Loughborough University: Rankings, Courses, Eligibility, and Fees

Loughborough University is home to more than 18,000 international students from over 130 countries around the world. If you are a person excelling in sports, then this is the university for you. Loughborough University ranks internationally for sports and nationally for academics. Take this opportunity to learn all there is to know about Loughborough University’s courses, ranking, fees, eligibility, and much more. But first, let’s know the university closely.

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 last established 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. It is among some of the best art institutions in the UK and offers a diverse range of interior design courses in the UK.

Why study at Loughborough University?

When you invest money and effort into your education, you expect quality education and exposure. The university makes it worth every penny. Here are 10 reasons to study at Loughborough University.

1. Loughborough University consistently ranked in the top 10 global universities from 2017 to 2023.

2. The university attracts students from over 130 countries, fostering diversity among its students.

3. Its verdant campus is considered one of the best university campuses in the UK. 

4. Loughborough University’s sports team has consecutively won the BCUS Championship for 36 years. This shows the excellent athletic facilities and opportunities that the institution offers its students.

5. For the Arts and Design courses, Loughborough University ranks 2nd best in the UK.

6. The university’s 523-acre campus also holds a stunning library, cafes, eateries, bars, a medical centre, a pharmacy, and gyms.

7. For STEM majors in the UK, Loughborough University provides a specialised STEMLab with state-of-the-art facilities.

8. The Loughborough University Library is well-stocked, with a remarkable collection of over 500,000 print books and more than 30,000 online journals. 

9. The Loughborough University London campus is just as stimulating, focusing mainly on innovation and creativity.

10. With an employment rate of  88% (for undergraduates), Loughborough University tops the list of UK universities for employer-student connections.

Loughborough University Rankings

Loughborough is one of the top universities in the UK. Multiple university ranking systems have put Loughborough University among the top in the country and the world. Below are Loughborough University rankings based on different parameters.

Apart from the overall Loughborough University rankings within the UK and the world, The Complete University Guide calculates the University of Loughborough rankings upon different parameters in the top 50 universities in the UK. These include entry standards, student satisfaction, research quality & intensity, student-staff ratio, and much more.

Top courses

The Loughborough University acceptance rate is at 68%, making it a fairly competitive university to study at. It 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 tuition and housing costs. These include personal safety equipment (for laboratory work), field visits, art and design materials for assignments, and a sports outfit. 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 expenses, including 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: 

Matt Gotrel: An Olympic gold medal-winning rower, Matt Gotrel was part of the famous Team GB. He graduated the university in 2012 and is now a member of the Great Britain SailGP 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 rankings, 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 Loughborough University and the London Campus. We recommend booking student accommodation early to make sure you don’t miss out on the best options. Good luck!