AFS City Guides

The complete student guide to Loughborough

7 min read·Last updated: 13 July 2026

Curated and written by

Sophia Crothall

7 min read

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Why study in Loughborough

Well-connected
The town is incredibly well-connected. It has a central train station, is nearby to East Midlands airport, and there are also plenty of coaches which run from directly outside the university. Just 10-15 minutes away by train is Leicester, the closest major city. It’s ideal if you’re looking for a place to eat, drink, shop or catch a football match. Just slightly further away is Nottingham (20 minutes via train).
Student community
The student community is incredibly strong. This is because the university is campus-orientated which creates a strong sense of belonging. It’s also home to incredible sport facilities which are ideal if you enjoy playing either socially or competitively. There are plenty of societies for students to get involved with too. In 2026, the university’s student TV station, LSUTV, is hosting the 2026 edition of the National Student Television Awards!
Nightlife
Loughborough Students’ Union is the on-campus social and entertainment hub. It hosts nightly entertainment and weekly clubbing events. The Basement and The Treehouse both host club nights which feature DJs, live acts and themed events. Alternatively, The Lounge is a relaxed bar and social space with live music and open mic nights for students. The most popular events included Hey Ewe on a Wednesday and FND, the flagship night of the SU (Fridays).
Food spots
Food options in the town cater to every taste. Peter Pizzeria is a well-loved, authentic pizza restaurant, known for its quirky decor. It’s very popular among students and is ideal for casual meals or socials. If you’re in the mood for something else, The Basin is good for Chinese, Thai and Japanese dishes. Loughborough Market also runs several days a week and is a mix of fresh fruit and veg and street food.

Key facts about Loughborough

Student life in Loughborough

Off-campus, the Griffin is a popular pub, with a packed beer garden in the summer. The Orange Tree is also popular with cocktail lovers. For those who enjoy clubbing, Firefly is the main nightclub off-campus. It hosts themed nights and regular student events. Echos is also well known for its big dance floor, cheap drinks and student nights. When it comes to finding a good coffee for a long study session, the town has a great array of options. Public & Plants is popular among students due to its leafy and cosy interior. Bom Bom Patisserie is also well-known for its selection of coffee and pastries. Alternatively, there are plenty of spots on campus which are useful between lectures. Beyond the eating, drinking and dancing, there is much to see and do. Queens Park is one of the most picturesque spots and is home to the Carillon Tower. It’s a good place to go if you’re looking for somewhere to read a book, have a walk, or indulge in a picnic. Additionally, Outwoods and Beacon Hill offer woodland trails and scenic views. Loughborough Town Hall is another great place to visit - it hosts comedy nights, theatre productions and events. If you wanted a day trip, Derby is another cool city to visit and takes around half an hour to get to. It has a good mix of shops, restaurants and bars. It’s also one of the closest cities to the Peak District if you’re searching for a walk, hike, or scenic drive.

Cost of living in Loughborough

Wondering how much it costs to live in Loughborough as a student? We’ve broken down typical monthly expenses and compared them to the national average, so you can plan your budget with confidence.

Expense	Loughborough average	National average	Difference
Rent (monthly)	£711	£891.63	£180.6320% less
Utilities (monthly)	£130	£112.25	£17.7516% more
Bus pass (monthly)	£65	£61.13	£3.876% more
Groceries	£14.67	£15.40	£0.735% less
Gym pass (monthly)	£21.50	£34.59	£13.0938% less
Takeaway coffee	£3	£3.54	£0.5415% less

Rent (monthly)
Loughborough average
£711
National average
£891.63
Difference
£180.6320% less
Utilities (monthly)
Loughborough average
£130
National average
£112.25
Difference
£17.7516% more
Bus pass (monthly)
Loughborough average
£65
National average
£61.13
Difference
£3.876% more
Groceries
Loughborough average
£14.67
National average
£15.40
Difference
£0.735% less
Gym pass (monthly)
Loughborough average
£21.50
National average
£34.59
Difference
£13.0938% less
Takeaway coffee
Loughborough average
£3
National average
£3.54
Difference
£0.5415% less

Universities in Loughborough

Loughborough University

Loughborough University is located in the East Midlands of England and is well known for its close-knit student community thanks to the atmosphere of the single-site campus.

Read guide →

Getting around Loughborough

Being so close to lots of major cities, Loughborough’s rail network is heavily used by students but there are many different ways to get around the city.

Buses

Loughborough University offers a free shuttle bus which allows students to travel around campus with ease. They say, “We have a large and beautiful campus, so we appreciate the need to travel around it in comfort.” The Sprint Kinchbus Service will take you from the train station to the campus. There are a number of stops on campus, including via the Students’ Union, library. This service runs every 10 minutes Mon-Sat during term time.

Cycling

Loughborough campus is a bike-friendly environment. In fact, cycling is probably one of the most popular modes of transport for many students here. You will be able to find plenty of secure bike racks around campus.

Walking

During good weather, especially Spring and Summer, the walk around campus is beautiful. However, due to how extensive it is, the walk can take over 30 minutes to get from one end to the other.

Trains

There is one major train station in this city but it allows students to travel to wherever they desire outside of the area. Rail passes are also available which will save you a third off tickets (16-25 Railcard), costing just £35 for one year of £80 for the full three years of your study.

Life after uni

Around 86% of Loughborough students find employment within 15 months of graduating.
Here are some key facts about employment prospects in Loughborough:

Strong reputation
Loughborough Uni has a strong reputation within certain fields including sport science, engineering and design. Therefore, employers tend to target students from these areas of study.
Strong industry links
During their studies, students will have the opportunity to network and build contacts within their course and via associates. This benefits them greatly as it helps them get internships, placements and other opportunities which can land them a job after