Liverpool John Moores University
A big city-centre university in Liverpool that ran the UK's first sports science degree and runs a robotic telescope.
- Students
- 25,702
- 20,319 undergraduates
- International
- 16%
- of students
- Student–faculty
- 18.1:1
- ratio
- Tuition
- £18,230
- From · 2027-28
- Founded
- 1823
About LJMU
Liverpool John Moores University traces its roots to the Liverpool Mechanics' School of Arts, founded in 1823. It grew through mergers with local colleges into Liverpool Polytechnic in 1970 and became a university in 1992, named after Sir John Moores, founder of the Littlewoods business. With 25,702 registered students in October 2025, 20,319 of them undergraduates, it is one of the larger universities in the UK, and most of its students come from the UK, many from the Liverpool City Region itself.
Teaching is split between two faculties on two city-centre campuses. The Faculty of Health, Innovation, Technology and Science is based at City Campus around Byrom Street, and the Faculty of Society and Culture at Mount Pleasant, beside the Metropolitan Cathedral. The Copperas Hill site between them holds the Student Life Building and the Sports Building. LJMU launched the UK's first sports science degree in 1975, operates the robotic Liverpool Telescope on La Palma, and is a major trainer of nurses, pharmacists, paramedics and police officers.
Entry for 2027 is mostly in the 104 to 128 UCAS tariff point range (BCC to ABB at A-level), with lower contextual offers for eligible applicants. LJMU suits students who want applied, career-focused degrees, placements and a big student city, and every new student is guaranteed city-centre accommodation.
Audentes fortuna juvat
“Fortune favours the bold” — university motto
Why students choose LJMU
The School of Sport and Exercise Sciences, which ran the UK's first sports science degree in 1975, teaches in the purpose-built Tom Reilly Building and says it is top 20 in the world for the subject (QS 2026).
Law students can observe real cases at the Legal Advice Centre from semester 2 of their first year, and 24 final-year students work weekly with Support Through Court at the Liverpool Civil and Family Justice Centre.
Astrophysics students get a field trip to a Tenerife observatory and remote use of LJMU's Liverpool Telescope on La Palma, which LJMU calls the world's largest fully robotic telescope.
Every new LJMU student is guaranteed city-centre accommodation when they request a room through the university.
Admissions
2027 entry
Selectivity
LJMU does not publish an offer rate. Offers are set per course in UCAS tariff points for 2027 entry, e.g. 104 (BCC) for Nursing and Zoology, 112 (BBC) for Computer Science and Forensic Science, 120 (BBB) for Law, Psychology, Pharmacy and Sport and Exercise Science, and 128 (ABB) for Architecture. Eligible applicants can get a contextual offer below the typical requirement.
Typical entry requirements
| UCAS tariff (A-levels, BTEC, IB, Access and others) | Course-specific for 2027 entry: 104 points (BCC; Nursing, Zoology), 112 (BBC; Computer Science, Forensic Science), 120 (BBB; Law, Psychology, Pharmacy, Sport and Exercise Science), 128 (ABB; Architecture). Up to 20 points from AS-levels can count |
|---|---|
| Subject requirements | Many courses need no specific subjects; Pharmacy needs a B in Chemistry or Biology plus a C in a second science, Sport and Exercise Science a sport or science subject, Zoology a C in Biology or a related science, and Astrophysics Mathematics and Physics |
| International qualifications | Accepted by country and checked for equivalency; an International Foundation Year gives direct progression to courses such as Sport and Exercise Science and Pharmacy |
| English language | IELTS 6 · TOEFL iBT 78 Minimum for most courses: IELTS Academic 6.0 with 5.5 in each component, or TOEFL iBT 78 (R18 W17 L17 S20). Nursing and Pharmacy require IELTS 7.0 with no component below 6.5. PTE Academic 61, Duolingo and other tests are also accepted, with country restrictions. |
Deadlines
- UCAS equal consideration deadline Non-binding Next deadline · In ~3 months13 January 2027, 18:00 UK time
LJMU asks for all 2027-entry undergraduate applications by this date.
- International application deadline (September 2027) Non-binding In ~9 months30 June 2027
For applicants outside the UK not taking UK A-levels; applications open 1 September 2026, deposit deadline 26 July 2027, CAS issuing deadline 2 August 2027.
LJMU says all 2027-entry undergraduate applications should reach UCAS by 18:00 UK time on 13 January 2027; UCAS itself accepts applications until 18:00 on 30 June 2027, after which they go into Clearing (opens 2 July 2027). LJMU's international dates page lists 30 June 2027 as the application deadline for September 2027 undergraduates outside the UK, with a £500 early payment discount for self-funded students who pay by 7 July 2027. UCAS Extra runs from 25 February to 1 July 2027.
How to apply
Apply through UCAS (up to five choices) with a personal statement and reference; LJMU makes conditional or unconditional offers, and offer-holders are invited to an Applicant Day (and an interview or audition where the course requires one). International applicants can apply through UCAS or an approved education agent; self-funded students pay a £5,000 deposit before a CAS is issued.
What admissions looks for
- The published UCAS tariff points for your course, with any required subjects at the right grade.
- GCSE (or equivalent) English Language and Mathematics at grade C/4, required for courses such as Law and Nursing.
- For professional courses such as Nursing and Pharmacy, a successful admissions assessment and interview, plus DBS and occupational health clearance.
- For mature and non-standard applicants, evidence of potential and motivation or relevant experience, sometimes through an essay or interview.
Tips for applying to LJMU
- 1 Answer the UCAS widening participation questions (such as care experience, free school meals or caring responsibilities): a 'yes' can bring an offer below the typical requirement.
- 2 If you make LJMU your firm choice, apply through the Applicant Hub for a £1,000-a-year Academic Excellence Scholarship (AAA or 144 points) or Community Excellence Scholarship.
- 3 Pharmacy interviews last about 15 minutes, and LJMU says AI use during live interviews leads to the application being withdrawn.
- 4 Self-funded international students get an automatic £3,000-a-year scholarship on courses costing £17,250 or more, and £500 off for paying the deposit early.
Costs & financial aid
2027-28 · figures in GBP
UK and Irish students who firmly accept LJMU can apply for the Academic Excellence, Community Excellence and Opportunity Scholarships (£1,000 a year each) and the Sir Bert Massie and Vice-Chancellor's Scholarships (up to £5,000 a year). Self-funded international undergraduates automatically get a £3,000-a-year International Achievement Scholarship on courses costing £17,250 or more, plus a £500 Early Bird discount for paying on time.
- £1,000 per year; AAA or 144 UCAS points
- Academic Excellence Scholarship (UK/ROI)
- Up to £5,000 per year, five students, household income below £25,000
- Vice-Chancellor's Scholarship (UK/ROI)
- £3,000 off tuition each year, automatic
- International Achievement Scholarship
- £500 off first-year fees
- Early Bird discount (international)
Academics
Sport and Exercise Science (BSc, C600)
From the school that pioneered the first UK degree in the field in 1975; taught in the Tom Reilly Building with an optional placement year; 120 tariff points.
Pharmacy (MPharm, B201)
Accredited by the General Pharmaceutical Council, with placements from year 1; top 20 in the UK in the Complete University Guide and Guardian 2027 subject tables.
Law (LLB, M100)
Real legal work through the Legal Advice Centre from the first year; LJMU named Law School of the Year at the Educate North Awards 2026.
Astrophysics (MPhys)
Taught jointly with the University of Liverpool, with a Tenerife observatory trip and final-year use of the Liverpool Telescope.
Forensic Science (BSc, F410)
Needs a Level 3 qualification in Chemistry and/or Biology or a relevant science, with an optional placement year; 112 tariff points.
Architecture (BA, K100)
Uses Liverpool as a design laboratory, with a European study trip; entry needs 128 points and a portfolio if shortlisted.
Research
- 73% of LJMU research was rated world-leading or internationally excellent in REF 2021; in astrophysics the figure was 97%.
- The Astrophysics Research Institute owns and runs the Liverpool Telescope on La Palma; its National Schools' Observatory lets UK schoolchildren take observations remotely, and LJMU is building a £30 million successor.
- Face Lab won LJMU the Queen Elizabeth Prize for Higher and Further Education.
- The LJMU Maritime Centre runs ship bridge and engine-room simulators and anchors the Global Centre for Maritime Innovation, launched in 2024.
Schools & faculties
- Faculty of Health, Innovation, Technology and Science
- Faculty of Society and Culture
- Liverpool Business School
- Liverpool School of Art and Creative Industries
- School of Law and Justice Studies
- School of Humanities and Social Science
- School of Education
- School of Sport and Exercise Sciences
- School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences
- School of Nursing, Public and Allied Health
- School of Engineering and Built Environment
- Astrophysics Research Institute
95% of LJMU graduates were in work or further study 15 months after graduating (Graduate Outcomes Survey 2024). LJMU holds TEF 2023 Silver overall with Gold for student outcomes.
Student life
LJMU is a city university: its two campuses and the Copperas Hill site are a short walk apart in central Liverpool, and most halls are nearby. The Student Life Building at Copperas Hill, open 24/7 in term, houses student services and the John Moores Students' Union (JMSU), which runs the university's sports clubs and societies. The Sports Building next door has a gym with memberships from £30 a year. Each year LJMU teams take on the University of Liverpool in the Varsity Cup.
- John Moores Students' Union runs academic, social, faith and cultural societies and sports clubs from athletics to yoga.
- Varsity Cup against the University of Liverpool across sports such as football, netball, hockey and basketball.
- Sports Building at Copperas Hill with gym memberships from £30 a year.
- Performance Sport programme with sports scholarships for elite athletes.
Housing. Every new LJMU student is guaranteed a room in approved city-centre accommodation when they request it through the Applicant Hub after making LJMU their firm choice; LJMU says booking through it means sharing with other new LJMU students at the lowest available price.
Location
Liverpool is a port city on the Mersey estuary in north-west England, known for its music, football and waterfront. LJMU's buildings are spread across the city centre, from Byrom Street near Liverpool One to the Georgian quarter around the two cathedrals, so shops, galleries such as Tate Liverpool and the Walker, and nightlife are all walkable. LJMU describes Liverpool as one of the UK's most affordable student cities.
Nearest airport: Liverpool John Lennon Airport (LPL)
Notable alumni
- MN Mohamed NasheedFormer President of the Maldives; maritime studies graduate of Liverpool Polytechnic
- CF Claire FoyActor (The Crown); studied drama and screen studies
- BT Beth TweddleOlympic medal-winning gymnast; sports science graduate
- NK Nisha KatonaFounder of Mowgli Street Food and LJMU chancellor; studied law
- PS Philip SelwayDrummer of Radiohead; studied English and history at Liverpool Polytechnic
- CA Caroline AherneComedian and writer (Mrs Merton, The Royle Family); studied drama at Liverpool Polytechnic
- AB Alex BrookerJournalist and Channel 4 presenter (The Last Leg); LJMU graduate
- NP Nikita ParrisEngland footballer; sports development graduate
Frequently asked questions
What grades do you need for LJMU?
Most 2027-entry courses ask for 104 to 128 UCAS tariff points, for example BBC (112) for Computer Science, BBB (120) for Law, Psychology and Pharmacy, and ABB (128) for Architecture. Eligible applicants can get a lower contextual offer.
What is the LJMU application deadline for 2027 entry?
Apply through UCAS by 18:00 UK time on 13 January 2027. International applicants outside the UK have until 30 June 2027 for September 2027 entry.
How much are LJMU fees for international students?
For 2027/28, most courses cost £18,740 a year, with Law at £18,230, Nursing £19,000 and Pharmacy £21,000. Self-funded students automatically get £3,000 a year off on courses costing £17,250 or more.
Does LJMU guarantee accommodation?
Yes. Every new student who requests a room through LJMU's Applicant Hub after firmly accepting an offer is guaranteed city-centre accommodation.
Is LJMU the same as the University of Liverpool?
No. LJMU is a separate university, formerly Liverpool Polytechnic. The two do teach some courses together, such as the Astrophysics MPhys.
Sources & methodology
Figures on this page were checked against official university publications, national application services and ranking publishers in September 2026. Each number is shown with the year or admissions cycle it describes. Always confirm deadlines and fees on the university's own website before applying.
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