Your international student journey

We know that deciding where to study is a big decision, so here are some ideas of the steps you will be taking on your student journey.

Find your dream course

Great! You’ve decided to study in the UK. It’s a huge step deciding to study in a different country, so you need to know that what you choose to do and where you choose to do it are right for you. There is a lot to consider when choosing a course as all universities deliver their courses differently.

The main things you need to look at are:

  • Entry requirements
  • Length of course
  • Module content
  • Facilities available
  • Do they offer a placement year (undergraduate courses)?
  • Chance to study or work abroad?
  • How will you be assessed?
  • How will you be taught?
  • Is the course professionally accredited?
Find your dream course here

Research where you want to study

Now you know the type of course you want to do, you need to decide where you want to do it.

The main things to consider when choosing a university are:

  • League table positions
  • Student experience and satisfaction
  • Links with industry
  • Accommodation available
  • Transport links
  • Do you want to live in a city or on a campus?
  • Clubs and societies available
  • What facilities are available to you
  • What funding is available
Are we the perfect university for you?

It's time to apply

Once you’ve got your shortlist of universities that you’re interested in, now you need to apply.

If you are applying for an undergraduate course, all applications are made through UCAS. Our institution name is LBRO and our institution code is L79. Only our Loughborough campus offers undergraduate courses.

If you are applying for a postgraduate course, whether it is a master’s degree or a research degree, you apply directly to the university. 

Find out how to apply to Loughborough University

What happens once you've applied?

After your application has been submitted, you will receive a confirmation of application.

After this (it could take several weeks) you will receive an offer or be declined a place. Some courses require a video interview before issuing offers.

Make sure that emails are going to your inbox and not getting lost in your junk folders.

Accept or decline your offer

When you’ve received all your offers, it’s time to make your choices. We really hope that you accept our offer!

If you are an undergraduate student, you will have make a firm and insurance choice through UCAS. Postgraduate students will have to make a straight decision. You will be asked to pay deposit and confirm your funding information.

You’ll find our some really useful with information on tuition fees, financial support and accommodation on our undergraduate and postgraduate webpages so you know what to do and when to do it.

Start thinking about accommodation

You'll need somewhere to live during your studies, so it's a good idea to look at your options and register your details as soon as possible.

For undergraduate students, if you have made us your firm choice you will be able to register for your accommodation login details from May. We will then email you to let you know how and when to apply. 

For postgraduate students who have chosen to study at our Loughborough campus, you will be able to apply for accommodation once you have received an offer of an academic place at Loughborough. If you've applied to study at our London campus, you will need to apply via the external providers we have listed on our london accommodation page. 

Undergraduate accommodation Postgraduate accommodation

Do we have everything we need to issue you a CAS statement?

If you accept an offer to study here, you will need to provide all the evidence we request so that we can issue you with a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS).

You will need a CAS statement from Loughborough University, who will be your sponsoring instituion. The CAS statement will be emailed to you as a PDF document, so please make sure we have the most up-to-date email address for you and keep checking your inbox. 

If you try to register at the University using a Tier 4 visa with another Sponsor Licence Number you will not be able to register or start your course.

Read more advice and information here

Apply for your visa

You will need to apply within the 3 months prior to the start of your course.

Before you can apply for your visa, you will need to wait for us to send you a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) and then you will need to apply within the 3 months before the start of your course. Visa applications can take 15 working days (sometimes longer for UKVI) to consider your visa application so please make sure you give yourself enough time. 

Your visa checklist Apply for your visa here

Plan your Journey to the UK

This is the exciting bit! Now you can start to plan how you're going to travel here.

Most of you will be flying to the UK, which is why we've provided lots of great advice on how to plan your journey to the UK, what happens once you're actually here and lots more. 

Get travel advice here Download our guide for students travelling to our Loughborough campus

You've arrived!

Welcome to the UK – your amazing learning journey starts here!

To make sure you know everything you need to do before you arrive and once you arrive on campus, we have a fantastic welcome website which offers advice and information on how to confirm your identity, how to collect your ID card plus lots more. 

Visit our welcome website