Loughborough University

What's it like as a place to live?

Loughborough is a really great town with many shops, clubs and bars to suit every student's need. The campus is buzzing and there's a really great atmosphere both in the town and on campus.

How's the student accommodation?

We have a real range of student accommodation from catered to self-catered, en suite to shared bathroom, off campus to on campus - there really is something for everyone. Our accommodation is run by the university which means it really has a Loughborough feel to it. Hall spirit is very apparent in Loughborough!

What's the student population like?

The student population is really diverse with people from all round the country and all over the world coming to Loughborough. Everyone is really friendly and there's a really good student atmosphere, particularly on campus.

How do students and locals get on?

As a students' union we work really hard on ensuring that we have a good relationship with the community. Students play a huge role in this, last year we had over 2,300 student volunteers who collectively took part in over 20,000 hours of volunteering in the community. We have campaigns running which encourage students living in town to integrate with the residents they may be living next door to, and we have student representatives sitting on all of the community residents groups that take place. Generally our relationship with the community is really positive.

What's it like as a place to study?

There's a huge range of courses and some really amazing facilities. Particularly our sports facilities and engineering facilities, which are both really popular courses at Loughborough and you can certainly see why! Courses have a mixture of lectures, seminars, practical work, tutorials, formal exams and coursework - all depending on which course you are on.

What are the teaching staff like?

Generally all the teaching staff are really great, really interested in the subject they are teaching, and happy to help and support students. Many of the staff here are taking part in their own research which means the teaching you receive is up-to-date and relevant, which can be really exciting.

What are student societies like?

We have over 60 societies ranging from Afro-Caribbean society, to breakdance, to hot air ballooning club. There's over 2500 students involved in these societies, and they are a key part of the students' union and the Loughborough experience.

What's a typical night out?

The union hosts 4 different nights a week, each offering a different atmosphere and feel. These nights are really popular and our venue often reaches its 3500 capacity! This is probably because of the great venue we have, the cheap prices to enter, and the short walk from both town and halls on campus to the union. There are also several popular clubs in town which host a range of different nights out.

... And how much does it cost?

Most nights are really student friendly = cheap! Particularly the union nights in which you can easily have a night out for £10.

How can you get home safely?

The union provides a night bus which runs on a Wednesday and Friday for just £1 and will take you right to your door ensuring that you get home safely. There is also a taxi rank on campus, right next door to the union, who are really trustworthy and have really reasonable prices to ensure you get home safely.

Is it an expensive place to live?

Loughborough isn't an expensive place to live at all. Rent in town is really cheap and there is cheap accommodation on campus. You can pay slightly more for some accommodation and houses but this will give you a pretty up-market room or house. The positive of not being a big city is that prices are much more reasonable, so people tend to get by just fine with their student loan.

Average price of a pint?

£2

And the price of a takeaway?

Pizza £6, chips £2

What's the part-time work situation?

Many of our students have part time jobs. Lots of students have those jobs within the union, which is really convenient and you know that you are with a trusted employer! We have a really successfully careers centre that is really helpful in assisting students who wish to find part time work.

What's the best feature about the place?

The huge and lively campus, home to the students' union which is the heart of the Loughborough student experience.

And the worst?

With so many things to choose from to get involved in at Loughborough it's often hard to choose what to take part in, which can be overwhelming to begin with.

And to sum it all up?

You might think you're going to university to get a degree, at Loughborough you will take away so much more than that through invaluable skills for the future, unforgettable social experiences and 3 years that you will remember for life!

Alastair Biggart (Channel Tunnel); Peter Bonfield (ICL); Rob Dickens (British photographic industry); Sebastian Coe (athlete and politician); David Moorcroft, Steve Backley, Chris Rawlinson (athletes); Forbes Robinson (singer); Sir Clive Woodward (rugby); Monty Panesar (cricketer); Tanni Grey-Thompson (paralympic athlete and presenter); Paula Radcliffe (runner); Ben Challenger (high jump); Lawrie Sanchez (football); Fran Cotton (rugby). 

Ring SU president on 01509 635000, email president@lborosu.org.uk or visit website at www.lufbra.net.