Loughborough University

[Souvenir81]

DD is considering applying for Loughborough University for an Engineering degree. She really likes the course and I know it has a good reputation for Engineering but I read a few negative comments in mumsnet which are putting me off a bit. I know nowhere is perfect but have not heard anything negative from Bath and Sheffield for instance, just positive comments.

Any advice? Thank you

What negatives have you heard @Souvenir81 ? My ds2 is there so I may have useful intel.

But for sure, nowhere is perfect. Dd wasn’t keen on Sheffield bc it is not all on a campus, for example. Different places suit different ppl.

Is your DD sporty? If so, it might not be the best place as she will be up against the elite.

If sport isn't a big thing then Loughborough is a lovely campus. In terms of nights out, they tend to head to Nottingham as there's more going on there.

my DS is there currently in final year engineering, he enjoys it but has to work very hard.

there is the elite sport but there is a lot of inter hall and fun sport & a lot of societies and the hall committees are good.

DS is complaining though that the new VC is trying to push big drinking events out of Loughborough & that the SU drinks are too expensive.

My DD was at Loughborough and loved it (2016 - 2020).

Loughborough really helps its students with careers offering CV reviews, interview practice and recruitment day practices. However it's clearly up to the students to avail themselves f these options.

My DD is a party animal but only went to Nottingham in Freshers week as the student union was active and there are other places in Loughborough they frequented.

There are beginner levels at some sports so students don't necessarily need to be elite sportspeople. There were some students who didn't partake in any sports.

Loughborough itself isn't pretty - however the upside to this is that student houses to rent for Years 2+ are cheap and plentiful.

This is an odd message about Lboro! Yes, if you are a 400m runner you might be up against the occasional Olympian - but how great would that be anyway?

If she is sporty op, lboro is a fantastic place. As @Eve says, there is loads of sport between the halls, endless chances to play for fun, and yes, great opportunities to represent your uni. Masses of non-elite athletes compete as well. My ds has found his sport to be an amazing source of friendship, support and flat mates. As well as doing really well in the sport itself.

L’Boro has a fabulous reputation for Teaching and Learning throughout STEM, OP. I am a Russell Group STEM academic and I they have a lot to teach most of us.

I have heard little if any criticism if them in this area, FWIW

I do think it’s a bit marmite as it’s location doesn’t suit everyone. Those wanting a life outside a uni campus for starters. It’s always been great for engineering but DS should evaluate if he is ok with a campus. Sheffield is also a terrific engineering uni. More to do nearby in the city.

My youngest dd goes to Loughborough at the weekends for training in her sport always say it's like a stereotype of a university campus. Like the Truman Show. Loads of people playing various sports and students on bikes or playing with frisbees. There's plenty going on that's for sure.

It's got a good reputation academically hasn't it?

ds1 rejected it because of the decor of the new science building. He said it made him feel dizzy. Didn't invoke such a strong reaction in me but it was quite vibrant. Contrast with the rest of the campus which seemed very, very quiet - in fairness we did visit fairly soon after lockdown. The city centre is walkable from campus but much more of a town than a city.

Thank you everyone. DD is not sporty.

There were a few negative comments in another thread in mumsnet (safety related); don’t want to include them here but if you put Loughborough University mumsnet in Google and read the comments you will not what I am referring too. Not sure if there are true or someone wanting to damage the University reputation

My DS turned down a place there. Although it has a fabulous reputation for engineering he felt the engineering department seemed a little forgotten about at the back of the campus. Pristine sports facilities right at the front in full view as you enter then it got scruffier as you headed further in. Just something he noticed and couldn't get past. We recently visited both Sheffield and Bath. The engineering facilities at Sheffield are amazing with an obvious huge investment.

@Souvenir81 sadly safety is an issue at a lot of universities, Cardiff university was featured on BBC news very recently and "Disclosure Response Team (DRT), which is responsible for student support and signposting. The team received 691 reports of sexual misconduct between the 2017 and 2021 academic years, according to FOI responses." They haven't kept any records prior to 2017 nor since 2021 which shows they know they have a problem.

There are hundreds of thousands of 18 and 19 year olds in their first years at universities and not everyone makes good decisions or is a decent person, just because they are academically smart does not make them good people. The world is not a nice place. Our children need to be taught the realities of the world and how to try to stay safe in it.

My son is at Durham and at freshers' week they were handed a map that showed the "safe" walking routes back from town/SU to the colleges. They are the ones that are lit. There are beautiful walks in day time along the river but unlit at night. Also details on what taxis to use. They are warned of drink spiking not just women but also men who can be robbed of their wallet and phone. It is a sad that they have to navigate these things but a life skill to be aware of their surroundings.

Thank you, that’s a good point.

My nephew is there doing engineering. Having a great time. Did a year in industry last year, uni has lots of contacts and provided a huge amount of support to secure one (many universities don’t). As others have said careers support excellent.
Also very cheap if budget is a concern.

OP, sent you a PM.

Thank you. This is very positive

@OneInEightLoughborough feels like a town because it is one!

Sadly, OP, @OverseeingThePuddingMaker is right. I don’t know why L’boro got the publicity but it would be possible to write a safety thread to cause concern about almost any major university in the UK.

Any major town in the UK! Doesn’t need a uni to be not great at night. My DDs were given safety info at uni 13 and 10 years ago. Eg where it’s not safe to walk, taxi firms etc. It’s not a new problem but Dc need to exercise common sense around people they don’t know and take on board sensible advice. Plus, of course, most dc are safe!

I went to Loughborough. Lots of sport, lovely campus to walk around. Had the same house for years 2 and 3. I chose it at the time as it’s a small town, had enough of a nightlife for me. But it was of course different to a uni in a large city. But that’s why I chose it! I’m not sure how it compares safety wise. Sadly precautions will need to be taken at all unis. Great memories from Loughborough.

My son has moved heaven and earth including getting papers remarked and a gap year just to get to Loughborough!

Good luck to him.

Thank you everyone. It seems there are lots of positives

Sorry @Souvenir81 meant to post before, but some thoughts following your update about concerns:

I agree with others that a concern over safety is a unusual reason to reject Lboro. I’ve not seen the reports you and others reference, but there will be safety concerns in any uni and I am sure there have been issues at most if not all. I am not downplaying any issues there have been; but I would think that a town (not a city) like Loughborough is perhaps safer for a young person than a big city like Birmingham or Sheffield.

If your DD likes the course and the feel of the campus and town then all good.

I guess I am biased bc my lad is having such a good time there, but I would recommend it. Yes, it is not a city so the shopping, clubbing and gig possibilities are very limited. If that’s what you want them Brum or Leeds or Nottingham may suit better. But you can quickly and easily get to Leicester or Nottingham for a one-off event.

Big ups for Lboro:
Accommodation – there is a big variety from catered to SC, shared bathroom and en-suite, and a range of prices, unlike some campus unis (looking at you Nottingham, all on-campus ccom is catered and £££). DS paid £4k for the year for his first-year room (two years ago).

Activity – maybe bc there is so little happening in town, there is masses going on on the Truman Show (that made me smile) campus. Yes sport, but not just that – chances to be involved in music, theatre, student politics and more These things happen at any uni for sure but it seems to me that the campus-focus of Lboro means it is easier and more active. Tho I would counsel anyone going there to have or be prepared to adopt an interest beyond generic socialising. Like I say, the sports offer has been a lifeline for DS.

Course offer – as I understand it Lboro is great in many ways for STEM. DS is studying a science and seems to enjoy it. Tjo tbf he will I suspect graduate with a good American football degree lol.

It’s not an RG but that is meaningless in this context tbh. A degree from there will have as much clout, esp in STEM, as a degree from Newcastle or Exeter, to randomly name two RG unis.