Coordinates: 52°46′6″N 1°13′43″W / 52.76833°N 1.22861°W / 52.76833; -1.22861

Loughborough University
224px Coat of Arms of Loughborough University
Motto	Veritate, Scientia, Labore (Latin)
Motto in English	Truth, Wisdom and Labour
Established	1966 – Loughborough University of Technology established by Royal Charter[1][2] 1909 – Loughborough Technical Institute
Type	Public
Endowment	£1.14 million
Chancellor	Sir Nigel Rudd
Vice-Chancellor	Professor Shirley Pearce
Admin. staff	2,915
Students	18,220[3]
Undergraduates	11,055[3]
Postgraduates	5,960[3]
Other students	1,205 FE[3]
Location	Loughborough, Leicestershire, England,  United Kingdom
Campus	Suburban, Single-site campus (437 acres)
Turnover	£235 million (2009-10)
Colours	Purple
Nickname	Lufbra, Lboro
Affiliations	1994 Group Universities UK AMBA EUA ACU EMUA EQUIS ESRC
Website	http://www.lboro.ac.uk/
200px

Loughborough University (colloquially known as Lufbra; ⁱ/ˈlʌfbərə/ LUFF-bərə /ˈlʌfbrə/ LUFF-brə) is a research based campus university located in the market town of Loughborough, Leicestershire, in the East Midlands of England. It is a leading University – consistently ranked among the top 15 in the UK – and is a member of the 1994 Group.

It has been a university since 1966, but the institution dates back to 1909, when the then Loughborough Technical Institute began with a focus on skills and knowledge which would be directly applicable in the wider world. It is particularly noted for its sports-related courses and achievements.

History[link]

Origins[link]

The University traces its roots back to 1909 when a Technical Institute was founded in the town centre. There followed a period of rapid expansion during which the Institute was renamed Loughborough College and the development of the present campus began.

In the early years, efforts were made to mimic the environment of an Oxbridge college (e.g. requiring students to wear gowns to lectures) whilst maintaining a strong practical counterbalance to academic learning. During World War I, the Institute served as an "instructional factory", training workers for the munitions industry.^[4]

The Loughborough colleges[link]

Following the war, the Institute fragmented into four separate colleges:

• Loughborough Training College (teacher training)
• Loughborough College of Art (art and design)
• Loughborough College of Further Education (technical and vocational)
• Loughborough College of Technology (technology and science)

The last was to become the nucleus of the present university. Its rapid expansion from a small provincial college to the first British technical university was due largely to the efforts of its Principals, Dr Herbert Schofield who led it from 1915 to 1950 and Dr Herbert Haslegrave who oversaw its further expansion from 1953 to 1967, and steered its progress first to a College of Advanced Technology and then a University.^[5] In 1966, the College of Advanced Technology as it had then become received university status. In 1977, the University broadened its range of studies by amalgamating with Loughborough College of Education (formerly the Training College). More recently, in August 1998, the University merged with Loughborough College of Art and Design (LCAD). Loughborough College is still a college of further education.

The influence of Herbert Schofield[link]

Rutland Building

Schofield became Principal in 1915 and continued to lead the College of Technology until 1950. Over his years as principal, the college changed almost beyond recognition. He purchased the estate of Burleigh Hall on the western outskirts of the town, which became the nucleus of the present 433 acre (1.75 km²) campus. He also oversaw the building of the original Hazlerigg and Rutland halls of residence, which are now home to the university's administration and the Vice Chancellor's offices.

From College to University[link]

Aeronautical & Automotive Engineering department

An experienced educationist, Herbert Haslegrave took over as College Principal in 1953, and by both increasing the breadths and raising standards, gained it the status of Colleges of Advanced Technology in 1958. He further persuaded the Department of Education to buy further land and began a building programme.^[5] In 1963, the Robbins Report on higher education recommended that all Colleges of Advanced Technology should be given the status of universities. Consequently, Loughborough College of Technology was granted a Royal Charter on 19 April 1966 and became Loughborough University of Technology (LUT), with Haslegrave as its first Vice-Chancellor.^[4]

It gradually remodelled itself in the image of the plate glass universities of the period, which had also been created under Robbins.

Later history[link]

In 1977, Loughborough Training College (now renamed Loughborough College of Education) was absorbed into the University. The Arts College was also amalgamated with the University in 1998. These additions have diluted the technological flavour of the institution, causing it to resemble more a traditional university with its mix of humanities, arts and sciences. Consequently in 1996, the University dropped the "of Technology" from its title, becoming "Loughborough University".^[4]

The shortened name "Lufbra" is commonly used by the students union,^[6] the alumni association^[7] and others.

Reputation[link]

British Aerospace EAP at the Aeronautical Engineering Department at Loughborough University

The Centre for Renewable Energy Systems Technology, or CREST, runs the internationally recognised masters programme in Renewable Energy. The Department of Politics, History and International Relations, or PHIR as it is commonly known, is home to a number of world class experts in the area of European Politics and International Relations, including Professor Michael H. Smith, Professor David Allen and Professor Brian Hocking. PHIR scored a 5 in the latest Research Assessment Exercise, confirming its world class status.^[8] One particularly noted research group is the Globalization and World Cities Research Network thinktank, which as pioneered the study of world cities.

ECB National Academy which is also known as the National Cricket Performance Centre has been based at Loughborough University since 2003. It provides world top class indoor and outdoor training facilities for cricketers. Every year world's most famous cricketers visit Loughborough University due to its unique infrastructure for training and fitness purposes.

Loughborough University is the UK's premier university for sport and its underpinning disciplines, with one of the best integrated sports development environments in the world. Loughborough university is home to the world's largest university-based Sports Technology Research Group, which is part of the internationally acclaimed Sports Technology Institute. SportPark, based at the University provides a state-of-the-art home for national sporting bodies including Youth Sport Trust, British Swimming and several other national governing bodies. Home to the ECB England National Cricket Academy and the LTA Tennis Academy. Loughborough has dominated the BUCS championships for over thirty years.

Loughborough University has been awarded the Best Student Experience six years running (2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011) according to the Times Higher Education^[9] and was also named the 2008 Sunday Times "University of the Year."^[10]

In the Complete University Guide 2011 the university's departments were rated top ten in 15 subject groups. Almost 75% of Loughborough's subject areas were ranked in the top ten for overall satisfaction. Loughborough University has been awarded six Queen's Anniversary Prizes. Extensive links with industry. Many degrees are industry-sponsored and sandwich placements are available on more than 60% of the degrees offered. Loughborough University is also one of the top 20 universities targeted by large, graduate employers.

The University has been chosen as a base by both the Great Britain team^[11] and the Japanese team for the 2012 Summer Olympics.^[12]

Campus[link]

University Centre of Cricket Excellence (UCCE) cricket ground

The University's main campus is in the Leicestershire town of Loughborough and until 2003 it was developing a secondary campus at Peterborough. The Loughborough campus (once the estate of Burleigh Hall) covers an area of 433 acres (1.75 km²), and includes academic departments, halls of residence, the Students' Union, two gyms, gardens and playing fields. Of particular interest are the walled garden, the "garden of remembrance", the Hazlerigg-Rutland Hall fountain-courtyard and the Bastard Gates. In the central quadrangle of the campus stands a famous cedar, which has often appeared as a symbol for the University. Unfortunately a heavy snowfall in December 1990 led to the collapse of the upper canopy which gave the tree its distinctive shape.^{[citation needed]} The recent acquisition by the University of Holywell Park from Advantica Technologies and a 23-acre (93,000 m²) parcel of land between New Ashby Road and Holywell Park from 3M Heath Care Limited has increased the size of the campus to 433 acres (1.75 km²).

Profile[link]

The University has 24 academic departments and over 30 research institutes, divided between ten schools since the Universities new school structure was implemented for the academic year 2011/12. Previous to this the departments and research institutes were split between three faculties: Science, Engineering and Social Science & Humanities.

It has approximately 18,500 students, 61% of whom are undergraduates and 32% are pursuing postgraduate courses and/or research.

Its current Chancellor is Sir Nigel Rudd, (the previous chancellor, Sir John Jennings CBE, FRSE, retired from the position in summer 2010, having served for seven years), and its Vice-Chancellor is Professor Shirley Pearce. The previous Vice-Chancellor, Professor Sir David Wallace CBE FRS DL, was appointed to the Mastership of Churchill College, Cambridge, in succession to Sir John Boyd KCMG. David Wallace was Vice Chancellor of Loughborough University between 1994 until December 2005.

Wolfson School of Mechanical & Manufacturing Engineering.

The University has won six Queen's Anniversary Prizes for Higher and Further Education for work with the aeronautical and automotive industries (1994); support for developing countries (1998); for a pioneering role in developing applications of modern optics and laser technologies (2000); for its world leading role in sports research, education and development (2002); for its world leading role in social policy in recognition of its outstanding and widely respected work in evaluating and helping develop social policy-related programmes, such as those for cared for children, social security policy, crime prevention, education initiatives and young carers (2006); and for recognition of its vehicle, road and driver safety research (2007).^{[citation needed]}

In The Guardian 2012 league tables, Loughborough was ranked 9th. In the 2007 Times rankings it was 6th overall but fell to 12th position in 2008.^[13]

Loughborough was placed 11th in the latest edition of The Sunday Times University Guide, published on September 11th, 2011.^[14]

The University has the largest sports scholarship programme in the UK. There are currently over 250 international athletes studying and training there, and the 2010 International Rope Skipping Foundation's world championships were hosted in Loughborough university.^[15]

League Tables[link]