Loughborough University

Loughborough University is one of the UK's leading higher education institutions, recognised for academic excellence, world-class research, outstanding student experience, and exceptional sporting achievements. Ranked 8th in the Complete University Guide 2027, the University has remained among the top 10 universities in the UK for over a decade, reflecting its consistent commitment to quality education and student success.

The University provides a supportive and inclusive environment where students are encouraged to achieve their full potential. Its collaborative campus culture inspires innovation, ambition, and personal growth while creating a welcoming community where students and staff can thrive together. This forward-thinking approach is reflected in the University's achievements across teaching, research, facilities, and student satisfaction.

Loughborough University offers innovative academic programmes across a wide range of disciplines, including arts, humanities, business, social sciences, sport, health, science, engineering, and mathematics. Students are equipped with practical knowledge, transferable skills, and valuable real-world experience that prepare them for successful careers. Graduates are widely recognised by employers for their enthusiasm, competitiveness, and professional capabilities.

Research is a defining strength of the University. According to the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021, 91% of Loughborough University's research was rated world-leading or internationally excellent, demonstrating the global impact and quality of its academic work. This research contributes meaningful solutions to real-world challenges while enriching the student learning experience.

Innovation extends beyond the classroom through the Loughborough University Science and Enterprise Park (LUSEP), which supports more than 90 start-ups, growing businesses, global brands, and sports organisations. The park creates opportunities for collaboration by connecting industry with the University's research expertise, advanced facilities, and talented graduates.

Loughborough University is internationally recognised as a global leader in sport. It was named Sports University of the Year in The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025 and has been ranked the world's number one university for sports-related subjects by the QS World University Rankings every year since 2017.

The University excels across sports science, sports medicine, technology, ergonomics, and sports business while offering students access to one of the UK's largest collections of world-class sporting facilities, including elite performance venues and recreational spaces that support participation at every level.

Loughborough University provides a comprehensive range of student services designed to support academic achievement, personal wellbeing, career development, and everyday university life. Whether you are a prospective student, an undergraduate, a postgraduate, or approaching graduation, the University's dedicated Student Services teams are committed to helping you enjoy a positive student experience and achieve successful graduate outcomes.

Student wellbeing is a key priority at Loughborough University. The Mental Wellbeing Team offers personalised support for a wide range of wellbeing and mental health concerns, including homesickness, stress, relationship difficulties, anxiety, and diagnosed mental health conditions. Students also have access to regular wellbeing drop-in sessions, personal development workshops, and specialist support delivered in partnership with external organisations. Dedicated advisers are available through the University's Reporting Portal to provide confidential support for issues such as safeguarding, sexual violence, racism, consent, and substance misuse.

The Student Advice and Support Service (SASS) provides expert guidance on practical matters that can affect student life. Support is available for student finance, budgeting, hardship funding, debt management, housing rights, tenancy issues, and immigration advice, including student visas, Graduate Route visas, dependent visas, and permission to work in the UK. International students also receive guidance on healthcare, accommodation, banking, travelling abroad, visa requirements, and protecting themselves against scams and identity theft.

Academic support is available throughout every stage of study. Students can receive advice on course changes, leave of absence, assessments, and academic regulations. The Academic Language Support team delivers courses that strengthen academic writing, dissertation preparation, STEM study skills, and English language proficiency for students whose first language is not English. Specialist study skills sessions are also available for students with dyslexia, ADHD, autism, and other neurodiverse learning needs.

Loughborough University's Student Success Academy helps students maximise their academic, personal, and professional development through tailored programmes and one-to-one coaching. Services include Academic Success Coaching, the Future Talent Programme for Black and South Asian students seeking placement opportunities, and the Personal Best framework, which supports the development of academic, personal, and career-related skills.

Career preparation is another major strength of the University. The Careers Network provides professional careers advice, coaching, employability support, and skills development throughout a student's journey. Students can explore career options, improve employability skills, prepare successful job applications, secure placements, internships, graduate roles, volunteering opportunities, and international study exchanges. Regular careers fairs, employer events, alumni networking opportunities, and entrepreneurship support enable students to build valuable industry connections while preparing for long-term career success.

To help international students settle into university life, the International Student Experience team organises events throughout the year, including during vacation periods, creating a welcoming community and helping students build a true home away from home.

Loughborough University has earned a strong reputation as one of the UK's highest-performing universities, consistently achieving outstanding results across national rankings, research excellence, student satisfaction, sport, and graduate employability. Its sustained success demonstrates a long-standing commitment to academic quality, innovation, and student outcomes.

The University has remained among the Top 10 universities in the UK for over a decade, according to The Complete University Guide (2017–2027). In the Complete University Guide 2027, Loughborough secured 8th place out of 130 UK universities. It also ranked 11th in the UK in The Guardian University Guide 2026 and 12th in The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2026, highlighting consistent recognition across major national league tables.

Academic excellence is reflected across individual disciplines as well, with 15 subject areas ranked among the Top 10 in the UK in the Complete University Guide 2027, showcasing the University's strength across multiple fields of study.

Loughborough's research performance is equally impressive. The Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021 found that more than 90% of the University's research is rated world-leading or internationally excellent. In recognition of this achievement, the University was awarded 5 Stars for Research in the International QS Stars Scheme 2023. Loughborough has also received eight Queen Elizabeth Prizes for Higher and Further Education, recognising excellence in higher education.

Student experience is another area where Loughborough consistently performs at the highest level. The University was ranked 1st in the UK for Facilities in the Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2026 and 8th in the UK for Students' Union in the StudentCrowd Awards 2026. According to the National Student Survey (NSS) 2025, 95% of students gave positive feedback about the teaching on their course, reflecting the University's strong focus on high-quality learning and academic support.

Loughborough is internationally recognised for sporting excellence. It has been ranked Number One in the World for Sports-Related Subjects in the QS World University Rankings by Subject every year from 2017 to 2026. The University was also named Sports University of the Year by The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025 and the Daily Mail Good University Guide 2025. In addition, Loughborough has remained British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS) champions for 44 consecutive years, reflecting its unrivalled sporting success.

Graduate outcomes further strengthen the University's reputation. According to the Graduate Outcomes Survey, graduates earned a median salary of £32,000 per year just 15 months after graduation, while the Longitudinal Education Outcomes (LEO) 2022 data reported a median salary of £31,500 three years after graduation, which is £6,000 higher than the sector median.

Additional achievements include:

• 86% of graduates progressed into graduate-level employment or higher-level study.
• 10th in the UK for Graduate Prospects in The Complete University Guide 2026.
• Ranked among the Top 20 UK universities for Placements in the UniHub RateMyPlacement Awards 2025.
• Awarded 5 Stars for Employability in the International QS Stars Scheme 2023.

These achievements highlight Loughborough University's outstanding reputation for academic excellence, world-class research, exceptional student experience, sporting success, and graduate employability.

Student life at Loughborough University is designed to provide a balanced and rewarding experience that combines academic success with personal development, social engagement, and wellbeing. With a welcoming community, excellent facilities, and extensive support services, students have access to everything they need to make the most of their university journey.

The University's impressive 523-acre campus brings together academic buildings, accommodation, the library, the Students' Union, sports facilities, and leisure spaces in one convenient location. Everything students need is within easy reach, making day-to-day life more comfortable while creating a vibrant campus atmosphere. Students can choose to live in university-managed halls of residence either on or off campus, while many move into private accommodation in Loughborough town after their first year, becoming part of the wider local community.

Loughborough places a strong emphasis on student wellbeing. Student Services provide guidance and support throughout every stage of university life, helping students manage academic, personal, and practical challenges. Whether students require advice, wellbeing support, or guidance on university life, dedicated teams are available to ensure every student has a positive experience.

Sport is an integral part of student life at Loughborough University. Students benefit from access to world-class sporting facilities, including all-weather pitches, an athletics centre, stadium, swimming pool, badminton, squash and netball courts, as well as modern fitness gyms. Whether participating as an elite athlete, joining a recreational activity, exploring a new sport, or supporting live sporting events, students have opportunities to stay active throughout the year. The University also promotes inclusive participation through its commitment to Para and disability sport, ensuring sporting opportunities are accessible to students of all abilities.

The award-winning Loughborough Students' Union plays a central role in campus life. It provides students with academic support, leadership opportunities, volunteering programmes, charitable initiatives, and a platform to represent their views. The Union building serves as a lively social hub, offering shops, eateries, study areas, meeting rooms, and entertainment venues that encourage students to connect beyond the classroom.

Students can also become part of a vibrant extracurricular community through more than 100 student societies, covering:

• Cultural interests
• Sports
• Performance and performing arts
• A wide variety of hobbies and special interest groups

These societies organise social events, meet-and-greet sessions, trips, talks, movie nights, sporting activities, and cultural celebrations, making it easy to build friendships and explore new interests. The annual Freshers Bazaar introduces new students to the wide range of societies available and helps them become involved from the very beginning of university life.

Beyond clubs and societies, students can broaden their experience through volunteering with Rag and Action, develop entrepreneurial ideas with the Enterprise Hub, or gain practical media experience through LSU Media as photographers, videographers, or radio presenters. International students also become part of the University's diverse and close-knit community, supported by a welcoming environment that reflects the spirit of the "Loughborough family", including the dedicated Loughborough University Alumni Association India Chapter, which strengthens connections with graduates and students from India.

Loughborough University offers a wide range of accommodation options designed to provide students with a safe, comfortable, and supportive living environment throughout their studies. Recognised for its outstanding campus environment, the University was ranked #1 in the UK for Best University Campus and Facilities in the StudentCrowd Awards 2025, making it an attractive choice for students seeking a high-quality residential experience.

The University's dedicated Accommodation Centre supports prospective, current, and visiting students with every stage of the accommodation process. From choosing the right residence to receiving ongoing tenancy guidance, students have access to expert advice to help them find accommodation that best suits their needs.

Loughborough University provides 17 halls of residence for both undergraduate and postgraduate students. Located on campus or within close proximity, these residences offer a variety of living styles to suit different preferences and budgets. Students can choose between catered and self-catered accommodation, as well as shared or en-suite bedrooms, allowing them to select the lifestyle that best matches their individual requirements.

The University's accommodation portfolio includes:

• Butler Court
• Cayley
• Claudia Parsons
• David Collett
• Elvyn Richards
• Falkner Eggington
• Faraday
• Harry French
• Hazlerigg Rutland
• John Phillips
• Longcliffe House
• Robert Bakewell
• Royce
• Rutherford
• Telford
• The Holt
• Towers
• William Morris

Several halls provide all en-suite rooms, while others offer shared bathroom facilities or a choice between shared and en-suite accommodation. Residences are located across East Park, West Park, Central Park, the Student Village, and selected off-campus locations close to the University.

Loughborough University also offers several accommodation benefits that provide additional peace of mind for students. These include accessible room options, an option to return to halls, a two-year accommodation guarantee for international students, and guaranteed accommodation for undergraduate students who select Loughborough as their firm choice and register before the published deadline.

For students who prefer greater independence, living off campus is another popular option. The University supports students in finding suitable accommodation through a wide selection of privately owned, University-approved, and independently accredited properties across Loughborough. Assistance continues throughout the tenancy, with guidance available on accommodation-related matters to help students enjoy a positive living experience.

Whether choosing to live in halls of residence or private accommodation, students benefit from dedicated support, flexible housing options, and a welcoming residential community. Combined with the University's award-winning campus facilities, Loughborough University's accommodation provides a convenient and comfortable base for both academic success and an enjoyable student life.