Essential information
Degree Structures
Getting your head around the various terms associated with studying for a degree can be difficult at first, but you will be given all the help you need when you start at university – you will find it all becomes clear very quickly.
Modules and Programmes
The heart of a degree programme is the in-depth study of your chosen subject area, which you will do through following certain core, or compulsory, module options across the three or four years of your degree.
Access to a wider range of modules offered within and outside your academic department, however, also gives you a certain amount of flexibility over what you study. The extent of this flexibility depends on the degree you study, but you may choose to learn a new language, or develop a new skill from outside your immediate area of academic study.
Bachelor/Master Awards
Loughborough University’s undergraduate degree programmes usually lead to the award of a BA, BSc or BEng.
Many, however, are extended programmes leading to the award of Master e.g. MEng or MComp. This is not the equivalent of a postgraduate higher award (e.g. MSc, MA, MBA), but gives you the opportunity to study a subject to a greater depth for a year, and gain further professional accreditation where relevant. Details of extended degrees can be found in the earlier departmental entries of this prospectus.
Diploma in Industrial/Professional/International Studies (DIS/DPS)
A special feature of undergraduate study at Loughborough is the availability of sandwich degree programmes.
These ‘sandwich’ a period of supported industrial or professional work experience between periods of academic study at the University. Successful completion of the work placement leads to the additional award of Diploma in Industrial or Professional Studies.
The University’s network of international links with other universities also gives you the opportunity of completing a professional placement or studying overseas. In this case you may gain a Diploma in International Studies.
The teaching year
The teaching year at Loughborough is divided into two 15-week semesters, each with 12 weeks of teaching/learning/revision followed by three weeks for assessment and feedback.
There is a Christmas break in Semester 1 and an Easter break in Semester 2. See our calendar pages for more information.
Lectures, tutorials and other classes are timetabled on weekdays between 9.00am and 6.00pm. Teaching does not take place on Saturdays, Sundays or Bank Holidays, but assessed activities such as field trips may take place on these days.
Examinations take place at the end of each Semester. The complexity of the University’s teaching and assessment timetable means that it is not currently possible to make special teaching and assessment timetable arrangements in individual cases in order to allow the opportunity for religious observance.
Equal opportunities
In line with the University’s Admissions Policy applications are welcomed from students irrespective of race, colour, nationality, ethnic origin, gender, marital status, disability, religious or political beliefs, age, sexual orientation or social or economic background.
The University seeks to widen access to and participation in higher education by raising awareness and expectations of prospective applicants, and applications are welcomed from all those with the potential to succeed. The diversity and wealth of experience that its students contribute to the life of the University is highly valued.
Loughborough University’s policies and practices on recruitment and admissions are an integral part of the University’s overall framework for assuring that the quality and standard of its teaching and research activities are maintained.
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