Introducing Alcohol-Free Accommodation at Keele University
Since 2015, Keele University has been a leader in the Drug & Alcohol Impact project, focusing on harm reduction on campus.
Our recent survey shows that 30% of students do not drink alcohol, with many citing not liking the taste/effect or for religious or cultural reasons. To support these students and following feedback from our current students and potential applicants to the University, we are excited to trial alcohol-free accommodation for the 2025/26 academic year.
Why Alcohol-Free Accommodation?
- Support for Non-Drinkers: Provides a comfortable living environment for students who choose not to drink alcohol.
- Cultural and Religious Considerations: Offers a respectful space for students whose beliefs prohibit alcohol consumption.
- Recovery Support: Creates a supportive environment for students in recovery from alcohol-related issues.
Trialling Alcohol-Free Blocks in Halls
For the 2025/26 academic year, we are trialling alcohol-free blocks in Barnes Halls of Residence. We are offering:
- Standard Shared Flats of 4 students, which are single sex. Each flat has 4 bedrooms, and a shared bathroom and kitchen.
A total of 56 rooms across 14 flats will be designated as alcohol-free. Students can select this option during the accommodation application process in the accommodation portal.
How It Works
- Application: Indicate your preference in alcohol-free accommodation when applying.
- Allocation: Our student accommodation team will manually allocate these rooms to ensure a supportive community. Please note that while all efforts will be made to allocate you to your preferred accommodation, this may not always be possible.
- Regulations: Residents, guests and visitors are not permitted to bring, store, or consume alcohol in these flats.
- Adherence to Rules: The Residence Life Team will monitor and enforce regulations, like other aspects of the license agreement. If students living in these halls have concerns about alcohol use within these spaces, they can contact the Residence Life Team for support.
- Room Changes: If you change your mind, you can request a room move based on our room availability.
Join Us in Creating a Supportive Community
We believe that offering alcohol-free accommodation will enhance the living experience for many students. If you have any questions or need more information, please contact the Residence Life team.