Facts and figures

Loughborough is one of the country’s leading universities, with an international reputation for research that matters, excellence in teaching, strong links with industry, and unrivalled achievement in sport and its underpinning academic disciplines.

It has been awarded five stars in the independent QS Stars university rating scheme (2020), one of only 13 institutions worldwide, with individual five-star ratings for areas such as research, teaching, internationalisation, facilities, employability, innovation, and inclusiveness.

For several years, the University has performed strongly in all the major UK league tables, consistently ranking as a UK top ten university in both the Complete University Guide and the Guardian League Table between 2017 and 2023.


Student experience - academic and social

Loughborough University is well known for offering a life-changing experience, both academically and socially. We deliver innovative programmes that span a broad range of disciplines, from sport and exercise science to engineering, business and the arts. We also equip our students for every aspect of their life and career, by supporting them to gain vital experience and skills.

  • 1st for course quality - University Compare Top 100 universities 2022
  • Top five for course satisfaction The Guardian League Table 2023

Our approach to creating an exceptional student experience and delivering the highest level of teaching and learning is quite simple; we put our students at the heart of everything we do. The positive impact of this approach was highlighted in the National Student Survey 2022 results, in which we ranked 4th in England for overall satisfaction*.

Our strong connections to industry provide students with access to placements, expertise and industry-connected projects. Employers are impressed by the energy, enthusiasm and competitiveness that Loughborough graduates demonstrate.

  • All our undergraduate courses offer a year-long work placement or overseas study
  • We have more students on year-long industrial placements than any other university in the UK (HESA student data – actual no. of students on year-long placements in 2020/21)
  • 94% of students undertaking a placement year achieved a 1st or 2:1 (2020/21 academic year)
  • Over 8,500 placement, internship and graduate vacancies were advertised to students via the Careers Network team (2021/22 academic year)

Research and innovation

Our outstanding research is generating globally important work that is driven by society’s need for solutions to real-life issues, making it not only cutting-edge, but relevant too.

  • In the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021 over 90% of its research was rated as ‘world-leading’ or ‘internationally-excellent’
  • Loughborough has been awarded seven Queen's Anniversary Prizes in recognition of its excellence and innovation within the sector
  • Our research community is made up of over 1,200 research students and over 800 staff members with research, teaching and enterprise. (December 2021)
  • We have 15 Centres for Excellence, which are our flagship expert centres within our Schools, that are recognised for quality and impact.

Innovation is at the heart of all our activities. It enhances our student experience, creates impact from research, and drives regional prosperity through our dynamic innovation community and business base at Loughborough University Science and Enterprise Park (LUSEP).

We are home to one of the biggest science parks in the UK, LUSEP, which has over 90 start-ups, growing businesses, global brands and sports organisations 


Sport

Our reputation for sporting excellence, which spans performance, facilities, expertise and working partnerships, confirms our position as the number one university for sport.

  • Named the best university in the world for sports-related subjects in the 2022 QS World University Rankings, for the sixth year running
  • Named University of the Year for Sport by The Times and Sunday Times University Guide 2022
  • The University is also the unbeaten British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS) champions for 41 years running (2022)

We are proud of our hard-earned global reputation for sport and ensure that everyone at the University can enjoy sport regardless of ability or interest. We also work to create life-shaping opportunities through the development of an inspirational and inclusive para sport offer. The University is home to one of the largest multi-sport communities of Para athletes within a higher education institution in the UK.


Campus and facilities

Our Loughborough campus is 523 acres – which equates to 8,368 tennis courts or approximately 348 football pitches. This glorious asset offers great facilities for students, staff and visitors for every aspect of campus life, combined with plenty of open spaces and gardens.

  • Awarded 1st for University Facilities in the Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2022
  • £350 million invested in the estate over the last ten years (June 2020)
  • Held the Green Flag Award since 2018, meaning our vibrant campus is one of the nation’s best green spaces

The Loughborough University London campus is based on the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and offers postgraduate and executive-level education, as well as research and enterprise opportunities.

Our Students' Union is one of the very best in the country. Run entirely by Loughborough students for Loughborough students, the organisation offers hundreds of opportunities to get involved in different activities, opportunities and access support.


The elements above, combined with our focus and a strong sense of community spirit, has created something that is truly special and distinctive amongst UK universities.

Want to know more about Loughborough University and what makes us so unique? Visit our ‘About us’ webpages to find out more.

Key statistics about the University are also shared each year on our Facts and Figures page.