Loughborough University

History

• Founded in 1909 as a small technical institute. Became Loughborough College and then Loughborough College of Technology.
• In 1966 became Loughborough University of Technology, the UK's first technological university. Renamed Loughborough University in 1996.
• Land acquisitions in 2003, 2006 and 2010 have made Loughborough one of the country's largest single-site campuses, with over 177 hectares (437 acres) of land.

Location and transport

• Located on the edge of the market town of Loughborough. The cities of Nottingham, Leicester and Derby are easily accessible.
• A safe, single-site campus provides plenty of open space, gardens and sports areas interspersed with academic buildings and student accommodation.
• Loughborough railway station is 3 km (2 miles) away, the M1 1.6km (1 mile), and East Midlands Airport 14.5 km (9 miles). A shuttle bus operates between campus and the town/railway station.

Entry standards

• BBC to A*AA A level grades or equivalent, depending on the course.
• Get more information about entry requirements at Loughborough University online.

Student mix

• UK/EU students 92%.
• Overseas students 8%.
• Male/female ratio 62:38.
• Applications to places ratio 6.9:1 (full-time undergraduate 2010 entry).
• From state-sector schools 81.5%.

Teaching standards

• In the Complete University Guide 2011 our departments were rated top ten in 15 subject groups.
• Almost 75% of Loughborough's subject areas were ranked in the top ten for overall satisfaction.
• Awarded six Queen's Anniversary Prizes.
• Extensive links with industry. Many degrees are industry-sponsored and sandwich placements are available on more than 60% of degrees. Loughborough is also one of the top 20 universities targeted by large, graduate employers.

Research standards

• In the 2008 Research Assessment Exercise (RAE) every department was found to be undertaking research that is internationally recognised, with 18% of the University's research considered to be 'world leading'.
• 70% of Loughborough University research is carried out in collaboration with external partners (national average is 20%).
• The University has over 40 research centres and institutes and six interdisciplinary research schools.
• A top 20 university based on research funding from HEFCE (the Higher Education Funding Council for England) and the only one in this shortlist without a medical school.

Academic strengths

• Four subject areas topped their tables in the 2009 National Student Survey: Mechanical, Production and Manufacturing Engineering; Building Engineering; Publishing; and Anatomy, Physiology and Pathology. Almost 70% of Loughborough's subject areas were ranked in the top ten for overall satisfaction
• Extensive links with industry. Many degrees are industry-sponsored and sandwich placements are available on more than 60% of degrees. Loughborough is also one of the top 20 universities targeted by large, graduate employers.
• Ninety percent of Loughborough graduates from 2010 are in a job or undertaking further study, with 73% of these in 'higher graduate' occupations, compared with the national average of 63%.

Student facilities, including library and computing

• All hall rooms are wired for internet access, and most have wifi. Extensive wireless network coverage in both formal and informal study areas is available across the campus.
• The University library provides over 500,000 books and access to 20,000 e-journals. Also 1,100 study places and 140 work stations.

Disability services

• The Disabilities and Additional Needs Service provides support, advice and guidance to students with disabilities and/or additional needs.

Students' union

• Owned and managed by its own members.
• Successful student fundraising organization raised over £1,134,500 for charity in 2010–11.
• Offers a wide range of support services, over 100 clubs and societies and a programme of professional entertainment and social events.
• Awarded the International Experience Award 2011 by the National Union of Students (NUS).

Sport

• Loughborough University is the UK's premier university for sport and its underpinning disciplines, with one of the best integrated sports development environment in the world.
• Loughborough University is home to the world's largest university-based Sports Technology Research Group, which is part of the internationally acclaimed Sports Technology Institute.
• SportPark, based at the University provided a state-of-the-art home for national sporting bodies including Youth Sport Trust, British Swimming and several other national governing bodies.
• Home to the ECB England National Cricket Academy and the LTA Tennis Academy.
• Loughborough will host both Team GB and the Japanese team prior to the London 2012 Olympic Games.
• Loughborough has dominated the BUCS championships for over thirty years.

Recent/prospective new builds

• A £15-million Sports Technology Institute has been created to develop cutting-edge technology and enhance research and enterprise in the sport and leisure sectors.
• SportPark, a £15 million bespoke central hub for some of the country’s leading sports bodies, was opened in 2010.
• The Loughborough Design School, which provides state-of-the-art facilities for the various design disciplines at the University, opened in autumn 2011.
• Plans are underway for the development of a £10-million sport and exercise medicine centre on the Loughborough campus. The centre will be part of the country’s first-ever National Sport and Exercise Medicine Centre of Excellence.

Availability of part-time work

• The Students' Union employment exchange has a range of part-time opportunities with local companies and organizations.

Notable alumni

• Rosalind Ayres – actor.
• Steve Backley – Olympic athlete.
• Lord Sebastian Coe – Olympic athlete, now Chair of the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG).
• Michael Fabricant MP.
• Sir John Gains – Engineer.
• Sir Frank Gibb – Engineer.
• Tanni Grey-Thompson – Paralympic athlete.
• Tom Karen – Designer.
• Paula Radcliffe – Olympic athlete.
• Bridget Riley – Artist.
• Lisa Rogers – TV presenter.
• Malcolm Sayer – Designer of the E-type Jaguar car.
• Bob Wilson – former Arsenal goalkeeper and sport presenter.
• Sir Clive Woodward – Manager of the England Rugby World Cup winning team, now Director of Sport at the British Olympic Association (BOA).