Keele University is celebrating a major milestone as it welcomes its first-ever cohort of engineering students.

The new intake is the first to embark on Keele's new suite of engineering degrees, launched for the 2026/27 academic year.

This marks the first time in the University's history that students can study Engineering at Keele.

Drawing on the West Midlands' rich engineering, manufacturing and industrial heritage, Keele said the new courses are designed to prepare students for the evolving challenges facing the engineering industry, from the transition to more sustainable technologies and processes to the growing demand for innovation and advanced skills.

The following engineering degrees have all been launched at Keele this year:

• Engineering
• Chemical Engineering
• Civil Engineering
• Electrical and Electronic Engineering
• Mechanical Engineering
• Mechatronic Engineering

Dr David Cabrera, Lecturer in Materials Engineering, said: "As an engineer, it is really exciting to welcome the first cohort of Engineering students to Keele University.

"This is an important milestone for the University, as these students are joining us at the very beginning of something new and will play an important part in shaping the future of Engineering at Keele.

"Our new Engineering programmes have been designed to give students a strong foundation across engineering, alongside practical experience and opportunities to apply what they learn to real-world problems.

"For me, engineering is about bringing together science, creativity and practical skills to understand challenges and develop solutions that can make a difference.

"We are very pleased to welcome this first group of students and to see Engineering begin to develop and grow at Keele.

"I am particularly looking forward to seeing how our students develop their skills, and to the projects, ideas and innovations they will create during their time at Keele."

Each course has been designed to provide students with the practical skills and professional attributes needed to become career-ready graduates and contribute to solving real-world engineering challenges.

Students will enrol on their chosen engineering specialism from the outset, while gaining a broad understanding of engineering throughout their first year.

From the second year onwards, they will have the flexibility to continue with their chosen specialism or switch to another engineering pathway.

Students will also have the chance to graduate with either a Bachelor's degree (BEng) or continue to Master's level (MEng).

Dr Ehsan Baniasadi, Lecturer in Engineering, added: "It is a privilege to be part of this important moment in Keele University's history and to help teach and support our first cohort of Engineering students.

"These students are not only beginning their own journey as future engineers, but are also helping to establish an engineering community at Keele that we hope will grow and develop for many years to come.

"Engineering has an increasingly important role in addressing challenges such as the transition to sustainable energy, efficient use of resources, digitalisation and the development of resilient technologies.

"By combining a strong foundation in engineering science with practical learning, problem-solving and exposure to different engineering disciplines, we want our students to develop both the technical capability and the broader perspective needed to tackle real-world challenges.

"I am very much looking forward to seeing the ideas, projects and achievements that emerge from this pioneering cohort."

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