Frequently asked questions

Here are some of the most commonly asked questions about applying to Loughborough University as a member of staff. If you cannot find the answer you are looking for, please do not hesitate to contact HR by email.

Before you apply

How do I apply?

All applications must be made via the Loughborough University website. You will need to register and create an account in order to access and submit applications. If you are a new user, select the ‘New user’ registration link.

You can use the search filters or quick search option to find relevant opportunities.

Once you have found a position of interest to you, simply use the 'Apply Online' button located at the bottom of the page for the relevant job. If you are logged in, the application form will open straight away; if you have not yet set up an account, you will be prompted to do so.

Once logged in, you can complete the sections required and submit your application.

When should I apply?

Application deadlines vary, so please make sure you submit your application ahead of the specified closing date, so we can ensure your application is considered. The closing time is midnight unless otherwise stated.

I am an EU/EEA national. Do I require a visa before I apply?

You are free to apply to any position of interest and we will welcome and consider your application(s).

We cannot advise you on your work eligibility status, but we do not reject any candidate because of their need to obtain appropriate work permissions.

If you already live in the UK, you may wish to review the information about the EU Settlement Scheme.

If you are making an application as a non UK national, please refer to the links below for information on UK visa requirements and guidance on how to get one:

All of our full-time Lecturer, Senior Lecturer, Reader and Professor positions are eligible for sponsorship if required. These roles may also be eligible for sponsorship on a part-time basis if the number of hours worked results in a salary that meets the minimum thresholds required for the Skilled Worker visa route.

Please be aware that any offer of employment will be subject to the relevant permissions being obtained., These could include a DBS check, reference checks and your right to work check, which must be completed prior to your start date.

I am a non EU national. Do I require a visa before I apply?

You are free to apply to any position of interest and we will consider your application(s).

We cannot advise you on your work eligibility status, but we do not reject any candidate because of their need to obtain appropriate work permissions.

If you are making an application as a non UK/EU/EEA national, please refer to the link below for information on UK visa requirements and guidance on how to get one:

All of our full-time Lecturer, Senior Lecturer, Reader and Professor positions are eligible for sponsorship if required. These roles may also be eligible for sponsorship on a part-time basis if the number of hours worked results in a salary that meets the minimum thresholds required for the Skilled Worker visa route.

Please be aware that any offer of employment will be subject to the relevant permissions being obtained. These could include a DBS check, reference checks and your right to work check, which must be completed prior to your start date., these could include, DBS, reference checks and your right to work in the UK, prior to your start date with us.

How do I reset the password to my account?

Your password can be reset using the “Forgotten password” option available on our Vacancies webpage. Enter your details and an email will be sent to you containing a link to reset your password. You also have the ability to change your password when logged in.

Can I apply with a CV or covering letter?

No, the University does not accept applications made solely with a CV. Covering letters and CVs can be used to support your completed application form. Please note, it is not compulsory to upload a CV to accompany your application form although for academic positions it is strongly recommended that you do so. 

Speculative applications are not considered; any applications made must be for a specific advertised role.

Who do I talk to about my disability or long term health condition?

If there is anything we can do during the recruitment process to help you achieve your best, please contact us using the contact details provided for the relevant School. Whether it is a copy of our application form in another format, or additional assistance during the interview process, we would be happy to discuss this with you.

Making your application

Do I have to complete my application in one session?

No. You can come back to an application at any time by logging back into your account.

Can I still apply if the position is no longer being advertised?

No, once the closing date has passed and the position has been removed from our website, we will no longer accept applications for it.

What happens once I have made an initial application?

Once you have applied for a position through the website, you will receive an automated email confirming receipt of your application. Please be aware of the closing date deadlines if you choose not to complete your application in one session.

Can I apply for more than one position?

Yes, you can apply to as many positions as you wish. Please review the advert, job description and person specification, to confirm you have the required essential experience. The number of positions you apply for will not impact our selection process; each application will be considered against the criteria of the position you have applied for.

Do I need a degree to apply?

The University constantly strives to recruit talented people from all academic backgrounds for both Academic and Non-Academic positions. When applying, please ensure you read the job description, which will outline the essential requirements of the post, including whether a degree is required or not.

The essential criteria sets out the level of knowledge, skills and experience required. If you do not have the exact qualification required, you may be able to evidence that you have significant alternative equivalent experience. For example, in the absence of a PhD, you have sustained academic experience of research and teaching over a period of years.

In the event that you wish to demonstrate equivalent experience please ensure that in the ‘Supporting Information’ part of the application form, you enter N/A in the field requiring the ‘Date of PhD completion’ and evidence your sustained academic experience in the Supporting Statement.

In some cases (usually early career positions) we may indicate within the requirements of the role that your PhD should be obtained within a specific time period. However, if you meet all other aspects of the essential criteria and are unable to meet the time period requirement and can evidence why eg, maternity leave, please contact us to discuss your application.

Can I withdraw my application after submitting it?

Yes, should you wish to do this, please contact recruitment@mailbox.lboro.ac.uk and we will remove this for you.

After you have applied

How do I know if you've received my application?

Once you have submitted your application, you will receive a confirmation email with the subject "Thank you for your application". This may take up to 15 minutes to arrive.  If you do not receive this please check your junk folder, before contacting us.

Please note that an application form must be submitted before the closing date deadline for your application to be considered. If you experience any issues submitting your application, please email: webrecruitment@lboro.ac.uk 

When can I expect to hear whether my application has been successful or not?

Once you have submitted an application, you will receive an email confirming this. Once the closing date has passed, the University will shortlist successful candidates and contact you to arrange interviews. We may also request further information to support your application prior to any interviews.

Some recruiting processes may take longer than others and as a result, we are unable to supply a definite answer to this question. Once the vacancy has closed, the shortlisting panel will review all applications and agree which candidates they would like to invite for interview. Typically shortlisting will take place within 2-3 weeks. All applicants will receive an email confirming the outcome of their application and we thank you for your patience.

I have been advised I was unsuccessful - Can I ask for feedback on my application?

Unfortunately, due to the high volume of applications we receive, we are unable to provide feedback on unsuccessful applications at shortlist stage.  All applications are scored against the detailed criteria of the role profile and the candidates who demonstrate that they meet the essential criteria will be invited to attend an interview.

Each application we receive is measured against the minimum criteria required to fulfil that particular role. If your application does not demonstrate how you meet the criteria for the role, it will not progress past the initial short-listing stage.

There is a minimum of two people on a short listing panel.  All applications are compared against each point of the person specification.

The short-listing process will usually take place within 2-3 weeks of the closing date.

Attending an interview

What is the interview process?

The interview process will vary from role to role.  Selection methods could include: interview, presentation, relevant skills test, discussions and assessment centres.

Details of any requirements in relation to presentations or selection tests will be included in your interview invitation if applicable.

I have been invited to attend an interview, is there anything I need to prepare or bring along with me on the day?

If you are expected to prepare anything in advance this will be specified in your invitation letter. If you already have the right to work in the UK, you will be required to provide evidence of this on the day of your interview.  Please see pre-employment check process.

Where are interviews held?

Interviews are normally held on campus at Loughborough University or Loughborough University London, but these may take place online using the Microsoft Teams platform. Your interview invitation will confirm the location of your interview.

What is your pre-employment check process?

To help comply with UK law, all new University appointments are subject to the following checks: health questionnaire, the receipt of satisfactory references, confirmation of eligibility to work in the UK, and if necessary a criminal records check (DBS check).

UK immigration legislation, particularly the Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Act 2006, is intended to prevent illegal working in the UK.  To comply with this, the University is required to request evidence of right to work in the UK from all successful candidates prior to commencing employment.

The University does not make suitability decisions based on nationality; all applicants who meet the criteria will be considered and shortlisted appropriately.  All offers of employment are made on a conditional basis, subject to references and evidence of right to work in the UK.

The University is an ‘A’ rated sponsorship license holder and therefore able to sponsor candidates who require a Skilled Worker visa for certain eligible roles.  We will ask you to confirm if you are eligible to work in the UK as part of the recruitment process.

If you already have the right to work in the UK, you will be asked to provide evidence of this on the day of your interview:

  • If you are a British or Irish national, please bring your original passport with you to your interview. If you do not have a passport, please bring your birth certificate (short or long), adoption certificate or certificate of naturalisation as a British citizen, as well as an official document from a government agency or previous employer which shows your National Insurance number. Please note that only original documents are acceptable; copies cannot be accepted for a right to work check.
  • If you are an EU, EEA or overseas national with an e-visa, Biometric Residence Permit (BRP), or pre-settled or settled status granted under the EU Settlement Scheme, please obtain a share code so that we can conduct your right to work check using the Home Office’s online system. Please use the appropriate link below to obtain your share code:

If you are unsuccessful at interview, we will destroy any copies of your documentation within 10 working days of the decision being made.

If you do not currently have the right to work in the UK, and would require sponsorship or a new visa to take up a position at the University, you do not need to undertake a right to work check at interview stage. If you are offered the position, your right to work check will be arranged once you have received your new visa.

A criminal record check will only be made if the position is likely to bring the applicant into contact with vulnerable people.  If this condition is a requirement, the advert, job description and invitation to interview will contain a reference to this.

I am unable to attend the date of the interview, can I re-arrange?

If you are shortlisted for interview, you will receive an invitation email which will include details of your allocated interview date and time. If you are unable to attend, please get in touch as soon as possible using the email address provided in your invitation to interview.

We will make every effort to accommodate a change in date/time, however, please note that it may not always be possible to rearrange dates, particularly when several panel members may be involved in the interview process. In some cases, the interview process must proceed without a shortlisted candidate.

Am I eligible to claim travel expenses?

In the event that a face to face interview or assessment is required, you will only be eligible to claim interview expenses if you are travelling from outside a 20 mile radius of the University campus. All details of what can be claimed are found on the expenses form, which will be included with your invitation to interview. In the event that you require overnight accommodation, your invitation letter will offer this and all the arrangements will be made by HR. The completed form should be returned to Human Resources on the day of the interview or as soon as possible thereafter, signed and dated, with receipts attached. Expenses will not be reimbursed where there are no supporting receipts. Please note that expenses forms cannot be processed without a wet signature, however the completed signed form can be scanned / photographed and submitted by email to recruitment@mailbox.lboro.ac.uk

Payment will be made directly into a bank/building society account (please give full account details).

Please note interview expenses can take up to 6 weeks to be reimbursed.

Will my references be contacted if I am invited to attend an interview?

No, references will only be sought for the successful candidate and after a job offer has been made and accepted. Please also note that all offers of employment are subject to satisfactory references.

After the interview

How long after my interview will I receive the outcome?

The interview panel should advise you at the end of the interview when you can expect to hear the outcome. This usually takes no longer than 2-3 working days. 

Successful candidates will be contacted and the formal offer made.  The contract of employment will be sent thereafter.  Please note that all offers are subject to receipt of satisfactory references, and evidence of eligibility to work in the UK. 

Will I receive feedback following the interviews?

The interview panel should advise you at the end of the interview when you can expect to hear the outcome. This usually takes no longer than 2-3 working days. 

Unsuccessful candidates will be contacted with feedback. 

If successful following interviews, how soon can I start?

All Lectureships would be expected to be in place by the start of the first semester in the new academic year. All offers are made subject to the receipt of satisfactory references, evidence of eligibility to live and work in the UK and a DBS check where applicable. The agreed starting date will be decided mutually.

I will need to relocate – will the University contribute to the costs of moving?

The University has a relocation policy, which includes the reimbursement of expenses incurred in the removal of household furnishings and effects when relocating to take up an appointment of at least two years in the University.