University of Liverpool

Summary

History

The foundations of the University of Liverpool began in 1882 when the University College, Liverpool commenced its work in a disused lunatic asylum. It later became, in 1884 a member of the federal Victoria University, in association with Owens College, Manchester, and (after 1887) Yorkshire College, Leeds. The University grew steadily over the next few years in this partnership and in 1903 a royal charter was granted establishing the University of Liverpool. 

Notable early achievements include the world's first public radio transmission and the first surgical x-ray in the UK, both undertaken by Oliver Lodge in 1894 and 1896 respectively. The University has also been involved in the discovery of the synapse, the understanding of the role of chemotherapy in the treatment of cancer, and the eradication of small pox. 

University Environment

Liverpool’s campus has a great central location in the city, and with beautiful historic buildings alongside ultra-modern institutes, teaching laboratories and residences it is a great place to study and live. The University has recently invested £600 million in its facilities enhancing the Liverpool student experience. 

The University’s major veterinary research and teaching centre is located at Leahurst which is approximately 12 miles from the city of Liverpool. The University also maintains a site in London which offers vocationally focused postgraduate programmes delivered in premium facilities. Furthermore, it has a joint venture with Xi'an Jiaotong University located in the World Heritage City of Suzhou in China. This was opened in 2006, and by 2015 plans to have 10,000 students. 

Academics

Faculties & Schools

• Faculty of Health and Life Sciences
  • School of Dentistry
  • School of Health Sciences
  • School of Life Sciences
  • School of Medicine
  • School of Psychology
  • School of Veterinary Science
• Faculty of Science & Engineering
  • School of Engineering
  • School of Electrical Engineering, Electronics & Computer Science
  • School of Environmental Sciences
  • School of Physical Sciences
• Faculty of Humanities & Social Sciences
  • School of the Arts
  • School of Histories, Languages & Cultures
  • School of Law & Social Justice
  • Liverpool Management School 

Research 

Liverpool is a quality University in terms of research. It is part of the esteemed Russell Group and is associated with 9 Nobel Laureates in a 100-year history.  In the 2014 REF 81% of the University's researchwas ranked as world-leading or internationally excellent. Chemistry and Computer Science were ranked first for research while General Engineering; Archaeology; Agriculture, Veterinary and Food Science; Architecture; and English were also ranked in the top 10. 

Liverpool’s research capability is greatly enhanced by strong research networks internationally, nationally and regionally. The University has a number of cutting edge institutes and centres with 1,300 leading researchers, 680 research staff, 3,000 professional and support staff, and a £130 million per annum research income. Furthermore, investment in innovative research has seen the development of interdisciplinary research centres including the National Centre for Zoonosis Research and the Stephenson Institute for Renewable Energy. Students can get involved with Liverpool research through studying for a research degree. Students are taught by leading researchers, allowing them to develop the skills they need to excel in a globally competitive workplace.

International Opportunities

All students at Liverpool have the opportunity to study in Europe through the ERASMUS scheme or further afield through Liverpool’s exchange partners around the world. Your time abroad will usually last for one semester (around 4-6 months) in your second year (three year degree programmes and four year degree programmes which include a Year in Industry) or third year (all other four year degree programmes). Students in Clinical/Health Sciences will study abroad for 3 months on rotations/placements, usually in their penultimate or final degree year. It won’t add any extra time to your degree programme and you also don’t have to speak another language to take part. All study abroad is credit bearing, which means that it replaces the semester you would have taken in Liverpool and all the marks gained at the Host University will count towards your final University of Liverpool degree. Partners in Europe include institutions in Austria, Denmark, Italy, Poland, Spain, Turkey and many more. Outside Europe, Liverpool’s partners include universities in Australia, Canada, China, the USA, Peru and Hong Kong. 

Fees & Finance

Scholarships & Bursaries

The Liverpool Bursary offers students £2,000 for each year of study if your household income is less that £25,000 and £1,000 for each year of study if your household income is between £25,001 - £42,620 which can be claimed either as a cash bursary of fee waiver. Approximately a third of the University's students benefir from the Liverpool Bursary. 

The Liverpool Excellence Scholarship awards £2,000 to students who achieve AAA at A-level of equivalent and whose household income is £42,620 or below. This is in addition to the Liverpool Bursary. 

Facilities

Learning Facilities

The University has a wealth of learning resources across the two main libraries; the Sydney Jones and the Harold Cohen. As a student at Liverpool you will have access to an ever expanding collection of over 1.9 million books, over 40,000 e-books, extensive special collections of rare books, archives and manuscripts, and a collection of over 19,000 electronic journals. Liverpool students can also access the City Library and the libraries of Liverpool Hope University and Liverpool John Moores University. The University Library facilities include 1,100 study spaces and over 700 PC workstations, a range of photocopiers, printers and microfilm readers/printers, online access to the library catalogue and electronic resources, and self-service issue points in both main libraries. The libraries are open 24 hours a day on weekdays throughout the academic year. There is a 24/7 renewal line which allows you to check your borrowing record, and renew and reserve books at any time. You can make the most out of these extensive facilities through professionally qualified library staff who will help with your orientation. 

On campus technology facilities include wireless internet in the Guild of Students (the Students' Union) and the two main libraries, as well as high-speed internet access in all learning centres and halls of residence. There are over 650 PCs in the libraries, 1,000 PCs in Computer Centres across campus and several thousand networked PCs within academic departments. Students can also benefit from free access to over 100 licensed software applications, including standard packages such as MS Office, web design software, statistical software, AutoCAD, and programming languages. For students living in halls of residence off-campus there is access to all web-based services, including e-mail, your student record, the Library and the University's e-learning tools, as well as access to University software from any machine with an internet connection.

Sports Facilities

Liverpool’s Sports and Fitness Centre has a 33 metre swimming pool, two sports halls, four squash courts, a spinning studio, a class studio, a state-of-the-art fitness suite with the latest Cybex equipment and free weights, and a Bouldering wall. The Wyncote Sports Grounds offer 13 grass pitches, two synthetic hockey pitches and a 3G rugby training area. Wyncote is located on a major bus route, close to Mossley Hill railway station and is available for hire by the general public, as well as University of Liverpool students and staff. At Greenbank Student Village there are excellent indoor and outdoor facilities located at Derby & Rathbone Halls. The University also boasts the Snowdonia Outdoor Activity Base, which offers basic chalet accommodation for those wishing to pursue outdoor activities, situated in the heart of the Snowdonia National Park in North Wales. Additionally, at Dale Halls, on a beautiful site in Mossley Hill, there are four outdoor tennis courts and two newly refurbished squash courts.

There are many ways to get involved in sport at Liverpool, either as a beginner or as an advanced athlete. As well as keeping fit by joining the Sport and Fitness Centre you can join one of the 46 student-led sport clubs most of which compete in the British Universities and Colleges sport leagues (BUCS). At a more recreational level students and staff can take part in Campus Sport. There are internal leagues in football, rugby, netball and hockey, and also casual opportunities to play organised badminton and basketball. Many sports also allow you to come to the Sport and Fitness Centre with a group of friends and play the sport you enjoy in an informal environment. 

Students' Union

Students’ Union

The Liverpool Guild of Students exists to support and represent students at the University, as well as making sure that all students can make the most of their time at university. All students are a member of the Guild, and the free membership means you can benefit from free, confidential, non-judgmental advice, and course reps elected by their fellow students to put across your point of view. There are so many opportunities to get involved in the Guild throughout your time at Liverpool with a large variety of societies, or Activity Groups, encompassing themes such as religions, cultures, academic subjects, political parties, musical genres, student media and general interests. You can take part in a range of volunteering activities including RAG (Raise and Give), one-off events, such as a sponsored abseil, and long-term projects that enable you to develop skills and help others. You can get involved in all kinds of student campaigns whether it's fair trade, student visas, academic issues, global poverty or blood donation. The Guild also offers on-campus music, food and entertainment through the Guild bars, club nights, comedy, food outlets, live music, coffee bars and shops.

Student Support

Health & Well-Being

The University has a strong support network with a variety of different services to suit all needs. There is a Counselling Service with sessions on an individual basis, as well as group sessions which are designed to support groups of students who share a specific concern or issue. All individual counselling and group work is offered in the strictest of confidence. There is a Disability Support Team who can give advice, as well as helping to inform academic departments about your support requirements, arrange appropriate support in using the libraries and other academic support services, organise study assistants, and find financial support for services. The University provides information and support for prospective students who have left care and are considering applying to the University of Liverpool. The University asks that care leavers declare this on their application form because, although they may or may not want or need additional support, it is important to be aware of what services are available, as this will help in making informed choices. There is a range of health services in and around the University, including an on-campus General Practice and a drop-in health advice centre at the main halls of residence.

Religion & Spirituality

Faith Express in the Foundation Building is a drop-in facility and first point of contact with the Chaplains, where you can also get information and contact details for all major faiths in Liverpool. These Chaplains are from the leading Christian denominations, and are there to provide pastoral care and to support societies in the Guild of Students. The Guild of Students is host to religious societies representing each of the major faiths. Baha'i, Buddhism, Hinduism, Judaism, Islam and Sikhism also have societies within the Guild. 

The University has a dedicated Muslim Prayer Room which is located within the Sydney Jones Library. This facility has been purpose built to meet the needs of Muslim students, and includes male and female storage, washing and prayer areas. Near to the University, and throughout the city, there are places of worship, including the large Al Rahma Mosque, Jewish Synagogue, Hindu temple, Roman Catholic Cathedral, Anglican Cathedral and Gurdwara Sikh Community Centre. 

Career Facilities

The University of Liverpool is the leading Russell Group University in the North West for graduate employment. Behind this success is Liverpool’s Careers and Employability Service. The service can help you with exploring your career options, issues relating to changing or leaving your course, developing and improving skills that employers look for, and researching postgraduate study or research opportunities. For those who are looking for a part-time job at university the service advertises local opportunities via CareerHub. The service can also help you to fill in a professional job application. For graduates looking for full-time work the Service provides information on recruitment fairs, graduate opportunities and training in Merseyside, finding jobs in Merseyside and North West, graduate schemes and UK regional vacancies. 

There is a placement team working within the Careers & Employability Service who can help you find and apply for that all important work experience. There are a variety of options available for gaining work experience, including one-year placements (Year in Industry); summer internships; insight days; work-based learning and placement modules; volunteering, including the School Volunteering Scheme; and international experience. 

For those who are considering self-employment there are a number of sessions on setting up your own business in conjunction with the University's Enterprise Champions Project. The Centre for Enterprise and Entrepreneurial Leadership also organises events of interest to those considering starting their own business throughout the year.

Accommodation

The University maintains two popular student villages, at Carnatic and Greenbank, which are set in their own grounds, with sports facilities, bars, shops, restaurants, communal spaces and libraries. Carnatic consists of six comfortable residences housing around 1,400, mostly first year, undergraduates. Most accommodation in Carnatic is catered, but there are a limited number of places for those who would prefer to be self-catered. Greenbank is set in historic parkland grounds, and with the listed mansion house and individual residences. This student village is a lively community of around 900, mostly first year, undergraduate students. All accommodation at Greenbank is in private study bedrooms, with about 68% available on a catered basis. Both student villages are about 3 miles from the main University campus and the 699 bus service, operated by Arriva, runs door to door every ten to twenty minutes according to time of day, until midnight. There are also nine halls of residences on campus which offer city centre living in self-catering or catered accommodation mostly for postgraduate students with some facilities for undergraduate students. Most of the accommodation on campus is in private single occupancy bedrooms with either single or double beds. Residences are on, or close, to the main campus and its many facilities. Liverpool’s accommodation website provides much information on all the halls of residence with an Easy Comparison tool to help you find the accommodation that best suits your preferences and budget. 

At Liverpool’s London campus the University offers rooms in partnership with Urbanest Student Accommodation at their popular Hoxton and King's Cross developments.

International

English Language Requirements

Some examples of the requirements are shown below, and students are advised to check the University website.

International Support

There is an International Team to help with all aspects of applying to the University. There are International Representatives based around the world who you can meet or alternatively you can attend one of the international events that take place in various places around the world. 

Once in Liverpool you are supported throughout your time at University by the International Support Team (IST) who can provide specialist advice on a variety of issues such as visas, accommodation and financial matters. Services offered by the IST include events for international students; information about UK life; support for international students with children; workshops and presentations; and guidance notes and publications, including a monthly newsletter covering the latest issues affecting international students. This Team also offers a free transport service from Manchester Airport to Liverpool for new international students and hosts a Welcome Event. The event is designed to introduce you to the city and the University, and to also give you the opportunity to meet all the other new international students. 

Media