Admissions Policy

The University is committed to achieving an educational and working environment which provides equality of opportunity, and freedom from discrimination on the grounds of race, colour, nationality, ethnic origin, gender, marital status, disability, religious or political beliefs, age, sexual orientation or social or economic background.

This Admissions Policy aims to address the requirements of the Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000 and the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Act 2001.

I Introduction

1. This policy applies to the admission of all categories of students to accredited programmes of study (Further Education, Undergraduate, Postgraduate Taught, Professional and Research Postgraduate). All Admissions Tutors and others responsible for the selection of students are required to comply with this Policy.

2. Loughborough University is committed to procedures for the recruitment and admission of students which are fair, explicit and which are implemented consistently. This policy is informed by the University’s codes of practice and policies on equal opportunities, data protection and widening participation.

3. Applications are welcomed from students irrespective of background. Policies and practices for the recruitment and admission of students are designed to secure a good match between the abilities and aptitudes of the student and the demands of the programme. The diversity and wealth of experience that its students contribute to the life of the University is highly valued. The University seeks to broaden the pool of candidates at undergraduate level by raising awareness and expectations of prospective applicants in line with its Widening Participation Strategy.

4. The University aims to offer a supportive service to all applicants and prospective applicants, providing clear and helpful pre-entry information and advice to allow students to apply for a programme appropriate to their needs, interests and academic qualifications and potential.

5. The University offers a small number of programmes developed in partnership with external organisations in business, industry or public service and admission to these programmes may be restricted to employees of the partner organisation.

II Implementation

6. Academic Departments or Schools are responsible for setting the entry criteria for their programmes. Decisions on applications are made by Admissions Tutors on behalf of their Heads of Department. For all programmes, the selection process will take into account:

  • (i) the student’s potential to succeed in his or her chosen programme of study
  • (ii) actual or expected academic or professional qualifications and grades
  • (iii) relevant work or other experience
  • (iv) applicants’ own statements of interest in the programme
  • (v) references (usually academic, but also professional where relevant to the proposed programme)
  • (vi) where appropriate, an interview or a portfolio or sample of the applicants’ work
  • (vii) qualifications in the use of the English language.

In addition, and for exceptional applicants only, the University will consider making a concessionary offer for students with elite sporting backgrounds, taking account of the following:

  • the achievements of the applicant academically and in sport
  • the applicant’s potential for future success both academically and in sport
  • the applicant’s personal statement and reference on his/her UCAS application
  • the applicant’s capacity for balancing academic and sporting requirements
  • the University’s ability to assist the applicant, once admitted, in meeting both academic and sporting demands
  • additional information (including the views of the appropriate National Governing Body, if approached by the University) and/or performance at interview

7. For some programmes there are more applicants than places and an element of competition for offers is therefore unavoidable.

8. Admissions decisions will be made as quickly as possible. However, where programmes attract large numbers of applications, there may inevitably be a delay, although every effort is made to keep this to a minimum.

9. In cases where the University is unable to make an offer for an applicant’s original choice of course, he/she may be considered for an alternative or related programme.

In exceptional cases, applicants with appropriate qualifications may be allowed exemption from part of a programme. A decision will be made by the relevant Department or School.

III Applicants with Disabilities and Additional Needs

11. Loughborough University is committed to achieving equal opportunities for all of its students and actively encourages potential students who may be disabled or who may have an additional need to make an application to study here. The University continues to ensure that disabled students meet their full academic potential and are not discriminated against either during the admissions process or in their subsequent time as students at Loughborough by reason of being disabled or having an additional need.

12. Students should ensure that they have sufficient information on which to base decisions about programme acceptance and necessary support. Programme requirements vary and it is a departmental responsibility to ensure that applicants are given appropriate information on which to base their decisions. Whilst every effort will be made to accommodate an individual’s needs for support, in exceptional circumstances it may not be possible to make reasonable adjustments to enable a programme to be accessed.

IV Undergraduate Admissions

13. All applications for full-time undergraduate programmes should be made through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS), except for applications from visiting students or those applying through the Socrates/Erasmus scheme, which should be made direct to the University.

14. Specific admissions criteria are set out in the relevant Entry Profile for each programme, where they exist.

15. No preference will be given to applications received early (before the main UCAS deadline). Late applications will be considered at the individual School or Department’s discretion, and appropriate offers made if places are still available.

16. Applicants being considered for an offer of a place will normally be given the opportunity to visit the University, either as part of the selection process before a decision is reached, or after an offer has been made.

V Postgraduate Taught and Professional Programme Admissions

17. Applications for postgraduate taught and professional programmes should be made direct to the Postgraduate Taught Admissions Office.

18. For postgraduate taught programmes, applicants are normally expected to have a first degree in a discipline appropriate to the subject or nature of the programme for which they are applying. However, in exceptional circumstances, previous work experience and/or professional qualifications may be acceptable for some programmes subject to approval by the relevant Faculty’s Associate Dean for Teaching.

19. In the case of professional programmes, admission may be based on relevant work experience rather than formal academic qualifications depending on the programme concerned.

20. Applicants are expected to be able to register on the programme on its commencement date. Late arrival may be allowed in exceptional circumstances at the discretion of the Department or School.

VI Research Postgraduate Admissions

21. Applications for postgraduate research programmes should be made direct to the Research Student Office at the University. A research programme may commence at any time of the year. However, students should be formally registered from one of four dates: 1 October,

1 December, 1 April, 1 July, normally whichever is closest to their arrival date.

22. Applicants are expected:

(i) normally to have a good first degree in a discipline relevant to the subject of their planned research

(ii) to demonstrate that they are capable of undertaking a sustained programme of independent research

In many cases, the Department may require candidates to have an appropriate Master’s degree and to submit a satisfactory research project proposal. Admissions decisions will usually involve the participation of at least two members of academic staff.

23. Offers will normally only be made when the University can offer supervision in the subject area of the student’s intended research.

VII Monitoring

24. The Learning and Teaching Committee is responsible, on behalf of the University Senate, for monitoring recruitment and admissions practices and policies. Regular monitoring is undertaken by the Student Recruitment and Admissions Team and via the annual and periodic programme review procedures.

25. Admissions Tutors and Admissions Staff are provided with regular training on admissions issues, and are expected to follow the relevant Guide to Good Recruitment Practice.

VIII Grievance Procedure

26. It is recognised that very occasionally applicants may have reason to question or express an opinion to the University about its decision or the way in which their application has been handled. Applicants in this situation should direct their query initially to the Admissions Tutor in the School or Department to which they have applied. If they remain dissatisfied, the query should be directed to the Head of that Department, who will conduct a review of the situation, taking advice from the Academic Registrar or his/her nominee.

IX Further information

27. Further information on the university policies can be found by following the links below.

28. Specific queries regarding academic issues should be directed to the relevant academic Department or School. General admissions queries should be directed to the relevant Admissions Office: