Student Life

LOUGHBOROUGH UNIVERSITY

E F I L T N E D U STINSIDE GUIDE 2014 AN

Loughborough University is a fantastic place to study, boasting internationally acclaimed research and outstanding teaching quality. The campus provides an environment that is stimulating and supportive, offering first-rate facilities and an unbeatable student experience.

Studying at Loughborough

Watch Alex’s video from his final year

Loughborough is all about helping students get the most out of their education. With top-rated teaching from world-renowned academics, award-winning student support services and access to career enhancing work placements, the University is committed to ensuring every student reaches their full potential.

lex Smith chose to study for an MEng in Mechanical Engineering at Loughborough. When researching universities Alex wanted to find one that would inspire him to work hard and excel academically. Life at Loughborough has met all his expectations.

Speaking to Alex it became clear that, although challenging, he found his course really enjoyable and the perfect stepping stone to his future career. His day-today university life revolved around a series of structured lectures, tutorials and labs, led by some of the UK’s top academics. This provided Alex with the perfect environment to learn and develop his own ideas. “It is fantastic to be taught by people who are actually carrying out worldleading research, it really spurs you on,” Alex said.

He was also particularly impressed by the study support that is on offer at Loughborough, with one-to-one

guidance from a personal tutor, study skills workshops and specialist mathematics support. “Being able to get help and support when I need it has made a big difference to my studies,” Alex explained.

“And the facilities on campus mean you are never short of places to study.”

At Loughborough a large number of students do a year-long work (sandwich) placement as part of their course. The University’s links with industry, business and the public sector means its students have access to work placements at more than 500 companies and organisations.

Alex completed a placement at British Sugar. “The placement year really sets you apart from other graduates”.

Alex thoroughly enjoyed his time at Loughborough and firmly believes it will enable him to reach his career aspirations.

“Loughborough has changed my life for the better, in ways I never thought possible,” Alex said. “Choosing to study here is definitely the best decision I have ever made.”

The campus has over 500 computers available with a variety of software and 24/7 opening in many areas

You can sometimes borrow equipment from your school/ department and other services on campus

The University has an online learning environment called Learn, where you can view course information and get help

There are a number of support services around campus that can help you in your studies, including the award-winning Mathematics Learning Support Centre and the Library

The Library offers a range of flexible study areas for everyone, and you can book online

Each student accommodation room on campus has a desk, light and chair provided so you have the perfect environment to study in

They also run study skills workshops where you can learn to study efficiently and effectively

Loughborough is a great place to live. The University is set on the largest single-site green campus in the country, with hall accommodation guaranteed to all first year students that make Loughborough their firm choice. Its excellent transport links, with fast, easy access to London and other UK and European cities, make it the ideal place to study.

Living in Loughborough

Watch Eti’s video from her final year

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Eti was also impressed by the

studying for a degree in Communication and Media Studies. She is originally from Bulgaria, moving to the UK after completing her International Baccalaureate, so finding the right university in the right location was essential.

close proximity to Leicester and Nottingham means that those wanting a taste of city life don’t have far to travel either.

Loughborough’s great central location was another reason Eti chose the University. “It is so easy to go and visit friends throughout the UK, with great road and rail links,” she explains. “And with East Midlands Airport only a 20-minute drive, going back home is quick and easy as well.”

Pepeldzhiyska, Eti to her shops and supermarkets the friends, graduated after town has to offer. The town’s

Eti chose Loughborough because she found the campus environment incredibly welcoming. This along with the offer of hall accommodation made the University her top choice.

In her first year at Loughborough she lived in Towers hall and found it an excellent way to make lots of friends.

“As an international student I was worried about how I would adapt to life at a UK university,” Eti explains. “But living in halls made it so easy to meet new people, it was an amazing experience. I made lots of friends and have so many good memories of things we did together.

“When you live in hall accommodation there is a really strong community atmosphere.

The friends you make become like a second family, which is even more important when you come from another country.”

Eti really enjoyed her time at Loughborough, experiencing both hall life and town centre living. “I would recommend Loughborough to anyone,” she says. “The University is a great place to study and meet lots of new and interesting people, and the town has lots to offer too.”

Eti is now working for Eurointegra in Bulgaria, who support private, public and not-for-profit sectors with projects that contribute to business success and community well-being.

The University campus inhabits a 437 acre singlesite, with everything in walking distance

Many shops, cafés and bars offer student discount – so keep your eye out for special offers

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Loughborough Market comes to town on a Thursday and Saturday and is a great way to stock up for less

The town has most major supermarkets and high street stores, as well as a number of locally owned boutiques/ independent stores

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Most first year students live on campus with other students living in and around the town

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The town is home to a number of international supermarkets where you can find exotic ingredients and new things to try

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Getting involved at Loughborough

Watch Michael’s video from his final year

Life at university isn’t all work and no play, at Loughborough there are lots of opportunities to make the most of your free time. The campus is home to one of the biggest independently owned Students’ Unions, which hosts a packed programme of events throughout the year. There are more than 100 clubs and societies for students to join, and the town provides a wide choice of restaurants, bars and cafÊs.

i c h a e l recently graduated with a BSc in Mathematics and Accounting and Finance.

He chose Loughborough because he was impressed by the academic department and the calibre of its graduates, but found the social scene at the University to be equally impressive.

Duckworth

“When choosing a university the entertainment on offer wasn’t top of my list of priorities,” Michael explained. “But Loughborough really does have it all – top academic credentials and an amazing social scene.” The Loughborough Students’ Union is renowned for offering a wide variety of events to suit all tastes, with live bands and weekly club nights, to dance competitions and summer balls.

On top of this are the many sports clubs and various societies students can join, an excellent way to build on a current interest or pick up something totally new.

Michael joined a number of groups during his time at the University. “It has been a great way to make new friends,” he said.

The University also offers a vibrant arts programme, featuring a concert series of world-class choirs, quartets and ensembles, and contemporary works.

Off-campus there is lots on offer as well, with a great selection of restaurants, bars and cafés, a cinema and the Town Hall, which stages regular comedy nights, theatre shows and touring productions.

It is clear to see why the University was voted England’s ‘Best Student Experience’ for six years running.

Michael really enjoyed his time at Loughborough, both academically and socially.

“When you come to university you hope to make friends for life,” he explains. “But when I came to Loughborough I didn’t realise just how many friends I would get to make and share so many great experiences with. Here it is possible to excel academically and have great fun at the same time.”

Michael is now working for Deloitte UK as an Associate of Forensic Technology. This involves investigations into cases of fraud and corruption within organisations.

The Students’ Union provides a wide choice of entertainment for every night of the week. The most popular evenings are Wednesday and Friday Joining the sports clubs and student societies gives you a great opportunity to meet new friends and experience a different type of entertainment There are a wide range of societies to join from the DJ to Shakespeare society The town and local area has a wide variety of things to do – check local websites such as Charnwood Borough Council for more details A number of concerts and art exhibitions are free in local venues Some national and international acts stop off at Loughborough so you can see them cheaper than if they were in a city If you can’t find what you are looking for, a number of local taxi firms offer special return deals to Nottingham or Leicester where you can experience an alternative nightlife The cinema and restaurants offer special student rates and prices

Raising your career prospects

Watch Rebecca’s video from her final year

Loughborough has a well-earned reputation for producing graduates that are highly employable. While one in three of our students choose to undertake a year-long work placement to apply their knowledge and boost their career prospects, there are also many more opportunities at Loughborough to enhance your CV.

ebecca Willison has just graduated with a BSc in Sport and Exercise Science. She is passionate about Loughborough and the way it has enabled her to develop academically and socially.

One of the main reasons Rebecca chose to come to Loughborough was its excellent graduate employment record. “I knew a degree from Loughborough would give me the best possible start to my working life,” she explained. “What I didn’t know was how much more it had to offer.”

As well as achieving academically she used her spare time to undertake voluntary work and joined several clubs and societies. “I was Chair of the Hip Hop society, section head for Action – the volunteering arm of the Students’ Union, I helped out in the Athletic Union office and enjoyed playing a number of sports,” Rebecca added.

Taking on these extra roles gave her more confidence and enabled her to learn new skills.

“Having such a hectic timetable could be a juggling act at times,” she said. “But I think it is really important to experience lots of different things when you come to university. Every graduate will have a degree, but to really stand out from the crowd when it comes to job applications you need to have something more.”

Loughborough graduates leave university equipped with all the skills needed to get ahead in the job market. With top-rated teaching, the opportunity to undertake a career-enhancing work placement and a wealth of extracurricular activities on offer, Loughborough is the only choice.

Rebecca has recently undertaken teacher training (PGCE) in Secondary Physical Education.

• Join some of the 50 sporting clubs or 60 societies and pick up new skills • Volunteer for a variety of projects through the Students’ Union volunteering section • Represent fellow students on a range of committees •G ain the

Loughborough Employability Award –

acknowledging your experience of extra-curricular activities •H elp organise

charity fundraising

for local and national charities through the Students’ Union organisation, RAG • Use the Careers

and Employability Centre to get

professional help and advice • Pick up a new language with our Language

Programme

• Use Loughborough’s experience and reputation to get a

work placement

• Go on a study placement in Europe • Get a part-time job while studying here •G et support in starting your own business with

Student Enterprise

STUDY LIVE GET INVOLVED

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