 120 credits from the 

taught modules for award of the 

Postgraduate Diploma, or may 

complete with 60 credits from 

taught modules for the Postgraduate 

Certificate. Taken full-time, 

the course lasts one year, 

with submission of the Masters 

dissertation in September. 

Part-time students have two years 

to complete the course. 

79

Courses 


Approaches to Historical Research 

(30 credits) – Students engage with 

debates on the status of historical 

knowledge, and examine the 

sources and resources available. 

Research Skills for Historians 

(15 credits) – Students address 

issues of postgraduate research 

in History. 

Directed Reading in History 

(15 credits) – Students discuss 

critical debates in particular 

themes or periods of History such 

as Medieval Europe, Early Modern 

England, Twentieth-Century 

Europe, the Modern World, 

Local History or Gender History. 

Option Modules (30 credits each) – 

Students choose two option 

modules from History’s 

research-led teaching on topics 

such as The Kingship of Edward II, 

The English Civil War, Health, 

Illness and Medicine 1628-1808, 

The French Revolution, 

Suffrage Stories, The Partition 

of India, and The Making of 

Contemporary Africa. 

Dissertation (60 credits) – 

A piece of independent historical 

research (of c. 15,000 words), 

guided by a supervisor. 

Teaching and 

Assessment 

Modules are generally taught 

through a combination of 

seminars, workshops, small group 

discussions and individual 

supervision. There is a strong 

emphasis on independent learning 

and students are expected to work 

on their own to produce written 

work and dissertation. Assessment 

is diverse through the use of 

coursework essays, reflective 

diary, presentation, project outline, 

and annotated bibliography. 

“The history staff are extremely friendly 

and passionate about what they teach… 

The close working relationship between 

staff and students means particular areas 

of interest can be discussed.” 

A.B., student 2011 


80

Courses 

Humanities 

MRes in Humanities 

Course Title: 

MRes in Humanities 

Course Type: 

MRes 






mres@keele.ac.uk 

Website: 


humanitiesmres 

Overview 

The MRes in Humanities offers 

students the opportunity to 

produce a substantial piece of 

independent research and writing, 

and to undertake wide-ranging, 

systematic training in research 

skills and project management. 

Students will write a dissertation 

in a specific field or prepare a 

portfolio of compositions, recital or 

a media project with a named 

supervisor. Supervision is available 

in all disciplines where the 

Research Institute has expertise: 

American Studies; English; 

History; Local History; Media, 

Communications and Culture; 

Medical Humanities; Music and 

Music Technology; Philosophy; 

Russian and Victorian Studies. 

You will be able to develop 

your research topic within the 

context of current debates and 

methodologies in relevant 

disciplines, and within the 

humanities generally. 

The programme is tailored to 

your research and career plans, 

and we recommend that you 

contact us before making a formal 

application. Go to our website for 

more information. 

Facilities 




accessible staff supervisors, 

research meeting and networking 

spaces, and access to a wide range 

of IT facilities across the campus. 

Course Aims 

You will be able to develop 

your research topic within the 

context of current debates 

and methodologies in relevant 

disciplines, and within the 

humanities generally. There are 

opportunities for interdisciplinary 

study, for example in Medical 

Humanities, Victorian Studies and 

Studies in Early Modern England. 

The course thus will develop 

practical, critical and analytical 

research skills that can be deployed 

in a variety of professional and 

intellectual contexts. 





Applicants should normally 

have a good honours degree 

(2.1 or above) in a relevant 

humanities subject or, for students 

undertaking Medical Humanities, 

a good honours degree in a 

relevant Humanities or social 

science discipline. However, 

students from different 

backgrounds who believe they 

have the capacity to undertake 

postgraduate work in the 

humanities should contact us 

to discuss their situation. 


Requirements 





81

Courses 


Students follow a personally 

designed or tailor-made programme, 

comprising three components 

totalling at least 180 credits. 

• A 20,000 – 25,000 word 

dissertation (or equivalent 

composition or artistic 

production) is at the heart of 

the course (90 credits) 

• Research Training Programme: 

covering research skills and 

reflective practice in the 

humanities (30 credits) 

• Individual Research Orientation: 

an agreed programme tailored 

to the needs of the student, for 

example, language training and 

literature review (30 credits) 

• Research methods in the 

disciplinary or interdisciplinary 

field relevant to the thesis topic 

(30 credits) 

Course Modules include: 

• Approaches to 

Historical Research 

• Meta-Philosophy 

• Theory in Literary Studies 

• Approaches to Music Research 

• The Image of Russia in 

Russian Literature 

• Cultural Theory 

• Research Methods and 

Political Analysis 

• Narrative and Interpretation 

• Cultures and Context 

• Themes in Local History. 

Some modules may be taken from 

the Social Sciences Research 

Training Programme if relevant to 

the student’s dissertation topic. 

Teaching and 

Assessment 

Assessment is by coursework, 

culminating in the 20,000 – 

25,000 word dissertation (or the 

equivalent composition or artistic 

production). Research Training is 

assessed by a portfolio consisting 

of an annotated bibliography, a 

project outline and a reflective 

diary. Each of the other modules 

will be examined through a 4,000 

– 5,000 word essay or approved 

equivalent. The pass mark is 50%. 

A merit will be awarded where 

students obtain 60% or over for 

the dissertation (or equivalent 

project or performance) and an 

average of 60% on their other 

coursework. A distinction will be 

awarded where students obtain 

70% or over for the dissertation, 

(or equivalent project or 

performance) and an average of 

70% in their other coursework. 

“The M.Res at Keele allowed me the 

freedom to build my own research 

project, whilst providing me with the 

support I needed to realise its full 

potential – the best of both worlds!” 

Emilie Taylor-Brown, 

MRes student 2011-2012 


82

Courses 

Information Technology 

Information Technology & Management 

Course Title: 


& Management 

Course Type: 

MSc 


Full-time 





Website: 


Overview 

The innovative MSc in Information 

Technology and Management 

Course brings together 

components from both the School 

of Computing and Mathematics 

and the Keele Management School. 

It offers students who have 

already acquired some knowledge 

of computing, the opportunity 

to gain highly marketable IT, 

business and management skills. 

The recent growth in the 

application of IT has increased 

the need for people who have the 

broad range of skills required to 

analyse, design, implement and 

manage IT solutions in a modern 


Facilities 

Postgraduate students within 



dedicated laboratory workroom, 

with 24-hour access. The majority of 

the lectures are undertaken within 

the School close to the relevant 

staff, which encourages learning in 

a supportive environment. 

Course Aims 

The aim of this course is to 

develop technical skills and also 

to gain a critical understanding of 

the management of Information 

Technology in the context of 

organisational/business issues 

and challenges. 


MSc applicants are expected 

to hold at least a second class 

honours degree (or overseas 

equivalent) in Information 

Technology, Computer Science, 

or to have appropriate professional 

qualifications and work experience. 


Requirements 



qualification of IELTS 6.5 or a 

degree examined in English. 


The course is a 12-month 


comprising eight 15-credit taught 

modules (120 credits) plus a 

project or industrial placement 

(60 credits). During semester 1 

students take two core modules 

and one option module. (There is 

also one core module which is 

taken throughout semesters 1 and 

2). During semester 2 students 

take three core modules and 

one option module. Additionally, 

students then undertake a project 

or industrial placement. 


Core Modules 

Accounting and Finance: 

This module gives an 

understanding of the 

organisational role of accounting 

and finance and the theory 

underlying financial accounting, 

management accounting and 

financial management. 

Marketing and Operations 

Management: This module explores 

marketing and operations concepts 

and issues in-depth and provides 

an understanding of the marketing 

mix, strategies for new products 

and branding, and the strategic 

aspects of marketing. 

83

Courses 

Problem-Solving Skills for 

Consultants: This module explores 

skills such as project management, 

communication and team working 

and building. It also provides 

knowledge of ethical, legal and 

social issues related to the 

development and deployment 

of Information Technology. 

Metrics Estimation, Analysis 

and Teams: This module 

provides students with the 

requisite skills and knowledge in 

the collection and use of metrics 




Strategy and Information 

Management: This module 

provides an understanding 

of the main approaches to 

strategy in business and the 

information that each strategy 

requires to show how the different 

approaches can contribute to 

business success in differing, 

complex and volatile environments. 

Systems Design: This module 

provides skills in software 

design and the implementation 

of business information systems 

in order that students can 

participate in and, if required, 

manage such activities. 

Systems Analysis: This module 


scope, nature and purpose of 

systems analysis with the context 

of the Unified Process and 

the appropriate techniques 

for requirements acquisition 

and formalisation. 

Entrepreneurship: This module 

develops an understanding of 

relevant theories of 

entrepreneurship and will consider 

how to apply these theories in 

real-world contexts, with specific 

reference to IT start ups and the 

knowledge economy. 

Networks and Security: 

This module gives students an 

understanding of contemporary 



Enhanced E-Commerce: 

This module explores the creation 

of modern business systems, 

providing a theoretical and 

practical understanding of 

problems involved in the 

development of web-based, 

electronic, commerce applications. 

Project/Industrial 

Placement 

Provides and integration 

of concepts taught on the 

course in either an academic 

or business environment. 

Teaching and 

Assessment 






FULL TIME 

Option Modules 

Enterprise Information Systems: 

This module provides a thorough 

understanding of enterprise-wide 

information systems and their 

role in a modern organisation. 

“Students leave this course with a 

background that enables them to stand 

out in whatever career they choose to 

follow, from software designer to head of 

IT in a large communications company.” 

Stephen Linkman, Senior Lecturer 

84

Courses 


Internet and Web Technologies 

Course Title: 

Internet and Web Technologies 

Course Type: 

MSc 


Full-time 





Website: 


Overview 

Modern organisations require 

employees who understand the 

principles of Computer Science 

and Information Technology and 

who can apply these ideas to the 

development and management of 

Information Technology within a 

business. The MSc in Internet and 

Web Technologies is part of a suite 

of postgraduate courses in the 

School of Computing and 

Mathematics which seeks to meet 

the information management 

needs of global business. 

Facilities 

Postgraduate students within the 

School of Computing and 


dedicated laboratory workroom, 

with 24-hour access. The majority of 

the lectures are undertaken within 

the School in a dedicated computer 

laboratory close to the computing 

staff, which encourages learning in a 

supportive environment. 

Course Aims 

The aim of this course is to provide 

students with the theoretical, 

practical and professional 

capabilities needed in the global 

business environment. Graduates 

will have the technical ability to 

engineer the Internet-based 

software which business now 

requires and effectively manage 

those systems. 


MSc applicants are expected to hold 

at least a second class honours 

degree (or overseas equivalent), 

in a computing-related subject 

or to have gained appropriate 

professional qualifications and 



Requirements 



qualification of IELTS 6.5 or a 

degree examined in English. 


The course is a 12-month 


comprising eight 15-credit taught 

modules (120 credits) plus a 

project or industrial placement 

(60 credits). During semester 1 

students take three core modules. 

There is also one core module 

which is taken throughout 

semesters 1 and 2. During 

semester 2 students take four 

core modules. Students then 

undertake a project dissertation 

or industrial placement. 


Core Modules 

Systems Analysis: This module 

provides an understanding 

of the scope, nature and purpose 

of systems analysis with the 

context of the Unified Process 

and the appropriate techniques 

for requirements acquisition 

and formalisation. 

Web Technologies: This module 

provides the skills and knowledge 

to support the design, creation and 

maintenance of web-enabled 

enterprise systems. 

Interface Design and Navigation: 

This module introduces students to 

the contemporary interface layouts 

and the theoretical foundations for 

their design across a wide range of 

fixed and mobile devices. 

Problem-Solving Skills for 

Consultants: This module explores 

skills such as project management, 

communication and team working 

and building. It also provides 

knowledge of ethical, legal and 

social issues related to the 

development and deployment 

of Information Technology. 

85

Courses 

Systems Design: This module 

provides skills in software design 

and the implementation of 

business information systems 

in order that students can 

participate in and, if required, 

manage such activities. 

Collaborative Application 

Development: This module will 

involve the development of an 

application for deployment by a 

real-world client into their 

organisation. It will involve all the 

elements of the taught part of the 

course in a practical environment, 

equivalent to one that the students 

would encounter in the workplace. 

Advanced Web Technologies: 

This module will build upon the 

concepts introduced in the 

Web Technologies module to 

consider the building of 

commercially viable Internet 

or Web applications. 

Networks and Security: 

This module gives students an 

understanding of contemporary 



Project/Industrial 

Placement 

Provides an integration of concepts 

taught on the course in either an 

academic or business environment. 

Teaching and 

Assessment 






“The following are some examples of the 

roles now being filled by our graduates: 

• Head of IT for a local hospital near 

to Keele 

• Chief Systems Designer for a marketing 

and communications company 

• Project Manager for a Medical Devices 

manufacturer 

• Head of IT for a large 

telecommunications company 

These posts and others are spread 

across the globe from the UK, Middle 

East, Malaysia, the Indian sub-continent 

and China.” 

Stephen Linkman, Senior Lecturer 

FULL TIME 

86

Courses 

Law 

Gender, Sexuality and Law 

Course Title: 

Gender, Sexuality and Law 

Course Type: 

LLM, Postgraduate Diploma 






law-postgrad@keele.ac.uk 

Website: 

www.keele.ac.uk/law 

Overview 

This leading course is aimed at 

people working in related fields 

(for example law, social services, 

health, human resource 

management or human rights 

advocacy) and anyone else 

interested in further study in this 

area. It is delivered in blocks of 

learning, enabling those 

in employment to study on a 

part-time basis. The programme’s 

content combines an analysis 

of current law with a critical 

exploration of the structures, 

potential and limits of law and 

legal reform. 

Facilities 




accessible staff supervisors, a new 

law library, a postgraduate study 

room and access to IT and legal 


The School of Law is highly rated 

for teaching and research (see our 

website for details). Around half of 

our staff are members of the 

School’s Gender, Sexuality and Law 

Research Group: an internationally 

recognised research unit that 

receives both internal and external 

funding. Since 2009, Keele School 

of Law has been home to the 

Centre for Law Gender and 

Sexuality Postgraduate and 

Early Career Academic Network 

of Scholars. 

Course Aims 

This Masters degree course 

provides a practical and theoretical 

understanding of law and its 

relevance to issues around 

gender and sexuality. Students 

not only develop subject-specific 

knowledge and skills, but also 

transferable skills, with particular 

attention paid to building research 

and analytical abilities. 

In addition, the programme provides 

a foundation for pursuing further 

study at doctoral level. 






Requirements 







research component. Teaching 

is provided in four three-day 

modules between September and 

April. This structure has proved 

very successful and particularly 

benefits part-time students who 

appreciate the opportunity to 

take ‘time out’ in a supportive 

academic environment. 

The LLM requires 180 credits, 

made up of four 30-credit modules 

and a 60-credit dissertation. 

Students choosing to complete 

their studies after acquiring 120 

credits on taught modules may 

be awarded the PG Diploma. 

If taken full-time, the course can 

be completed within one year, 

with submission of the Masters 

dissertation by the end of 

September. Part-time students 

have up to four years to complete 

the four taught modules, with 

submission of the dissertation by 

September of the year after the 

fourth module. The whole 

programme can therefore be 

completed in two to five years. 

Any student wishing to study one 

or two modules should contact 

the Course Director. 

87

Courses 


Module 1: Understanding Gender, 

Sexuality and Law 

Students are introduced to key 

debates in socio-legal studies 

through a critical consideration of 

the relationship between gender, 

sexuality and law. Drawing on 

wide-ranging literature, the module 

explains the different approaches 

to gender, sexuality and law. 

Teaching and 

Assessment 

A 5,000-word essay must be 

completed for each module. 

These essays demand a critical 

analysis of current law and theories 

of gender and sexuality in the 

context of the specific module. 

Students may have the opportunity 

of studying a module in India. 


Module 2: Rights to Equality 


to the concept of ‘equality’ 

and a diverse set of theoretical 

frameworks in which the concept 

can be located. It distinguishes 

formal from substantive equality 

and identifies different ways in 

which substantive equality might 

be realised in contexts of gender 

and sexuality. 

Module 3: Health and Embodiment 

The focus here is on law and 

ethics in healthcare policy and 

provision. The module engages 

with a number of diverse gender 

and sexuality issues in the area 

of health and embodiment 

such as: abortion; genital 

cutting (circumcision); the 

regulation of reproduction and 

engineering hybrid embryos; 

and transgender pregnancy. 

Module 4: Family, Work and State 

The family and work are key areas 

for thinking about gender and 

sexuality. This module explores 

questions of regulation, social 

control and alternative family 

structures within the context of 

contemporary work practices and 

the welfare state. 

“We encourage people to think outside 

their own boundaries and to develop 

the analytical and research skills they 

need to bring fresh perspectives to this 

rapidly evolving arena.” 

Professor Alex Sharpe 

88

Courses 

Law 

Law – Common Professional Examination Graduate Diploma 

Course Title: 

Law – Common Professional 

Examination 

Course Type: 

Graduate Diploma 







Website: 


Overview 

The CPE (Common Professional 

Examination) Graduate Diploma 

course is designed to enable 

non-law graduates to qualify to 

practice law in England and Wales. 

It fulfils the requirements of both 

the Solicitors Regulation Authority 

and the Bar Standards Board for 

the academic stage of 

qualification. Students on the 

CPE course have a wide range of 

backgrounds and experience, 

with first degrees from institutions 

all around the country and from 

abroad. A second-class degree 

or equivalent is a minimum 

requirement for entry. 

Higher degrees or additional 

qualifications are advantageous, 

as is work experience. Work within 

a commercial or legal environment, 

or voluntary work with an 

organisation such as the Citizens 

Advice Bureau, can be helpful and 

relevant. CPE students who pass 

the course are guaranteed a place 

to study for the LPC (Legal 

Practice Course) at one of the sites 

offered by the College of Law 

or at Staffordshire University. 

Our research strengths lie in 

interdisciplinary and contextual 

approaches to the study of law, 

as well as in doctrinal legal 

research, making Keele an 

excellent environment for graduate 

students to undertake an intensive 

Law conversion course of this sort. 

Course Aims 

The course will be open to 

graduates who do not hold a 

qualifying degree in Law, but 

who wish to become solicitors or 

barristers. The course is designed 

to satisfy the academic stage of 

professional legal education. 

The Diploma will provide non-law 

graduates with a further and 

valuable academic qualification, 

as well as offering an alternative 

method of completing the 

academic stage of training for 

qualification as a barrister or 

solicitor in England and Wales. 

The course is also intended to offer 

a recognised qualification even for 

those who do not ultimately enter 

the legal profession. 


The course is open to graduates 

who do not hold a qualifying 

degree in Law. It is intended to 

bring students to the same level as 

law graduates for the purposes of 

vocational training in England and 

Wales. It is not, therefore, taught at 

postgraduate Masters level, but is 

a Graduate Diploma. The principal 

criterion for admission is the 

applicant’s academic profile. 

Evidence of academic ability to 

at least a second-class honours 

degree will normally be required. 

Other factors which may be taken 

into account include evidence of 

commitment to the profession, 

personal circumstances and links 

with the local area. 

Overseas applications are 

welcomed. However, those wishing 

to practice outside England and 

Wales should enquire of the 

authorities in the jurisdiction 

concerned whether the CPE 

qualification is recognised as 

satisfying the academic stage of 

training. International students 


must have IELTS 6.5 or equivalent. 


The full-time diploma will consist 

of a 7-module course of 140 

credits, spanning 36 weeks. 

Attendance is based on a four-day 

timetable. The part-time diploma 

consists of the same modules but 

spans two years and attendance 

based on approximately two and a 

half days a week. Within these 

modules all the ‘core subjects’ will 

be extensively covered. The English 

Legal System and Legal Method 

module will comprise a four-week 

intensive introduction to the legal 

system and is taught during 

September for both full and 

part-time students. This module is 

devised so as to cater for the 

89

Courses 

needs of non-law graduates and to 

provide an essential background to 

legal studies. 


Lecture classes are taken alongside 

undergraduates, but all tutorial 

classes and the pre-semester 

course are CPE small group only. 

All modules are Level 3 – credits 

in brackets. 

Pre-Semester Course 

• English Legal System and 

Legal Method (10) (24 teaching 

contact hours plus library 

exercises, guided court visits, 

visits to law firms and chambers 

and careers sessions) 

Other Modules 

• CPE Criminal Law (20) 

• CPE Public Law (20) 

• CPE EU Law (15) 

• CPE Obligations (30) 

• CPE Property Law (30) 

• CPE Research Training, 

Interviewing and Advocacy (15) 

Teaching and 

Assessment 

The pass mark for the Graduate 

Diploma is 40%. Most modules 

are assessed on the basis of 

examinations at the end of the 

second semester which contribute 

70% and coursework set during the 

first semester which contributes 

30% of the overall mark for each 

module. The assessed coursework 

takes the form of an essay, problem 

or project. The pre-semester 

English Legal System and Legal 

Method module is assessed by a 

one-hour examination at the end of 

September. The Research Training 

module is assessed by a 3,000– 

word research project. 

“A comprehensive programme which 

drew particular praise from the students. 

Students were enthusiastic about 

the course and the staff, and were 

clearly enjoying it, while noting it to 

be rigorous.” 

CPE revalidation report by the legal 

professions, February 2012 

“Thank you for your help and support 

on the CPE. It has been a very good 

experience and I would recommend the 

Keele course to anyone.” 

Abigail Pearson, CPE student 2011-12 


90

Courses 

Law 

Human Rights, Globalisation and Justice 

Course Title: 

Human Rights, Globalisation 

and Justice 

Course Type: 








Website: 


Overview 

This course offers an exciting 

opportunity to study human rights 

in the interdisciplinary context of 

law, politics and philosophy. The 

course content reflects that human 

rights are a staple of contemporary 

politics, philosophy and law, 

and one of the key discourses of 

our times. The course is aimed both 

at people working in related fields, 

and anyone else interested in 

further study in this area. 

The focus on ‘Globalisation 

and Justice’ is intended to 

emphasise the contemporary and 

interdisciplinary nature of the 

course. We do not aim at a simple 

endorsement of the discourse, 

but at a set of critical reflections 

that draw upon varied global and 

local human rights philosophies, 

policies and practice. 

This course builds on existing 

strengths of the Law School and 

SPIRE in research and teaching. 

Both Schools are committed to 

maintaining our teaching at the 

highest standard. 

Facilities 

Postgraduate students will find 

a range of support structures, 

including: research training; 

accessible staff supervisors; 

good library resources; access 

to postgraduate study rooms; 

and access to IT and legal 


Course Aims 

This Masters programme aims 

to enable students to develop 

strong practical and theoretical 

understandings of human rights 

law, politics and philosophy at 

domestic, regional and international 

levels. The course also aims to 

provide students with a set of 

critical reflections that draw upon 

the varied global and local social 

and political contexts in which 

human rights operates. The course 

aims to develop not only 

subject-specific knowledge and 

skills, but also transferable skills. 

In terms of the latter, particular 

attention is paid to research and 

analytical skills. The course also 

aims to provide a foundation 

for pursuing further study at 







Requirements 






The course involves both a 

taught and a research component. 

The teaching occurs in four 

three-day modules, between 

September and April. This structure 

has proved very successful at Keele 

in other postgraduate contexts, 

and particularly benefits part-time 

students who appreciate ‘time out’ 

in an accessible academic 

environment but within the 

attractive Staffordshire countryside. 

The MA requires 180 credits, 


(120 credits) and a 60-credit 

dissertation. The award may be 

achieved either full-time or 

through a more flexible part-time 

programme. If taken full-time, 

the course can be completed 

within one year. Students taking 

the course part-time may complete 

the programme in 2 years. 

91

Courses 


Foundations of Human Rights 

This broad foundation module 

provides a background in which to 

situate our study and critique of 

human rights theory and practice. 

This module explores historical, 

philosophical, structural aspects 

of human rights, including 

institutions involved in human 

rights and contemporary issues 

of human rights. It also aims to 

introduce students to differing 

understandings of legal, political 

and philosophical inquiry, and 

initiates them into the skills 

required for postgraduate research. 

Equality, Discrimination, 

Minorities 

This module provides an outline 

of conceptual and institutional 

efforts regarding ethics, equality, 

non-discrimination and vulnerable 

communities. Using the thematics 

of race, ethnicity, indigeneity 

and caste/descent, the module 

examines and critiques particular 

inequalities in international 

human rights policy and practice 

such as geographical and 

governance inequalities, exploring 

equality issues through particular 

case studies. 

Human Rights in a Global Market 

This module explores how 

economic globalisation affects 

the nature of human rights policy 

and practice. The module considers 

the position of human rights in 

the global market and the impact 

on social, cultural and gender 

relations. The module also 

addresses roles of different actors 

in the global and local human 

rights fields, (e.g. NGOs/social 

movements, multinational and 

international financial institutions, 

etc.) and their impacts and 

opportunities for the promotion 

and protection of human rights. 

Human Rights and Global Politics 

This module further develops the 

connections between global and 

local causes and responses to 

contemporary human rights issues. 

The overall focus of the module is 

on exploring evolving political and 

legal strategies to advance human 

rights in a global political 

framework. The module has a 

particular focus on developing an 

understanding of political violence 

and terror to assess and address 

causes of human rights violations. 

Teaching and 

Assessment 

Assessment of the taught 

modules is by means of 

coursework. This requires a 

written assignment of 5,000 

words for each module. The pass 

mark is 50% and students must 

pass each of the modules in order 

to progress to the dissertation. 

Students may have the opportunity 

of studying a module in India. 


“Our unique MA course encourages 

students to engage critically with existing 

human rights theory and practice, and 

to develop the skills they need to bring 

fresh perspectives to this dynamic field.” 

Dr Monica Mookherjee, Senior Lecturer 

92

Courses 

Law 

International Law LLM 

Course Title: 

International Law LLM 

Course Type: 

LLM 




Course Director, 

Dr Mario Prost 


m.prost@keele.ac.uk 

Website: 


Overview 

There has never been a more 

exciting time to study International 

Law. International Law finds itself 

at the forefront of public debates 

more than ever before. The killing 

of Bin Laden, the intervention in 

Libya, the prosecution of war 

criminals, the fight against climate 

change, the management of 

migrations, or the regulation of 

global financial markets are all 

areas in which International Law 

plays a major role. International 

Law does not only affect the 

behaviour of states and 

intergovernmental institutions. 

Neither is it simply a discipline of 

diplomats, academics and 

philosophers. International Law 

today dominates the activity of 

transnational corporations, NGOS 

and individuals, from footballers to 

victims of human rights violations. 

As a result, governments, 

international institutions, NGOS, 

businesses and law firms are 

increasingly looking for individuals 

capable of dealing with complex 

issues of transnational law. 

The aim of the LLM in International 

Law is to provide students from a 

diverse range of countries with the 

opportunity to study the 

fundamentals of International Law 

at an advanced level as well as to 

explore more specialised issues 

of contemporary significance in 

International Law fields such as 

human rights, environmental 

protection or trade. The programme 

adopts the interdisciplinary focus 

of the Law School’s other existing 

PGT programmes. Students will be 

given the chance to choose from a 

wide range of elective modules 

offered within the Law School as 

well as other Schools within the 

Faculty of Humanities and Social 

Sciences such as the School of 

Politics, International Relations and 

Philosophy (SPIRE) and the Keele 

Management School (KMS). 

The Keele Law School has a long 

tradition of academic expertise in 

the field of international law. 

International law has been taught 

at Keele by world-renowned 

experts such as Michael Akehurst 

and Patrick Thornberry. In recent 

years, the Keele Law School has 

invested heavily in the area of 

international law. Students will be 

taught by dynamic academic staff 

with a wide range of expertise and 

research interests. 

Keele’s LLM in International Law is 

distinctive. The LLM is built upon a 

‘pathway’ structure, where 

students are given the chance to 

choose from a wide range of 

modules not only offered within 

the Law School, but also by SPIRE 

and KMS – making this programme 

truly interdisciplinary. These 

elective modules can be chosen 

from a number of ‘pathways’ : 

business, environment, human 

rights, and politics. (see list of 

electives below). Students taking 

at least 30 credits in one of these 

sub-disciplines (and completing 

the other programme 

requirements) will be awarded a 

‘pathway’ LLM, i.e. LLM in 

International Law and 

Business/International Law and the 

Environment/International Law 

and Human Rights/International 

Law and Politics. The pathway 

structure enables students to tailor 

their programme of study 

according to their professional 

needs and intellectual preferences, 

giving them full flexibility and 

control over their learning 

experience. Students taking their 

elective modules across the 

different pathways will be awarded 

a general International Law LLM. 

As part of their degree, students will 

also have the option of taking up to 

30 credits in Language Studies. 

Keele offers courses in Mandarin, 

French, German, Japanese, Russian 

and Spanish language and culture. 

Language studies enable students 

to increase their range of 

transferable skills, particularly in 

the core UN languages. 

93

Courses 

The LLM in International Law will 

enable entry into a range of 

occupations where specialist 

expertise knowledge is needed. 

It provides an ideal basis for those 

seeking employment as 

international law practitioners in 

relevant national and international 

organisations (government 

agencies, UN bodies, NGOs and so 

on). Equally, the programme will 

equip students for further study 

in the form of a postgraduate 

research programme, such as a 

PhD, by providing appropriate 

research training and an 

introduction to key thinkers 

and scholarship. 

For more information, 

please contact the Course 

Director, Dr Mario Prost 

m.prost@keele.ac.uk 

List of elective modules 

(subject to availability 

and change): 

International Law Electives: 

Human Rights Electives: 

• International Law and 

Human Rights 

• Equality, Discrimination 

and Minorities 

• Human Rights in a Global Market 

• Human Rights and Global Politics 

• Race and Justice: Civil Rights in 

the US 

Environmental Electives: 

• International Environmental Law 

• Environmental Ethics 

• Environmental Diplomacy 

• Global Environmental Change 

and its Political Consequences 

• Environmental Problems and 

Policies in the US 

Politics Electives: 

• Community Outreach and 

Socio-Legal Advocacy 

Business Electives: 

• Global Business Analysis 

• International Business 

Developments 

• Commercial Property 

• Commercial Law 

• Company Law 


• International Law and 

Human Rights 

• The Changing 

International Agenda 

• International Legal Theory 

• Diplomatic Theory and Practice 

• International Environmental Law 

• Comparative European Politics 

• Law of the European Union 

• The Politics of Global Security 

• Diplomatic Law 

• US Foreign Policy 

94

Courses 

Law 

Law & Society 

Course Title: 

Law & Society 

Course Type: 

LLM, Postgraduate Diploma 







Website: 


Overview 

This course offers an 

interdisciplinary approach to the 

study of law and society, and is 

suitable for those working in a 

range of fields, including the legal 

profession, as well as for those with 

an academic interest in this topic. 

It explores the wide range of 

research which is covered by the 

term law and society, from 

empirical studies of the workings 

of law to cultural studies of law. 

Students will gain an understanding 

of law and legal institutions from an 

interdisciplinary social science 

perspective, as well as examining 

the wide range of research methods 

and approaches that are used by 

those interested in law and society. 

The course is taught in blocks 

of study, enabling those in 

employment to study on a 

part-time basis. Students are 

required to take an introductory 

module in law and society and will 

then be allowed to choose 

individually from the wide 

variety offered by the Law School, 

including those on the LLM in 

Gender, Sexuality and Human 

Rights and the MA in Human 

Rights, Globalisation and Justice. 

Facilities 

Postgraduate students will 

find a range of support structures, 







Course Aims 

Research in law and society 

has sought to understand, explain 

and challenge the boundaries 

between law and the social and 

cultural context in which it operates. 

Key themes which have been the 

focus of attention by law and 

society scholars will be addressed 

in this course, including the 

meaning and complexity of legal 

issues, the relation between law 

and social relations, globalisation, 

and the ways in which law can be 

deployed for change. Different 

research methods will also be 

considered, such as empirical 

approaches, feminist methods, 

and cultural criticism. 



with a first or second-class honours 

degree. International students 


must have IELTS 6.5 or equivalent. 


The course involves both a taught 

and a research component. 

Teaching occurs in four intensive 

modules taught over three days. 

This structure has proved very 

successful at Keele in other 

postgraduate contexts, and 

particularly benefits part-time 

students who wish to study in a 

collegiate, supportive and vibrant 

academic environment. 

The LLM requires 180 credits, 


(120 credits) and a 60-credit 

dissertation. The award may be 

achieved either full-time or 

through a more flexible part-time 

programme. If taken full-time, the 

course can be completed within 

one year, with submission of the 

Masters dissertation by the end of 

September. Students taking the 

course part-time may complete the 

four taught modules in Year One, 

with submission of the dissertation 

by September a year later, 

completing the whole programme 

in two years. For additional 

flexibility, students taking the 

course part-time may have up to 

four years to complete the four 

taught modules, with submission 

of the dissertation by September 

of the year after the fourth module, 

completing the whole programme 

in between two and five years. 

95

Courses 

Some students may not wish to 

complete the whole course but 

may be interested in taking just 

one or two modules. If this is the 

case, you should contact the 

Course Director. 


Introduction to Research in Law 

and Society (compulsory module): 

This module provides a basis 

for the course. It offers students 

a broad understanding of law 

and legal institutions from an 

interdisciplinary perspective, 

introducing them to the range 

of topics and research methods 

which feature in law and society 

scholarship by using key themes, 

such as the relation between 

law and social relations, and the 

ways in which law can be deployed 

for change. The module will 

also examine the issues that 

arise in selecting appropriate 


• Safeguarding Adults: 

Interventions 

• Mental Capacity 

• Safeguarding and Carers 

• Foundations of Human Rights 

• Understanding Gender, Sexuality 

and Law 

• Foundations & Principles of Child 

Care Law & Practice 

• Introduction to Moral and 

Legal Concepts 

• The Emergence of 

Safeguarding Adults 

Teaching and 

Assessment 

Assessment of the taught 

modules is by means of 

coursework. This requires a 

written assignment of 5,000 

words for each module. The pass 

mark is 50% and students must 

pass each of the modules in order 

to progress to the dissertation. 


Optional modules include (subject 

to availability): 

• Equality, Discrimination 

and Minorities 

• Human Rights in a Global Market 

• Human Rights and Global Politics 

• Health and Embodiment 

• Rights to Equality 

• Family, Work and the State 

• Contemporary Issues in Child 

Care, Law & Practice 

• Children & Medicine 

• Children Looked After 

• Autonomy and Paternalism 

• Life and Death 

• Public Health 

“Law and Society research offers 

fascinating insights into a range of social 

and legal issues. Students find this course 

stimulating and exciting.” 

Professor Fiona Cownie, 

Law and Society Course Director 

96

Courses 

Law 

Safeguarding Adults: Law, Policy & Practice 

Course Title: 

Safeguarding Adults: Law, Policy 

& Practice 

Course Type: 








Website: 


Overview 

The School of Law offers a 

new Masters Degree Programme 

for social, legal, police, healthcare 

and other professionals working 

with adults. The course is 

specially designed so that it may 

be taken by those who are in 

full-time employment. 

The central aims of the course are 

to update and enhance knowledge 

of relevant law and research 

literature and to provide an 

opportunity for experienced 

practitioners to further develop 

and critically reflect upon their 

skills, as applied to safeguarding 

adults in a variety of settings. 

It aims to promote antidiscriminatory 

practice, 

inter-agency understanding 

and interdisciplinary working. 

The course also aims to develop 

research and analytical 

skills and to provide a foundation 

for pursuing further study at 


It is an interdisciplinary course 

comprising contributions from law, 

policy, practice and health. As part 

of the School of Law, the Centre 

for Professional Ethics (PEAK) will 

make an essential contribution to 

the course. Safeguarding Adults 

work engages with a multitude of 

ethical dilemmas, and 

understanding of key concepts, 

such as ‘autonomy’ from a 

legal and ethical perspective, 

are an essential theoretical 

underpinning to understanding 

of safeguarding and for competent 

professional practice. 

Facilities 









Course Aims 

The aims of this programme are to 

introduce key principles of 

interdisciplinary, socio-legal 

research methods and scholarship, 

facilitate the development of 

higher-level critical analysis, and 

develop the students’ capacity for 

original thinking in relation to the 

complex issues arising in socio-legal 

scholarship. More specifically, 

the programme aims to: 

• Develop a practical and 

theoretical understanding of 

Safeguarding Adults. 

• Develop a critical awareness 

of the social and political 

contexts in which law and 

practice is located. 

• Develop a critical perspective 

in the assessment and evaluation 

of research, law scholarship, 

policy and practice in adult 

safeguarding. 

• Develop critical and analytical 

skills in order to interrogate 

practical legal problems and 

to justify decisions. 

• Develop the ability to work 

independently in a coherent, 

focused and productive way. 

• Encourage interdisciplinarity 

via the student experience – 

interprofessional student groups, 

learning and teaching provided 

by a range of academics, 

professionals and policy makers. 

The programme is structured in 

a way that allows students to 

maintain full-time employment 

while studying, with teaching for 

each module taking place over 

an intensive three-day period. 

The programme, therefore, 

is designed to appeal to both 

the ‘conventional’ postgraduate 

student and specifically, those 

already engaged professionally 

in this area of activity, in social 

work, health, the legal profession 

or otherwise. 

97

Courses 


The MA in Safeguarding Adults: 

Law, Policy and Practice, is open 

to graduates with a first or 

second-class honours degree in a 

related discipline, or any other 

person with appropriate professional 

qualifications and/or experience. 


Students may choose to 

study from one to five modules 

per year and may complete 

the entire programme in one 

year or up to five years, 

depending on their preference 

and external commitments. 

To achieve the MA, students 

will study four taught modules 

followed by a dissertation 

module. As an alternative, it is 

possible to exit the course with 

a Postgraduate Certificate 

(on satisfactory completion 

of two taught modules) or a 

Postgraduate Diploma 

(on satisfactory completion of 

four taught modules). A student 

must complete all four taught 

modules before proceeding to 

the dissertation module. 


There are two compulsory 

modules: The Emergence of 

Adult Safeguarding, and 

Safeguarding Adults: Interventions. 

These modules provide a 

foundation for the understanding 

of and critical engagement with 

safeguarding. They also introduce 

students to the research skills and 

critical analysis necessary for the 

successful completion of a Masters 

programme, with a particular focus 

on interdisciplinary socio-legal 


Thereafter, students will take two 

further elective modules, usually 

‘Mental Capacity’ and ‘Safeguarding 

and Carers’, though students may 

substitute for either of these a 

module from another M level 

programme offered by the Law 

School, such as Medical Ethics and 

Law, or Child Care Law and Practice. 

Teaching and 

Assessment 

Each module is assessed by an 

essay of 5,000 words. All modules 

must be passed in order to 

proceed to the dissertation. 

A choice of essay titles is provided 

for each block. The pass mark for 

all assessments is 50%. 

“This was a well put together MA, the 

combination of elements of ethics, law, 

social policy etc was such a strength – 

I know I have gained so much from the 

first year professionally and personally. 

I would not have tried reclaiming social 

work if it was not for doing this.” 


“I am very proud to be in the first cohort 

of the first MA of its kind in England.” 



98

Courses 

Media Studies 

Global Media and Culture 

Course Title: 

Global Media and Culture 

Course Type: 

MA, Postgraduate Diploma, 





Dr Mark Featherstone 


m.a.featherstone@keele.ac.uk 

Website: 

www.keele.ac.uk/mcc/ 

forapplicants/postgraduate/ 

mainglobalmediaandculture 

Introduction 

The MA in Global Media and 

Culture seeks to explore the 

relationship between globalisation 

and media and cultural production, 

critically analyse cultural texts and 

practices from around the world, 

and engage in practical creative 

production. In addition, it aims to 

provide the skills necessary for 

academic study at an advanced 

level either for those wishing to go 

on to further academic research, 

or as an advanced preparation 

for those interested in pursuing 

careers in a range of media and 

culture industries. 


An honours degree at second 

class or higher (or international 

equivalent) in Media Studies, 

Cultural Studies or another 

appropriate Humanities or Social 

Sciences subject. Applicants with 

other qualifications and appropriate 

experience will be considered on a 

case-by-case basis. 


Requirements 




in each sub-test or equivalent 

. 


Modules 

Research Skills in the Humanities 

This module is designed for new 

research students, and is intended 

to serve as an introduction to the 

central aspects of the process of 

academic research and to provide 

training in technical skills to assist 

students in developing and 

managing research. 

Reflective Practice in the Humanities 

The aim of this module is to 

develop and extend the practical 

skills acquired in the first semester 

by engaging in more academically 

focused work on key 

methodological and theoretical 

issues in the Humanities today. 

The student will be introduced 

to a variety of key theoretical 

and methodological texts and 

encouraged to engage in 

interdisciplinary discussion. 

You will also be asked to reflect 

on the place of your own work 

within your discipline and the 

Humanities more broadly. 

Globalisation, Culture, Society 

This module aims to enable 

students to engage critically 

with the processual nature of 

globalisation and to recognise 

the impact of the processes of 

globalisation on contemporary 

culture and society. It will also 

allow students to identify and 

analyse critically a variety of 

theoretical perspectives on 

processes of globalisation, and to 

enable students to apply cultural 

theories of globalisation to a 

variety of substantive examples. 

Contemporary Cultural 

and Media Theory 

This module aims to introduce 

students to, and further develop 

their knowledge of cultural theory 

appropriate to the field of Media, 

Communications and Culture. 

It enables students to explore 

some of the major movements in 

cultural theory, including film 

theory. Students will examine key 

issues in twentieth-century cultural 

theory and explore the complexity 

of these issues in relation to social 

and cultural change. 

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Courses 

Colonialism and Postcolonialism: 

Fiction, Film and Theory 

This module aims to provide the 

knowledge and skills necessary for 

the advanced critical analysis of 

theories related to colonialism 

and post-colonialism. It will allow 

students to engage with those 

theories in the analysis of selected 

colonial and post-colonial fiction 

and film. Works covered on the 

module may include fiction by 

Joseph Conrad, E. M. Forster, 

Salman Rushdie, Chinua Achebe, 

Zadie Smith, Monica Ali, and the 

films A Passage to India, 

Apocalypse Now, East is East 

and Slumdog Millionaire. 

Sustained Media/ 

Cultural Practice 

This module allows students to 

produce a practical project and 

workbook which will culminate in 

a final-year show. Content is 

determined by individual negotiation 

between student and designated 

tutor. The Media Project presents an 

opportunity for you to explore 

in-depth an area of particular 

interest for which you must 

complete an extended piece of 

focused research and production. 

Dissertation/Media 

Project 

The Dissertation/Media Project 

module is a substantial piece of 

postgraduate work that engages 

the student in independent and 

original work in the field of global 

media and cultural studies. The 

project will be based on a topic 

agreed between the student and 

the supervisor. It will draw on the 

research interests of the student as 

developed during the first two 

semesters of the MA in Global 

Media and Cultures programme 

and will benefit from the research 

expertise of relevant supervisors in 

the Schools of Humanities and/or 

Criminology and Sociology. In this 

module students choose to 

produce either a traditional 

academic piece of work or a 

critically informed piece of 

creative practice. 

Teaching and 

Assessment 

The degree is assessed by a 

range of methods including 

essays, short papers, posters, 

presentations, workbooks, 

and practical projects, 

including photo documentaries 

and videos. 


“The Keele Masters in Global Media and 

Culture teaches students cutting-edge 

cultural and media theory and gives 

them a critical toolbox to inform their 

own creative practice.” 

Dr Mark Featherstone, Programme 

Director, Global Media and Culture 

100

Courses 

Medicine 

Biomedical Blood Science 

Course Title: 

Biomedical Blood Science 

Course Type: 

Postgraduate Certificate, 

Postgraduate Diploma, Masters 




Programme Director, Glenn Hussey 


g.d.hussey@keele.ac.uk 

Website: 


biomedicalbloodscience 

Overview 

The overarching educational aim 

of this programme is to take a 

detailed exploration of three core 

disciplines within a typical 

Pathology laboratory: Clinical 

Biochemistry, Medical Immunology 

and Haematology. These three 

disciplines make up the Blood 

Science department. We explore 

the kind of disease states, 

laboratory tests and analysis 

relevant to these key areas. 

Alongside this core academic 

basis, the programme also aims to 

develop key professional skills 

and nurture new attitudes to 

the approach, integration and 

application of new knowledge 

and problem-solving. 

Typical career pathways include: 

clinical or diagnostic scientific roles 

within a hospital environment, 

the private sector, for example, 

pharmaceutical, commercial and 

biotechnology companies as well 

as academic roles such as teaching, 

research and PhDs. 

This programme is fully accredited 

and recognised by the Institute of 

Biomedical Science (IBMS) as the 

professional body of Biomedical 

Scientists within the UK. 

Facilities 


a wide range of support including: 

an open door policy from all 

academic staff, a dedicated 

postgraduate study room and 

access to dedicated teaching 

laboratories recently refitted at a 

cost of £3.3 million. 

A considerable proportion of the 

teaching within Biomedical Blood 

Science is delivered through small 

group sessions. 

The programme is supported by a 

number of guest speakers working 

within the National Health Service 

to provide a thorough clinical and 

diagnostic context to the learning 

and teaching environment. 

This includes Senior Biomedical 

Scientists, Clinical Scientists, 

Medical Consultants and 

world-leading Researchers. 

Course Aims 

• Develop students’ knowledge 

and understanding of different 

theoretical perspectives, 

methodological approaches, 

research interests and practical 

applications within Blood Science 

• Explore and critique clinical, 

diagnostic and research 

implications within the fields of 

Clinical Biochemistry, Medical 

Immunology and Haematology, 

considering the potential 

implications for patients, health 

workers and research 

• Develop a critical awareness of 

Biomedical ethics and integrate 

these issues into project 

management including grant 

application and business planning 

• Promote student autonomy 

and innovation 

• Direct students to integrate a 

complex knowledge base to 

resolve professional problems 

and project development 

• Acquire advanced laboratory 

practical competencies and 

high-level analytical skills 

• Promote and sustain 

communities of practice to share 

best practice, encourage a 

multidisciplinary approach to 

problem-solving and develop 

extensive communication skills 

to convey complex knowledge, 

explanations and personal 

findings to specialist and 

non-specialist listeners 

• Provide a wide range of learning 

activities and a diverse assessment 

strategy to fully develop 

employability and academic skills, 

ensuring both professional and 

academic attainment. 

101

Courses 






Requirements 



IELTS 6.5. 


Module 1: Biomedical Ethics & 

Grant Proposal 

Develops a systemic approach to 

tackling ethical issues within Blood 

Science and manage scientific 

projects effectively, beginning with 

the application and completion 

of novel literature reviews and 

grant proposals. 

Module 2: Advanced 

Laboratory Techniques 

Provides a working knowledge 

of modern, established 

technologies applicable to 

research in Biomedical Science 

and develop the skills to analyse, 

interpret, critically evaluate and 

present data. 

Module 3 & 5: Case Studies 

in Blood Science I and II 

Two distinctive modules delivered 

through case-based learning, 

involving small group discussions 

to independently tackle realistic, 

clinical and diagnostic, patientorientated 

problems to examine 

in-depth the science and clinical 

issues underpinning typical 

scenarios in Blood Science. 

Module 4 & 6: Family, Clinical 

Pathology I and II 

Exposure to a wide range of 

expert practitioners ensures a 

practice-based, real-time 

context as students investigate 

specific disease states that 

highlight current trends and 

important insights into evaluating 

patient health including: 

screening, diagnosis, monitoring 

disease status, evaluating patient 

response to treatment and 

predicting prognosis. 

Module 7: Project Management 

and Business Planning 

Acquire key skills needed to 

instigate and coordinate new 

projects within professional 

practice and equip students with 

the basic knowledge needed to 

make a difference within their 

own area of expertise. 

Module 8: Research Methodologies 

Using a form of supplemented 

journal-club learning, students are 

given comprehensive knowledge of 

modern techniques used today to 

advance knowledge in the field of 

Blood Science. Working in small 

groups, students critically evaluate 

current research publications to 

understand best practice within 

experimental design and 

interpretation of data and develop 

personal skills in critical evaluation 

and the reflective cycle. 

Module 9: Dissertation – Blood 

Science Research Project 

This three month, full-time, 

independent project represents 

the culmination of the learning 

experience throughout the 

programme. Students undertake 

a substantial clinical audit/ 

dissertation/laboratory-based 

research project in a chosen field 

of Blood Science working alongside 

experts and professionals practicing 

in the field. 

Teaching and 

Assessment 

This programme has a rich 

and varied teaching and 

assessment strategy to ensure 

maximum student development 

of employability and academic 

skills, providing the opportunity 

for students to demonstrate 

both professional and 

academic attainment. 

Assessment design is largely 

driven by a number of key 

principles, including promotion 

of independent learning, student 

autonomy, responsibility for 

personal learning, acknowledgement 

of the internationalisation 

perspective within Biomedical 

Blood Science and development 

of innovation and originality 

within one’s chosen area of interest. 


102

Courses 

Medicine 

Biomedical Engineering 

Course Title: 

Biomedical Engineering 

Course Type: 




Full-time 12 month taught course or 

part-time 2 year taught course 


Hildegarde Wright 


h.wright@keele.ac.uk 

Website: 

www.keele.ac.uk/biomed 

Overview 

The School of Medicine hosts an 

active and successful academic 

programme. Most teaching takes 

place at the Guy Hilton Research 

Centre, located immediately 

adjacent to the University Hospital 

of North Staffordshire. All students 

and staff members have the 

opportunity to work directly 

with nursing and clinical staff. 

The School embraces specialists 

working in the University Hospital 

of North Staffordshire and RJAH 

Orthopaedic Hospital Oswestry, 

covering the key medical and 

surgical sub specialties. A number 

of successful interdisciplinary 

research programmes are being 

carried out, and the postgraduate 

culture is very evident and ideally 

suited to the development and 

delivery of postgraduate courses. 

The Institute successfully integrates 

Keele University’s biomedical 

research strengths across the 

Faculties of Health and Natural 

Sciences. In the RAE 2008, ISTM’s 

research was recognised as 90% 

international quality with 10% as 

world-leading in terms of originality, 

significance and rigour. The 

research environment in ISTM was 

commended as “of internationally 

recognised, excellent standard” 

enabling basic, strategic and 

applied research to take place 

with clear focus and routes into 

exploitation in bioscience 

industries and healthcare. 

Facilities 

The Guy Hilton Research Centre 

was opened in 2006 and offers 

patient treatment facilities 

alongside state of the art 

equipment for translational research 

including cell therapy suites, 

genomic facilities and advanced 

laser and diagnostic laboratories. 

Excellent library and study facilities 

are available at the Health Library, 

Clinical Education Centre Hospital 

Site and at the University Library 

on the main campus. 

Course Aims 

The aim of the course is to provide 

multidisciplinary Masters level 

postgraduate training in 

Biomedical Engineering. 

This involves building on existing 

undergraduate knowledge in basic 

sciences and applying it to clinical 

applications of bioengineering 

relevant to the healthcare sector. 

The overall objectives are: 

• To provide courses at a 

postgraduate level leading to 

professional careers in biomedical 

engineering in a wide range of 

healthcare establishments such as 

medical organisations, medical 

research institutions and 

NHS Trust hospitals 

• To provide an opportunity 

for in-depth research into 

specialist and novel areas of 

biomedical engineering 

• To expose students to practical 

work in a hospital environment 

with hands-on knowledge of 

patient care 

• To introduce students to 

exciting new fields within 

biomedical engineering and 

novel technologies for 

physiological monitoring 


Students holding a first or 

second-class honours degree in 

engineering, physical or biological 

sciences, or other professional 

qualification acceptable to 

Keele University, are encouraged 

to apply. 


Requirements 





103

Courses 


These taught Masters courses 

require satisfactory completion of 

at least 180 M level credits, made 

up of 120 credits from taught 

modules (75 credits core and 

compulsory, 45 credits options) 

plus a project and dissertation for 

60 credits. The module structure is 

set out below. 

Compulsory modules 

(each 15 credits) 

• Seminar programme 

• Physiological Measurement 

• Medical Equipment and 

Technology Services 

Management 

• Biomedical Signal Processing 

• Medical Device Design Principles 

Option modules (each 15 credits) 

• Nanomagnetics in Nanomedicine 

• Stem Cell Therapy 

• Bioreactors and 

Growth Environments 

• Biomechanics 

• Molecular Techniques 

• Introduction to Medical Imaging 

• Biomaterials 

• Biosensors 

• Physiology and Anatomy module 

is compulsory for students who 

cannot demonstrate previous 

knowledge of anatomy 

Project Dissertation (60 credits) 

Research project and final 

dissertation of 15,000 – 20,000 

words. This is an opportunity for 

students to undertake laboratorybased 

research in their chosen 

topic and should demonstrate their 

understanding of the field via 

applications in healthcare. 

Teaching and 

Assessment 

The courses are taught 

through subject-centred lectures, 

supported by tutorials and 

practical exercises. Collaborative 

learning and student-centred 

learning are also adopted giving 

widespread opportunity for group 

work and individual assignments. 

Students are also required to 

conduct extensive independent 

study. Compulsory attendance is 

required for all chosen modules 

except for the dissertation. 

An individual approach to student 

support will be adopted. Each 

student will be assigned a tutor 

for the dissertation module, chosen 

in relation to the appropriate 

subject discipline and expertise 

for the project. 

Assessment 

Modules will be assessed by 

both in-course assessment and 

final examination. A major part of 

the assessment will be based on 

the student’s research project 

and written dissertation. 


• Cell Biomechanics 

• Cell and Tissue Engineering 

• Healthcare Technology 

Assessment 

104

Courses 

Medicine 

Cell and Tissue Engineering 

Course Title: 

Cell and Tissue Engineering 

Course Type: 




Full-time 12 month taught course or 

part-time 2 year taught course 


Hildegarde Wright 


h.wright@keele.ac.uk 

Website: 


cellandtissueengineering 

Overview 

The School of Medicine hosts an 

active and successful academic 

programme. Most teaching takes 

place at the Guy Hilton Research 

Centre, located immediately 

adjacent to the University Hospital 

of North Staffordshire. All students 

and staff members have the 

opportunity to work directly 

with nursing and clinical staff. 

The School embraces specialists 

working in the University Hospital 

of North Staffordshire and RJAH 

Orthopaedic Hospital Oswestry, 

covering the key medical and 

surgical sub specialties. A number 

of successful interdisciplinary 

research programmes are being 

carried out, and the postgraduate 

culture is very evident and ideally 

suited to the development and 

delivery of postgraduate courses. 

The Institute successfully 

integrates Keele University’s 

biomedical research strengths 

across the Faculties of Health and 

Natural Sciences. In the RAE 2008, 

ISTM’s research was recognised as 

90% international quality with 

10% as world-leading in terms 

of originality, significance and 

rigour. The research environment 

in ISTM was commended as 

“of internationally recognised, 

excellent standard” enabling 

basic, strategic and applied 

research to take place with 

clear focus and routes into 

exploitation in bioscience 

industries and healthcare. 

Facilities 

The Guy Hilton Research Centre 

was opened in 2006 and offers 

patient treatment facilities 

alongside state-of-the-art 

equipment for translational research 

including cell therapy suites, 

genomic facilities and advanced 

laser and diagnostic laboratories. 

Excellent library and study facilities 

are available at the Health Library, 

Clinical Education Centre Hospital 

Site and at the University Library 

on the main campus. 

Course Aims 

The aim of the course is to provide 

multidisciplinary Masters level 

postgraduate training in Cell & 

Tissue Engineering. This involves 

building on existing undergraduate 

knowledge in basic sciences and 

applying it to clinical applications 

of bioengineering and cell and 

tissue engineering relevant to the 

healthcare sector. 

The overall objectives are: 

• To provide courses at a 

postgraduate level leading to 

professional careers in cell and 

tissue engineering in a wide 

range of healthcare establishments 

such as medical organisations, 

medical research institutions and 

NHS Trust hospitals 

• To provide an opportunity 

for in-depth research into 

specialist and novel areas of 

cell and tissue engineering 

• To expose students to practical 

work in a hospital environment 

with hands-on knowledge of 

patient care 

• To introduce students to 

exciting new fields within cell 

and tissue engineering and 

novel technologies for 

physiological monitoring 


Students holding a first or 

second-class honours degree 

in engineering, physical or 

biological sciences, or other 

professional qualification 

acceptable to Keele University, 

are encouraged to apply. 


Requirements 





105

Courses 


These taught Masters courses 

require satisfactory completion 

of at least 180 M level credits, 

made up of 120 credits from taught 

modules (75 credits core and 

compulsory, 45 credits options) 

plus a project and dissertation for 

60 credits. The module structure is 

set out below. 

Compulsory modules 

(each 15 credits) 

• Seminar Programme 

• Stem Cell Therapy 

• Bioreactors and Growth 

Environments 

• Cell and Tissue Engineering 

• Biomaterials 

Option modules (each 15 credits) 

• Biomechanics 

• Molecular Techniques 

• Nanomagnetics in Nanomedicine 

• Physiological Measurement* 

• Medical Equipment and 

Technology Services 

Management 

Project Dissertation (60 credits) 

Research project and final 

dissertation of 15,000 – 20,000 

words. This is an opportunity for 

students to undertake laboratorybased 

research in their chosen 

topic and should demonstrate their 

understanding of the field via 

applications in healthcare. 

Teaching and 

Assessment 

The courses are taught through 

subject-centred lectures, 

supported by tutorials and 

practical exercises. Collaborative 

learning and student-centred 

learning are also adopted giving 

widespread opportunity for group 

work and individual assignments. 

Students are also required to 

conduct extensive independent 

study. Compulsory attendance is 

required for all chosen modules 

except for the dissertation. 

An individual approach to student 

support will be adopted. Each 

student will be assigned a tutor 

for the dissertation module, 

chosen in relation to the 

appropriate subject discipline 

and expertise for the project. 

Assessment 

Modules will be assessed by 

both in-course assessment and 

final examination. A major part of 

the assessment will be based on 

the student’s research project and 

written dissertation. 


• Biosensors 

• Introduction to Medical Imaging 

• Medical Device Design Principles 

• Cell Biomechanics 

• Healthcare Technology 

Assessment 

• Biomedical Signal Processing 

106

Courses 

Medicine 

Ethics of Cancer & Palliative Care 

Course Title: 

Ethics of Cancer & Palliative Care 

Course Type: 








Website: 


Overview 

The course provides an opportunity 

to gain a deeper and more 

systematic understanding of issues 

generated by the many complex 

ethical and legal problems in the 

fields related to cancer and 

palliative care. 

The course is taught in Liverpool 

by lecturers from Keele’s Centre for 

Professional Ethics (PEAK) and the 

Learning & Teaching Department 

of the Marie Curie Palliative Care 

Institute. This is an exciting joint 

venture uniting academic and 

practical expertise. 

We encourage high levels of 

student participation in discussion 

and employ teaching techniques 

which encourage this wherever 

possible. Students come from a 

wide range of backgrounds within 

the field of healthcare. Past and 

current students have reported 

that meeting and exchanging ideas 

with others who work in different 

fields and in different parts of the 

country is one of the major 

benefits of the course. 

The Ethics of Cancer and Palliative 

Care teaching team has many 

years’ experience of teaching 

postgraduate applied ethics 

courses. We are well aware of the 

special problems and challenges 

which may face mature students 

and those combining study with 

full-time work and do our utmost to 

offer a supportive and stimulating 

environment for learning. Each 

student is assigned a personal 

supervisor during the course. 

Facilities 









Course Aims 

This course aims to deepen 

students’ understanding of 

healthcare ethics that are 

particularly relevant to the fields 

of cancer and palliative care, 

and to enhance their ability to 

think systematically about the 

moral issues that healthcare 

professionals may face in the 

course of their work. 


The course is open to all those 

with either a degree in a relevant 

subject, or appropriate professional 


Applications are welcome from 

people with a professional or other 

serious interest in the ethics 

of cancer and palliative care, 

including (but not limited to) 

doctors, nurses, healthcare 

managers, intercalating 

medical students, radiographers, 

chaplains, charity and voluntary 

workers, social workers, 

hospice directors, medical and 

pharmaceutical researchers, 

and healthcare educators. 


The MA in the Ethics of Cancer 

and Palliative Care involves both 

taught sessions and a chance for 

students to write a dissertation on 

a topic of their choosing related 

to the course. Teaching occurs in 

four three-day modules that run 

between October and April. 

This innovative structure has 

proved particularly popular as 

it allows students to combine 

study with full-time work and 

other commitments. It also 

enables students who are based 

in all areas of the UK and beyond 

to attend. Contact between 

students and staff’s facilitated 

between modules to create a 

distinctive student community. 

The MA requires the successful 

completion of 180 M Level 

credits, made up of four 30-credit 

taught modules and a 60-credit 

107

Courses 

dissertation. It can be taken either 

full-time or part-time. When taken 

part-time the four taught modules 

are completed in the first year, 

with the dissertation being 

completed in the second year. 


Module 1: Ethics and Palliative Care 

In this block, you are introduced 

to the main concepts and theories 

used in healthcare ethics. This is 

done in ways that bring out their 

connection with issues of practical 

concern in cancer and palliative 

care. Additional topics can 

include the shift from curative to 

palliative care; the context of care 

(e.g. hospital, hospice, home); 

the relationship between ethical 

and clinical considerations. 

Module 2: Autonomy, Paternalism 

and Consent 

Module 2 addresses issues 

which relate to respect for the 

autonomy of patients and carers. 

Important topics normally include: 

truth-telling; confidentiality; 

decision-making for the seriously 

ill patient; informed consent; consent 

and the law; paternalism; advance 

statements; and the nature of hope 

in palliative care. 

Module 3: Quality of Life, Death, 

and Dying 

This module focuses on end-of 

life issues and normally includes 

seminars on the significance of 

death; the sanctity and value of life; 

the idea of ‘quality of life’; 

withdrawing and withholding 

life-prolonging treatment; and 

ethical and legal issues in euthanasia. 

Module 4: Contemporary Issues 

in the Ethics of Cancer and 

Palliative Care 

The content of this module varies 

from year to year to reflect current 

issues of particular concern in the 

field. In recent years, it has included 

seminars on resource allocation; 

research ethics; special issues relating 

to the care of children; screening 

programmes; the role of religious 

belief in ethical debate and differing 

conceptions of palliative care. 

Teaching and 

Assessment 

Each teaching block is followed 

by an assignment. For module 1 

this is three short written tasks, 

whilst for each of modules 2, 3 

and 4 it is a 4,000-word essay. 

“We encourage students to engage 

with ethics in a rigorous, analytic manner 

that will help deepen their understanding 

and strengthen their ability to deal 

with a wide range of challenging 

issues, whilst remaining sensitive to 

the difficulties faced by professionals 

and patients alike in this area.” 

Dr Anthony Wrigley, Senior Lecturer in 

Ethics and Programme Director 


108

Courses 

Medicine 

Medical Ethics & Law 

Course Title: 

Medical Ethics & Law 

Course Type: 








Website: 


Overview 

The course provides an opportunity 

to study in-depth some of the 

ethical and legal issues that arise in 

healthcare and related fields. 

Teaching is delivered in intensive 

blocks, enabling those in full-time 

employment to study part-time and 

fit the programme around the 

demands of their work. It is taught 

by staff from the School of Law and 

Centre for Professional Ethics, all of 

whom have research expertise in 

healthcare law and ethics and who, 

between them, have written 

numerous books and articles. 

In addition to events directly 

connected to the programme, 

students are welcome to attend a 

wide range of research seminars, 

workshops, and lectures, and to 

become part of the Keele 

graduate community. 

In designing and presenting this 

programme, we are always mindful 

of the challenges which sometimes 

face mature students and those 

combining study with full-time 

work, and do our utmost to offer 

a supportive and stimulating 

environment which will allow such 

students to succeed. 

Course Aims 

The course aims to deepen 

students’ understanding of 

healthcare ethics and law, and to 

enhance their ability to think 

systematically about the moral 

and legal issues that they may face 

in the course of their work. It aims 

also to provide a foundation for 

pursuing further study at 



Either a good degree in a relevant 

subject, or appropriate professional 


Applications are welcome from 

people with a professional or other 

serious interest in healthcare ethics 

and law, including (but not limited 

to) doctors, nurses, midwives, 

healthcare managers, 

physiotherapists, radiographers, 

chaplains, and voluntary workers. 


Requirements 



have at least IELTS 6.5 with a 




The MA in Medical Law and 

Ethics includes both taught 

sessions and a chance for 

students to write a dissertation 

on a topic in healthcare ethics 

or law. Teaching occurs in four 

three-day blocks that run 

between September and May. 

This structure has proved 

particularly popular with 

healthcare professionals in 

full-time employment as it 

allows people to combine study 

with full-time work. It also 

enables students who are based 

in all parts of the UK and beyond 

to attend. 

The MA requires the successful 

completion of 180 M Level credits, 

made up of four 30-credit taught 

modules and a 60-credit 

dissertation. It can be taken either 

full-time or part-time. When taken 

part-time, the four taught modules 

are completed in the first year, with 

the dissertation being completed 

in the second year. If the course 

is taken full-time, it can be 

completed within one year with 

the dissertation being submitted 

at the start of September. 

An alternative route is to take just 

the four taught modules. Successful 

completion of these will lead to the 

award of a Postgraduate Diploma in 

Medical Ethics and Law. 

109

Courses 


Introduction to Moral and 

Legal Concepts: 

This provides an introduction to 

the concepts and theories used 

on the course. It explores various 

different ethical theories, the 

relationship between law and 

morality, the nature of moral and 

legal rights. It also provides an 

introduction to some basic legal 

concepts and to the structure of 

the English legal system. 

Autonomy and Paternalism: 

Topics covered in this module 

include: ethical and legal issues 

raised by consent to treatment, 

confidentiality, and patient choice. 

Among the questions considered 

are: Is paternalism ever 

acceptable? Is lying to patients 

always wrong? To what extent 

should patients have control over 

their own medical treatment? 

To what extent should doctors use 

their discretion to keep information 

from the patient? 

Life and Death: 

This module examines a variety 

of difficult ethical issues relating 

to the creation and destruction of 

life. For example, does the law 

currently strike the right balance 

between protecting the foetus and 

respecting women’s autonomy? 

And should ‘physician assisted 

suicide’ be permitted? Topics 

covered include: the moral and 

legal status of the embryo; 

reproductive technologies; death 

and dying; ‘physician assisted 

suicide’, euthanasia, and the 

withdrawal of life-prolonging 

medical treatment. 

Public Health: 

Areas covered in this module 

include: justice and resource 

allocation; research ethics; 

discrimination and healthcare; 

and ‘paternalism’ in public health 

policy. This module normally 

includes several sessions 

examining a topical issue in 

public health policy. 

Assessment: 

Each module is assessed by 

a single piece of coursework. 

All modules must be passed 

in order to proceed to 

the dissertation. 


110

Courses 

Medicine 

Medical Science (Anatomical Sciences) Intercalated 

Course Title: 

Medical Science (Anatomical 

Sciences) Intercalated 

Course Type: 

MMedSci, Postgraduate Diploma, 



Full-time 


Rachel Parkin 


r.e.parkin@keele.ac.uk 

Website: 

www.keele.ac.uk/health/ 

schoolofmedicine/ 

postgraduatetaughtcourses 

Overview 

This award has been designed 

to facilitate the learning of the 

generic skills and knowledge 

essential to successful higher 

clinical practice and careers in 

academic medicine by applying 

the principles of the scientific 

method to studies in both 

anatomical research and 

clinically-applied anatomy. 

Anatomy encompasses all levels 

of structural organisation, 

topographical, neuroanatomical, 

histological, cellular and 

developmental, as well as 

providing a basis for studies 

in radiological imaging and 

pathology. This approach allows 

students to integrate recent 

advances in molecular genetics, 

cell biology, microscopy, imaging 

and computer simulation to 

biological and clinical problems 

concerning the human body. 


You will need to be undertaking a 

Keele or other UK undergraduate 

Medical Degree course and wishing 

to take a year out of your studies 

to pursue a thorough grounding 

of scientific enquiry in the 

anatomical sciences and research 

methodologies relevant to 

experimental and clinical sciences. 

Course Structure 

and Content 

A total of 180 credits are 

required to achieve the MMedSci 

(Anatomical Sciences) Intercalated. 

One third of the credits are 

associated with the major 

dissertation/project, one third are 

anatomy-related taught modules 

with practical content, and one 

third comprises a combination of 

core generic methodology 

modules and a choice of modules 

in areas of cell and molecular 

biology or applied clinical science. 


THREE CORE modules which are 

compulsory: 

Morphological Research Methods 

& Imaging (30 credits) 

This module, taken early in the 

semester, introduces some of the 

key research techniques employed 

in anatomical, experimental and 

pathological investigations, 

including whole body methods, 

optical, confocal and electron 

microscopy, histochemical and 

immunocytochemical staining 

methods, and quantitative 

techniques such as morphometry 

and stereology. In general, half-day 

theory sessions are followed by 

practicals and visits to various 

research and pathology 

laboratories and seminars involve 

critical analysis of the literature 

and applications to project design 

and research grant funding. 

Applied Clinical Anatomy 1 

(15 credits) 

A six-day module spread over 

semester 1, covering practical, 

theoretical and applied aspects 

of the anatomy and development 

of the muscular, nervous, 

cardiovascular and respiratory 

systems. The unit includes 

anatomy prosection practicals, 

anthropometry, ultrasound imaging 

and critical analysis of the research 

literature particularly in the field of 

neuromuscular anatomy, variations, 

anomalies, and applied anatomy. 

Applied Surgical Anatomy 

(15 credits) 

This module, spread over both 

semesters, provides students 

with the opportunity to acquire a 

thorough knowledge of anatomy 

as applied to surgical diagnoses 

and procedures as a foundation 

for understanding and developing 

the scientific and evidence base of 

current practice. Activities include 

anatomy dissection labs, small 

group work and presentations, 

case-based discussions and critical 

appraisal work on the anatomical 

and surgical literature and 

self-directed learning. 

111

Courses 

FOUR OPTIONAL modules, ideally 

ONE from each of groups A, B, and 

C and ONE other from this list by 

discussion with the course tutors: 

Group A 

• Statistics and Epidemiology 

(15 credits) 

• Health Informatics (15 credits) 

• Research Methods in Health 

(15 credits) 

Group B 

• Stem Cells: Types, Diagnoses and 

Applications (15 credits) 

• Cell & Tissue Engineering 

(15 credits) 

Group C 

• Physiology of 

Neuromusculoskeletal Tissue 

(15 credits) 

• Psychosocial Aspects of Pain 1 

(15 credits) 

• Concepts of Neurological 

Rehabilitation (15 credits) 

• Physiology and Pharmacology of 

Pain (15 credits) 

• Assistive Technologies in 

Neuromuscular Rehabilitation 

(15 credits) 

Dissertation/Project 

This may take the form of one 

long (9 month) dissection or 

laboratory-based research topic 

written up to include a literature 

review, methodologies, results and 

discussion. Alternatively, this could 

comprise a short dissection or 

laboratory research project and a 

related medical education research 

project written up as above. 

Some short exploratory anatomy 

lab research projects may be 

undertaken in the style of Applied 

Clinical Anatomy 2. 

FULL TIME 

112

Courses 

Physiotherapy 


Course Title: 


Course Type: 



Full-time and part-time 


Sarah Skinner 



Website: 


appliedclinicalanatomypgcert 

Overview 

The certificate is designed to 

allow choice and foster personal 

development. Plenty of opportunity 

will be given to students to develop 

their skills in anatomy and dissections 

using human cadaveric specimens. 

The Postgraduate Certificate in 

Applied Clinical Anatomy (60 M 

Level credits) consists of three 

modules, the two core modules are 

compulsory; Applied Clinical 

Anatomy 1 worth 15 M Level credits, 

and Applied Clinical Anatomy 2 

worth 30 M Level credits. To 

facilitate ongoing personal 

development and make up the 

required 60 Masters Level credits, 

the student can choose a further 

optional module related to the aims 

of the certificate. Students may 

transfer their credits to an 

MSc (Health Sciences) or an MSc 

(Neuromusculoskeletal Healthcare). 

There are many Masters Level 

modules available to choose from 

within the University. 

Facilities 





programme. It has strong 

connections both with local clinical 

units and with other Schools within 



and Pharmacy. 

Course Aims 

To promote the acquisition of 

applied anatomical knowledge and 

skills and the application of 

anatomical science. 


The course is aimed at students who 

have studied some basic anatomy 

within their first degree, for example: 

medical doctors, allied health 

professionals, nurses, midwives, 

other health-related professionals, 

graduates in biology, cell biology, 

biomedical science, sports science, 

medical illustrators etc. Candidates 

should normally have a first or 

second-class honours degree in a 

relevant subject and/or recognised 

professional qualification. 





Requirements 




of an English Language qualification 

such as TOEFL (minimum 600) or 

IELTS (minimum 6.5 with at least 6 

in each sub-test). All applications 



The certificate consists of three 

modules (two core compulsory 

plus one option). 

• Applied Clinical Anatomy 1 (core) 

worth 15 M Level credits. This 

module will cover histology, 

embryology, identification of 

prosections, gross anatomy 

of various systems, radiology, 

preserving, and embalming. 

The gross anatomy will be linked 

to functional and clinical relevance 

• Applied Clinical Anatomy 2 (core) 

worth 30 M Level credits. Through 

student-led tutorials, theoretical 

and practical studies including 

dissections, the student will cover 

in-depth, the theoretical and 

practical aspects of knowledge 

relating to the student’s chosen 

anatomical focus 

113

Courses 

• One option module to the value 

of 15 credits at Masters Level 


Core Modules (each 15 credits 

totalling 105 credits) 


(15 credits) 


(30 credits) 

Option Modules (60 credits) 

required for MSc and PgDip) 

There are many Masters Level 

modules available within the 

Faculty and the wider University. 

The academic year starts in 

September, and is divided into 

two semesters; one core module 

will be available in each semester. 

This allows the student the freedom 

to select an optional module within 

either semester. 

Candidates can also apply for 

assessment of prior learning (APL) 

exemptions against option modules, 

or choose to take option modules 

from a range offered by other 

Faculties in the University, or other 

Universities, provided they are 

consistent with the aims of the 

programme and are approved by 

the Course Team. 

Teaching and 

Assessment 

The programme of study will be 

delivered through block teaching 

sessions and self-directed study 

(See individual modular 

specification for details of hours 

etc). Teaching format will be 

lecturers, seminars, discussions, 

problem-solving sessions, tutorials, 

and dissections to address 

theoretical and practical aspects 

of applied clinical anatomical 

knowledge. The student is expected 

to complete at least double the 

amount of self-directed study. 

A variety of modes of assessment 

are offered. For the Applied Clinical 

Anatomy 1 module – the student 

can choose their own mode of 

assessment from the selection 

given, for example, assignment, 

presentation or an interactive 

practical examination. 

For the Applied Clinical Anatomy 2, 

the student will present a portfolio 

of evidence of their experiential 

learning during the process of 

exploring in-depth the theoretical 

and practical aspects of clinical 

anatomical knowledge relating to 

the students chosen field of 

knowledge. This will include a 

4,000-word assignment, 

four laboratory reports including 

such activities as dissections, 

clinical meetings etc, a 2,500 word 

reflective piece demonstrating 

experiential learning and finally the 

evidence of experiential learning. 

“Now that the Applied Clinical 

Anatomy has finished, I can definitely 

say that it was by far the most 

interesting thing I have ever done in 

my entire (short though) academic life. 

Thank you so much for this opportunity.” 

Alexandros, full-time student 

2011-2012 


114

Courses 

Physiotherapy 

Physiotherapy 

Course Title: 

Physiotherapy 

Course Type: 




Full-time and part-time 


Sarah Skinner 



Website: 


physiotherapyfull-time 

Overview 

The philosophy of this course is 

to broaden and extend knowledge 

and skills within the field of 

physiotherapy and encourage 

personal and professional 

development. This programme is 

designed to provide opportunity 

for students to question and 

challenge current practice in 

aspects of physiotherapy and to 

enable students to explore 

in-depth, areas of professional 

interest. It also aims to enable 

students to evaluate evidence 

both for current practice and 

for new approaches in 

physiotherapy practice. 

The structure of the core modules 

meets the needs of individuals to 

review and evaluate the background 

of the physiotherapy profession and 

to integrate this into their clinical 

practice where appropriate. 

The option module choice allows 

students to select the module 

that best suits their own specific 

requirements in terms of personal 

and professional development. 

The research module and 

dissertation, together with core 

modules such as Evidence-Based 

Practice or Assessment and 

Measurement, develop the student’s 

research capabilities and critical 

evaluation skills. 

Facilities 





programme. It has strong 

connections both with local clinical 

units and with other Schools within 



and Pharmacy. 

Course Aims 

Provide an environment where 

the student is supported and 

motivated to develop academically, 

professionally and personally. 

Promote reflective thinking, 

reflective practice and 

self-evaluation. 

Develop the process 

of critical and evaluative thinking, 

writing, and communication. 

Transfer scientific knowledge 

from theory into practice. 

Develop research skills to provide 

students with a sound academic 

core to their clinical practice in 

physiotherapy. Develop a scientific 

approach to the evaluation of 

current practice in physiotherapy. 

Promote interdisciplinary 

perspectives and an holistic 

approach to the management 

and rehabilitation of person. 


The course is open to 

appropriately qualified 

physiotherapists who are interested 

in acquiring new knowledge and/or 

deepening existing knowledge in the 

field of physiotherapy. Applicants 

should normally have a first or 

second-class honours degree 

(2.1 or 2.2) (or overseas equivalent) 

in Physiotherapy. 





Requirements 




of an English Language 

qualification such as TOEFL 

(minimum 600) or IELTS 

(minimum 6.5 with at least 

6 in each sub-test). All applications 



The full-time course comprises 

of seven core modules and one 

15 credit optional module. 

The part-time/modular route 

comprises of three core modules 

and 75 credits of optional modules. 

115

Courses 

The MSc programme comprises 

taught modules to the value of 120 

M Level credits and a dissertation 

of 60 M Level credits, giving a total 

of 180 credits. Students may 

choose to finish their studies after 

completing 60 taught credits 

(Postgraduate Certificate) or 

120 taught credits (Postgraduate 

Diploma), or they may study any 

module on a stand-alone basis 

and obtain the relevant credits. 

The part-time MSc programme 

can be completed in two years, 

but students may take up to five 

years if they wish (modular). 

The structure of the course 

therefore allows flexible learning 

in accordance with individual 

student interests and needs. 

Full-time 




Research Methods in Health, 

Applied Clinical Anatomy 1, 

Concepts of Neurological 

Rehabilitation, Physiology of 

Neuromusculoskeletal Tissue, 

Psychosocial Aspects of Pain 

Dissertation 

Full-time Option Modules 

15 credits required for MSc 

and PgDip 

Choose from the following 

Assistive Technologies in 

Neurological Rehabilitation, 

Dynamic Ultrasound Imaging, 

Performance Stability, or 

another in discussion with the 

Programme Leader. 

Part-time/Modular 

course Modules 



Research Methods in Health, 

Applied Clinical Anatomy 1 and 

Assessment and Measurement OR 

Evidence Based Practise 

Option Modules (75 credits 

required for MSc and PgDip) 

A list of modules run by the 

Faculty of Health can be found at 

www.keele.ac.uk/health 

Teaching and 

Assessment 

Lecture sessions are led by 

a variety of experienced authorities 

in their field. Therefore, the 

student receives a wide knowledge 

base from academics and 

practising experts. 

The programme is assessed by a 

variety of techniques chosen to 

reflect the aims and objectives and 

teaching methods of individual 

modules, for example: essay, critical 

evaluation, paper review, seminar 

presentations, examination, the use 

of the Virtual Learning Environment, 

and dissertation. The pass mark for 

all modules is 50%. 


Essentials of Manual Therapy 

Assessment for Peripheral Joint 

Dysfunction OR Essentials of 

Manual Therapy Assessment for 

Spinal Dysfunction (these modules 

run alternate years) 

Assessment and Measurement 

OR Evidence-Based Practice – this 

is delivered electronically entirely 

via distance learning. 

“This flexible programme enables 

students to advance their knowledge 

and skills that underpin evidencebased 

professional practice in a rapidly 

changing healthcare environment.” 

Dr Linda Chesterton, Senior Lecturer 

116

Courses 

Politics 

MA in Dialogue Studies 

Course Title: 

MA in Dialogue Studies 

Course Type: 

MA 


Full-time 


Professor Chris Bailey 


c.j.bailey@keele.ac.uk 

Website: 


postgraduate/madialoguestudies 

Overview 

The context underpinning this 

MA is the need to understand and 

respond to the problems and 

challenges generated by the UK’s 

diverse society. Cultural and 

religious diversity is capable of 

promoting a culturally rich, 

open-minded society able to draw 

on a wide range of perspectives in 

confronting social, economic and 

political challenges at local, 

national and international levels. 

Conversely, a diverse society has 

the capacity to harbour deep 

divisions which can lead to 

problems of ghettoisation, social 

and political disengagement, 

inequality, resentment, mistrust, 

insecurity and discrimination. 

The need to address such 

difficulties and the aspiration to 

achieve a thriving diversity 

demands dialogue to increase 

interaction and understanding 

between different sectors of 

the community. 

The MA in Dialogue Studies will 

provide Masters Level teaching and 

experience catered to the demands 

of such efforts. It is intended to 

equip students with the knowledge, 

understanding and skills to 

effectively engage in and lead 

meaningful dialogue advancing 

intercultural interaction, community 

cohesion and proactive citizenship. 

It aims to develop reflective 

practitioners and students of 

dialogue equipped to examine 

and evaluate theories of dialogue 

and carry them forward with 

appropriate adaptations and 

innovations. A distinctive and 

innovative feature of the 

programme is a placement with 

the Dialogue Society in London 

during which students will 

develop their skills through 

active participation in the work 

of this charity. 

Course Aims 

The aim of the programme is to 

equip students with the 

knowledge, understanding and 

skills to engage effectively in and 

lead meaningful dialogue 

advancing intercultural interaction, 

community cohesion, and 

proactive citizenship. It seeks to 

develop reflective practitioners, 

and students of dialogue, equipped 

to examine and evaluate theories 

of dialogue and carry them 

forward with appropriate 

adaptations and innovations. 



degree of a 2:2 from an awarding 

UK institution, or its equivalent. 

It is not necessary to hold the 

degree in Politics or International 

Relations. For students who fall 

short of this requirement, relevant 

work experience, or evidence of 

experience in the field, can be 

considered as an alternative. 


The structure of the MA in 

Dialogue Studies is as follows: 

Semester 1 

Approaches in Dialogue 

(30 credits) core module 

Learning and Research Skills 


Students to choose 

one optional module 

(15 credits each) 

Optional modules can be 

drawn from modules such as 

those listed below, although 

the precise list of modules may 

vary from year to year. 





117

Courses 

Semester 2 

Dialogue Work Placement 


Summer 

Dissertation 


Teaching and 

Assessment 

The programme has three 

components: taught modules 

in the 1st semester; a placement 

at the Dialogue Society in the 

2nd semester; and a dissertation 

to be completed by a 

September deadline. 

The taught modules consist of a 

number of weekly two hour 

seminars. These modules provide 

students with theoretical and 

substantive knowledge, key 

learning and research skills, and an 

opportunity to interact with staff 

and other students. Assessment 

will vary between modules but 

typically will involve presentations, 

coursework, and essays. 

The placement with the Dialogue 

Society in the 2nd semester will 

allow students to gain experience 

working for an NGO. Students 

will be involved in planning, 

organising and evaluating 

seminars; planning, organising 

and evaluating community events; 

and attending Dialogue Society 

training events which provide key 

leadership and communications 

skills. The placement will be 

assessed by a reflective diary. 

The dissertation will be on a topic 

of the student’s choice relating to 

intercultural dialogue, community 

cohesion, diversity, citizenship or 

conflict resolution. Students will be 

assigned supervisors who they will 

meet on a regular basis. 

School of Politics, International 

Relations and Philosophy (SPIRE) 

is a thoroughly international 



students. It also provides plenty of 

opportunities for home students to 

broaden their horizons. 


backgrounds in a wide variety 

of countries, such as Canada, 

Bulgaria, Italy, Austria, Romania, 

and Turkey, who present their 

research all around the world. 

Students also have the opportunity 

to attend lectures and seminars 

given by lectures visiting Keele 

from other countries as part of the 








FULL TIME 

118

Courses 

Politics 

MA in Politics and International Relations 

Course Title: 

MA in Politics and 

International Relations 

Course Type: 

MA/MRes 




Postgraduate Co-ordinator 


k.s.ainsworth@keele.ac.uk 

Website: 


postgraduate 

Overview 

School of Politics, International 

Relations and Philosophy (SPIRE) 

currently offers seven specialised 

pathways to a Masters in Politics 

and International Relations: 

Comparative Public Policy 

Diplomatic Studies 

Global Security 

European Politics and Culture 



Political Parties and Elections 

Our postgraduate learning and 

teaching is designed to let you 

develop specialised knowledge 

in your chosen field whilst 

gaining a solid grounding in 

relevant social science theories, 

approaches and research skills. 

You will take three core modules 

and three optional modules and 

complete an independent 

dissertation project. The course 

can be completed full-time 

(one year) or part-time (two years) 

and provides many opportunities 

for working closely with academics 

and fellow students in a friendly, 

research-oriented environment. 

All seven pathways can be taken 

either as an MA (Masters of Arts) or 

an MRes (Masters of Research). An 

MA offers more subject-based 

study and less research training 

than an MRes degree. The MA is 

therefore more suited to students 

who wish to continue their studies 

beyond undergraduate level and to 

develop an in-depth understanding 

of a particular aspect of Politics 

and International Relations. 

The MRes includes a substantial 

research training component. 

It is specifically designed to 

provide students with the skills 

necessary to pursue further 

research after their Masters, 

either in a PhD or in employment 

where research skills are 

particularly important. 

Course Aims 

The MA in Politics and International 

Relations aims to provide students 

in all pathways with both the 

conceptual tools and the factual 

knowledge required to think 

critically and develop their 

understanding of their chosen area 

of specialisation. Comparative 

Public Policy focuses on the 

challenges of policy making and 

governance reform across states. 

Diplomatic Studies students 

will focus on the central legal, 

theoretical and practical aspects 

of diplomacy within a context of 

a more general understanding of 

International Relations. Students 

specialising in Environmental 

Politics will gain a foundation in the 

theoretical and practical dimensions 

of this challenging, interdisciplinary 

field. European Politics and Culture 

focuses on the political and cultural 

dynamics of contemporary Europe, 

viewed in a global, regional and 

national context. Global Security 

students will be introduced to 

the theory and politics of global 

security and focus on the latest 

trends in security studies. A focus 

on International Relations will 

provide you with an innovative 

grounding in the central theoretical 

and practical aspects of both the 

traditional and the expanded 

conceptions of International 

Relations. Finally, Political Parties 

and Elections will enable you to 

reflect critically on the manner in 

which political parties and elections 

operate in the modern world. 


Prospective students should have a 

first or good second-class honours 

degree, or its equivalent. This first 

degree should be in Politics or 

International Relations, or any other 

social science subject (e.g. Law or 

Sociology), or a humanities subject 

(e.g. History, Philosophy, English, 

or Modern Languages). 

119

Courses 

Where English is not a first 

language, proof of English language 

competence will be required (IELTS 

6.5 or equivalent, with a minimum 

of 6 in each sub-test). 


Semester 1 

• Right-Wing Radical Parties 



• The European Union and the 

Global Commons 

• The Politics of Global Security 

• The Theory of Global Security 

• US Environmental Politics 

and Policy 

International Character 

SPIRE is a thoroughly international 



students. It also provides plenty of 

opportunities for home students to 

broaden their horizons. 


Power, Knowledge and the World 



two optional modules 


Semester 2 

Perspectives in Politics and 



Research in Action 



one optional module 


Summer 

Dissertation 


Optional modules include: 

• Approaches to European 

Integration: History and Practice 

• Comparative Public 

Management Reform 



• Diplomatic Practice 

• Dimensions of 


• Environmental Diplomacy 

• Environmental Movements: 

North and South 

• Parties and Democracy 

Teaching and 

Assessment 

Postgraduate teaching and 

learning generally takes place in a 

combination of large seminars and 

smaller discussion groups. Our 

academics typically lead the 

sessions, encouraging discussion 

between all students. Sometimes 

students will give presentations, 

either individually or in groups. 

There is a strong emphasis on 

independent learning and students 

are expected to work on their own 

to produce their essays and 

dissertation. Most modules are 

assessed by a diverse range of 

coursework (e.g. essays, critiques, 

reports, presentations), though 

some modules may also be 

assessed by seminar contributions 

and/or written exams. Students 

take three modules in each 

semester. The taught modules are 

completed by May, leaving the 

summer months for students to 

write their dissertation. 


backgrounds in a wide variety of 

countries, such as, Canada, Bulgaria, 

Italy, Austria, Romania, and Turkey, 

who present their research all 

around the world. Students have 

the opportunity to hear visiting 

lecturers from various different 

countries, arranged through our 








120

Courses 

Psychology 

Child Social Development 

Course Title: 

Child Social Development 

Course Type: 

MSc 




Bev Davies 


b.davies@keele.ac.uk 

Website: 

www.keele.ac.uk/psychology/ 

forapplicants/mscourses 

Overview 

The MSc in Child Social 

Development provides research 

training and taught content in child 

social development, building on 

areas of staff research expertise 

at Keele. It prepares students for 

a PhD in Child Social Development 

and other psychology-related child 

social development careers. 

Our training is based closely on 

our staff research interests. 

These currently reflect strengths 

in bullying in schools, loneliness, 

trust and written emotional 

expression in adolescents, how an 

understanding of the nature of 

knowledge and beliefs develops 

in children and young adults, 

and young people in education. 

This course aims to build on our 

research expertise by providing 

structured psychological training 

in child social development so that 

those successfully completing the 

course can proceed along a career 

path related to the psychology of 

child social development. This may 

be in the form of a PhD, or may 

form a first stage of graduate 

training for those wishing to 

proceed to a professional career 

in psychology. 

Facilities 



including accessible academic staff 

with a wide range of expertise, 

laboratory and other research 

space, study space and access 

to IT and research tools. 

Psychology is one of the 

longest-established academic 

disciplines at Keele University, 

having appointed our first 

Professor over 50 years ago. 

There are approximately 20 

full-time academic staff in the 

School all of whom are actively 

involved in a wide range of 

internally and externally funded 

research (see website for details). 

Course Aims 

This course provides an 

opportunity to obtain advanced 

training in the psychology of child 

social development along with the 

opportunity to conduct research 

in a variety of settings. The course 

aims are: 

• To develop students’ 

understanding of different 

theoretical perspectives and 

methodological approaches 

within the psychology of child 

social development 

• To develop advanced research 

expertise in the psychology of 

child social development 


opportunities of working with 

community agencies and 

partners pertinent to child 

social development 


This course is open to graduates 

with a first or upper second-class 

degree in psychology or overseas 

equivalent. Individuals without 

such qualifications but with other 

relevant experience should contact 

the course director to discuss 

whether they would benefit from 

the course. 


Requirements 






In order to obtain a Masters 

degree, students are required to 

obtain 180 credits, including a 

60-credit dissertation. Course 

content is spread across three core 

modules, three specialist modules 

and the dissertation module. 

121

Courses 


Core Modules (70 credits) 

• Theory and Methodology 

in Psychology (30 credits): 

Focuses on philosophical issues 

in social science and psychology 

and specific research techniques 

in psychology 


(20 credits): Covers how to 

design and carry out a qualitative 

research interview, and how 

to analyse qualitative data. 

Emphasis on how investigators 

can affect the research 

process and how to reflect on 

this positively 

• Quantitative Data Analysis II 

(advanced) (20 credits): Covers 

a variety of analytic methods 

including extensions of the 

regression model, analysis of 

variance and multivariate data 

reduction techniques such as 

factor analysis 

Specialist Modules (50 credits) 

• Special topics in Psychology 1 

(15 credits): Students choose 

from currently available Level 3 

modules in Social Development 

in Children, Disclosure Processes 

in Children and Adolescents, 

The Social Self, and Peer 

Relationships in Childhood 

and Adolescence 


(15 credits): The second special 

topic is based on independent 

study, leading to the preparation 

of an essay under one-to-one 

supervision of a Special 

Topic supervisor 

• Research Apprenticeship 

(20 credits): Students work on 

a staff-led research project as an 

apprentice, gaining experience 

of designing and conducting 

psychological research 


Students may select any 

appropriate topic in the area 

of Child Social Development, 

providing that specialist 

supervision is available. 

It is normally expected that 

Psychology students will 

undertake an empirical 

dissertation, designing, 

conducting, and reporting on 

an original piece of psychological 

research using appropriate 

design, methods, and data 

analysis strategies. 

Teaching and 

Assessment 

The course is assessed 

through written coursework, 

unseen examination, verbal 

presentation of research, 

and independent research 

written up as a dissertation 

(15,000-20,000 words). 


122

Courses 

Psychology 

Clinical Psychological Research 

Course Title: 

Clinical Psychological Research 

Course Type: 

MSc 




Bev Davies 



Website: 



Overview 

The MSc in Clinical Psychological 

Research provides research 

training and taught content in 

clinical psychological research, 

building on areas of staff research 

expertise at Keele. It prepares 

students for a Clinical Doctorate, 

a PhD in psychological research 

relevant to clinical psychology and 

other relevant careers. Our training 

is based closely on our staff 

research interests. Some members 

of the course team are practicing 

clinical psychologists and 

offer supervision allied to this 

specialism. Other staff are 

research-active in clinical areas 

including neuropsychological 

investigations of memory and 

executive function in patients 

with Parkinson’s Disease, anterior 

medial thalamic lesions, McArdle’s 

Disease, psycho-oncology, and 

therapeutic interventions. 

This course aims to build on our 

research expertise by providing 

structured psychological training 

in clinical psychological research 

so that those successfully 

completing the course can proceed 

along a career path related to 

clinical psychology. 

Facilities 



including accessible academic staff 

with a wide range of expertise, 

laboratory and other research 

space, study space and access to 

IT and research tools. 

Psychology is one of the 

longest-established academic 

disciplines at Keele University, 

having appointed our first 

Professor over 50 years ago. 

There are approximately 20 


School all of whom are actively 




Course Aims 



training in clinical psychological 

research along with the 

opportunity to conduct research 

in a variety of settings. The course 

aims are: 



theoretical perspectives 

and methodological 

approaches within clinical 


• To develop advanced 

expertise relevant to clinical 



opportunities of working in 

a setting pertinent to clinical 











the course. 


Requirements 













123

Courses 



• Theory and Methodology in 

Psychology (30 credits): Focuses 

on philosophical issues in social 

science and psychology and 

specific research techniques 

in psychology 

• Qualitative Data Analysis (20 

credits): Covers how to design 

and carry out a qualitative 

research interview, and how 

to analyse qualitative data. 

Emphasis on how investigators 

can affect the research 

process and how to reflect 

on this positively 













modules in Cognitive 

Neuropsychology, Behaviour 

Analysis in Clinical Psychology, 

or Health Psychology 
















appropriate topic in the area of 

Clinical Psychological Research, 

providing that specialist 

supervision is available. It is 

normally expected that Psychology 

students will undertake an 

empirical dissertation, designing, 

conducting, and reporting on an 

original piece of psychological 




Teaching and 

Assessment 







(15,000-20,000 words). 


124

Courses 

Psychology 

Psychology 

Course Title: 

Psychology 

Course Type: 

MSc 




Bev Davies 



Website: 


forapplicants/mscourses/ 

Overview 

For psychology graduates, 

this MSc provides taught content 

and research training in a range of 

areas of psychology, building on 

areas of staff research expertise 

at Keele. It prepares students in 

readiness to undertake a PhD in 

Psychology and other psychologyrelated 

careers. The training 

provided on the MSc in Psychology 

is based closely on our staff 

research interests and strengths in 

cognitive and social psychology. 

Strengths in cognitive psychology 

include memory, false memory, 

mechanisms underlying language 

processing, influences on human 

cognitive performance (particularly 

alcohol and repetitive movements 

such as chewing) and cognitive 

control processes (i.e. executive 

functions). Strengths in social 

psychology include reputations, 

group processes, and the 

acquisition of new members to 

groups. This course aims to build 

on our research expertise by 

providing structured training in 

psychology so that those 

successfully completing the 

course can proceed to undertake 

psychological research in a variety 

of settings. 

Facilities 



including accessible academic 

staff with a wide range of 

expertise, laboratory and other 

research space, study space and 

access to IT and research tools. 

Psychology is one of the longest 

established academic disciplines at 

Keele University, having appointed 

our first Professor over 50 years 

ago. There are approximately 20 


school all of whom are actively 




Course Aims 



training in psychology. The course 

aims are: 

• To provide students with a range 

of opportunities to engage with 

advanced research in substantive 

areas relevant to their own 

research interests and to the 

discipline of psychology 

• To provide students with 

opportunities to enhance and 

develop their written and 

communication skills, independent 

learning skills, and critical 

reflection and evaluation skills 

• To enable students to understand 

the strengths and weaknesses of 

different research methods and 

different forms of data, and to 

evaluate their appropriateness 

for different research problems 

• To provide students with 

knowledge of quantitative 

and qualitative approaches 

to research and data 

analysis techniques 










the course. 


Requirements 





125

Courses 






content is spread across 3 core 

modules, 3 specialist modules and 

the dissertation module. 



• Theory and Methodology in 

Psychology (30 credits): Focuses 

on philosophical issues in social 

science and psychology and 

specific research techniques 

in psychology 


(20 credits): Covers how 

to design and carry out a 

qualitative research interview, 

and how to analyse qualitative 

data. Emphasis on how 

investigators can affect the 

research process and how to 

reflect on this positively. 









Peer Relationships in Childhood 

& Adolescence, The Social 

Self and Recognising and 

Remembering words 

• Special topics in Psychology 

2 (15 credits): The second special 














appropriate Psychology research 

topic, providing that specialist 

supervision is available. It is 

normally expected that Psychology 

will undertake an empirical 

dissertation, designing, 

conducting, and reporting on a 

n original piece of psychological 




Teaching and 

Assessment 







(15,000-20,000 words). 






modules, such as Research in 

Music Psychology, Psychobiology, 

Disclosure Processes in Children 

and Adolescents, Thinking 

about Knowledge and the Mind, 

126

Courses 

Psychology 

Psychology of Health and Wellbeing 

Course Title: 

Psychology of Health and Wellbeing 

Course Type: 

MSc 




Bev Davies 



Website: 



Overview 

The MSc in Psychology of Health 

and Wellbeing provides research 

training and taught content in the 

psychology of health and 

wellbeing, building on areas of 

staff research expertise at Keele. 

It prepares students for a PhD in 

psychological aspects of health 

and wellbeing and other 

psychology-related careers. 

Our training is based closely on 

our staff research interests. 

These currently reflect strengths 

in the critical social psychological 

approach to the study of health, 

illness, ageing and wellbeing; 

qualitative, participatory and arts 

based research approaches; social 

engagement among older people; 

the changing role of theatre in 

representing and constructing 

ageing; health promotion and 

community development; the 

impact of material deprivation and 

social exclusion on health and 

wellbeing; participatory action 

research; health promotion 

research and evaluation projects 

(e.g. on smoking cessation, healthy 

eating and healthy weight 

maintenance); ecopsychology – 

people’s relationship with the 

natural world and how it can help 

in healing; mental health, primary 

care and service user involvement; 

and the mental health of young 

offenders. This course aims to 

build on our research expertise by 

providing structured psychological 

training in psychological aspects of 

health and wellbeing so that those 

successfully completing the course 

can proceed along a relevant 

career path. 

Facilities 



including accessible academic 

staff with a wide range of 

expertise, laboratory and other 

research space, study space and 

access to IT and research tools. 

Psychology is one of the longest 

established academic disciplines 

at Keele University, having 

appointed our first Professor 

over 50 years ago. There are 

approximately 20 full-time 

academic staff in the School all 

of whom are actively involved 

in a wide range of internally and 

externally funded research 

(see website for details). 

Course Aims 



training in psychological aspects of 

health and wellbeing along with 

the opportunity to conduct 

research in a variety of settings. 

The course aims are: 



theoretical perspectives and 

methodological approaches 

within the psychology of health 

and wellbeing 

• To develop advanced 

expertise relevant to researching 

the psychology of health 

and wellbeing 


opportunities of working in a 

setting pertinent to psychology 

of health and wellbeing research 









whether they would benefit 

from the course. 


Requirements 





127

Courses 











• Theory and Methodology 

in Psychology (30 credits): 

Focuses on philosophical issues 

in social science and psychology 

and specific research techniques 

in psychology 


(20 credits): Covers practical 

application of interpretative 

methodologies 













modules in Societal Psychology, 

Health Psychology, 

Ecopsychology, and Influences 

on Human Cognitive Performance 









(20 credits): Students work on a 

staff-led research project as an 






appropriate topic in the area 

of Psychology of Health and 

Wellbeing, providing that specialist 

supervision is available. 

It is normally expected that 

psychology students will undertake 

an empirical dissertation, 

designing, conducting, and 

reporting on an original piece of 

psychological research using 

appropriate design, methods, 

and data analysis strategies. 

Teaching and 

Assessment 







(15,000 – 20,000 words). 

“My supervisor was great and 

working in collaboration with another 

student was excellent.” 

Student, July 2010 


128

Courses 

Science 

Chemical Sciences 

Course Title: 

Chemical Sciences 

Course Type: 

MSc 


Full-time 


Monica Heaney 


chemistry@keele.ac.uk 

Website: 

www.keele.ac.uk/chemistry 

Overview 

Keele’s MSc in Chemical Sciences is 

an innovative programme that will 

provide you with an excellent start 

to your career or help to further 

your career plans, either in 

research or in any workplace using 

a chemistry-related discipline. 

This MSc will enhance your skills in 

three important areas: knowledge, 

transferable skills and research/ 

laboratory skills. You will be 

trained in various advanced and 

state-of-the-art chemical 

sciences-related disciplines that 

are aligned to your interests and 

career aspirations, alongside taking 

courses to develop your 

transferable skills. 

An integral part of the 

programme is the independent 

research project which will not 

only give you valuable lab 

experience but also an excellent 

advantage in the job market. 

Facilities 


undertake their research in one of 

the state-of-the-art research 

laboratories including the recently 

refurbished Birchall Centre for 

Inorganic Materials, the analytical 

chemistry suite or the Shelton 

Laboratory for Organic Synthesis. 

Students will have access to a wide 

variety of research equipment 

within the School, including 

infrared, ultraviolet/visible, 

Fluorescence and nuclear 

magnetic resonance 

spectrometers, a variety of 

chromatography techniques 

including GC, HPLC, SFC & 

ICP-OES, ICP-MS, LC-MS, GC-MS, 

catalyst testing apparatus, 

Laser Flash Photolysis, Raman 

microscopy, and X-ray diffraction 

instruments. Extensive computing 

facilities are available for 

MSc students within the 

Lennard-Jones Laboratories. 

Postgraduate students will also 

benefit from a high level of support 

from research staff and their 

supervisors. Research collaborations 

are numerous with academic and 

industrial partners in the UK and 

overseas, including the world’s 

leading facility in neutron science 

and technology and one of the 

world’s foremost pharmaceutical 

companies (please see our website 

for details). 

Course Aims 

The overarching educational aim 

of this programme is to train 

students in those transferable and 

discipline-specific research skills 

which will prepare and develop 

them for a career in research and 

development. The programme 

therefore has a shared common first 

semester which incorporates 

courses in knowledge-based and 

generic transferable skills with 

some discipline-specific orientation, 

whilst the majority of the scientific 

and research-specific skills will be 

acquired within the extensive 5-6 

month research project. This MSc 

programme also provides an 

excellent foundation for pursuing 



In order to apply, students must 

have an honours degree in 

chemistry or a chemistry-related 

discipline (UK second-class 

honours degree or equivalent 

or above). Students with a dual 

honours degree should have 

a 2:2 profile in module marks 

in chemistry or in their 

chemistry-related subject. 


Requirements 

Where English is not a first 

language, proof of English 

language competence will be 

required (IELTS 6.5 or equivalent, 

with a minimum of 6 in each 

sub-test). 

129

Courses 


Students will undertake 

150 credits of core modules 

including Advanced Research 

Topics in Chemical Sciences (30 

credits), Masters Research Training 

(30 credits) and a Masters 

research project (90 credits). 

In addition, students will choose 

two additional modules (minimum 

30 credits from a selection of 

optional modules), allowing 

you to tailor the course to their 

specific interests. 

The course is completed over one 

year full-time. In order to obtain an 

MSc degree, students are required 

to obtain 180 M-level credits, 

including a 90-credit research 

project. A Postgraduate diploma 

in Research Training will be 

awarded to students obtaining at 

least 120 credits in core modules. 

Students obtaining 60 credits in 

core modules will be awarded 

a Postgraduate Certificate in 

Chemical Sciences. Students 

obtaining 60 credits with only 

30 credits in core modules will be 

awarded a Postgraduate Certificate 

in Further Chemistry. 

• asymmetric synthesis 

• structural characterisation 

of both organic and inorganic 

compounds 

• supramolecular chemistry 

• computer modelling of 

inorganic compounds 

CHE-40018 Masters Research 

Training (30 credits) 

This module is a core module for 

the MSc Chemical Sciences and is 

designed to increase students’ 

critical understanding of 

appropriate chemical sciences 

literature and the research 

process. This will be achieved 

through a variety of assessment 

methods including writing a 

scientific literature review, a 

research proposal and delivering 

an oral presentation to a 

specialist audience. 

CHE-40019 Masters Research 

project (90 credits) 

In this module students will carry 

out an independent research 

project. This will involve consulting 

scientific literature to devise 

hypotheses, designing and 

conducting a series of experiments 

and interpreting the results to 

test them, before presenting the 

main findings in a dissertation 

and defending them in an oral 

examination. Research projects 

will be offered across the 

breadth of chemical sciences 

including materials, 

environmental, and medicinal 

chemistries, photochemistry, 

and analytical chemistry. 

Teaching and 

Assessment 

The course is assessed through 

coursework, unseen exam, verbal 

presentation of research results, 

and a dissertation. 

FULL TIME 


CHE-40017 Advanced Research 

Topics in Chemical Sciences 

(30 credits) 

This module covers a diverse 

series of research topics that are 

of key importance to research in 

modern chemistry, and students 

are encouraged to select topics 

closest to their research interests. 

The topics covered are drawn 

from the research interests and 

expertise of chemistry academic 

staff and include topics such as 

“Keele’s MSc Chemical Sciences offers 

excellent preparation for a career in 

research or another aspect of Chemistry. 

The balance of taught, transferable 

skills and project-based work allows 

students to develop the key areas desired 

by employers.” 

Katherine Haxton, Lecturer 

130

Courses 

Science 

Molecular Parasitology and Vector Biology 

Course Title: 

Molecular Parasitology 

and Vector Biology 

Course type: 






Margot Sullivan 

Contact email: 

postgrad-els@salford.ac.uk 

Fees 2013/14: 

Set by Salford University 

Website: 

www.els.salford.ac.uk/ 

postgraduate/bioscience 

Overview 

The three contributing universities 

of Keele, Salford and Manchester 

have considerable complementary 

research experience in the biology 

of parasites and the vectors which 

transmit them. This has led to the 

development of this unique, 

pioneering joint MSc degree 

between the three institutions, 

focusing on molecular biology, 

aspects of parasite infections and 

vector biology. The initial teaching 

is based at Salford but is 

undertaken by staff from all 

three institutions. Students are 

then able to carry out an extensive 

research project in one of the 

three universities. The course 

focuses on the molecular aspects 

of parasitic infections and on 

vector biology and control and will 

appeal to recent graduates wishing 

to further their training before 

embarking upon a research career 

in Entomology, Parasitology, 

Molecular Biology or Immunology; 

to those considering a career in 

Biotechnology; and to overseas 

students seeking specialist training 

before entering a career in 

managing parasitological or 

vector-related research and control 

appropriate to their own country. 

Facilities 

In Keele, postgraduate students 

benefit from a wide range of 

support including research training, 

accessible staff supervisors, a new 

law library, a postgraduate study 

room and access to IT and legal 


Research at Keele is organised 

within seven Research Institutes 

with the School of Life Sciences 

contributing mainly to the Institute 

for Science and Technology in 

Medicine (ISTM) which 

incorporates the Centre for Applied 

Entomology and Parasitology 

(CAEP) which is world-renowned. 

In the UK Research Assessment 

Exercise 2008, 90% of the 

Institute’s staff were rated as 

international quality researcher, 

with 10% ranked as world leading. 

The research facilities were 

commended as ‘internationally 

recognised, excellent standard’. 

Course Aims 

The aims of the course are 

to provide: 

• A sound insight into the biology 

of parasitic diseases their 

transmission and control of 

the vectors, and into current 

research on immunological 

and molecular aspects of 

selected parasites and vector/ 

parasite relationships 

• Training in research and modern 

techniques in the study of 

vectors and parasites 


Bachelor Degree with an overall 

average of 60% or greater or 

equivalent (for example 

professional qualifications) in 

medicine or veterinary sciences. 


Requirements 

IELTS score of at least 6.0 

(with at least 5.0 in each sub-test 

or equivalent). 

131

Courses 


The programme is as follows: 

Semester 1 

Module 1 – Core Parasitology and 

Vector Biology (30 credits) 

Continues through semester 2 

Module 2 – Immunology of 

Parasitic Infections (15 credits) 

Module 3 – Vector Biology and 

Control (15 credits) 

Module 4 – Molecular Biology of 

Parasites (15 credits) 

Semester 2 

Module 5 – Research Skills module 

comprising Research 

Skill Applications and Analytical 

Parasitology (45 credits) 

Semester 3 

Module 6 – Research Project 

– 5 months (60 credits) PgDip 

students only 

Modules 1-5 are compulsory for all 

students. If Modules are passed at 

50% or higher, students may 

progress to module 6. Students 

also successfully completing 

Module 6 will be awarded an MSc. 

Module Descriptions 

Core Parasitology and Vector 

Biology – Introduction to parasites 

and vectors concentrating on life 

cycles, transmission, pathology 

and control of parasitic infections. 

Immunology of Parasitic Infections 

– Immunological aspects of 

parasitic infections including 

immunity, immunodiagnosis, 

regulation of immunity, 

immunoevasion and 

vaccine development. 

Vector biology of Parasites – 

Genome analysis in parasites, 

molecular taxonomy, antigen 

cloning and molecular approaches 

to parasite/vector cell biology. 

Research Skills I – Methods for 

assimilation and analysis of 

scientific information, oral 

presentations, critical analysis of 

research papers, use of information 

technology, databases, intellectual 

property protection, etc. 

Research Skills II – Hands-on 

experience in modern molecular 

techniques including cDNA library 

manipulation, PCR, Immunoassays 

and separation techniques. 

Research Project – Research 

projects carried out at one of the 

three institutes and which will be 

presented as a dissertation for the 

final examination. 

Erasmus Study 

There is the possibility for students 

to undertake a three-month 

Erasmus study period as part of 

the research project. 

Teaching and 

Assessment 

Assessment is through a variety 

of methods including exams, 

essays and practical work. 

Students will be required to carry 

out a research project and write it 

up as dissertation. 

All Masters students must pass 

modules 1-6 at 50% equivalent 

to 180 credits. Students gaining 

120 credits will be awarded a 

Postgraduate Diploma. Students 

gaining 60 credits will be awarded 

a Postgraduate Certificate. 

“…this MSc was the ideal bridge between 

my undergraduate studies and a 

Doctorate degree.” 

Joe Turner, PhD student 

University of Salford 

“The course was well-structured and 

covered an immense spectrum of topics 

and techniques. It’s a great foundation 

to an exciting career.” 

Tracy Nevatte, PhD student 

University of Keele 


132

Courses 

Science 

MScs in Scientific Research Training 

with International Placement 

Course Title: 

MScs in Scientific 

Research Training with 

International Placement 

Course type: 

MScs 


Full-Time 


Dave Hoole 

Contact email: 

d.hoole@keele.ac.uk 

Website: 

www.keele.ac.uk/srt 

Comprises the Following 

Masters Programmes: 

MSc Biosciences Research Training 

(with international placement) 

MSc Neuroscience 



MSc Chemistry Research Training 


MSc Geosciences Research Training 


MSc Forensic Sciences 



MSc Mathematics Research Training 


Overview 

Keele University has developed 

collaborative relationships with a 

number of international research 

institutes which has enabled 

well-qualified students to develop 

their scientific training and 

employment skills within an 

international context. We believe 

that this will help to develop future 

employees with an international 

outlook, competent in at least one 

international language in addition 

to English. Students will spend the 

first part of the course at Keele, and 

will undertake a placement 

in an international research 

institute as laboratory research 

assistants, working on projects 

in the host institution and 

pursuing a programme of research 

training. Financial support may be 

available for some students during 

their placements. 

Facilities 

You will be based in a School at Keele 

University appropriate to your 

MSc discipline. Keele has a strong 

record of excellent quality of 

postgraduate teaching and 

world-class research which means 

that you will be taught by academics 

at the cutting edge of their discipline. 

Many schools have benefited from 

substantial financial investment which 

has refurbished laboratories and 

research facilities. Schools have 

strong connections with international 

industrial, research institutes and 

university partners, and every 

postgraduate student is guaranteed 

the support of a personal tutor 

throughout their study. 

Course Aims 

The aim of the courses is to 

enhance the employment prospects 

of science graduates within their 

chosen research discipline by 

developing and improving their 

scientific, laboratory and language 

skills. The courses will also provide 

basic skills in vocational and 

education training through the 

students’ work programmes. 


Applicants are expected to have 

an honours degree in a science 

discipline, normally first or 

second-class (or overseas 

equivalent) appropriate to their 

MSc. The programme is offered as 

an intercalated degree to medical 

students who have completed 

their 4th year of study at 

the time of undertaking the 

postgraduate programme. 


Requirements 

Students for whom English is 

not their first language will be 

required to fulfil the normal English 

Language requirements of the 

University (IELTS 6.5). 

133

Courses 


The course is full-time for 12 

months, starting in September. 

The first period, September to 

January, is spent at Keele, and 

the period February to August 

(about 30 weeks) is spent in a 

international host institution. 

International students may opt to 

take their placement within the UK 

or at Keele University. Students 

submit their final dissertation and 

portfolio in September. 


Semester 1 Keele-based Programme 

(30 credits) 

During the first Keele-based part 

of the programme, students will 

take the following modules: 

1) Postgraduate Research Skills 

(15 credits) 

Attended by all students who will 

receive training in a range of 

generic research skills including 

scientific writing, project design, 

ethics, in addition to laboratory 

research practice in their chosen 

disciplines in preparation for their 

extensive research project. 

Students will take up a placement 

in an international host research 

institution/industry appropriate 

for their scientific discipline and 

MSc award, or, in the case of an 

international student, opt to carry 

out research in the UK or at Keele. 

During the placement, students 

will be working within research 

laboratories alongside research 

teams, undertaking laboratory 

training and pursuing a specific 

laboratory-based research project 

which will have been negotiated 

and agreed by all parties prior to 

the placement. Students will be 

integrated into the training 

programmes of the host institution, 

and will have a named tutor 

responsible for their programme. 

The placement will lead to 

completion of two modules: 

Research Training Portfolio 

(40 credits) 

Research Report/Dissertation 

(110 credits) 

Projects: Available in a range of 

disciplines appropriate to the MSc. 

Teaching and 

Assessment 

The major component of 

assessment is the project report 

completed on the research work 

undertaken whilst on placement 

and working within a research 

laboratory. This report comprises 

a 20,000 word maximum and is 

worth 110 credits. The other forms 

of assessment include a literature 

appraisal report, literature review 

and an assignment based on an 

application for financial support 

for a project. Other training taken 

when on placement is included in 

a research training portfolio. 

Those students undertaking a 

placement in Europe also receive 

a Europass Certificate through 

the ERASMUS Scheme. There is 

one examination within the course 

related to the language component 

where student will be trained in a 

language appropriate to their 

abilities and requirements. 

FULL TIME 

2) Language Training (15 credits) 

Students will take modules 

appropriate to their research 

training and language needs, 

in preparation for their placement. 

Students who fail the language 

module may take up the placement 

but will be required to be 

reassessed during April. 

Semester 2/3 International 

Research-based Programme 

(150 credits) 

134

Courses 


Criminology and Criminal Justice 

Course Title: 

Criminology and Criminal Justice 

Course Type: 

MA, MRes, Postgraduate Diploma, 


Postgraduate Award 






sociologyandcriminologymasters@ 

keele.ac.uk 

Website: 


criminologyandcriminaljustice 

Overview 

This course is designed for all 

those who want to acquire a 

thorough understanding of the 

more recent and often complex 

trends and developments in crime, 

criminal justice, and governance 

more broadly. Combining 

theoretical reflection and practical 

application, the course aims to 

provide you with an opportunity 

to specialise in the latest 

developments in criminology, 

criminal justice and governance 

studies. The programme welcomes 

recent graduates (whether 

UK-based or international 

students), mature students, and 

professionals in one of the relevant 

fields (e.g. police officers, prison 

officers, probation officers, social 

workers, lawyers, magistrates). 

Facilities 

The programme is delivered by 

Criminology staff mostly, although 

staff based in other disciplines 

or subjects (e.g. Sociology, 

Politics, or Law) may contribute 

occasionally. The programme 

makes full use of Keele University’s 

excellent IT and Library facilities, 

and students are thoroughly 

introduced to Keele’s electronic 

Learning Environment (KLE) at the 

start of the programme. 

Course Aims 

Our aim is to introduce students to 

recent and contemporary theorising 

in criminology and governance 

studies and to show how this 

theorising is attempting to describe, 

analyse and interpret recent and 

emerging developments in criminal 

justice, transnational justice, 

international justice, and 

governance more broadly. 


Applicants should have an 

honours degree at 2:2 class or 

higher (or international equivalent) 

in one of the humanities or social 

sciences subjects (e.g. law, criminal 

justice, criminology, sociology, 

history, political science). 

However, applicants with other 

qualifications and appropriate 

experience will be considered on 

a case-by-case basis. 


Requirements 



have IELTS 6.5. 


The taught Masters programme 

requires satisfactory completion 

of at least 180 credits. The MA 

programme in Criminology and 

Criminal Justice includes four 

30-credit module blocks and one 

60-credit dissertation of 15-20,000 

words. All module blocks include 

at least 12 teaching sessions. 

The programme includes, 

in chronological order: 

• ‘Contemporary Criminology: 

Theory and Practice’ 

• ‘Researching Crime and 

Criminal Justice’ 

• ‘Contemporary Challenges in 

Criminal Justice’ 

• ‘Advanced Topics in Criminology 

and Criminal Justice’. 

Each module block comprises 

three days of intensive face-to-face 

contact between staff and 

students. Each day is sub-divided 

into four thematically linked 

sessions and several members 

of staff contribute to each day. 

The MRes route deviates slightly 

from the aforementioned format, 

but still requires satisfactory 

completion of at least 180 credits. 

Students who choose this route 

will focus much more on research 

methodologies and strategies. 

135

Courses 

The MRes programme includes two 

three day module blocks of 

30 credits each (i.e. module 

Block 2 mentioned below, 

and one other module block), 

three specialised research modules 

of 20 credits each, and one 

60-credit dissertation. 


In the MA programme the module 

blocks are as follows: 

Module Block 1: Contemporary 

Criminology: Theory and Practice 

This module block will introduce 

you to recent and indeed emerging 

criminological theories and 

perspectives. This module block 

will thus include sessions on topics 

such as (e.g.): biopolitics and crime 

control; crime and the governance 

of space; crime and consumer 

society; the phenomenology of 

‘edgework’; complexity theory, 

terrorism and organised crime; 

cultural and critical criminology; 

post-structuralist theories of crime 

and criminal justice; crime and the 

popular imagination; the local and 

the global dimension of crime and 

criminal justice; the political 

economy of crime and crime 

control in the 21st century. 

Module Block 2: Researching 

Crime and Criminal Justice 

criminology and criminal justice; 

researching fear of crime; 

researching courts and prisons; 

researching immigration and crime; 

ethics in criminological research. 

Module Block 3: Contemporary 

Challenges in Criminal Justice 

This module block will introduce 

you to a number of contemporary 

issues and developments in 

criminal justice and governance. 

The module includes sessions on 

issues such as (e.g.): risk society, 

surveillance, and actuarial 

justice; plural policing and 

nodal governance; the 

precautionary principle; 

technology and criminal justice; 

fines and fixed penalties; criminal 

injustice and miscarriages of 

justice; the expanding prison 

complex; prison life and prison 

work; community and criminal 

justice; policing the state of 

exception; transitional justice 

and reconciliation. 

Module Block 4: Advanced 

Topics in Criminology and 

Criminal Justice 

This module block consists of 

sessions on topics proposed by 

students themselves, as well as 

sessions based on individual staff 

members’ and dissertation 

supervisors’ expertise. 

Teaching and 

Assessment 

Each of the taught modules is 

assessed by written, summative 

coursework assignments of up 

to 5,000 words (essay, literature 

review, case-study, and research 

proposal). The pass mark is 50% 

and students must pass each of 

the modules in order to progress 

to the dissertation stage, which 

involves writing a dissertation of 

15,000 – 20,000 words. 

There are no exams. 

Coursework assignments are 

discussed, negotiated and agreed 

between the individual student 

and the module block leader 

immediately after the taught 

block sessions. 


This module block includes 

sessions on topics such as (e.g.): 

research strategies; databases 

and datasets in criminology and 

criminal justice; quantitative data 

analysis lab; qualitative methods 

and ethnographic research; 

research in cultural and critical 

criminology; feminist research in 

Resources permitting, 2013-14 

will see the introduction of a 

second, alternative module in 

Block 4 which students would 

be allowed to take instead of 

‘Advanced Topics in Criminology 

and Criminal Justice’. This should 

offer students additional choice 

in their final module block. 

136

Courses 


PhD, MPhil and Professional Doctorates 

in Social Sciences Subject Areas 

Course Title: 

PhD, MPhil and Professional 

Doctorates in Social Sciences 

Subject Areas 

Course Type: 

Postgraduate 




Postgraduate Research 

Administrator 


phd@keele.ac.uk 

Website: 

www.keele.ac.uk/research 

Overview 

Keele’s Research Institute for 

Social Sciences brings together 

over 100 academic staff and 200 

postgraduate students working 

across a range of social science 

disciplines. Staff and research 

students are grouped within five 

Research Centres, which provide 

a focus for seminars, grant activity, 

student support and supervision: 

• Centre for Economics and 

Management 

• Centre for Law, Ethics 

and Society 

• Centre for the Study of 

Politics, International Relations 

and Environment 

• Centre for 

Psychological Research 

• Centre for Social Policy 

In the Research Assessment 

Exercise of 2008, 85-95% of 

research across the main areas 

submitted was judged to be of 

international quality. Members of 

the Research Institute currently 

hold major grants from the 

Economic and Social Research 

Council, the Medical Research 

Council, the British Academy 

and the European Union. The RI 

welcomes researchers from across 

the University and beyond to 

attend the regular programme of 

seminars, conferences and 

workshops advertised elsewhere 

on this site. 

Environment 

and Training 

The Research Institute for Social 

Sciences is a thriving academic 

community made up of active 

researchers in a wide variety of 

areas. We welcome postgraduate 

research students from around 

the world as members of this 

community and provide support 

and facilities to enable them to 

achieve their full potential in a 

stimulating and lively environment. 

The Research Institute offers a 

high standard of facilities to its 

postgraduates, including 

well-equipped office space, 

postgraduate seminars, access to 

research funding, an annual 

postgraduate colloquium, social 

events and a weekly networking 

meetings, where postgraduate 

issues can be explored in an 

informal atmosphere. The 

interdisciplinary nature of the 

Institute provides excellent 

opportunities for networking both 

with other postgraduates and with 

the academic staff at Keele, thus 

enabling postgraduate researchers 

to participate fully in all aspects of 

the research process. Research 

students are a very valuable part 

of the Research Institute and we 

aim to provide an environment 

where your research can develop 

and flourish. 

Research training is provided 

in many different parts of the 

University and has several purposes; 

most directly it is to help you 

complete your thesis or project i.e. 

subject-specific research training 

(RT). Equally important is the 

development of other, broader 

capabilities – generic skills – in 

managing your research, personal 

effectiveness, communication, 

networking and team-working, 

accessing research funding and 

career management. These are 

the skills that you may develop 

directly as part of your everyday 

research work (in the archive, the 

laboratory, the hospital, the field, 

the classroom), but they can be 

significantly enhanced through 

dedicated courses and specialist 

training. In addition to the training 

provided at Keele, we support 

our postgraduates to undertake 

specialist training offered at 

other institutions. 

137

Courses 

Research Areas 

We offer courses at both full 

and part-time across a range of 

research areas: 

• Business Administration 

(Professional Doctorate) 

• Criminology (PhD and MPhil) 

• Economics (PhD and MPhil) 

• Education (PhD, MPhil and 


• Employment Policy and 

Equalities (PhD and MPhil) 

• Ethics (PhD and MPhil) 

• Human Geography (PhD 

and MPhil) 

• Health Policy and Governance 


• Law (PhD and MPhil) 

• Management (PhD and MPhil) 

• Nursing (PhD and MPhil) 

• Philosophy (PhD and MPhil) 

• Politics and International 

Relations (PhD and MPhil) 

• Psychology (PhD and MPhil) 

• Public Policy (PhD and MPhil) 

• Social Gerontology 


• Social Policy (PhD and MPhil) 

• Social Work (PhD, MPhil and 


• Sociology (PhD and MPhil) 

For full details on each of our 

Research Areas, please visit: 

www.keele.ac.uk/researchsubjects 


These are degrees by research 

alone, with a high level of 

research training. 

• You will produce a thesis, 

which at PhD level is a work of 

original scholarship worthy of 


• You work closely with your 

supervisors who will provide 

guidance and support 

• Most of our research degrees can 

be undertaken by full-time or 

part-time study 

• Research PhDs are three years in 

duration (six years part-time) 

• You will register for a number of 

formal research training modules, 

which will help you develop skills 

you need to carry out your 

research and broaden your generic 

skills as a professional researcher 

• Most research degrees normally 

require a good first degree 

(usually at least a 2:1) and a 

Masters degree or equivalent 

qualifications in a relevant 

subject – some also require 

additional criteria such as relevant 



These programmes comprise of 

a thesis on a specified research 

topic, together with a selection of 

taught modules. They offer a broad 

training in the skills and techniques 

of contemporary research and can 

be taken as stand-alone degrees or 

as a step towards a higher research 

qualification. MPhil programmes 

are usually one year in duration, 

two years part-time. 

Professional Doctorates 

Professional doctorate programmes 

are increasingly the choice of 

professionals in a number of fields, 

particularly health, social work 

and education. 

Professional doctorates are 

structured programmes divided 

into two stages. Stage 1 is a two 

year programme of research 

training and interaction with a 

cohort of peers. This is formalised 

within modules which have 

assessment, though the number of 

credits and modules will vary with 

the programme. At the end of 

Stage 1 there is a progression 

process before participants may 

commence to Stage 2. 

Stage 2 (minimum two years) 

constitutes the research project 

which is based on the participant’s 

professional practice. Research 

findings should be broadly 

transferable to the workplace. 

The final degree is awarded on the 

basis of a thesis which sets out 

the definition, purpose, methods, 

results and conclusions of the 

research project in the same way 

as for a PhD. 


Please visit the University 

webpages for full details: 

www.keele.ac.uk/pgresearch/ 

entryrequirements 


138

Courses 


Social Science Research Methods 

Course Title: 


Course Type: 

MRes, Postgraduate Diploma, 


Postgraduate Award 






Sociologyandcriminology.masters@ 

keele.ac.uk 

Website: 

www.keele.ac.uk/sociology/ 

prospectivepostgraduates 

Please note that the MRes Social 

Science Research Methods is being 

redesigned for delivery from 2013/14 

and the course modules listed here 

are subject to approval. 

Overview 

The MRes (Masters in Research) 

in Social Science Research 

Methods provides a coherent 

programme of training in a range of 

social science research skills and 

methodologies. This programme is 

intended for those wishing to develop 

their research training, with a view 

towards entering professions in which 

research and problem-solving will be 

an important facet of the work 

undertaken. It is undertaken by 

professionals wishing to attain formal 

training in social science research 

methods with a view towards 

progressing in their own field or 

beyond, and by postgraduate 

research students who wish to 

develop their research training. 

The University offers this MRes 


in the following subjects: 

Criminology 

Education 

Geography 

Human Resource Management and 

Industrial Relations 

Management 

Sociology 

Social Policy 

Social Work 

Facilities 


a wide range of support, including 

accessible supervisors, access to 

a good library and IT facilities, 

training in technological resources 

that support research project 

development, management and 

data analysis. The programme draws 

on the practical and theoretically 

embedded research expertise of 

social science researchers from 

across the social science faculty. 

This is a well-established programme 

with a successful track record in 

training social science researchers. 

The Faculty of Social Sciences is 

highly research active, with 

researchers working on projects 

funded by the Economic and Social 

Research Council, the Arts and 

Humanities Research Council, 

the European Research Council, 

the British Academy, and various 

charities. The Faculty’s research 

is of an international standard 

and guided through an active 

Research Institute, which provides 

a creative environment for 

postgraduate projects and research. 

The programme is administered 

through the School of Sociology 

and Criminology. 

Course Aims 

This Masters degree programme 

provides a practical and theoretical 

understanding of social science 

research methodology and methods. 

The course engages students in the 

philosophical underpinnings of 

knowledge, develops their research 

skills and reflectivity, and it leads 

students through a journey of 

discovering the theoretical and 

practical dimensions of social 

science research. Students develop 

subject-specific and generic 

knowledge and skills, with emphasis 

on transferability and broadening 

analytical capacity. The programme 


further study at the doctoral level. 






Requirements 







research component (the 

dissertation project). Teaching 

is provided flexibly through 

face-to-face teaching and 

online provision. It is organised 

to accommodate full-time and 

part-time modes of study, 

in addition to distance learning 

and CPD. 

The MRes Social Sciences degree 

requires 180 credits, made up of 

15 and 30-credit modules and a 

60-credit dissertation. Students 

choosing to complete their studies 

139

Courses 

after acquiring 120 credits on taught 

modules may be awarded the PG 

Diploma, and there are also options 

for finishing with a PG certificate or 

award. If taken full-time, the course 

is completed in 12 months, with 

submission of the Masters 

dissertation by the middle of 

September. Part-time students 

typically take two years to complete 

the programme, with submission of 

the dissertation at the end of their 

second year. Any student wishing to 

study one or two modules should 

contact the Course Director. 


Introduction to Social Science 

Research (30 credits) 


to the main principles underlying 

social science research, including 

the central concepts of cause and 

meaning. Students will further 

think about the types of skills 

researchers need, develop a personal 

development plan, implement 

elements of this, and reflect on this 

development work. Finally, students 

will engage with questions about 

ethics on social research. CPD and 

PGR students may attempt these 

three dimensions separately and 

accrue 10 credits for each. 

Principles of Social Science 

Research (30 credits) 

During this module, students 

familiarise themselves with the 

diverse research designs that are 

employed in the social sciences, 

and they think about the principles 

underlying these designs as well 

as the practical research issues 

associated with them. They also 

think coherently about the 

philosophy underlying social science 

research. CPD and PGR students 

may attempt these two dimensions 

of the module separately and accrue 

15 credits for each. 

Quantitative Research and Data 

Analysis (15 credits) 

This module offers an introduction 

to the principles of quantitative 

social research, including 

operationalisation, sampling, 

instrument design, and students 

will receive an introduction 

in quantitative data analysis 

using SPSS. 

Qualitative Research and Data 

Analysis (15 credits) 

Students will be introduced to 

the approaches and principles 

of qualitative social research 

and they will think about and 

conduct practical work that 

includes the generation of data 

and its analysis. Students will 

receive an introduction to NVivo, 

one of the leading software 

packages for qualitative project 

management and data analysis. 

Subject-Specific Modules 

Students on the MRes programme 

will select one subject-specific 

module from the field of their 

interests, and they may opt to do 

a further subject-specific module. 

The selected modules will develop 

student’s theoretical and analytical 

subject-specific skills. 

Building up their accrued credit to 

120, MRes students may opt from 

the following optional modules. 

These are open to PGR and CPD 

students to accommodate their 

identified training needs. 

Advanced Quantitative 

Research and Data Analysis 

This module builds upon the training 

delivered during Quantitative 

Research and Data Analysis, and 

moves students to more advanced 

questions on operationalisation, 

sampling, instrument design and 

data analysis with SPSS. 

Multivariate Methods 

This module delivers training in 

multivariate statistical research 

methods, and is intended for those 

wishing to develop their statistical 

research training to a higher level. 

Advanced Qualitative Research and 

Data Analysis 

This module builds upon the training 

delivered as part of the Qualitative 

Research and Data Analysis module, 

and moves students to more 

advanced questions and practical 

work in the field of qualitative 

research practice that includes 

the generation and analysis of 

data. Students will engage with 

the more advanced tools in the 

NVivo software in order to think 

about their integration in the 

completion of their analysis work. 

Ethnography 

This module will examine in a 

coherent way the principles and 

practices of ethnographic research. 

It will explore the issue of knowledge 

development through fieldwork and 

ethnographic reflection, and attend 

to the interactional and power 

dynamics of ethnographic research. 

Mixed Methods 

Interest in combining different 

research designs within social 

science research projects, crossing 

the boundaries of quantitative and 

qualitative work, or working with 

different data generation techniques 

within these, is a growth area in 

social science research. This module 

reflects these developments and 

offers students a focus on the issues 

that are at stake in ‘mixing methods’, 

considering e.g. the themes of 

triangulation and epistemological 

grounding, and addressing the issue 

at what level the ‘mixing’ can occur. 


Assessment on the MRes is varied, 

and includes essays, portfolios, 

reports and the dissertation. The size 

and substance of the assessment is 

commensurate with the credit rating 

of the module, varying from 5,000 

– word pieces for 30-credit modules 

through to shorter pieces for 15 and 

10-credit modules. 

Students are actively encouraged 

to merge the requirements of the 

assessment with their own social 

science interests, and assessment 

that is part of the modular 

programme provides the foundation 

for work on the dissertation. 


140

Courses 


MA Social Work 

Course Title: 

MA Social Work 

Course Type: 

Masters 


Full-time 




s.newton@keele.ac.uk 

Website: 

www.keele.ac.uk/socialwork 

Overview 

The University offers (at both 

undergraduate and postgraduate 

levels) the professional award in 

social work, successful completion 

of which enables students to use 

the title of social worker and 

qualifies them for entrance to 

the register held by the HCPC 

(Health and Care Professions 

Council). Staff teaching on the 

MA enjoy good relationships and 

collaboration with local employers, 

and MA students have always 

shown high rates of progression 

into relevant employment. 

The MA Social Work, in addition 

to fulfilling the professional 

requirements, will continue to 

develop the high-level research 

and analytical skills expected of 

any Masters degree. 

Facilities 


a wide range of support including 

research training, accessible staff 

supervisors, and access to the Keele 

Library and IT facilities. 

Social Work @ Keele is ranked 3rd 

in the country by Guardian League 

Tables and 4th in the Complete 

University Guide. Social Work @ 

Keele is part of the highly 

successful School of Public Policy 

and Professional Practice. 

Course Aims 

The course prepares students at 

postgraduate level for employment 

as professionally qualified social 

workers and lays the foundation 

for their continuing professional 

development. It also provides an 

academically rigorous education 

at Masters level, focusing on critical 

analysis, research and evaluative 

skills and provides a foundation 

for pursuing further studies at 



Applicants must usually have a 

minimum 2.1 honours degree. 

A professional/postgraduate 

relevant qualification may be 

considered as an equivalent if the 

candidate can also demonstrate 

relevant experience in a social care 

setting. In addition, the HCPC 

requires that we admit only 

students who have English 

Language and Maths GCSE 

Grade C and above or equivalent, 

have satisfactory enhanced 

CRB (Criminal Records Bureau) 

disclosures, have satisfied health 

checks by student self-declaration 

and Occupational Health referral 

where appropriate, and in all 

other respects meet the HCPC 

requirements for registration. 


Requirements 



IELTS 7 with a minimum of 5.5 in 



This professional qualifying 

programme continues for two 

full calendar years (24 months) 

full-time, starting in September. 

Teaching methods include 

seminars, lectures, workshops 

including skills workshops, 

video recording, group work and 

simulation exercises. All parts 

of the course are compulsory. 

The programme incorporates 

the following elements: 

• 180 M-level credits, of which 60 

credits are awarded on the basis 

of a dissertation and 120 credits 

through taught modules – these 

are to be passed at Masters level, 

with a pass mark of 50%, for the 

award of MA. 

• Assessment in line with the 

National Occupational Standards 

for Social Work to the level 

required by the GSCC comprising 

practice learning of 200 days and 

practice associated assignments 

(to be passed at Undergraduate 

level with a pass mark of 40%). 

141

Courses 

• The core curriculum content 

as specified by the HCPC 

• Compliance with QAA 

benchmark statement for 

social work 

In year one of the course, students 

must demonstrate their suitability 

for professional training in order to 

progress to the next stage of the 

award. Year One introduces 

students to the general principles 

of social work, while Year Two aims 

to develop analytical, research and 

evaluation skills. Each year includes 

100-days of practice learning in 

a social work setting. 

Year Two Taught Modules 

Assessed at Masters level 

(total 50 Level 4 credits) 

• Social Work Theory and 

Methods 2 (10) 

• Social Work Research (10) 

• Area of Practice 2: Children & 

Families (Law, Disability, Mental 

Health, Interprofessional 

Working, Risk) (15) 

• Area of Practice 2: Adults 

(Law, Disability, Mental Health, 

Interprofessional Working, 

Risk) (15) 

Dissertation 

15,000 words dissertation 

(60 Level 4 credits) 

Teaching and 

Assessment 

Students are required to pass 

written assignments including essays 

and case studies, and examinations, 

together with a dissertation. 

They also have to reach a 

satisfactory level of competence in 

relation to the National Occupational 

Standards for Social Work. 

FULL TIME 


Year One Taught Modules 

Assessed at Masters level 

(total 70 Level 4 credits) 

• Personal and Professional 

Development (100-days practice 

learning and associated 

assignments assessed at 

undergraduate level) 

• Power and Discrimination (10) 

• Introduction to Legal 

Processes (10) 

• Social Work Theory and 

Methods 1 (10) 

• Area of Practice 1: Children 

and Families (15) 

• Area of Practice 1: Adults 

(Social Science, Law, Policy 

and Practice) (15) 

• Life Course Development (10) 

• Personal and Professional 

Development (100-days practice 

learning and associated 

assignments assessed at 

undergraduate level) 

• Taught element 

(interpersonal skills, preparation 

for practice learning) 

“There is a mass of anecdotal and written 

material from Keele social work students 

that alludes to their positive learning 

experience as leading to ‘a real sense of 

achievement’, and prepares them well 

for ‘success in the workplace’. Further 

to this, students note that the teaching/ 

learning leads to self-discovery and 

self-development, often to the extent 

that ‘I am a different person’.” 

This is evidence of the all-round 

education experience provided by Keele’s 

social work programmes.” 

Dr Denise Wolstenholme, Programme 

Director, MA Social Work 

142

630 

acres of beautiful campus 

Originally part of the Sneyd family estate, our modern, world-class campus 

sits comfortably alongside the formal lawns of Keele Hall, and is surrounded 

by tranquil woodlands and lakes. 

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Overseas Students Postgraduate Prospectus - Keele University

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