Loughborough University

Loughborough University is a public research university in the market town of Loughborough, Leicestershire, England. It became a university in 1966, but it started in 1909 as Loughborough Technical Institute. The university is known for its good teaching and research. In 2024, it ranked ninth in England for undergraduate education.

In 2013, the university bought a building at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, giving it a second campus. In 2024–25, the university had an income of £386.2 million, much of which came from research money. This money helps pay for the university's programs and services. The university is often called Luff or Lboro.

History

Loughborough University began in 1909 as the Loughborough Technical Institute. It grew fast with leaders like Herbert Schofield, who helped it become a bigger college and later a university. At first, students wore special gowns to classes!

After World War I, the institute split into four colleges, including art and technology. The technology college became the main part of today’s university. In 1966, it officially became a university. Over time, it added more subjects like arts and education. Students often call it “Lboro” or “Luff.”

Campus

The university's main campus is in the town of Loughborough. This campus was once the estate of Burleigh Hall. It covers a large area and includes many places for learning, homes for students, a students' group, gyms, gardens, and playing fields.

Some special spots on campus are The Walled Garden, the Hazlerigg-Rutland Hall fountain-courtyard, The Old Cottage, and the Bastard Gates. These were donated by William Bastard and they are the main entrance to Rutland Hall.

In the middle of the campus stands a famous cedar tree. This tree is important to the university. Heavy snow in 1990 caused part of it to fall down.

Library

The Pilkington Library opened in 1980. It is a big building with space for people to study. Before it was updated in 2013, there were fewer places to study. The library has a long history of studying how libraries work.

Holywell Park Conference Centre

Holywell Park Conference Centre is a place on campus where people can have meetings and conferences. It was used by Team GB to get ready before the 2012 Summer Olympics.

University Stadium

In 2012, a stadium was opened for the university's rugby and football teams. It can hold many people and has a digital scoreboard, meeting places, and rooms for changing clothes. In 2018, it was used for some matches in the European Under-17 Championships. The stadium is home to Loughborough University FC, which plays in the English football league system, currently in the Northern Premier League.

Organisation

Loughborough University is led by a vice-chancellor. It has nine schools. These include engineering, business, design, science, social sciences, and sports. Each school has its own leaders.

In May 2022, the university began a new plan called "Creating Better Futures. Together" to guide its work for the next ten years.

Traditions

The university's official colour is African violet. Its motto is veritate scientia labore, meaning "with truth, wisdom and labour". Loughborough is famous for its engineering and sports programs. Many top athletes study there. Its students have won the British Universities & Colleges Sport Association (BUCS) championship for forty years in a row. The university is also home to the England and Wales Cricket Board's National Academy, which opened in 2003.

Academic profile

Loughborough University has 20 departments and over 100 research groups. These are split into nine schools. The university has around 18,300 students, including undergraduate and postgraduate learners.

Loughborough is well-known for its sports programs. It has the largest sports scholarship program in the UK and many top facilities for different sports. The university has won several top awards for its work in areas like aviation, support for developing countries, and sports research. It also has research centres focusing on renewable energy and social policy.

Student life

Students' Union

Main article: Loughborough Students' Union

The Students' Union building is on the campus and has many places for students. It has rooms for clubs and groups, shops, fun activities, and more. The Loughborough Students' Union got an award in 2011.

The Union helps students in many ways. It has sports clubs, many different groups, ways to help others, and projects for the community. Students can also make TV shows, radio shows, write for a magazine, or learn photography.

Student halls

There are 16 places for students to live on campus as of 2025. Many are named after famous scientists and engineers. In 2015, the university was rated best in the UK for student housing.

Fitness facilities

Loughborough University has many sports and fitness places. These include two big gyms, a large swimming pool (updated in 2025), netball and tennis centres, and a High Performance Athletics Centre.

University leadership

Loughborough University has had many important leaders over the years. These leaders include chairmen of the university’s governing body, chancellors, principals, and vice-chancellors. Each of these roles helps guide and support the university.

Chairmen of Governors / Chair of University Council

• A. A. Bumpus (1909–1925)
• B. B. Barrow (1925–1934)
• William Bastard (1934–1936)
• W. H. Wright (1936–1940)
• Sir Robert Martin (1940–1952)
• Sir Harold West (1952–1957)
• Sir Edward Herbert (1957–1963)
• Sir Herbert Manzoni (1963–1966)
• David Collett (1966-1981)
• Dr Harry French (1981-1986)
• Sir B. R. Dean (1992–2015)
• Sir Peter Bonfield (2016-2020)
• Christine Hodgson CBE (2021–present)

Chancellors

• Lord Pilkington (1966–1980)
• Sir Arnold Hall (1980–1989)
• Sir Denis Rooke (1989–2003)
• Sir John Jennings (2003–2010)
• Sir Nigel Rudd (2010–2016)
• Lord Coe (2017–)

Principals

• S. C. Laws (1909–1915)
• Herbert Schofield (1915–1950)
• Major-General W. F. Hasted (1951–1952)
• H. E. Falkner, J. W. Bridgeman and C. D. Bentley (interim 'triumvirate' January–September 1952)
• Wing Commander H. E. Falkner (1952–1953) (acting)
• Herbert Haslegrave (1953–1966)

Vice-Chancellors

• Herbert Haslegrave (1966–1967)
• Elfyn J. Richards (1967–1975)
• Sir Clifford Butler (1975–1985)
• John G. Phillips (1986–1987)
• Sir David Davies (1988–1993)
• Sir David Wallace (1994–2005)
• Shirley Pearce (2006–2012)
• Robert Allison (2012–2021)
• Nick Jennings (2021–present)

International programmes

Loughborough University worked with Kazakhstan's Bolashak scholarship programme in 2018. They made an agreement so students could study at the university’s campuses in the East Midlands and London. This includes master’s and PhD students.

Notable alumni

See also: Category:Alumni of Loughborough University

Loughborough University has many successful graduates. Some famous people include Sebastian Coe, an Olympic athlete, and Paula Radcliffe, who has won the London Marathon three times.

Other well-known graduates are Tanni Grey-Thompson, a politician, and Clive Woodward, a former rugby union player. The university has educated athletes, actors, engineers, and leaders.