Loughborough University

Loughborough University was founded in 1901 as a small technical college, before gaining its Charter in 1966 and becoming the UK’s first ever technological university. 

Today Loughborough University is one of the top universities in the country, offering a wide range of degree courses from its 440-acre campus. It has been rated 7th in the UK according to the Complete University Guide 2024 and achieved 1st place in the Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2020, being named ‘university of the year’. 

Students will be able to complete their studies from the university’s modern single campus site equipped with cutting-edge facilities for STEM subjects, or its London campus located in the heart of the city. £25 million of recent investments into the West Park of the Loughborough campus allows students access to world-class science and engineering labs, a brand-new learning and teaching hub, modern computer suites, 3D printing labs and more. 

Multiple sports facilities, contemporary halls of residences, restaurants, cafes, bars and a highly rated students’ union come together to form an attractive university campus. A medical centre including a pharmacy, dentist and optician, along with a hairdresser and a nightclub, together mean that Loughborough students can meet their everyday needs on site. 

The university is located in Loughborough, which is a student-focused town that is known for its affordability. The cities of Leicester and Nottingham, offering a much larger range of activities, shops and services, are just a short journey away by bus, train or car. 

Loughborough offers various master’s level degree courses, ranging across MSc, MA, MBA, postgraduate certificates and diplomas. Students will have the opportunity to study across its Loughborough and London campuses, building an advanced knowledge of their subject area and building the skills needed to be an independent researcher. 

The university is also renowned as a leading provider of doctoral research degrees and post-doctoral training. Doctoral students at Loughborough automatically join its Doctoral College, allowing them to benefit from a supportive network where learners can collaborate closely with academics and access various development opportunities.  

Loughborough is a nationally leading university when it comes to teaching quality, having been one of six universities to receive a Gold Rating in the 2018 Teaching Excellence Framework. This award reflects the achievements of its lecturers and professors, particularly in areas like feedback to students, academic support, quality of teaching and assessment quality. 

It also offers a number of online and distance learning courses at a master’s level, which are suitable for students who are looking to obtain a postgraduate degree but aren’t able to attend in person. 

Students will need to meet Loughborough’s entry requirements in order to study a postgraduate degree there. Different academic, professional or English language criteria may be applied depending on the course being applied to and the origin of the applicant. 

Entry requirements for courses at Loughborough can change over time, so students should always check the university’s web page for their chosen course. 

For example, students applying to the MSc in Economics and Finance at Loughborough will need to show achievement of an undergraduate honours degree at a 2:1 level or higher, in a subject like economics, business, finance, management or operations. Other degrees with economic and quantitative content will be considered. 

To do the Chemical Engineering PhD at Loughborough, applicants will need a 2:1 level or higher undergraduate honours degree, or an international equivalent, in a discipline relevant to chemical engineering. 

Applicants for the Sport Biomechanics MSc will need a 2:1 honours undergraduate degree in subjects like sport, biological sciences, mathematics, engineering or physical sciences. Other related disciplines will also be considered. 

Loughborough University has a well-equipped Careers Network that provides students with access to a wide range of career-focused services. Available both in-person and online, these resources can help students with things like career guidance, one-to-one advice, professional coaching and practice for applications as well as interviews. 

Students at Loughborough will also be able to attend careers fairs, workshops and employer presentations across the academic year while they complete their postgraduate studies. 

Loughborough is well connected to organisations, businesses and research groups nationally and internationally, and can help students search for and obtain internships, placements and graduate employment roles. 

The university also offers dedicated support for entrepreneurship, with specific advice, events and funding opportunities designed to empower potential entrepreneurs. 

Loughborough has a strong alumni network, made up of thousands of individuals representing dozens of countries and industries around the world. Graduates of the university will be able to access alumni networking opportunities and will still be able to make use of career support services after they graduate. 

Accommodation

Loughborough provides students a choice of accommodation options to help students find living arrangements that suit them during their studies. The university offers accommodation across its Loughborough and London sites, as well as off-campus options nearby. Accommodation for Loughborough students is designed to be value for money, comfortable and safe. 

Halls of residence are a popular choice for many students In Loughborough, and the university offers three self-catered halls for postgraduate students to choose from. Falkner Eggington and John Phillips offer a large number of places on-campus, while students can live in off-campus halls at Harry French. 

Students in London are able to access modern, comfortable apartment living at Unite Stratford One, which is just a short walk from the campus and offers a range of single en-suites or studio apartment rooms. 24-hour security is on site and the famous Stratford shopping centre is just a few minutes away. 

Private rented accommodation is a common option for many graduates, and both Loughborough and London have endless places to choose from. The university’s Studentpad search engine and a helpful Student Accommodation Centre mean that students will be supported in their search for somewhere to live. 

Loughborough has a variety of scholarships and bursaries for master’s and PhD students to explore when looking to fund their studies. These range from department specific scholarships to alumni bursaries, as well as a range of internal and external research funding sources. Some of the funding options available include: 

Alumni bursary - providing a 10% discount to tuition fees for master’s students and 20% for PhD students who have previously studied at Loughborough, and are not receiving other financial awards from the university. 

Dean’s Award for Enterprise scholarship - a 90% discount on tuition fees, for successful applicants from London who are studying a postgraduate degree and not receiving other awards from the university. 

Data Science Bursary - worth up to £10,000, offering 27 awards to students on the MSc Data Science course who are from under-represented groups. 

Commonwealth split site PhD scholarships - funding for 12 months study at Loughborough, for low and middle-income Commonwealth students during their PhD programme. 

Students will also be able to find further funding opportunities through external organisations like charities, private companies or research institutes.