Essential information
General entrance requirements
Loughborough University accepts a wide range of qualifications for entry. The information below details the main qualifications and should be read in conjunction with the entry requirements listed under each course entry. For further advice please get in touch with the relevant course contact.
A-Levels
Applicants are normally expected to offer at least three full GCE A-Levels, although in exceptional cases you may be able to replace one of your A-Levels with two subjects at GCE AS-Level. In many cases, specific subjects are required and these will be indicated in the entry requirements for each course.
General Studies is not usually accepted as one of your three A-Levels. A small number of courses will accept General Studies A-Level where it complements other subjects taken and where applicable this is stated in the entry requirements for each course.
Critical Thinking A-Level is accepted for most courses, although other subjects may be preferred in some instances. Where Critical Thinking A-Level is not accepted, this is stated in the entry requirements.
International Baccalaureate Diploma
Applicants are required to have the full International Baccalaureate Diploma with at least three subjects studied at Higher Level. As well as an overall points score, specific subjects and points may be required at Standard or Higher Level. English Language must be achieved with a minimum of four points at Standard Level.
SQA
If you are studying Scottish Highers and Advanced Highers, you will usually need at least two subjects at Advanced Higher (sometimes in specified subjects) alongside Highers in three other subjects.
Welsh Baccalaureate
Applicants taking the Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Diploma will be asked to achieve the A-Level entry requirements for their course as part of their qualification.
In most cases, the Welsh Baccalaureate Core may be offered alongside two A-Levels as long as any subject requirements are met. In such cases, the Welsh Baccalaureate Core can be used to substitute A-Level grades A or B, depending on its suitability as preparation for the specific degree course.
Irish Highers
At least six passes at Higher Level, all of which must be achieved in one sitting, are required in the Irish Leaving Certificate. This must include a minimum of Grade C in English at Ordinary Level.
BTECs
BTEC Higher National Diplomas and Higher National Certificates are usually acceptable and in some cases may allow applicants to progress directly to year two of the course where previous study fits with the Loughborough course. BTEC Level 3 Extended Diplomas (QCF) or BTEC National Diplomas in relevant subjects are suitable entry qualifications for many of our courses.
Alternatively, a combination of A-Levels and the BTEC Level 3 Diploma (QCF) or Subsidiary Diploma (QCF) may be accepted. A certain level of achievement may be required in particular units relevant to the proposed degree. In some cases, BTEC qualifications may not be accepted by themselves and A-Levels will be required in combination.
Access to HE Diploma
An Access to HE Diploma in a relevant subject area is considered suitable for entry to the vast majority of our courses. A minimum of a pass with 45 credits at Level 3 and 15 credits at Level 2 are required.
In some cases, specific grades may be required in certain units. Students must also meet any minimum GCSE requirements for the course; the English Language and Mathematics GCSE equivalencies taken in some Access courses are considered to meet this standard at Grade C, but may not be accepted where a GCSE Grade B is required.
Advanced Diploma
Loughborough University is pleased to accept the Advanced Diploma for entry to most of its undergraduate degree courses. For all degree subjects, the full Advanced Diploma is required, consisting of the Progression Diploma in a relevant line plus an A-Level in a specified or relevant subject.
Open University (OU)
The Physics and Chemistry Departments at Loughborough University are partners in the Open University OpenPlus scheme.
This allows students to study with the Open University for two years and, on successful completion, progress directly to the second year of a Physics or Chemistry degree at Loughborough. Such students can graduate with a BSc degree after two further years of study at the University.
Loughborough also recognises credits achieved on other OU courses as appropriate qualifications for entry to degree courses. Depending on the number of points offered by a student, entry may be considered for Year 1 or Year 2 (contact the Admissions Office for more information).
For more information on the OU OpenPlus scheme see the OpenPlus website.
Extended Project
Loughborough University welcomes applications from students who take the Extended Project alongside other acceptable qualifications. We recognise the benefit of this qualification in developing independent research and critical thinking skills which offer valuable preparation for higher education study.
Whilst we view the Extended Project as evidence of motivation to study a particular subject in more depth, we do not generally include this qualification as part of our offers.
Other qualifications
We accept a wide range of other equivalent qualifications such as the European Baccalaureate, the French Baccalaureate and the German Abitur, as well as many other international qualifications. Please contact the International Office on +44 (0)1509 222201 for advice on international qualifications.
English language requirements
All students must also meet the University’s English language requirements as set out below*:
- GCE or GCSE pass in English Language (Grade C minimum), or CSE at Grade 1
- SCE Standard Grade at Grade 3
- The British Council English Language Test (IELTS), minimum 6.5 overall with no less than 6.0 in each band score
- TOEFL (internet based test), minimum of 100 overall with no less than 20 in eachband score
- Test in English for Educational Purposes (TEEP), 6.5 overall with minimum 6.0 in each band score
- Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE), Grade C minimum
- Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English (CAE), Grade B minimum
- International Baccalaureate (IB): Grade 4 minimum in English Language
- International GCSE/Level 2 Certificate in English Language, Grade C minimum
- Cambridge English Language syllabus 1119 Grade C6 or better
* These are the University minimum requirements and, for some courses, these will be higher.
Full details of English language requirements can be found at: www.lboro.ac.uk/englishlang
Please note that GCSE mathematics Grade C is also normally required.