On the lookout for the perfect college to hone your sports talent while you pursue your higher education? Ranking internationally for sports and nationally for academics, Loughborough University might just be the perfect fit for you! Let’s explore all that this college in Loughborough has to offer.
About Loughborough University
With a history dating all the way back to 1909, Loughborough University has swiftly grown and developed into one of the leading colleges in not just Loughborough but the United Kingdom. Expanding on its particular qualities because of the vision of its founding father, Dr Herbert Schofield, Loughborough University now has a world-renowned reputation for quality in teaching and research, strong linkages with business and industry, and unrivalled athletic performance. The university recently launched a campus in London, exclusively aiming for the academic and professional development of postgraduate students. Loughborough University consistently ranks among the top universities in the United Kingdom and is among some of the best institutions to study art and interior design in the nation.
Why study at Loughborough University?

- With Loughborough University ranking consistently among the top 10 global universities from 2017 to 2023 (The Complete University Guide), it is no surprise that the university is quite sought-after.
- Loughborough University is home to a diverse student population, with more than 19,000 students coming from over 130 different countries.
- Its verdant university campus is considered one of the most exquisite ones in the United Kingdom, mainly due to its well-maintained gardens and open spaces.
- Winning the BCUS Championship for 36 consecutive years is no small feat. Loughborough University’s sporting facilities help you go beyond your limits and include an indoor athletics centre, a 50-metre swimming pool, and an outdoor stadium. Home to more than 50 sports clubs, there’s a sport for everyone here.
- Apart from its sports-related subjects, Loughborough University has also gained fame for its Art and Design courses, which rank 2nd throughout the United Kingdom. The Design building holds several Creative Hubs that provide students with a truly engaging learning experience.
- A stroll around the Loughborough campus will show you that high-quality education isn’t all that Loughborough University has to offer its students. The 523-acre campus also holds a stunning library, cafes, eateries, bars, a medical centre, pharmacy, and two gyms. You’ll find anything you need with ease while studying at Loughborough University.
- On campus, you can find the STEMLab, a specially designed learning environment that is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, proving exactly why Loughborough University is one of the best when it comes to STEM studies in the UK.
- If you enjoy sticking your nose in a book, meet your new happy place - the Loughborough University Library. Browse through the library’s remarkable collection of over 500,000 print books and more than 30,000 online journals and find a seat at one of the 1,300 study spaces or the library cafe once you’ve made your pick.
- The newly opened London campus is just as stimulating, focusing mainly on innovation and creativity. On this campus, you can find Future Space, a student hub that is designed specifically to nurture creativity and be flexible, offering students several seminar and meeting rooms.
- With an employment rate of 83%, Loughborough University tops the list of universities in UK for employer-student connections. The university also has a exclusive development programme, Personal Best, to improve its students’ skills, preparing them for the professional world. Students also get the opportunity to include a placement year in their degree and participate in internships regardless of which subject they’re enrolled in.
Types of Degrees
Undergraduate Degrees
If you’d like to study at Loughborough University as an undergraduate student, you can choose from a Bachelor of Arts (BA), Bachelor of Science (BSc), Bachelor of Engineering (BEng) and Bachelor of Architecture (BArch) in a variety of subjects. Students can pick from the following:
- Bachelor of Science (BSc Hons)
- Bachelor of Engineering (BEng Hons)
- Bachelor of Architecture (BArch Hons)
- Bachelor of Arts (BA Hons)
Postgraduate Degrees
Postgraduate degrees are offered at both campuses - Loughborough and London. The London campus has been exclusively established for postgraduates and encourages innovative thinking for those pursuing their master’s and PhD in one of the 28 different subjects taught here. The current PhD opportunities at the university are projects that have already been assigned a topic and a supervisor. Some come with financing already attached, while others may require you to furnish your own. All academic Schools of the university conduct world-class research. Each School has its own lively and fascinating community of research students and faculty that work on a diverse variety of topics with real-world implications. Browse their research areas on their official website to locate the one that is suitable for you.
Top courses

Loughborough University is known to have courses in 28 different fields of study. Some of their most popular courses include:
1. Arts & Humanities
2. Business & Economics
3. Education
4. Law
5. Social Sciences
6. Computer Science
7. Engineering
8. Clinical & Health
9. Life Sciences
10. Physical Sciences
How to apply to Loughborough University
Undergraduate Courses
A majority of the full-time undergraduate courses at Loughborough University require students to apply through UCAS. The only application for this being the Art & Design Foundation course, for which students need to apply directly to Loughborough University through their website.
1. When applying for an undergraduate course at Loughborough University, you must first pick your course and check the eligibility criteria.
2. Then, you can apply using the UCAS platform. Make sure you have the required documents ready.
3. Based on your chosen course, you might need to present additional paperwork, such as a CV, personal statement, portfolio and translation tests.
4. You might also be asked to name two references who can vouch for your academic and professional skills.
5. While filling the UCAS application form, you will also need to pay a fee of £20 for one course and £25 - £26 per additional course.
6. After this, the school will begin processing your application. You can expect a response from Loughborough University within 2 months of the application deadline.
Postgraduate Courses
The application process for postgraduate degrees at Loughborough University is different from undergraduate courses. You can directly apply to the university using their application portal.
1. First, you must register with the university’s application portal. Doing this will help you save, track and review you application with ease.
2. Once you’ve registered and logged in, you can fill the form based on whether you’re applying for a taught programme or a research programme.
3. The form will take you approximately 30 minutes to complete and will ask you to provide personal information, as well as details regarding your qualifications.
4. When applying for a postgraduate course at Loughborough University, you will also need to submit various additional certified documents, including references and a personal statement.
5. When applying for a research programme, you will also be asked to provide a research proposal if you have developed a research project or if it is needed for the chosen programme.
6. Once you’ve successfully submitted your application form and certified documents, you can expect to receive a response from Loughborough University within six weeks.
To get a better idea, check out our blog on how to apply to UK universities.
Eligibility Criteria
Entry Requirements
The entry criteria vary based on the course. These may be found on the individual course listings for A Levels, BTEC, and IB. For all candidates, the University has standard English Language requirements, and specific programmes may have extra requirements, so please read the materials carefully. Please see the university’s general entrance criteria page for information on additional UK qualifications or the international students website for information on other qualifications.
English language requirements
If you plan on applying to study at Loughborough University, you must acquire a qualification in the English Language before you may be admitted to any study or programme, regardless of whether English is your first language. The standard language requirements accepted by the university are as follows:
Loughborough University Fees
Tuition Fees
Now that you've decided the subject you want to pursue, let's look at how much you can anticipate to pay while you study at Loughborough University. International students' tuition expenses will almost certainly be greater than those of UK students.
Other Course Costs
Certain courses may have additional expenses in addition to your course tuition and housing costs. Personal safety equipment (for laboratory work), field visits, art and design materials for assignments, and a sports outfit are all included. If you do not fulfil your course's minimal English language requirements, you may be required to take a pre-sessional English course at an extra expense. You must also budget for living expenditures. This includes food, entertainment, personal property insurance, clothing, and so on.
Scholarships
The Loughborough University Bursary (UG)
The Loughborough University Bursary (LUB) is a financial package designed for UK/EU undergraduate students (excluding Welsh students) who have a qualifying household income. The LUB provides assistance in the form of cash bursaries and tuition price exemptions.
The Opportunity Scholarship (UG)
The university also provides three-year Opportunity Scholarships for £9,000 each. The Scholarships, which are made possible by generous donations from alumni and friends of the University, support a number of UK undergraduates from low Higher Education participation areas who achieve ABB at A Level or equivalent. Eligibility for the Opportunity Scholarships is determined throughout the application process.
Postgraduate Taught Scholarships (PG)
If you are qualified for an Alumni Bursary or a Postgraduate Taught Scholarship, you will be notified as part of your application and your record will be updated. The charge reduction will be reflected in your regular financial statements automatically.
Notable Alumni

Over the years, the university has produced some Loughborough University graduates who have gone on to become famous alumni such as Olympic gold medalists, wealthy businesspeople, and notable scholars. Some of the Loughborough University notable alumni include:
Sir Matthew Pinsent: An Olympic gold medal-winning rower, Sir Matthew Pinsent is one of the most successful athletes in British history. He attended the university from 1988 to 1991 and was a member of the rowing team.
Dame Katherine Grainger: Another Olympic gold medalist, Dame Katherine Grainger is Britain’s most decorated female Olympian. She studied for a Masters in Medical Science at the university from 1997 to 1998.
James Dyson: The billionaire inventor of the Dyson vacuum cleaner, James Dyson is one of the most successful entrepreneurs in the world. He studied design engineering at the university from 1965 to 1970.
Surely, you now understand what makes this university one of the best colleges in Loughborough, even though it doesn’t belong to the Russell Group of universities. We hope we’ve helped you clarify Loughborough University, the courses you can opt for here, the eligibility criteria and the tuition fees. If you’re certain you wish to attend this college, let us help guide you to the next step in building your perfect university life - booking student accommodation near the Loughborough campus and the London campus. We recommend booking student accommodation early to make sure you don’t miss out on the best options. Good luck!