Liverpool University - In Depth
Founded: 1881.
Site: 85 acres in city centre.
How to get there: Liverpool well-served by rail (to Lime Street Station: from Manchester 40 mins, London 3 hours), by road (via M6 or M62), by coach (to City Centre Coach Station), by air (Liverpool John Lennon Airport) and sea (ferries from Dublin and Isle of Man). Campus in city centre. Awarding body: Liverpool University.
Main undergraduate awards: BA, BArch, BDS, BEng, BN, BSc, BVSc, LLB, MBChB.
Length of courses: 3 and 4 years; others 5 years (medicine, dentistry, vet science).
Library & information services: 2 main libraries plus others in departments; 1.7 million books, 8200 e-journals, 2700 print journals; 1600 study places.
Specialist collections: Spanish Civil War; science fiction, early children's books, manuscripts, gypsy collection, private press publications, children's welfare organisations. Induction to library & information services available (varies by dept/course) plus IT skills courses for non-specialist students. Annual expenditure on information provision, £130 per (FTE) student. Separate library and IT services. 1365 PCs generally available to students plus some 2200 in departments (total ratio of workstations to students 1:6). Network also accessible from all rooms in halls, some 60+ wired data sockets around campus and 66 wireless points; network gives access to library, university network and internet; 24 hour access; helpdesk and online support available.
Other learning resources: Botanic gardens; veterinary field station; marine laboratory on Isle of Man.
Study abroad: 3% of students spend a period abroad. Exchanges with universities across EFTA and EU, most open to non-language specialists.
Careers: Information, advice and limited placement service.
Student advice & services: 2 full-time, 3 part-time student counsellors, student health service, disability support team, chaplains.
Amenities: 115 cultural, social and sports clubs and societies. Several theatres, concert hall, places of worship etc in city.
Sporting facilities: Two sports halls on campus, one with swimming pool. Playing fields near halls of residence.
Accommodation: All first years in university accommodation if applied by deadline, plus majority of late applicants (some restrictions on students who live locally). Some 3800 places available: 2000 full-board places in halls of residence (all for first years), average £94 per week, term time only; 1500 self-catering, average £66 pw, 32-42 week contracts. Students live in privately rented accommodation for 2 years: rents approx £43-£75 pw (over-supply of private accommodation in city).
Living expenses budget: No university-recommended minimum.
Term-time work: No university policy on part time work for full time students; free service, PULSE, provides information on vacancies available.
Financial help: £663,000 government grants and £236,500 hardship loans.
Special help: students with children, self-financing or mature students.
Tuition fees: Home students up to £1200 pa for first degrees (in 2005). International students pay £8150 pa (classroom), £10,500 (lab-based), £16,250 (clinical).
