How to Apply to Engineering at Loughborough University: Three-Year BEng and Four-Year MEng in Mechanical, Aeronautical, Civil, Chemical and Electronic Engineering, Each with an Optional Placement Year, for UK, International (Including Chinese) and Transfer Applicants

Loughborough University’s engineering degrees are spread across several schools and departments. On the course pages, Mechanical, Electrical and Electronic, Computer and Electronic, Energy, Engineering Management, Product Design Engineering, Robotics and Sports Technology are taught in the Wolfson School of Mechanical, Electrical and Manufacturing Engineering; Civil and Architectural Engineering sit in the School of Architecture, Building and Civil Engineering; Aeronautical and Automotive Engineering in the Department of Aeronautical and Automotive Engineering; and the materials degrees in the Department of Materials. Below is what you need to know for September 2027 entry, based on Loughborough’s official information, for UK applicants, international applicants (including those from China) and students hoping to transfer in. Applications go through UCAS; this guide does not access UCAS, so check there before you submit.

1. Engineering programmes

Engineering programmes in the A-Z list come as BEng (three years full-time) and MEng (four years full-time); the BEng also comes as a four-year degree with a placement year and the MEng as a five-year degree with a placement year, each with its own UCAS code.

• Aeronautical and automotive: Aeronautical Engineering, Automotive Engineering, Aerospace Materials, Automotive Materials.
• Mechanical, manufacturing, design: Mechanical Engineering, Product Design Engineering, Engineering Management, Robotics, Mechatronics and Control Engineering, Sports Technology, Energy Engineering.
• Electronics: Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Computer and Electronic Engineering.
• Civil and architectural: Civil Engineering, Architectural Engineering.
• Chemical, biomedical, materials: Chemical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Biomedical Materials, Materials Science and Engineering.
• Related: Engineering Physics (BSc / MPhys), Construction Engineering Management and others; see the A-Z list.

Computer Science (including Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence) sits in a different school, and has its own guide on this site, so it is not covered here.

UCAS code examples (as the course pages list them: with placement year first, then without): Mechanical Engineering BEng H301 / H300; MEng H302 (five years with placement) / H303 (four years); Aeronautical Engineering BEng H401 / H410, MEng H402 / H403; Civil Engineering BEng H201 / H200, MEng H202 / H203; Electrical and Electronic Engineering BEng H604 / H600, MEng H605 / H601; Chemical Engineering BEng H806 / H805, MEng H802 / H803; Biomedical Engineering BEng H161 / H160, MEng H163 / H162. See each course page for the rest.

2. BEng, MEng and professional accreditation

• The Mechanical Engineering page says the first three years are the same on the BEng and MEng, and that high-performing BEng students can apply to move onto the MEng if they meet the required academic level. The MEng adds a year with a wide choice of optional modules and a major multidisciplinary design project with real companies or research teams. Loughborough says the MEng meets the educational requirements for later registration as a Chartered Engineer (CEng), and that graduates of accredited courses will have achieved part or all of the underpinning knowledge for registration as an Incorporated or Chartered Engineer. The Architectural Engineering page adds that BEng students can transfer to the MEng by the end of their second year if they meet the progression criteria.
• Accreditation by programme: Mechanical Engineering (BEng and MEng) by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) and the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE); Aeronautical and Automotive Engineering by the Royal Aeronautical Society and IMechE; Electrical and Electronic Engineering, and Robotics, Mechatronics and Control by the IET; Product Design Engineering and Sports Technology by the IET, the Institution of Engineering Designers and IMechE; Engineering Management by the IET and IMechE; Civil Engineering by the Joint Board of Moderators; Architectural Engineering by the JBM, CIBSE and the Chartered Institute of Building; Chemical Engineering by IChemE; Biomedical Engineering by IMechE; and the materials degrees by the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining (IOM3), whose student membership the University funds. The Computer and Electronic Engineering page says it is seeking IET accreditation, and the Energy Engineering page says the programme began in 2024 and accreditation will be sought in 2026/27.

3. How admission works and prerequisites

• Direct entry to a programme: each programme has its own UCAS code, and the course pages do not describe an undeclared-engineering first year. Applicants are usually selected on their UCAS application alone, with an interview in exceptional cases; offer holders are invited to visit the department.
• Foundation-year versions: engineering programmes also have a “with a Foundation Year” version. For example, Mechanical Engineering with a Foundation Year (UCAS H304) asks for A-level BBB or ABC, IB 32, and GCSE Maths and Science at grade 6. Loughborough says it is mainly for people who have not studied the required subjects or who missed the requirements because of difficult circumstances, and offers are not normally made to applicants whose predicted grades are simply below the direct-entry requirements. After the foundation year, if the progression criteria are met, you can progress to Year 1 of Mechanical Engineering or request a transfer to other courses in the same stream.
• Typical A-level and IB offers from the course pages:
  • Mechanical Engineering BEng: A-level AAB including Maths and Physics; IB 35 (6,6,5 HL, with Maths and Physics at HL). MEng: A*AA including Maths and Physics, with A* in Maths or Physics; IB 38 (7,6,6 HL).
  • Aeronautical and Automotive Engineering: BEng as above (AAB with Maths and Physics, IB 35); MEng A*AA, IB 38.
  • Civil Engineering: BEng A-level ABB including Maths, IB 34; MEng AAB including Maths, IB 35.
  • Electrical and Electronic, Computer and Electronic, and Energy Engineering: BEng ABB including Maths, IB 34; Electrical and Electronic MEng AAA including Maths, IB 37.
  • Chemical Engineering: BEng AAB including Maths and Chemistry or Physics, IB 35; MEng AAA, IB 37.
  • Biomedical Engineering: BEng AAB including Maths and one of Chemistry, Biology or Physics, IB 35; MEng AAA, IB 37.
  • Materials degrees: BEng ABB including two from Mathematics, Further Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Design & Technology, IB 34; MEng AAA, IB 37.
  • Product Design Engineering: ABB (Maths plus Physics or Design and Technology); Robotics, Mechatronics and Control: ABB (Maths plus Computing, Computer Science, Electronics, Further Maths or Physics); Engineering Management: ABB (Maths or Physics); Sports Technology: ABB.
  The course pages differ, so use the page for the programme you apply to.
• GCSE: the Mechanical Engineering page asks for GCSE English Language at 4/C; the entry requirements page says most courses need GCSE Maths at 4/C.
• BTEC: the Mechanical Engineering page lists the Extended Diploma at D*DD plus A-level Maths at A, or the Diploma in Engineering at DD plus two A-levels (AB, including Maths and Physics); other combinations are on the page.
• Interview or maths test: the course pages do not describe a maths test; an interview is possible in exceptional cases.
• Access Loughborough contextual offer: the Mechanical Engineering page lists A-level BBB including Maths and Physics, or ABC with AB in Maths and Physics, with eligibility on the University’s contextual admissions page; other programmes differ, so check each course page.
• AP/IB credit for required engineering courses and maths placement tests: not stated on the course pages; not published.

4. UK applicants

• Follow the A-level and IB offers above. The entry requirements page says Scottish applicants usually need at least two Advanced Highers plus three Highers, Irish Leaving Certificate applicants at least five Higher Level passes, and the Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Skills Challenge Diploma counts as one A-level. The course pages do not set out separate grades for England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland.
• Fees: UK students pay £10,050 a year in 2027/28 (Loughborough says UK fees follow the government cap and may change); a placement year costs about 20% of the full-time fee.
• HND and HNC: the entry requirements page says BTEC HNDs and HNCs are considered and in some cases allow direct entry to Year 2; conditions for specific programmes are not published.
• Defence STEM Undergraduate Scheme: students on many engineering courses who intend to join the Armed Forces or Civil Service may be eligible for this financial support.

5. International applicants

• How to apply: through UCAS, or through the foundation provider ONCAMPUS Loughborough.
• English: the standard is IELTS Academic 6.5 overall with no element under 6.0; TOEFL iBT 88 (21 in each) for tests before 21 January 2026, and for later tests the page gives a 4.5 scale (4.5 overall, 4.5 in Writing and Listening, 4.0 in Speaking and Reading); PTE 65 (61 in each); LanguageCert Academic 70 (65 in each); Oxford ELLT 7 (6 in each). Some schools require higher levels, shown in your offer; tests must be within two years of the start; medium-of-instruction letters are not accepted.
• Qualifications: A-level and IB students apply directly using the course pages; students with a 12-year education system can enter through the International Foundation Programme.
• Tuition: the engineering course pages read for this guide give £31,500 a year for international students in 2027/28; a placement year costs about 20% of the full-time fee.
• International Excellence Scholarship: £3,000 a year towards tuition, up to £9,000 over three years, for international students only, assessed automatically with no separate application. Typically AAA at A-level (or equivalent), but A*AA for MEng Aeronautical, Automotive and Mechanical Engineering. You must make Loughborough your firm choice and achieve the grades at the first sitting; it does not apply to foundation courses, placement years or study abroad years.
• Future Leaders Scholarship: a one-off £10,000 discount on first-year fees, requiring an offer for September 2027 entry before you apply, with a deadline of 11 April 2027. Scholarships cannot be combined; only the highest-value one is honoured.
• Placement year: most programmes in the Wolfson School offer a salaried year in industry, typically between Years 2 and 3. Loughborough has a placements team and a careers fair, but says it is ultimately the student’s responsibility to find and secure a placement. The Aeronautical and Architectural pages say MEng students may take theirs after Year 3.

6. Applicants from China

• Chinese high school graduation does not give direct entry: the China entry on the course pages says students taking the Senior Middle Examinations must complete a suitable foundation year. Loughborough offers one through ONCAMPUS Loughborough, and its International Foundation Programme page lists an Engineering and Physical Sciences pathway with guaranteed progression if criteria are met. The foundation provider’s entry requirements are on its own website, which was not accessed.
• Gaokao scores: the course and entry requirements pages do not mention applying with Gaokao results; not published. Contact the Global Engagement team.
• One year at a Chinese university: a first year at a recognised university in China is accepted for first-year entry to some courses, typically with an overall average of 75% to 80% and specific subject marks for some courses. Ask the Global Engagement team whether your university and subject qualify.
• A-level and IB students: apply directly using the course pages.
• Interviews and accrediting bodies: no China-specific interview or recognition arrangement is published; ask the Global Engagement team or the international pages.
• Scholarships: the International Excellence and Future Leaders scholarships are open to international students, as above; no China-specific scholarship is published.

7. Transfers

• The course pages and entry requirements page do not set out conditions for transferring into Year 2 from another university; not published.
• The entry requirements page says HNDs and HNCs may allow Year 2 entry in some cases, and that Open University study normally needs 120 Level 1 credits for first-year entry, possibly in specific subjects.
• Credit transfer and recognition of calculus and physics courses are not published; contact the undergraduate admissions office.

8. Timeline (September 2027 entry)

• The UCAS key dates page, which does not state a year, lists 15 October as the first deadline (Oxbridge, medicine, dentistry, veterinary), 13 January as the second deadline and the last point of equal consideration, 5 May as the first date to reply to offers, and 30 June as the last date for late applications. Check UCAS for the exact 2027 entry dates.
• A separate deadline for international applicants is not published; apply by 13 January and leave time for your visa.
• After an offer: visit the department; for the Future Leaders Scholarship, apply by 11 April 2027.

Checklist

UK applicants:

• Mechanical, aeronautical, automotive: A-level Maths and Physics (BEng AAB, MEng A*AA); civil, electronic and others: ABB including Maths
• Apply through UCAS by 13 January; read the page for your programme

International applicants:

• IELTS 6.5 (6.0 in each); A-level AAA or equivalent for the Excellence Scholarship, with Loughborough as your firm choice
• For the Future Leaders Scholarship, apply separately after your offer by 11 April

Applicants from China:

• High school graduates or Gaokao applicants take a foundation year first; one completed year at a recognised Chinese university (75% to 80%) may allow first-year entry, so check with Global Engagement

Transfer students:

• Transfer conditions are not published; contact undergraduate admissions

Sources: Loughborough University, Undergraduate courses A-Z; Mechanical Engineering BEng; Mechanical Engineering MEng; Aeronautical Engineering BEng; Aeronautical Engineering MEng; Civil Engineering; Chemical Engineering; Electrical and Electronic Engineering; Biomedical Engineering; Materials Science and Engineering; Mechanical Engineering with a Foundation Year; Entry requirements; International Foundation Programme; English language requirements; UCAS key dates; Excellence Scholarships; Future Leaders Scholarship. Courses, offers and fees follow the course pages for September 2027 entry (2027/28); the UCAS key dates page does not state a year, as noted. Check Loughborough for the latest details.