Loughborough University has 21 academic schools and departments and over 40 research centres and institutes. It has produced research that matters from its earliest days – work that has a major impact on academic disciplines, public policy, the professions, business and industry.

Now an internationally acclaimed centre of research excellence, Loughborough plays a leading role in the development of new knowledge and understanding across all its fields of activity. Testament to the quality of research carried out at the University is the award of seven Queen’s Anniversary Prizes.

In the 2014 Research Excellence Framework (REF), Loughborough consolidated its position in the premier league of research universities. It was ranked 14th in the UK and 9th among universities in England for research intensity. Almost 66% of the work of Loughborough’s academic staff who were eligible to be submitted to the REF was judged as ‘world-leading’ or ‘internationally excellent’, compared to a national average figure of 43%.

Across its multi-disciplinary and diverse research environment, Loughborough University undertakes research and innovation that addresses real-life issues, contributing at the very highest levels to new knowledge that has real impact for business, industry and public sectors.

The School of Arts, English and Drama at Loughborough offers a unique and ambitious range of courses taught by internationally leading scholars, teachers and researchers across the three disciplines. • 91% of English students responded positively about their overall satisfaction with the quality of their course in the 2014 National Student Survey (NSS). • 10th in the UK for Drama in the Complete University Guide. • 10th in the UK for Journalism, Publishing and Public Relations in the Guardian University Guide 2015. • In the Guardian University Guide for 2015, the School of Arts was ranked 1st in Fashion and Textiles and 5th in Design and Crafts.

At Loughborough University, the disciplinary strengths across the academic base are complemented by 6 research challenges: Changing Environments and Infrastructure, Communication, Culture and Citizenship, Enabling Technologies, Energy, Health and Wellbeing, Secure and Resilient Societies. These challenges provide a framework for enhancing interdisciplinary research, accelerating the delivery of distinctive solutions to regional, national and international challenges and becoming a catalyst for growth.

Public engagement is a vital way that Loughborough University informs, inspires and engages the public that it works with, and it also recognises the vital role the public can play in inspiring and informing research undertaken at the university. Loughborough is a university that works in collaboration with it local communities and local organisations – recently, the University signed the National Co-ordinating Centre for Public Engagement’s Manifesto for Public Engagement, visibly demonstrating our commitment to sharing knowledge, resources and skills with the public.

From September 2015, Loughborough University is opening a new Campus in London: it is an ambitious and distinctive new development on the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park – home of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.