Loughborough University

Loughborough University is a public research university in the town of Loughborough, Leicestershire, England. It has been a university since 1966, but it dates back to 1909, when Loughborough Technical Institute was founded. In March 2013, the university announced it had bought the former broadcast centre at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park as a second campus. Today, Loughborough University is well known for offering a life-changing experience, both academically and socially. It delivers innovative programmes that span disciplines and equip students for every aspect of their life and career. 

Loughborough University is proud of its long history. Thanks to the vision of its founding father, Dr Herbert Schofield, it has been able to grow and develop into one of the country’s top universities. Today it is one of the country’s leading universities, with a reputation for excellence in teaching and research, strong links with business and industry and unrivalled sporting achievement.

In 1909 a small technical Institute in the centre of Loughborough was established, which provided local facilities for further education and offered courses in technical subjects, science and art. Land was also acquired on the Burleigh Estate, enabling the early development of the University as it stands today. In April 1966 Loughborough was awarded its Charter, in recognition of the excellence achieved by Loughborough College of Advanced Technology and its predecessor colleges. Then called Loughborough University of Technology, it was the country’s first technological university. It was renamed Loughborough University in 1996.

Other developments have included the reunification in 1977 with Loughborough College of Education and with Loughborough College of Art and Design in 1998. Land acquisitions in 2003, 2006 and 2010 have contributed towards turning the site into the glorious 523-acre asset it is today.

The £4 million stadium for the university's rugby and football first teams opened in 2012 and has a capacity of 3,000. It is home to Loughborough University FC, which is one of the few university sides to play in the English football league system. The stadium includes a digital scoreboard and conference facilities. In 2018 it hosted four matches in the group stages of the European Under-17 Championships.

In 2015 Loughborough opened a second campus on Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in London. Loughborough University London has diversified and expanded the high quality education offered to both postgraduate students and those looking to advance their professional development.

Loughborough University is headed by a vice-chancellor and is organised into the following schools:

1. School of Aeronautical, Automotive, Chemical and Materials Engineering
2. School of Architecture, Building and Civil Engineering
3. Loughborough Business School
4. School of Design and Creative Arts
5. Wolfson School of Mechanical, Electrical and Manufacturing Engineering
6. School of Science 
7. School of Social Sciences and Humanities
8. School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences
9. Loughborough University London 
    

The university has won seven Queen's Anniversary Prizes for Higher and Further Education for work with the aeronautical and automotive industries (1994); support for developing countries (1998); for a pioneering role in developing applications of modern optics and laser technologies (2000); for its world leading roles in sports research, education and development (2002); for its world leading role in social policy in recognition of its outstanding and widely respected work in evaluating and helping develop social policy-related programmes, such as those for cared for children, social security policy, crime prevention, education initiatives and young carers (2005); for recognition of its vehicle, road and driver safety research (2007); and for its impact through research and skills development in High Value Manufacturing to create economic growth (2013). It also has the largest sports scholarship programme in the UK.

Loughborough University offers a diverse range of undergraduate courses for the 2026 academic year, catering to various academic interests. Prospective students can explore an extensive A-Z listing of undergraduate courses, encompassing disciplines such as Accounting and Finance, Aeronautical and Automotive Engineering, Architecture, Bioengineering, Business, Chemistry, Communication and Media, Computer Science, Creative Arts, Criminology, Design, Economics, English, Geography, International Relations, Materials, Mathematical Sciences, Mechanical Engineering, Natural Sciences, Physics, Psychology, and Sport Sciences. This comprehensive selection ensures that students can find a program that aligns with their passions and career aspirations.
 

For those interested in pursuing postgraduate studies, Loughborough University provides a wide array of master's degrees across its Loughborough and London campuses. These programs include MSc, MA, MBA, PGCE, PGDip, and PGCert qualifications, covering subjects such as Aeronautical and Automotive Engineering, Architecture, Business and Economics, Chemical Engineering, Communication and Media, Computer Science, Creative Arts, Criminology, Design, English, Geography, International Relations, Materials, Mathematical Sciences, Mathematics Education, Mechanical Engineering, Physics, Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences, and Teacher Education. Additionally, some master's programs offer flexible start dates, including options for January 2026 entry, providing students with increased flexibility in commencing their studies. 
 

Loughborough University's commitment to academic excellence is reflected in its diverse course offerings, designed to equip students with the knowledge and skills necessary for success in their chosen fields. Whether pursuing an undergraduate or postgraduate degree, students can benefit from the university's strong academic reputation, state-of-the-art facilities, and a supportive learning environment. For detailed information on specific courses, entry requirements, and application procedures, prospective students are encouraged to visit the university's official website.

Loughborough has a number of research centres and institutes including Centre for Renewable Energy Systems Technology
Centre for Research in Communication and Culture, Centre for Research in Social Policy, Centre for Mathematical Cognition
National Centre for Combustion and Aerothermal Technology, Sport Technology Institute, and Centre for Sustainable Transitions: Energy, Environment and Resilience. In 2023, The Times Higher Education Impact Rankings, which assess universities against the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals, placed Loughborough first in the UK.

Loughborough University actively supports students in their job search through  career fairs, sector-specific events, and tailored resources for international students, students with disabilities, and those from diverse backgrounds. They also provide support for placements and graduate roles, and offer advice and resources for students seeking to work while studying. The Career Network runs hundreds of events centrally and in academic departments, and provides multiple resources, alongside academic studies, to guide students exploring career options. For international students, Careers Coaches and online tools are available to help them to identify the key employers of international graduates in the UK and provide the support they need to successfully search and apply for a placement or graduate role in employment markets around the globe.

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