Loughborough College guide

Ease of entry

There were 803 applications to the college via Ucas in 2010, of which 330 were accepted. Entry requirements are varied, some BA (Hons) top-up degree courses ask that students have a minimum of a pass or merit profile in year two of a relevant HND programme. Foundation degree students will need between 200-240 Ucas points.

Vital statistics

University level courses include BTEC Higher National Certificates, Higher National Diplomas (HND), foundation degrees and top-up degrees.

Famous Alumni

Liam Tancock, swimmer and Commonwealth gold medallist

Chris McGeorge, athlete who specialises in the 800 metre running events

Location

Transport links

Local bus: There are good local bus services which run between the college, town centre and the train station every 12 minutes. See Kinchbus for more details of local services.

Train: Services to London St Pancras, Sheffield, Nottingham and Norwich run regularly. See National Rail for more details of services.

Air: East Midlands Airport is a short train ride or bus journey from Loughborough campus.

Coach: The town of Loughborough is well served by National Express coaches.

Town attractions/ambience

Loughborough is the largest town in Leicestershire and has a population of 55,000. Its centre contains a selection of shops and cities such as Leicester and Nottingham are never too far away.

Recreational areas such as Charnwood Forest, Beacon Hill and the Outwoods are not too far away from the college.

Nightlife

There is a good choice of restaurants, pubs and bars but those in search of a vibrant clubbing culture will need to hop on a train to Leicester of Nottingham.

Facilities and finances

Accommodation

The college offers a wide range of accommodation including standard and en suite rooms within traditional halls of residence. Students who apply for halls can choose between a room in a purpose-built complex, or a room within clusters of specially adapted Victorian houses. The Victorian houses are located around the college campus.

Loughborough College can also arrange for homestay arrangements – a room within a private family home.

Average cost of college accommodation

The prices for the academic year 2011/12 are as follows:

Rooms in the modern halls of residence will cost ￡81 per week (standard room) or ￡91 a week (en suite).

A single room in the older halls of residence will cost ￡54 per week, or ￡32.50 per week for a shared room.

Local living costs

As previously mentioned, the college is able to arrange half-board accommodation on a homestay agreement. A single room will cost roughly ￡112 per week, or around ￡92 per week for a share in a double occupancy room.

Alternatively, students may opt for alternative private sector accommodation. A room within a shared student house or flat in Loughborough can be secured for around ￡65 – ￡75 per week.

Education facilities

The Learning Resource Centre houses a silent study area, two individual study rooms and a small computer room. There are also two additional computer drop-in areas.

Resources are varied and include a wide range of printed and electronic materials. The college maintains an interesting special collections archive which includes collections of popular reading materials, careers information as well as local history archives.

Student union

Loughborough Students' Union is a student-run organisation which caters for the needs of both Loughborough College students and Loughborough University students. The union hosts regular events across its many bars and venues including quizzes and club nights. There is also a separate Loughborough Students Athletics Union which campaigns for wider international access to sport and organises sporting events amongst its members.

Sports facilities

The sports facilities at Loughborough College opened in 2008 and provide students with a chance to pursue their sporting interests whilst obtaining academic qualifications. The facilities include a rubber crumb pitch, a fitness studio, a large spinning studio, a spacious dance studio, a physiology lab and a multi-purpose sports hall.

The college also shares its sports facilities with Loughborough University.

Other Campus facilities

Other facilities include a multi-faith room, a fully operational travel agency, a day nursery, a hair and beauty training and commercial academy and Futures Restaurant.

Contact information

Telephone: 01509 215831

Address: Loughborough College, Radmoor Road, Leicestershire, LE11 3BT.

Website: www.loucoll.ac.uk

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