Loughborough University is a campus university in Leicestershire that the QS subject rankings have placed first in the world for sports-related subjects every year from 2017 to 2026. It ranks 203rd in the QS World University Rankings 2027 and 7th of 130 UK universities in the Complete University Guide 2026. Applicants with the Russian school certificate take a one-year Undergraduate Foundation Programme at OnCampus Loughborough ($31,850 or $37,190, £23,970 or £27,990), and 2027-entry degrees then cost $33,880–46,500 (£25,500–35,000) a year. Master's degrees run both in Loughborough and on a London campus reserved for postgraduates.
| At a glance | Details |
|---|---|
| Campuses | Loughborough, Leicestershire (undergraduate and postgraduate); London, Here East (postgraduate only) |
| Rankings | QS 2027: 203; THE 2027: 326–350; ARWU 2026: 601–700; QS sports-related subjects: 1st 2017–2026; CUG 2026: 7th in the UK |
| Students | about 18,000, roughly 23% international (THE data) |
| Russell Group | no |
| After an 11-year school certificate | Undergraduate Foundation Programme at OnCampus Loughborough, IELTS from 4.5 |
| Foundation, 2026/27 and 2027/28 | $31,850 (£23,970) business and humanities; $37,190 (£27,990) engineering, computing, sciences |
| Undergraduate, 2027 entry | $33,880–46,500 (£25,500–35,000) a year |
| Master's, 2027/28 | from $35,870 (£27,000) for management to $45,170 (£34,000) for the MBA |
| Undergraduate award | $3,990 (£3,000) a year with no separate application for AAA-level grades |
Who Loughborough suits
| Strengths | Limitations |
|---|---|
| World leader in sport; strong aeronautical, automotive and mechanical engineering, and design | Not a Russell Group member |
| Large campus with halls, including catered options | Small town: student life centres on campus |
| £3,000 off every year of study for strong grades | The award excludes foundation programmes and requires Loughborough as the firm choice |
| Placement or study-abroad years built into many degrees | Sport and Exercise Science sits in the top fee band at £35,000 a year |
| London master's for students targeting the capital's job market | The London campus admits no undergraduates |
Loughborough fits students heading for sport science, sport management, engineering or design who value campus life. If the Russell Group label matters, compare it with Sheffield, Leeds and Liverpool; the University of Bath has a similar profile. All options are on our study in the UK page.
After high school: the OnCampus foundation
For Russia, the university states that applicants with the Unified State Exam certificate need a suitable foundation year, and it offers its own: the Undergraduate Foundation Programme at OnCampus Loughborough, run with Cambridge Education Group. A levels or the IB allow direct entry.
| Detail | OnCampus data |
|---|---|
| Length | two semesters, about nine months |
| Next starts | 21 September 2026 – 11 June 2027; 27 September 2027 – 11 June 2028 |
| Business, humanities, social sciences, art and design | $31,850 (£23,970) |
| Life sciences, computing, engineering, physical sciences | $37,190 (£27,990) |
| Registration fee | $600 (£450) |
| English | IELTS from 4.5, no element below 4.5 |
| Online pre-sessional English | 8 weeks, $5,310 (£4,000) |
Students below the English level for the two-semester route take an extra semester of English. Meeting the progression criteria leads to a place on the matching Loughborough degree. OnCampus lists country-specific academic requirements in its course finder, and the university asks applicants to check other foundation programmes with its Global Engagement team. Our foundation year guide compares foundation with A levels.
A visa for the foundation requires a SELT such as IELTS for UKVI, taken at an approved centre.
Undergraduate entry and fees, 2027
International degrees fall into six fee bands: $33,880 (£25,500), $34,480 (£25,950), $37,200 (£28,000), $41,850 (£31,500), $43,850 (£33,000) and $46,500 (£35,000) a year.
| Programme, September 2027 | A levels | International fee per year |
|---|---|---|
| Economics BSc | AAA | $34,480 (£25,950) |
| Business and Management BSc | AAB | $34,480 (£25,950) |
| Psychology BSc | AAB | $41,850 (£31,500) |
| Computer Science BSc | AAA or AAB | $41,850 (£31,500) |
| Mechanical Engineering MEng | A*AA | $41,850 (£31,500) |
| Aeronautical Engineering MEng | A*AA incl. Maths and Physics | $41,850 (£31,500) |
| Sport Management BSc | AAB | $41,850 (£31,500) |
| Sport and Exercise Science BSc | A*AA–AAA | $46,500 (£35,000) |
The standard English requirement is IELTS 6.5 with at least 6.0 in each element; some degrees ask for more. Placement and study-abroad years cost 20% of the full-time fee. Fees are reviewed annually and are likely to rise. Apply through UCAS by 13 January 2027; see our guide to applying to UK universities.
For Kazakhstan. Typical offers are based on the NIS Grade 12 Certificate at AAA–BBB in Advanced-level subjects; English studied at NIS does not replace IELTS. Loughborough is on the Bolashak list of approved UK universities, and many of its fields (engineering, architecture, finance, economics, marketing, psychology, sport management) match the Center for International Programs priority areas.
Master's degrees in Loughborough and London
For Russian graduates, Loughborough publishes grade conversions for the Bakalavr, Specialist diploma or Magistr: 4.5 for a UK First (70%), 4.0 for a 2:1 (60%) and 3.5 for a 2:2 (50%). For Kazakhstan the five-point figures are the same, and on a 4.0 scale they are 3.5, 3.0 and 2.6.
| Programme, 2027/28 | Campus | Requirement | International fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Management MSc | Loughborough | 2:2 (55%) | $35,870 (£27,000) |
| Accounting and Finance MSc | Loughborough | 2:2 (55%) | $35,870 (£27,000) |
| Data Science MSc | Loughborough or London | 2:2 | $42,180 (£31,750) |
| Artificial Intelligence MSc | Loughborough | 2:2 | $42,180 (£31,750) |
| Full-time MBA | Loughborough | 2:2 | $45,170 (£34,000) |
| Sport Business and Leadership MSc | London, January or September start | 2:1 | depends on start date |
Some London programmes start in January. Applicants below the threshold can take the OnCampus Pre-Master's at $37,190 (£27,990) with IELTS from 5.0. International PhD fees for 2026/27 are $30,690–39,200 (£23,100–29,500) a year depending on the school. Our UK MBA and master's guide covers the broader process.
Scholarships
- International Excellence Scholarship (undergraduate): $3,990 (£3,000) for every year of study except a placement year. International applicants for September 2027 are considered automatically through UCAS or OnCampus. Requirements: AAA (A*AA for aeronautical, automotive and mechanical engineering MEng, Natural Sciences MSci and Sport and Exercise Science) or equivalent in one sitting, Loughborough as firm choice and self-funding. Foundation programmes are excluded, and foundation results are judged case by case.
- Excellence Scholarships (master's): up to $7,970 (£6,000) off tuition for UK and international students.
- Chevening Partnership Scholarship: one fully funded award for 2027/28. Note that for 2027/28 Chevening accepts Russian citizens only if they live outside Russia.
The university decides on awards. External options are in our UK scholarships guide.
Halls and living costs
All halls include utilities, cleaning, internet and contents insurance, and catered halls include food. Indicative 2026/27 undergraduate prices for a 41-week contract:
| Type | 41 weeks |
|---|---|
| Catered | $9,340–13,970 (£7,027–10,515) |
| Self-catered | $6,840–13,210 (£5,151–9,940) |
The university suggests another $5,310–7,970 (£4,000–6,000) a year for food, books, insurance and UK travel, and puts average undergraduate costs in catered halls at about $1,380 (£1,040) a month. Postgraduate halls in Loughborough and London are self-catered.
For the visa, outside London you show £1,171 a month for nine months, $14,000 (£10,539), rising to $14,390 (£10,827) for applications from 30 November 2026. For the London campus the monthly figure is £1,529, rising to £1,570 from 30 November 2026. See our student housing guide, and use only lawful payment routes from Russia (how to pay for studies abroad from Russia).
Visa
The university or OnCampus issues the CAS; the visa fee is $740 (£558), the health surcharge $1,030 (£776) a year, and funds must be held for 28 days. Residents of Russia and Kazakhstan need a tuberculosis test at a GOV.UK-listed clinic. From 1 January 2027 the Graduate visa lasts 18 months. UK Visas and Immigration decides; see our UK student visa guide and Graduate Route guide.
Common mistakes
- Expecting an undergraduate place in London. The London campus is postgraduate only.
- Assuming the £3,000 follows the foundation automatically. Foundation graduates are assessed case by case.
- Resitting exams. The award requires grades achieved in one sitting.
- Forgetting the £450 fee. OnCampus charges registration on top of the foundation fee.
- Treating the visa minimum as a real budget. Catered-hall students spend about £1,040 a month.
FAQ
Can I enter Loughborough University straight after Russian high school?
Not into year one. Loughborough offers Russian school leavers the Undergraduate Foundation Programme at OnCampus Loughborough: two semesters, IELTS from 4.5, $31,850–37,190 depending on the route. Applicants holding A levels or the IB can apply to year one.
How much does Loughborough University cost?
For 2027 entry, undergraduate fees range from $33,880 to $46,500 (£25,500–35,000) a year: economics and business £25,950, computer science and engineering £31,500, Sport and Exercise Science £35,000. 2027/28 master's fees run from £27,000 to £34,000.
Why is Loughborough known as the best university for sport?
The QS subject rankings have placed Loughborough first in the world for sports-related subjects every year from 2017 to 2026. Its degrees cover sport science, coaching, management and analytics, supported by extensive campus sport facilities and clubs.
What is Loughborough University London?
It is the university's second campus, at Here East in London, for postgraduate study only. Programmes include Finance and Management, Accounting and Finance, Data Science, Computer Science, Media and Communication, Human Resource Management and Sport Business and Leadership; some start in January.
What scholarships does Loughborough offer international students?
Undergraduates with AAA or equivalent automatically receive £3,000 for each year of study if Loughborough is their firm choice and they are self-funded. Master's students can be considered for Excellence Scholarships of up to £6,000. The university decides.
How does StudyU help with Loughborough?
Choosing between a foundation and A levels, selecting a programme and campus, preparing the application, documents and visa file are provided under an agreement with StudyU. The university and OnCampus decide on admission, the university decides on awards, and UK Visas and Immigration decides on the visa.
Sources
- Loughborough University: students from Russia and Kazakhstan
- Loughborough University: undergraduate fees 2026 and 2027, International Excellence Scholarships
- 2027 courses: Economics, Business and Management, Psychology, Computer Science, Mechanical Engineering MEng, Aeronautical Engineering MEng, Sport Management, Sport and Exercise Science
- Master's: Management, Accounting and Finance, Data Science, Artificial Intelligence, MBA, Sport Business and Leadership, research fees, master's funding
- Loughborough University London
- OnCampus Loughborough: dates and fees, Undergraduate Foundation Programme, English requirements
- Loughborough University: hall fees
- UCAS: 2027 deadlines
- GOV.UK: Student visa, money, HC 584, IHS, Graduate visa, SELT, TB clinics in Russia
- Chevening: Russia
- QS 2027, THE World University Rankings, ARWU 2026, Russell Group members
Dollar figures use ECB reference rates of 30 September 2026 (£1 = $1.3286), rounded to $10. Facts checked on 1 October 2026.
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Next steps
- University of Liverpool: Admission and Fees for International Students
- University of Bath: Admission, 2027/28 Fees and Scholarships
- Studying in the UK for international applicants
- The University of Sheffield: Admission for International Students
- University of Leeds: Admission for International Students
- Foundation Year in the UK: Types, Entry Requirements, Costs and Progression
