How to apply

We are delighted that you are considering Loughborough University London as your postgraduate destination.

We are currently accepting applications for all our programmes. We have four intake dates for postgraduate research programmes: April, July, October and January. We currently have October starts for all of our master's programmes and January starts for some of our master's programmes. For more information about the application process for our master's programmes, please see below. You can also view information about our PhD application process.

Access the Application Portal

Before you apply

Choose a programme and check the entry requirements

Details of taught postgraduate programmes can be found in our Institute pages. Make a note of the programme name and award (eg MSc) you wish to apply for and its entry requirements.

Establish the costs and find out your funding options

Ensuring you have the funds to pay for your programme and living costs is important. Our fees and finance pages offer practical information to help you establish the cost of your tuition fees and living expenses, and signpost helpful resources and financial support, such as the government's new Postgraduate Support Scheme.

Discover our range of scholarship and bursary opportunities

We have a fantastic range of scholarships and bursaries worth up to 90% off tuition fees. Our scholarships and bursaries have been created to support students from all backgrounds and nationalities, so that every student can apply for at least one scholarship with us.

Your application

Is there an application deadline?

All deadlines, including deadlines for applying, accepting and (for international students) paying your CAS deposit, are listed on our Key deadlines page.

Can I apply before completion of my first degree or English Language qualification?

There is no need for you to have completed your first degree or met the English language qualifications before you apply. Instead, on submission of your application, you will receive a conditional offer, which will depend on the completion of your degree or receipt of your English Language qualification.

I've completed my application. What happens next?

Once you have submitted your application you will receive an automated email response to confirm that your application has been received.

How soon can I expect a response to my application?

We try to reach a decision as soon as possible, and you can help with this by including as much information as possible with your application. We normally aim to respond to an application within five working days.

What documents should I submit upon application?

Along with your academic references, we’ll also need copies of:

  • an academic transcript of your undergraduate degree showing the modules studied and marks achieved
  • a copy of your degree certificate, if you have already graduated
  • a personal statement

You can attach these to your application by uploading them in the application portal. If these documents are in your native language, you will need to supply copies in English language by an official translator.

What should I include in my personal statement?

The personal statement should explain your motivation for studying the programme, any relevant skills and experience you have (through studying or work), your future career aspirations and how this programme will support you in achieving this. Remember to let your passion for the subject shine through!

How will I know if my application was successful?

If your application is successful, you will receive an offer email. This will detail any conditions that need to be met for acceptance to a programme, as well as other important information.

I've completed my studies but still haven't graduated yet.

We realise that some universities don’t hold their graduation ceremonies until later in the year. We can accept a copy of your final transcript plus a letter from your university to confirm that you have completed your degree and giving your final grade. We call this an award letter and it replaces the degree certificate.

I have multiple names, which should I use in my application?

You should use your full name, as it appears in your passport or birth certificate. If you only have a single name, rather than a forename(s) and a surname, as is typical in the UK, you should enter this in both the forename and surname fields of your application. Further guidance can be found in our student handbook.

Can I apply for a master's degree if I have already studied for one in the UK?

A university may only sponsor you for a student visa on a second course at the same level in the UK if there is clear academic progression. To demonstrate this progression, the second course should be linked to the first and provide deeper specialisation into a subject. You should also be able to explain how the combination of programmes will support your career aspirations. If you wish to undertake a second postgraduate degree in the UK at Loughborough, your application will be carefully assessed and you may be asked to provide further information about your study and future career plans.

You must have successfully completed your previous course before we can sponsor you under the student visa for the new programme. If written evidence of successful completion is not available prior to the start date of the new programme, it is unlikely that we will be able to sponsor you under the student visa for that year.

I am a UK student, how do I apply for a Government postgraduate loan?

All postgraduate master’s qualifications, such as an MA, MSc, MRes, MBA, MEd and LLM are covered by the loan, and you can study either full-time, over one or two years, or a one-year full-time course studied part-time over two years. Information on eligibility and the application process is available here.

Is there any additional support for International applicants?

If you are a non UK applicant, you will need to consider a few more steps before you begin your studies. The International Office is available to assist you and provide more information.

We strongly recommend you refer to their dedicated information for applicants section for advice on living, studying and working in the UK.

How do I apply for a visa?

You can find guidance on applying for a visa to study in the UK on the Loughborough University website.

What are the entry requirements for international students?

The entry requirements for our postgraduate degrees are listed within the individual programme descriptions.

From here, you can select your country/region to see the equivalent grade boundaries. More information on postgraduate qualification equivalencies for international students can be found here.

If you cannot find your country/region in the drop-down list, please email us with copies of your qualifications.

All applicants must meet the minimum English language requirements. Further details are available on our International Office website.

What are the English language requirements? What can I do if I haven't fully met these yet?

All students are required to meet a minimum standard of English language ability and some departments require a higher minimum level. See our list of English language requirements for more information. 

There is no need for you to have completed your English language qualifications before you apply – most students are made offers conditional on achieving particular grades in their English language test.

If you have not fully met the English language requirements asked for in your offer, it is possible that the school/department may allow you to take one of our English language pre-sessional programmes.

Not all schools/departments will allow students to take an English language pre-sessional programme, so you should check the guidance carefully.

I'm applying via an agency - do I have to do anything different?

Agents can provide advice and information on choosing a university and a programme, and help with practical aspects too, such as submitting your application and booking travel. You can find a list of the agents we work with here.

You’ll apply to the university in the same way, you just need to tick a box to confirm you are using an agent and give us their contact details.

Is there an application fee?

No, there is no fee for making an application, although international students requiring a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies for their Student Visa will have to pay a deposit of £2,500 before this can be issued.

Can I apply for more than one programme?

Yes, you can make multiple applications through the portal. You do not need to keep re-entering your personal details and once you have completed the first application, it is easy to add more. However, we recommend submitting a new personal statement that is tailored to each programme you are applying for.

How are applications assessed?

We consider a range of factors when considering applications, including:

  • average marks, a GPA or final grade from prior degree-level studies (whether completed or still incomplete at time of applying)
  • marks or grades achieved for individual subjects or modules taken, particularly where they provide an important foundation for further study at postgraduate level
  • the ranking or reputation of your previous university
  • evidence of competence in English language
  • your personal statement
  • academic references from your current/previous university
  • for some programmes, work experience or a professional qualification may be required in addition to an academic qualification
  • for some programmes a portfolio, example of written work, or evidence of practical skills are required.

The grade equivalences listed should be interpreted as a general indication of the marks required to gain entry. Due to the range of factors considered when assessing an application, it is impractical to adhere to exact percentage requirements or equivalences between marks gained in different countries.

Does my reference need to be academic?

Your offer conditions may ask you to submit a satisfactory reference. This should be an academic reference, from your current or most recent place of study (if you have already graduated). If it is impossible for you to obtain an academic reference, a reference from your employer may suffice but please contact us to check if this will be acceptable. For a limited number of programmes we may ask for both an academic and professional reference, if this applies to you, it will be clearly stated in your offer email. It is your responsibility to submit your references to the University, or arrange for your referees to send them to us directly.

What funding option are available for master's students?

To help support the financial costs of further study, there are a variety of options available to you.

Firstly, we have an Alumni Bursary, offering 10% off tuition fees for self-funding postgraduate taught students who are not in receipt of any other University award and obtained their previous degree from Loughborough University.

Most schools and departments also offer Excellence scholarships of 20% towards tuition fees to students who have applied for a taught programme and who achieve a first-class degree. Please see the scholarships available for students studying at the London campus.

Funding may also be available from your government, such as the UK Government Postgraduate Loan, offering up to £11,570 for UK students ordinarily resident in England looking to study a master’s programme at a UK university.

Scholarships may also be awarded by external organisations.

To check whether you are eligible to apply for these or to view your other funding options, please visit our website.

Some students choose to apply for part-time work to supplement their income. One of the most popular opportunities to do this is through the University’s Student Ambassador scheme which recruits students to help out at a wide range of events. Both the University and Students’ Union list a wide range of other vacancies, whilst our Careers Network can help you find and obtain part-time work.

If you are on a student visa, please be aware that there are strict rules governing how much you can work during your studies. Details can be found on our website.

How much is the CAS deposit and how much do I pay

You will need to pay £2,500 to confirm you will be studying at Loughborough University and want us to issue you with a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS). This is only required for students who need a CAS in order to apply for a student visa.

To access Loughborough's Flywire account, log in to the application portal, click on the programme that you wish to study with us and you will find a link to the deposit payment page.

Find more detailed guidance on the CAS deposit process.

Will I need an ATAS certificate?

If you are not a UK national or settled in the UK and plan to undertake postgraduate study in the UK in certain science, engineering or technology subjects, you will need an ATAS certificate before you can apply for a visa or entry clearance. This will be clarified in your offer.

Find out more about ATAS certification.