Describing your university
Sum up your university in one paragraph:
Overall, Loughborough has a lot to offer, and the size of the town shouldn't stop people applying. The campus is a world of its own, when it's full of students and there is always a buzz when walking around. The first time I saw the campus, I knew I wanted to go to University in Loughborough. My first year has been fantastic, the course is great, the facilities are great, and most of all the experience is great!

What is the academic life like at your university?
Loughborough has an amazing sporting reputation that often overshadows the academic facilities but in my experience this is not the case. The academic life is on a par with the sporting life. There are many societies to join (I am a member of the debating society) and the research quality is very high every year. It is an honour to be taught by lecturers who are making new findings in their field of research and have such a passion for the subjects they teach.

Describe your Freshers' Week - was it as you expected, better or worse? Why?
Fresher's week was amazing. It was better than I expected as the university made a huge effort to give us the best week possible. Each hall has it's own traditions and reputations so there was some friendly rivalry between halls as you mainly stuck with people in your hall for the first week. For people who are interested in sport the societies to join are endless all with amazing facilities and for those who weren't keen on sport there were many other societies available. Fresher's week was one of the best weeks of my entire life.

Are there any other notes you would like to add about life in general at university or anything else which would be relevant to a prospective student?
I have had the best year of my life at Loughborough and would really recommend it to all prospective students.

What is the best and worst thing about your university?
The best thing is most definitely the excellent sport facilities and social life. The worst thing is the town isn't amazing, however as there are so many students around you hardly notice it.

Sport and extra curricular
What are the sport and other activities on offer like at your university?
Most peoples reaction when they see Loughborough University for the first time is 'WOW'!!! The facilities on campus are second to none and I've not been anywhere that beats them! For practically every sport, there are world class facilities available, to be used by clubs and elite athletes from all over the country.

The social scene
What is the social scene (and/or nightlife) like at your university? Is it particularly alcohol orientated?
As many of the halls are brand new/have been newly refurbished they can be quite expensive (£120-£150 per week), however they are all a very high standard and almost all seem to have double beds. The food is really good quality for the catered students and for self catered the kitchen facilities are of a high standard so you really do get good value. There are cheaper options of living in student houses or in some of the older halls.

What do you think of the city your university is based in or near (as a city)?
Loughborough is in Leicestershire and is a short train ride from Nottingham, Leicester and Derby. It is a small market town known for the University. It doesn't have much to offer in terms of shops. There are a few nationwide shops such as Top Shop and New Look but nowhere near as many as in Leicester or Nottingham. Being a student, I've found this quite useful, as it doesn't encourage you to go spending money that you haven't got. There are a few clubs in Loughborough town; Echoes, Wild, Rain and Discotheque. These are all fairly small so often get crowded on busy nights. They all offer deals on drinks, and the prices are relatively cheap, which suits students down to the ground!

Accommodation
Do you live in a halls of residence or a student house (or college)? What would you suggest is best in your opinion?
In terms of accommodation, this is situated all across campus. There are 8 catered halls and 6 self catered halls available for under graduates and halls, which are available for post graduates only. Many of the halls are situated in the Student Village, which is in the centre of the campus. Other halls are situated in other parts of the campus, eg Butler Court and Towers are situated in the East Park. Each hall has its own identity and traditions. I live in halls of residence which in my opinion is best as you meet a larger variety of people and is more sociable. The location is also better as you are in the middle of the Student Village near to all the other halls.

If you are in a hall or college, is it catered or self catered? Which is better for the first year in your opinion and why?
My hall is a catered hall which I would recommend as first you don't have to learn to cook, (my friends in self catered live off ready meals and toast) and is secondly a great way to make friends. We have a huge dining hall so you can sit with different people every night and make good friends in different blocks. Friends in self catered seem to stick more with the people in their flat. The main advantage of catered halls for your first year is that you don't have to spend time cooking and cleaning. You will have to do it for the rest of your life so it's nice to have a year off, plus it gives you more time to make friends, complete your work or spend more time playing sports.

Approximately, what is the average cost of accommodation per week in your first year for catered and non-catered halls/colleges?
As many of the halls are brand new or have 120-150pw catered. Quite expensive.They are all a very high standard and almost all seem to have double beds. The food is really good quality for the catered students and for self catered the kitchen facilities are of a high standard so you really do get good value. There are cheaper options of living in student houses or in some of the older halls.