University of Liverpool: What it's really like
Find out more about University of Liverpool
Want to study at one of the world’s top 200 universities, in a thriving student city? Liverpool could be the place for you!
The University of Liverpool at a glance:
| Founded | 1881 |
| Locations | Liverpool, UK |
| Undergraduate course length | Three years |
| Courses | Liverpool is divided into three faculties: Health and life sciences, Humanities and social sciences, and Science and engineering. |
| Students | 25,000 |
| Great for | Students who want to embrace city life, getting involved with lots of social events and trying new things as they study. |
| Not for | Students looking for a more rural or quiet university, or one which offers more vocational degrees. |
Jamie Graney, Student Recruitment Officer at the University of Liverpool, explains what it’s like to study at the university.
What is the University of Liverpool?
A founding member of the Russell Group of universities, the University of Liverpool offers approximately 600 degree programmes and combinations. The university is a city-based, campus uni, with around 25,000 students, representing 170 countries.
Most of the university’s teaching is conducted face-to-face, with some large-scale lectures taught online.
The university offers about 50 sports and 200 societies, so there’s something for everyone to get involved in outside of lectures!
Why apply to Liverpool?
One reason to apply to the University of Liverpool is it’s award-winning careers and employability service. The service supports you from day one, until (and beyond) graduation. Liverpool embeds employability skills into its curriculum, so you’ll find lots of placement opportunities, chances to meet employers, and years in industry across its degrees.
Moreover, Liverpool is ranked one of the top 200 universities in the world. Plus, Liverpool itself - with its reputation for great music, football and friendly locals - make it an exciting city to live in.
Who isn’t the right fit for Liverpool?
If you’re looking for a university that offers mainly vocational courses - like Sport science or Teaching, for example - Liverpool might not be the right fit for you. Although many of the university’s courses offer practical elements, these subjects are not available here. Degree apprenticeships are also not taught at Liverpool.
Any application tips?
The University of Liverpool accepts a wide range of qualifications for entry, including A Levels, BTECs, the IB, the EPQ and access programmes. The average entry grades are AAB/ABB at A Level (or equivalent), though you should check the requirements for the course you are interested in, as they may be higher or lower than this.
Liverpool does not use UCAS tariff points; and be aware that the university asks for specific GCSE requirements for some courses. Some of the courses have interviews, portfolio submissions or applicant days - so make sure to double check this too!
Liverpool’s admissions team looks for students who are passionate about their chosen subject, and can show they have done wider reading around it. It’s a good idea to know a bit about the careers your subject might lead to, and to talk about possible post-university plans in your application.
Showing a keenness to get involved in university life - from sports to volunteering - is encouraged too.
What’s the location like?
Liverpool is a campus-based university, so the facilities can all be found in one area, within the city itself. It’s based in the newer Knowledge Quarter of Liverpool, which borders the beautiful and historic Georgian Quarter.
The campus is about 10 minutes’ walk from Lime Street railway station, which has great connections to the rest of the UK; and about a 15-20 minute walk from the city centre, with its various shops, restaurants, museums and galleries.
The university is also about a 20-minute walk from the River Mersey waterfront, where students can enjoy the views from skyscraper, the Liver Building, or the eating and drinking options at the Royal Albert Dock. The local football stadiums are about a 15-minute journey from the campus via public transport.
Liverpool John Lennon airport can be reached in about 25 minutes by taxi, and is accessible by bus too.
Liverpool is very much a student city, with around 50,000 students present at any one time - so you’ll never be short of chances to meet new people!
What facilities does the University of Liverpool have to offer?
There are a range of teaching facilities across the campus, including computer labs, language labs and dedicated science labs, with The Material Innovation Factory and new Digital Innovation Facility producing world-leading research.
At the centre of the campus, you’ll find two libraries boasting a combined total of approximately three million resources (online and in print) - including Europe’s largest collection of sci-fi publications!
The Liverpool Guild of Students, which is the university’s student union, is also based at the heart of the campus, with coffee shops, a pub and one of Liverpool’s largest live music venues, Mountford Hall.
For your cultural fix, there is a performance centre, two on-campus museums and a theatre. Faith services include a chaplaincy, a prayer room and, nearby, a synagogue and two cathedrals.
What is the accommodation like?
Liverpool’s accommodation was awarded the Best UK Halls in 2021 from the National Student Housing Awards, so you’re likely to enjoy living there!
There are four main blocks of accommodation on the campus, with options like ensuite or shared bathrooms; catered or self-catered dining; and even studio apartments. Wi-fi and other bills are all covered in the rent, and there is a 24-hour reception if you have any queries.
There are also residential advisors on-site to help. These are students that live in halls themselves, can offer pastoral support to students in need, and are often the hosts of lots of themed social activities like pizza nights and tie-dye nights.
If you’d prefer not to live in the city centre, Greenbank, the university’s off-campus student village, is a 20-minute bus journey from the campus. It’s based in a leafy area of Liverpool, close to one of its parks, and boasts its own gym, dance studio and launderette.
If you’re seeking private accommodation in the city, a company called Liverpool Student Homes can help you with finding this, among lots of other student rental companies.
How does the university meet the needs of students with different accessibility requirements?
For students who use wheelchairs or need assistance moving around the campus, the majority of Liverpool’s buildings are accessible, including some accommodation. The university is working hard to make this the case for every building.
There are dedicated support teams, resources and software available for neurodivergent students to access.
The university also offers a suite of scholarships and bursaries, including financial support for those from care experience backgrounds, and a hardship fund for any students struggling to pay for their studies.
Want to explore more UK universities? Remember, Unifrog’s Shortlisting tool can help you put together a list of great potential courses.