Quick Read
- Keele University ranks 801-850 globally in the QS World University Rankings 2027, released 18 June 2026.
- Times Higher Education places Keele in the 501-600 global band for 2026.
- The Complete University Guide’s 2027 table (published June 2026) ranks Keele 54th out of 130 UK universities.
- The Guardian University Guide 2026 places Keele 43rd out of 123 UK universities.
- Keele Business School’s MBA sits 36th in the Corporate Knights 2025 Better World MBA ranking.
- Undergraduate international tuition at Keele starts near Rs.23.19 lakh ($27,600) a year.
Keele University Ranking 2027: QS, THE, CUG and Guardian at a Glance
Keele University is a public research university in Staffordshire, England. Established in 1949, it was one of the first UK universities to introduce the dual-honours degree, a structure that lets students combine two subjects across most of its program.
Keele holds a Gold rating in the UK’s Teaching Excellence Framework and is particularly well regarded for Medicine, Nursing, Forensic Science, and Chemistry. It also houses Keele Business School and an expanding portfolio of computing and data science courses, giving it a broader academic range than its size might suggest.
Choose your dream country
UK
USA
Germany
Australia
Ireland
Canada
UAE
France
Sweden
Italy
Other
When do you want to study abroad?
What's your highest level of education?
What do you want to study?
Select your current city
How Leap will help you
Personalised University Shortlist
Express Applications with Quicker Admits
End-to-End Application Support
| Ranking Body | Latest Edition | Keele's Position |
|---|---|---|
| QS World University Rankings | 2027 (released June 2026, named a year ahead) | 801-850 globally |
| Times Higher Education | 2026 (Oct 2025) | 501-600 globally |
| Complete University Guide | 2027 (June 2026) | 54th of 130, UK |
| Guardian University Guide | 2026 (Sept 2025) | 43rd of 123, UK |
Keele's global QS band looks weaker than its UK rankings because QS rewards research volume and reputation at a scale that favours large research universities, while CUG and Guardian weigh teaching quality and student outcomes more heavily. Keele is a mid-sized, teaching-focused campus university, so it performs better on the latter.
Keele University Subject Rankings: Business, MBA, Medicine, Computer Science and Chemistry
Overall rankings hide a lot. Here's how Keele's individual subjects actually perform, and who should pay attention to each one.
| Subject | Ranking and Source | Who Should Note This? |
|---|---|---|
| MBA / Business School | 36th globally, Corporate Knights 2025 Better World MBA ranking | Best for applicants who want a sustainability-focused MBA credential, not for those chasing FT or QS MBA league tables |
| Medicine | 5th in England, Guardian University Guide 2026; 2nd in UK, Daily Mail University Guide 2026 | Strong choice; among the highest-placed medical program in England on these measures |
| Forensic Science | Top 10 in the UK, Complete University Guide 2027 | Standout subject at Keele, worth prioritising if this is your target field |
| Chemistry | No.1 in the UK for student satisfaction, National Student Survey 2025 | Best if you value teaching quality and student experience over pure research metrics |
| Accounting & Finance | 57th out of 104 UK departments, Complete University Guide 2027 | Mid-table; a solid, unremarkable option rather than a standout by ranking alone |
| Business & Management | Around 74th in the UK, Guardian University League Tables by subject 2026 | Fine for a career-focused business degree, not for university prestige alone |
| Computer Science | No confirmed top-tier UK subject table position found | Good for hands-on skills in AI, cybersecurity and placements, not for a ranking-led decision |
| Biomedical Science | IBMS-accredited, no confirmed top-tier UK subject table position found | Choose this if professional accreditation matters more to you than league position |
Counselor insight: Students often want one clean ranking number for Keele. In reality, the university can be strong in Chemistry, Medicine and Forensic Science while sitting mid-table in Computer Science and Accounting. Check the specific course table, not the university-wide one.
How Keele Compares To Similar UK Universities?
| University | QS World Ranking 2027 | Complete University Guide |
|---|---|---|
| Keele University | 801-850 | 54th of 130 (2027) |
| Coventry University | #581 | 57th of 130 (2027) |
| Northumbria University | #528 (joint) | 37th (2027) |
| University of Portsmouth | #662 | 42nd of 130 (2026, most recent published for this university) |
Portsmouth and Northumbria sit ahead of Keele on the UK-wide Complete University Guide table, while Coventry sits just behind. All four hold Gold or Gold-equivalent TEF ratings, so decide on your subject's table position and location, not the overall rank alone.
Is Keele a Good University for Indian Students?
It depends on what you're optimising for. If you want a globally recognised brand name, Keele's 801-850 QS band won't carry the weight of a Russell Group name. If you want strong teaching in a smaller campus setting, Keele performs well above what that QS number suggests.
Keele holds a Gold rating in the UK's Teaching Excellence Framework 2023, and sits in what UK commentators call the "Golden Quadrangle": a small group of English universities with Gold TEF ratings and high research intensity together. Weigh that trade-off with your family rather than deciding on the QS number alone.
Is Keele University Russell Group?
No. Keele is not one of the 24 Russell Group universities in the UK. This matters less than most applicants assume, since Russell Group status reflects a historical research-funding association, not a live ranking. Several non-Russell Group universities, Keele included, outperform some Russell Group members on specific subject tables and student satisfaction scores.
Keele University Fees and Cost of Living in INR
1. Tuition Fees
| Level | Annual Tuition (GBP) | Annual Tuition (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| International undergraduate (Band 1, e.g. Computer Science) | £18,200 | Rs.23,18,680 |
| International MBA (last confirmed, 2025/26) | £17,700 | Rs.22,54,980 |
2. Cost of Living in Newcastle-under-Lyme
Keele sits in one of the more affordable pockets of the UK compared to London or Manchester, but rent, food, and transport still add up fast once you're budgeting for real.
Realistically, budget Rs.60,000 to Rs.85,000 a month for accommodation, food, and essentials outside London.
| Expense | Amount in GBP | Amount in INR |
|---|---|---|
| UKVI required maintenance funds (per month, outside London) | £1,171 | Rs.1.49L |
| On-campus room at Keele (per week, usually bills-inclusive) | £120-130 | Rs.15,288-16,562 |
| 1-bedroom flat outside town centre (per month) | £375 | Rs.47,775 |
| Meal at an inexpensive restaurant | £15.50 | Rs.1,975 |
Source: Numbeo, Cost of Living in Newcastle-under-Lyme
3. Scholarships
| Scholarship Type | Who It's For? | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| International Merit Scholarships | International undergraduate and postgraduate applicants entering Keele directly, awarded competitively each intake | Varies by year and course, check official page |
| KUIC Foundation Scholarship (2-semester) | New KUIC Foundation students, September 2026 or January 2027 intake | £2,000 |
| KUIC International Year One Scholarship | New KUIC International Year One students, September 2026 or January 2027 intake | £2,000 |
| KUIC Pre-Master's Scholarship | New KUIC Pre-Master's students, May 2026, September 2026, or January 2027 intake | £1,000 |
| Keele Progression Scholarship (Undergraduate) | KUIC Foundation or International Year One students progressing to a Keele undergraduate degree | £3,000 on progression, plus £3,000 for every subsequent year |
| Keele Progression Scholarship (Pre-Master's) | KUIC Pre-Master's students progressing to a Keele Master's, based on your final average | £3,000 to £5,000, depending on your score band |
KUIC's entry scholarships can't be combined with each other, and the highest one you qualify for is the one that applies. The progression scholarships sit on top of that and are worth checking closely, since they're larger than most of the entry awards.
For more details on the eligibility and other details about scholarships, check our UK scholarship options for Indian students.
Entry Requirements To Study in Keele University
- Standard international English requirement: IELTS 6.0 overall, no component below 5.5.
- Regulated courses (Law, Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, Physiotherapy): IELTS 7.0 required.
- Acceptance rate: Keele does not publish an official figure, unlike US universities. Treat any specific percentage you see quoted online with caution, since none of the figures checked cite an official Keele source.
Documents Checklist for Indian Students
| Document | India-Specific Detail |
|---|---|
| Academic transcripts | Class 12 marksheet and provisional certificate, or board equivalent |
| English proficiency | IELTS 6.0 overall (5.5 minimum per component), 7.0 for regulated courses |
| Statement of Purpose | Course-specific, see SOP format guidance for UK universities |
| Passport | Valid for your full intended study duration |
| Financial evidence | Tuition and maintenance funds, held for the required period |
| CAS reference | Issued after an unconditional offer, needed for your Student visa |
Post-Study Work Rights: Graduate Route for Keele University Graduates
- Current rule: Apply for the Graduate Route on or before 31 December 2026, and you get two years of post-study work permission (three years for PhD graduates, unaffected by the change below).
- The January 2027 cliff: Apply on or after 1 January 2027, and non-PhD graduates get 18 months instead of two years. This follows a Statement of Changes published by the Home Office on 14 October 2025, confirming the government's May 2025 immigration white paper.
- What decides your outcome: Your visa application date, not your course start date or your enrolment date.
- Keele's September 2026 intake: Most bachelor's degrees run three to four years, so a student starting in September 2026 graduates around mid-2029, well past the cutoff. They will get 18 months regardless of when they enrolled.
- Keele's postgraduate intakes: The MBA and other taught master's courses also run January and May starts. A one-year master's beginning September 2026 and finishing on schedule in 2027 will also fall after the cutoff.
- Who still gets two years: Only students who complete their course and successfully apply for the Graduate Route by 31 December 2026.
Counselor insight: Students often assume this change is tied to enrollment date. It isn't. It's tied to when you submit the Graduate Route application itself, after you finish your course. Plan your job search around 18 months, not two years, for a September 2026 Keele start.
Keele University Intake Dates: A Planning Calendar
Keele's main undergraduate intake is September 2026. Postgraduate courses, including the MBA, add January 2027 and May 2027 starts, giving more flexibility if you miss the main cycle. Rough mapping for UK intake planning from India:
- December 2025 to February 2026: Shortlist courses, book IELTS, request transcripts.
- March to May 2026: Apply through UCAS for undergraduate, or directly to Keele for postgraduate September 2026 entry.
- June to July 2026: Receive offers, arrange finances, start your CAS and visa process early.
- August 2026: Confirm accommodation and finalise pre-departure formalities before the September intake.
- October to November 2026: Apply for the January 2027 postgraduate intake if you missed September.
- February to April 2027: Apply for the May 2027 postgraduate intake, where offered.
Should You Choose Keele University? A Decision Framework
If you're a final-year BTech student graduating in May 2026 considering a one-year MSc
Don't stop at Keele's QS band. Check your department's accreditation and placement links, and confirm the 18-month Graduate Route window fits your career plan.
If you're a parent weighing the fee against Keele's global ranking
Set the TEF Gold rating and Keele's Medicine and Forensic Science strength against the QS number. Strong teaching and outcomes don't require a top-500 global research ranking.
If you have IELTS 6.0 and are choosing between Keele and a costlier, higher-ranked university needing a 7.0 retake
Weigh whether that gap justifies the delay and cost. For Medicine, Chemistry and Forensic Science, Keele's subject-specific position often serves you better than a marginal QS improvement elsewhere.
Three Key Takeaways on Keele University Ranking
- Judge Keele by the subject-specific ranking for your course, not the university-wide QS number alone. It is genuinely strong in Medicine, Forensic Science, and Chemistry, and mid-table in Computer Science and Accounting & Finance.
- If you're starting from September 2026 onward, plan around an 18-month Graduate Route window, not two years. The January 2027 change is tied to your visa application date, and almost all new Keele applicants will fall after that cutoff.
- Confirm current tuition fees, scholarships, and the exchange rate directly with Keele before finalising your budget. Both fees and the rupee-pound rate change through the year, and the figures here are accurate as of 3 July 2026.
Verified by: LeapScholar's UK counselling team, with hands-on experience guiding Indian students through Keele University and wider UK applications.
Have questions about studying at Keele University? Book a free session with a LeapScholar counsellor.
Frequently Asked Questions About Keele University Ranking
What is Keele University's ranking in the world?
Keele sits at 801-850 in the QS World University Rankings 2027, and in the 501-600 band on Times Higher Education's 2026 table. The numbers differ because the methodologies differ, and both are current as of mid-2026.
What is Keele University's ranking in the UK?
Keele ranks 54th out of 130 in the Complete University Guide's 2027 table, and 43rd out of 123 in the Guardian University Guide 2026. Domestic tables generally treat Keele more favorably than global research-focused ones like QS.
Is Keele a good university?
Honestly, it depends on what you're measuring. If you're going by global research rankings, Keele sits mid-table, nothing to write home about. But look at teaching quality instead, and the picture changes. It holds a Gold rating in the UK's Teaching Excellence Framework, and its Medicine program is ranked 5th in England by the Guardian's 2026 guide. Forensic Science and Chemistry are strong too. So yes, it's a good university, just not for the reasons a QS number alone would tell you.
What is Keele's Complete University Guide ranking?
Keele comes in at 54th out of 130 UK universities in the Complete University Guide's 2027 edition, published in June 2026. That position is built from entry standards, research quality, student satisfaction, and graduate outcomes, not any single number.
Is Keele University Russell Group?
No. Russell Group membership reflects a historical research-funding association rather than live performance, and several non-Russell Group universities outperform Russell Group members on specific subject tables.
What is Keele's ranking for Computer Science?
No confirmed top-tier UK subject table position was found for Computer Science on the Guardian or Complete University Guide tables, though the course has strong employability outcomes and covers AI and cybersecurity.
What is Keele's MBA and business ranking?
Keele Business School's MBA ranks 36th in the Corporate Knights 2025 Better World MBA ranking. Business & Management sits around 74th in the UK on the Guardian's 2026 subject tables, and Accounting & Finance ranks 57th out of 104 UK departments in the Complete University Guide 2027.
Does the January 2027 Graduate Route change affect a September 2026 Keele start?
Yes, in most cases. The 18-month period applies to your visa application date, not your course start date, so most students starting a multi-year course in September 2026 will apply after 1 January 2027 and get 18 months rather than two years. PhD graduates keep three years.
Does Keele University International College have its own ranking?
No. KUIC is a pathway college offering Foundation, International Year One, and Pre-Master's programs leading into over 150 Keele degrees. Its value is guaranteed progression into Keele's ranked degrees, not a separate ranking of its own.
Have Questions? Get Guidance to reach your Dream University
Connect with India's finest counsellors and biggest study abroad community.
Get Guidance