Centenary

1900s

1909

Loughborough University started out as Loughborough Technical Institute in 1909, set up by William Alport Brockington. 

The Institute opened on September 29 and its main function was to provide evening classes in technical subjects. The main building was situated on the corner of Ashby Road and Green Close Lane in the town.

1910s

1915

Herbert Schofield became Principal of the Technical Institute.

1916

The Institute began training Munitions Workers for the World War I effort.

1918

The Institute was renamed  in May 1918 and was officially known as Loughborough Technical College.

1919 

Fourteen acres of land were purchased on Ashby Road. This became known as the ‘Playing Field site’ and is where the present University campus is located.

1918    

The first Loughborough Students’ Union was formed.

1918

Loughborough's first student newspaper – ‘The Limit’ was published in December 1918. Introduced by Herbert Schofield, the newspaper was issued three times a year and continued publication until 1958.

1919

The first student residences were bought including the Holt on Forest Road and the Grove on Ashby Road. Both are still in use by the University.

1919

Loughborough Technical College held its first Sports day in June 1919.

1919

College colours were introduced – Claret and White, with purple for the Senior College; Claret and White, with gold for the Junior Technical School.

1920s

1920

Department of Pure and Applied Science (including Chemical Technology) opened.

1920 

Department of Mechanical and Civil Engineering established.

1920

Department of Electrical Engineering emerged as a separate department.

1920

Now named Loughborough College, it was granted its own Armorial Bearings by the College of Arms (a shield divided into four quarters) with the motto ‘Veritate, Scientia, Labore’ (By Truth, By Science and, By labour).

1920 

By 1920, the number of day students and staff had grown to about 1400 with more than 1000 evening students.

1921

‘Pooh Bah Lodge’ (now known as Rutland Lodge) built with the help of students. The lodge is now located by the ‘Bastard gates’, opposite the Students’ Union.

1921

Cricket pavilion opened on the Playing Field site – the pavilion stood where the Ashby Road roundabout is now

1921

First survey camp for Civil Engineers held in the Charnwood Forest.

1923

First diploma day held in March – the modern equivalent to graduation. The days were known as Presentation Day and were held annually on a Sunday in the last week of the Spring term.

1923 

The Grove on Ashby Road was purchased using funds from the 1922 college bazaar. It opened as a hall of residence in 1925.

1929

A staff and student built open-air swimming pool opened on July 19th – work on the pool began in 1926. It was located where the Sir David Wallace Building now stands.

1930s

1930

Department for the training of teachers set up – it was given the title of East Midlands Training College for Handicraft teachers.

1931

Physical Education department was formed leading to the establishment of a School of Athletics in 1937.

1932

The first purpose built halls of residence - Rutland Hall - was opened in 1932. It was erected at a cost of £22,000 and housed 80 students. The hall was opened on October 12 by the Duke of Rutland.

1933

Construction began on an athletics stadium and student-designed sports pavilion.

1934

The official entrance to Rutland Hall and the college athletic ground - the ‘Bastard Gates’ - were officially opened. The gates were a gift of William Bastard, J.P., C.C., who later became Chairman of the Governors.

1934

The boiler of the James Watt Steam Engine (situated outside the Students’ Union) was presented as a gift to the College by the Metropolitan Water Board. The engine was built in 1850 and was still in use in London until 1933.

1935

  The Aeronautical Engineering department established.

1937

The Athletics stadium and sports pavilion opens.

1937

A new generating station and garage block was officially opened on the corner of Frederick Street and Packe Street – the building is now used by the School of Art and Design.

1938

Hazlerigg hall was opened on June 15, 1938 by Sir Arthur Hazlerigg, the Lord Lieutenant of the County, the fountain was also given to the University at this time. The hall housed 80 students and cost £42,000.

1938

Malcolm Sayer, designer of the iconic Jaguar C, D and E type as well as the XJ13 and the XJS, graduated from Loughborough.

1939

A new Sports Hall, including gymnasium and state-of-the art indoor swimming pool opened in July.

1939

An Aerodrome site was acquired by the A6 Derby Road on the outskirts of the town. The Aeronautical Engineering Department moved to the site in 1946.

1940s

1945 During the Second World War, the College accommodated the Royal Air Force's Rehabilitation Unit, which under the direction of former tennis player and BBC tennis commentator Dan Maskell, saw over 10,000 wounded airmen pass through fit to return to active service. Dan Maskell was awarded the OBE in 1945. In 1995, the University's opened the Dan Maskell Tennis Centre on the East side of the campus.

1946

Victory Hall officially opened in October. Providing a spacious gymnasium and sports hall, the building is still in use today.

1947

Chemical Engineering Department opened as part of the Department of Pure and Applied Sciences.

1948

The Automobile Engineering Department moved from the central site to join the Aeronautical Engineering Department on the Aerodrome site.

1949

The foundation stone for the Schofield Building laid.

1950s

1950

Herbert Schofield retired as College Principal and was succeeded by Major-General W.F.  Hasted.

1950 

By 1950, the number of full-time students had risen to 1,545 with a further 3,000 part-time and evening class students.

1952

Loughborough  College split up into four separate institutions reflecting its main areas of interest – Loughborough College of Technology, Loughborough Teacher Training College, Loughborough College of Art and Loughborough College of Further Education.

1953

The department of Pure and Applied Science moved into the newly opened Schofield Building.

1953

Loughborough College of Technology’s first Principal, Dr H.L. Haslegrave, appointed.

1953

Brockington building opened and occupied by the Teacher Training College.

1954

Department of Industrial Engineering began operating.

1955

Department of Applied Science and Chemical Engineering split into two separate departments.

1957

Martin Hall (named after Sir Robert Martin) fully completed and became home to Teacher Training College. Brockington building handed back to the College of Technology.

1957 

Loughborough College of Technology officially designated as a College of Advanced Technology.

1957

Major building programme began on the ‘Playing Field Site’.

1958

Burleigh Estate bought by the college.

1958

Department of Mechanical and Civil Engineering split into two separate departments.

1958

Wavy Top Building opened, providing laboratory facilities for the Civil and Mechanical Engineering Departments.

1959 

Construction of the Student Village began – over the next five years Faraday, Telford, Royce, Whitworth, Rutherford and Cayley Halls were built. Also built was a new library - now the Herbert Manzoni building.

1960s

1960

A Department of Ergonomics and Cybernetics was established. It was later renamed the Department of Human Sciences.

1963

Administration 1 building opened on the site of Burleigh Hall. Some traces of the original Burleigh Estate remain including the walled garden and the Cedar of Lebanon tree between the Edward Herbert and Herbert Manzoni buildings.

1963 

Robbins Report published. It recommended that Colleges of Advanced Technology should be accorded University status.

1963

Loughborough Teacher Training College is renamed Loughborough College of Education.

1965

‘The Towers’, one of the campus’ most iconic buildings, opened as accommodation for students attending the College of Education.

1965

Establishment of two new departments - Physics and Mathematics.

1966 

Loughborough College of Advanced Technology becomes Loughborough University of Technology. In February, the approval was given for the grant of a Charter for the University of Technology at Loughborough.

On April 19th, Sir George Coldstream, acting on behalf of the Queen, signed the Charter founding the University. It was the first technological university in England and Wales.

1966

University granted its own Coat of Arms by the College of Heralds – based on the one granted to the Loughborough Technical College in 1920.

1966

Dr Herbert Leslie Haslegrave became the University’s first Vice-Chancellor. Dr Haslegrave managed the transition from College to University and retired the following year..

1967

Department of Social Sciences and Economics established in the University.

1967

Major building programme began on the western side of campus beyond the student village. Buildings were erected for the Departments of Civil Engineering, Chemical Engineering and Polymer Technology, and Mechanical Engineering. Also completed was the David Collett Hall.

1967

Professor Elfyn Richards appointed as the University’s second Vice Chancellor. During his time as Vice Chancellor, he achieved his three main goals for the University.  Firstly to broaden its academic base, secondly to become more co-educational and encourage female applicants and finally that it should embrace its University status and expand its research activity and post-graduate work.

1967

Haslegrave building opened.

1969

The University established a department of Education.

1969

Pink Floyd play at the Valentines Ball in the Edward Herbert Building.

1969

Building work began on Falkner and Eggington Courts, self-catering student accommodation for nearly 600 students. The halls were officially opened in 1972.

1970s

1970

By 1970, the University had 4,050 full-time students.

1970

Work began on the new Brockington building – a four storey block inserted in the gap between the Schofield building and original Brockington building.

1970 

A second administration building is opened close to the walled garden.

1970

The Bridgeman Centre is opened, housing the College of Education’s department of Creative Design.

1973

The first campus radio station began broadcasting to students in the halls of residences.

1974

Building work started on a new student accommodation - Elvyn Richards Hall - named after the Vice Chancellor.

1975

Sir Clifford Butler became the third Vice-Chancellor of Loughborough University. In 1982 Sir Clifford was knighted for his national contribution to science and education and retired from the University in 1985 after ten successful years as Vice-Chancellor.

1977

Loughborough College of Education amalgamated with the University. Following the amalgamation, the University consisted of 26 academic departments.

1978

The new Students’ Union building, located close to Rutland and Hazlerigg Halls, is completed.

1978 

Newly formed rock band ‘The Police’ performed at the recently completed Students’ Union building.

1979

Loughborough Students’ Union building was formally opened by Michael Palin and Terry Jones from Monty Python’s Flying Circus.

1979

Lord Sebastian Coe graduated from Loughborough University where he studied Economics.

1980s

1980

Pilkington Library completed with four times the capacity of the previous library.

1982 

The original Loughborough College buildings on the corner of Ashby Road and Green Close Lane were demolished to make way for a new supermarket.

1983

A new all-weather six-lane running track to replace the original pre-war track formally opened.

1983 

The BBC’s Mastermind programme recorded in the Sports Hall.

1986

The distinguished zoologist and gerontologist Professor John Phillips became the University's fourth Vice Chancellor until his untimely death in 1987.

1986

Epinal Way, the main access route to the University and part of the Loughborough ring road was officially opened.

1988

Professor Sir David 'Den' Davies became the University's fifth Vice Chancellor and served in that position until 1993 when he became Chief Scientific Adviser for the Ministry of Defence.

1989

Her Majesty the Queen visited the University – the first royal visit in its history.

1989

Construction began on Burleigh Court – a 100 bedroom purpose-built conference centre.

1990s

1991

Two new student halls completed – Harry French Court and an extension to William Morris Hall

1992 

Two further halls opened – Butler Court and John Phillips Court.

1992

The Students’ Union building is extended increasing its capacity to around 3,400 people.

1993

Former Vice Chancellor, Sir David Davies becomes Chief Scientific Adviser to the Ministry of Defence. He was Knighted the following year.

1994 

Professor Sir David Wallace became the University's sixth Vice Chancellor. He was awarded a knighthood in 2004 in recognition of his services to UK Science, Technology and Engineering, and remained as Vice Chancellor until 2005.

1994 

The University won its first of six Queen’s Anniversary Prizes for Higher and Further Education. The University has won the award six times – an achievement only equalled by the University of Oxford.

1996

Loughborough University of Technology became Loughborough University.

1996 

The University’s departments are restructured into three faculties – Engineering, Science and Social Sciences and Humanities.

1998

Loughborough College of Art merged with the University to become the Loughborough University School of Art and Design.

1998

The striking Business School and Economics building (Sir Richard Morris Building) opened.

1999

Former Vice Chancellor Sir David Davies is commissioned by the Deputy Prime Minister to advise the government on Automatic Train Protection.

2000s

2000

The Wolfson building, home to the School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering and the Department of Aeronautical and Automobile Engineering, were opened by the his Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh.

2000

The Henry Ford College opened by the then Chancellor of the Exchequer, Gordon Brown.

2001 

Loughborough University’s long-standing reputation for high quality research was confirmed by the results of the Research Assessment Exercise.

2002

Paula Radcliffe officially opens the Sir John Beckwith Centre for Sport – home to School of Sport and Exercise Sciences and the Sports Development Centre.

2002

The University’s 50 metre pool, situated  by the main East entrance, was opened by the Princess Royal.

2003

The University acquires Holywell Park.

2003 

The Loughborough University High Performance Athletics Centre (HiPAC) officially opened by Sebastian Coe and David Moorcroft.

2003

Professor, Alexei A. Abrikosov, Visiting and Leverhulme Professor in the University‘s Department of Physics, awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics.

2003

Her Majesty the Queen visited the University to open the new National Cricket Academy on campus.

2004

His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh visited Loughborough in March for the official naming of the Sir Denis Rooke Building in Holywell Park.

2005

The Stewart Mason postgraduate centre officially opened.

2005

In May 2005, a plaque commemorating the achievements of Department of Aeronautical and Automotive alumnus, the late Malcolm Sayer, was unveiled in the department’s Stewart Miller building. Malcolm Sayer was the designer of the Jaguar E-type as well as a number of other Jaguar cars.

2005

Loughborough became the region’s first Fair Trade University.

2006

University appointed current Vice Chancellor – Shirley Pearce CBE.

2006

Loughborough celebrated its 40th anniversary as a University.

2006

Loughborough excelled at the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne bringing home 30 medals including eight gold.

2006

University invited to join the esteemed 1994 Group (a set of internationally recognised, research-intensive universities) in recognition of its quality research achievements as well as excellent levels of teaching and student experience.

2006

University awarded the Times Higher Education Supplement (THES) award for the UK’s Best Student Experience.

2007

Construction began in June on four new halls of residence that will eventually house 1,300 students.

2007

Loughborough Students claim the British Universities Sports Association (BUSA) championship, taking the men’s title for the 27th consecutive year and the women’s for the 29th.

2007

Loughborough University announced its partnership with the British University in Egypt.

2007

The University was chosen as headquarters of the new Energy Technologies Institute. Read more

2008

The Sports Technology Institute launched. Read more

2008

Fifty-five past and present Loughborough students named in Team GB’s Beijing Olympic line up. Read more

2008

A sculpture by John Atkin, Loughborough artist and reader in Fine Art in the University’s School of Art and Design, was unveiled in Beijing as part of the celebrations for the forthcoming Olympic Games.

2008

A Loughborough University Fine Art student’s work was selected for exhibition in London’s National Portrait Gallery. Read more

2008

Loughborough University is named University of the Year in the Sunday Times University Guide.

2008

For the third year running, Loughborough wins Best Student Experience at the Times Higher Awards.

2009

The University celebrates its centenary – 100 years of education and innovation.