Opportunity Scholarship

Scholarship award-holders will receive £3,000 per year for three years (excluding a placement year). These cash bursaries are funded through donations from alumni and friends of the University.

If you are an existing Loughborough University student then you are not eligible for this scholarship. Please refer to our Student Support website for financial advice and guidance.

Will I be awarded a scholarship?

Applicants to Loughborough University

To be considered for this scholarship you must meet the following criteria:

  • Receive an offer to study at Loughborough.
  • Select Loughborough as your firm choice on the UCAS system.
  • Have a verified free school meal status, as shown on your UCAS application.
  • Have applied for a maintenance loan* through the Student Loans Company and agreed to share your personal information with third parties. Please also ensure your parent/guardian ticks this box.
  • Achieve A-level grades (or equivalent) of AAB or above.
  • Have a verified household income of £20,000 or below. Information we receive directly from the Student Loans Company.

Please note that meeting this criterion does not guarantee you a scholarship. A staff committee meet annually after the UK A-level results day to review all eligible students and award remaining scholarships. Priority is given to those on our Access Programmes as stated below. Further priority is based on financial need, as identified through the household income verification process.

Applicants to Loughborough University who have completed an Access Programme

If you are currently receiving support from the LUDUS or Realising Opportunities programmes, then you will be guaranteed a scholarship provided you meet the criteria below:

  • Receive an offer to study at Loughborough University and select as your firm choice on the UCAS system.
  • Apply for a maintenance loan* through the Student Loans Company and agree to share your personal information with third parties. Please also ensure your parent/guardian ticks this box too.
  • Have a verified household income of £30,000 or below. Information we receive directly from the Student Loans Company.

If you are working towards, or have completed, one of these progressive programmes, you will receive information and guidance directly from us about your eligibility.

*If you were not planning to apply for a maintenance loan for cultural or other reasons, please note that in order to receive the scholarship you will need to enter the process and agree to share personal information – however, the amount you request can be zero.

How will I know if I have been awarded a scholarship?

We will endeavour to contact all awarded scholars by the end of September 2026 (for 2026 entry) to notify them of this decision. This will be communicated by email, using the address provided in your UCAS application.

Please note that if you do not hear from us, then we have been unable to award you a scholarship. If you meet the criteria for the Loughborough Bursary, you will receive this automatically.