Undergraduate funding
UK/EU Students - Introduction
For many students, entering higher education for the first time means the start of taking financial responsibility for themselves. If you are heading off to university in October, you may be apprehensive about the prospect of fees and costs associated with going to university and uncertain which loans and grants you may be eligible to apply for.
These pages are intended to be a general introduction to the financial aspects of studying full time at Loughborough University for new UK and EU students entering university for the first time. You can follow the guide through from start to finish or jump to a specific topic using the menu on the right.
Please note: The information on these pages is intended for prospective students.
Information for current students can be found on our Current students page.
Channel Islands/Isle of Man
If you normally live in the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man, please contact the Bursaries and Scholarships Information Service for student finance information applicable to you (see the bottom of this page for contact details).
Non-UK EU Students
Non-UK EU students may find that some of the information in this guide does not apply to them. Where possible we have tried to indicate where this is the case, but we recommend seeking advice on an individual basis.
Directgov provides information for full-time EU students. Click here.
Where do I start?
This guide will take you through the major financial aspects of going to University, and, to make it easier to follow, is split into the three sections below. Click on one of the sections, or continue down the page to see each one in turn.
What will university cost?
The main costs associated with University are the tuition fees, the cost of accommodation, and other living costs. Some courses may also have additional costs for materials, field trips, safety equipment etc.
Tuition Fees
Tuition fees cover the costs of your lectures, tutorial/lab work, the administration of your course and much more. The fee can be paid directly to the University or -more commonly- paid on your behalf through the use of a Tuition Fee Loan which is discussed later in this guide.
Click here for information on Tuition Fees.
Accommodation and Living Costs
Depending on your choice of accommodation and your lifestyle, your living costs can vary dramatically. Our short guide to accommodation and living costs should help you identify some of the things you should think carefully about when budgeting for University life.
Click here for details of Accommodation and Living Costs.
Additional Courses Costs
Whilst tuition fees cover the majority of your tuition, there may be some course-related costs that aren't covered. Examples of these are materials for art projects, individual safety equipment for working in labs, and the cost of field-trips. To help you avoid any surprises, we've compiled a list of commonly incurred course costs.
Click here to see more information and the list of other course costs.
Where can I find the money?
A number of potential sources exist to help finance your university career. You can use the links below to find out more about each type of finance.
- Government Loans & Grants
- Loughborough University Undergraduate Bursaries
- Loughborough University Undergraduate Scholarships
- Additional Sources of Finance
Government Support
Eligible full-time UK and EU undergraduates will be able to take out a tuition fee loan administered by the Student Loans Company. UK full-time students may also be entitled to a Government grant or maintenance loan. If you have special needs or have dependants or caring duties, you may be able to receive an additional grant from the Government.
Click here for a summary and links to information about Government support.
University Bursaries
The University has introduced a generous package of bursaries for eligible full-time UK undergraduates.
Click here for details of the University Bursary Scheme
University Scholarships
The University offers merit-based year-of-entry scholarships for certain courses. If you are an academic high achiever and are passionate about coming to the University, then you could be eligible for one of these scholarships.
Click here for details on the merit-based year-of-entry scholarships.
Additional Support
Finally, there are a number of additional sources of support which some students may be eligible for.
More details can be found here.
Those with particular gifts for music or sport may be interested in applying for a scholarship.
Click here for details of additional support available.
Fitting it all together
We have put together an example of a fictitious prospective student which you can compare with your own circumstances to gain a clearer idea of just how everything in the first two sections applies to your individual case.
More details can be found here.
Still have questions?
We hope this overview has answered any questions which you may have about the cost of studying at Loughborough University and potential sources of financial support. If you have a specific query or you would like to make a suggestion to improve this guide, then please use the details in the right hand column to contact the Loughborough University Bursaries and Scholarships Information Service.