Loughborough University emblem

Loughborough University

Loughborough, United Kingdom • Founded 1909 • QS 2027 #203

Updated Sep 2026 · Source: lboro.ac.uk

Overview

English Name: Loughborough University
Founded: 1909
Institution Type: University
Control Type: Public
Entity Type: Non-profit
Rankings:
QS World University Rankings 2027 #203 Times Higher Education 2026 #301-350 ARWU (Shanghai) 2026 #601-700 CWTS Leiden 2025 #357 SCImago 2026 #490
Motto: Veritate, scientia, labore
Colours: Purple
The Loughborough University campus grounds
1 / 2

Loughborough University began in 1909 as a small technical institute in Loughborough, East Midlands, becoming Loughborough College of Advanced Technology and, in 1966, receiving its royal charter as the country's first technological university; it took its current name in 1996.

It absorbed Loughborough College of Education in 1977 and Loughborough College of Art and Design in 1998. Its main campus covers 523 acres and is mostly green space, and a second, postgraduate-focused campus opened in London at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in 2015.

Teaching and research run through schools and departments in engineering, science, business, social sciences, humanities, and sport, exercise and health sciences, including a Business School and Computer Science, Physics and Law departments. It is particularly known for sport, ranked top in the world for sports-related subjects in the QS World University Rankings by subject for a decade, alongside strong standing in engineering and the sciences.

Location & Contact

Below are Loughborough University's address, location, and primary contact channels.

Address: Epinal Way
Postal Code: LE11 3TU
Other Sites: Also English Language Support Studies. Summer Schools
Phone: +44 (1509) 222 222
Fax: +44 (1509) 223 900
Email: london@lboro.ac.uk
Social Media:

Academic Details

Enrolment, faculty headcount, and accreditation data for Loughborough University are listed below.

Academic Year: Semesters: September to June (September-January; February-June). Terms: September to June (September-December; January-March; April-June)
Recognition: Privy Council
Admission Requirements: General Certificate of Education (GCE) and General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) with passes in 5 subjects, of which 2 must be of Advanced ('A') level or passes in 4 subjects, of which 3 must be at ('A'), no subject to be counted at both Ordinary ('O')/(GCSE) and ('A')/Advanced Supplementary ('AS') levels
Total Students: 18,955
Female Students: 7,785
Academic Staff Range: 1,000-1,499
Campus Setting: Suburban
Memberships & Networks
Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU) European University Association (EUA) Universities UK

Academic Structures

Loughborough University's academic units are listed below, by type.

Unit 9 items
  • Loughborough Design School
  • School of Aeronautical, Automotive, Chemical and Materials Engineering
  • School of Architecture, Building and Civil Engineering
  • School of Business and Economics
  • School of Science
  • School of Social Sciences
  • School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences
  • School of the Arts, English and Drama
  • Wolfson School of Mechanical, Electrical and Manufacturing Engineering

Faculties & Divisions

All faculties operate under Privy Council.

Development Engineering (Institute) 1 subject offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Engineering
Human Sciences and Advanced Technology (Institute) 2 subjects offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Communication Studies
  • Information Technology
Polymer Technology and Materials Engineering (Institute) 2 subjects offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Materials Engineering
  • Polymer and Plastics Technology
Child and Family (Research Division) Faculty details available

Specialisations & Subjects

No specified subjects listed.

Arts (School) 3 subjects offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Design
  • Fine Arts
  • Textile Design
Business and Economics (School) 7 subjects offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Accountancy
  • Banking
  • Economics
  • Finance
  • International Business
  • Management
  • Retailing and Wholesaling
Civil and Building Engineering (School) 8 subjects offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Aeronautical and Aerospace Engineering
  • Chemical Engineering
  • Civil Engineering
  • Construction Engineering
  • Electrical and Electronic Engineering
  • Engineering
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Systems Analysis
Design (School) 2 subjects offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Design
  • Industrial Design
Electronic, Electrical and Systems Engineering (School) 3 subjects offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Computer Engineering
  • Electrical and Electronic Engineering
  • Systems Analysis
Mathematics (School) 2 subjects offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Mathematics
  • Mathematics Education
Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering (School) 3 subjects offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Engineering Management
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Production Engineering
Science (School) 4 subjects offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Chemistry
  • Computer Science
  • Mathematics
  • Physics
Social, Political and Geographical Sciences (School) 11 subjects offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Communication Studies
  • Criminal Law
  • Cultural Studies
  • Geography
  • Geography (Human)
  • History
  • International Relations and Diplomacy
  • Media Studies
  • Political Sciences
  • Psychology
  • Sociology

Programs Offered

Loughborough University's programme catalogue is grouped by level below.

287 programmes on record. Each level below shows a sample. Compare these on the programs page All programs in United Kingdom

Honours Degree 141 programmes

Showing 10 of 141.

Master of Business Administration 1 programme

Master of Philosophy 2 programmes

Master's Degree 100 programmes

Showing 10 of 100.

Doctorate 26 programmes

Showing 10 of 26.

Postgraduate Certificate 10 programmes

Strategic Leadership
On-campus
Start: October 2027

We assess all applications on a case‑by‑case basis, considering both academic qualifications and relevant professional experience.

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

Postgraduate Diploma 7 programmes

Strategic Leadership
On-campus
Start: October 2027

We assess all applications on a case‑by‑case basis, considering both academic qualifications and relevant professional experience.

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

Scholarships in United Kingdom

Below are scholarships available to students in the United Kingdom.

Arts and Music Scholarships
University funded · International students · 200 GBP per total
A £200 cash prize plus up to £500 towards tuition, mentoring, training or materials for talented performers and artists whose scholarship subject isn't what they study academically.
Cambridge Trust International Scholarship
Cambridge Trust · Foundation funded · International students · Renewable · Combined · Covers Living
Covers tuition fees at the international rate, an annual maintenance stipend, and support towards the student visa and Immigration Health Surcharge, for postgraduate (and some undergraduate) study at Cambridge; there is no separate application form.
Future Leaders Scholarship
University funded · International students · 10,000 GBP per total · Partial Tuition
A £10,000 discount off your first year of tuition fees for international undergraduates who show strong leadership potential.
Gates Cambridge Scholarship
Gates Cambridge Trust · Foundation funded · International students · Renewable · Combined
Funds full-time or part-time PhD study, the one-year MLitt, or (with some exceptions) other one-year postgraduate courses at the University of Cambridge; fee and stipend amounts are set through the University's own student-funding process rather than published on the eligibility page.
International Excellence Scholarships
University funded · International students · 3,000 GBP per total · Partial Tuition
Up to £3,000 off tuition fees for international undergraduates with outstanding A-level (or equivalent) results.
Loughborough Business School Scholarship
University funded · International students · 3,000 GBP per total · Partial Tuition
A tuition discount for strong graduates joining a Loughborough Business School master's — £1,500 off for UK students, £3,000 off for international students.
Loughborough University Bursary
University funded · Renewable · 1,000 GBP per year · Living Stipend · Covers Living
A £1,000 cash bursary for every year of your undergraduate study, plus an extra £500 grant for your placement year, for UK students from lower-income households.
Loughborough University Care Leaver Bursary
University funded · Renewable · Living Stipend · Covers Living
A cash bursary for undergraduates in local authority care, not paid during a placement year, plus support via Student Services.
Loughborough University Sanctuary Scholarship
University funded · International students · Full Tuition
A full 100% course fee discount for students whose safety, or their family's safety, is at risk from conflict or war in their home country.
Opportunity Scholarships
University funded · Renewable · 3,000 GBP per year · Combined
A £3,000-a-year cash scholarship for three years, for talented UK students from lower-income backgrounds who make Loughborough their firm choice.
Postgraduate Alumni Discount
University funded · International students · 3,000 GBP per total · Partial Tuition
A one-year tuition discount for Loughborough (or Loughborough College) graduates returning for a master's — £1,500 off for UK students, £3,000 off for international students.
Postgraduate Care Leaver's Scholarship
University funded · International students · Full Tuition
Full tuition fees covered for former Loughborough undergraduates who previously held the Care Leavers' Bursary and are returning for a master's.
Postgraduate Excellence Scholarship
University funded · International students · 6,000 GBP per total · Partial Tuition
A tuition fee discount for high-achieving graduates moving straight into a Loughborough taught master's — £3,000 off for UK students, £6,000 off for international students.
Rhodes Scholarship
Rhodes Trust · Foundation funded · International students · Renewable · 20,400 GBP per year · Combined · Covers Living, Travel
Covers University of Oxford course and college fees, an annual stipend of £20,400 (£1,700 a month, 2025-26 rate), the Oxford application fee, student visa and Immigration Health Surcharge costs, two economy flights to and from the UK, and a settling-in allowance.
Sport Scholarships
University funded · International students · Renewable · 5,000 GBP per year · Combined
Up to £5,000 a year for talented student-athletes, plus free Loughborough Sport Gold membership, Athletic Union club membership and a parking permit.
Weidenfeld-Hoffmann Scholarships and Leadership Programme
Weidenfeld-Hoffmann Trust · Foundation funded · International students · Renewable · 18,622 GBP per year · Combined · Covers Living
Covers 100% of course fees and a living-cost grant (at least £18,622 a year through the St Antony's College partnership) for the full period of fee liability, plus participation in a tailored leadership programme.

How to apply to Loughborough University

The application path for Loughborough University, in five steps.

  1. 1
    Research programmes at Loughborough University

    Loughborough University's catalogue includes 287 programmes. Browse by level, identify candidates matching your prior qualifications, and note their entry requirements for the next step.

  2. 2
    Review admissions criteria

    Entry requirements vary by programme and degree level. Verify academic minimums, language tests (if international), and any additional documents required for Loughborough University's admissions process.

  3. 3
    Gather supporting documents

    Typical documents include academic transcripts, identity proof (passport or national ID), language proficiency test scores, a personal statement or motivation letter, and recommendation letters. International applicants should account for translation and notarisation time.

  4. 4
    Lodge your application

    For undergraduate study, apply centrally through UCAS (ucas.com), listing Loughborough University as one of your choices. For postgraduate study, apply directly through Loughborough University's own admissions portal at www.lboro.ac.uk.

  5. 5
    Confirm receipt and track progress

    Follow up to confirm your application was received and is being processed. You can reach the institution by email at london@lboro.ac.uk or by phone at +44 (1509) 222 222. Admissions teams may request interviews or additional documents — respond promptly to keep your application active.

Frequently Asked Questions about Loughborough University

A short Q&A covering Loughborough University's essentials — founding, location, and structure.

When was Loughborough University founded?

Loughborough University was established in 1909 (approximately 117 years ago).

Where is Loughborough University located?

Loughborough University is located in Loughborough, United Kingdom.

Is Loughborough University a public or private institution?

Loughborough University operates as a public institution.

What is the student enrolment at Loughborough University?

Student enrolment at Loughborough University is around 18,955.

How is Loughborough University ranked?

Loughborough University is ranked QS 2027 #203.

What degrees does Loughborough University offer?

Loughborough University offers bachelor's, master's and doctoral programmes.

What is Loughborough University's academic structure?

Loughborough University has 9 academic units.

Who recognises Loughborough University?

Yes, Loughborough University is recognised by Privy Council.

Where can I learn more about Loughborough University?

The institution's website is www.lboro.ac.uk.

Top-Ranked Universities in the United Kingdom

Graduate-school placement rates among the United Kingdom's top universities set the upper bound for that signal. Loughborough University's placement rate relative to leaders is one signal of academic preparation depth.

Members of European University Association (EUA)

Below: other European University Association (EUA) member institutions, alongside Loughborough University.

Faculties at nearby universities

Below are universities in the same area as Loughborough University.

Where Else to Study Natural Sciences & Mathematics

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