University of Liverpool

I fell in love with the university from the very first open day I attended with College, and it was my first choice throughout the whole application process. I logged onto UCAS early on results day, refreshing it every second until I finally got the results I’d dreamed of. I was extremely anxious to move three hours away from where I lived, but Liverpool became my home in less than a week. Greenbank Student Village, besides being a bus ride away from the university and town centre, is the most gorgeous accommodation I have ever seen. There’s a free gym, free tennis/basketball/football courts, a dance studio, pool tables (the perfect way to break the ice with your new flatmates) and lots of 24/7 study spaces for exam season. My room is spacious with lots of storage space and an en-suite, and the kitchen/living area is perfect for evening movie nights with your flatmates. I would definitely recommend this accommodation to anyone planning on coming to study at the University of Liverpool.

The university itself, being a redbrick, is very aesthetically pleasing to look at, but also has almost everything you can think of. There are two big libraries with several million books (and study spaces that give ‘Hogwarts’ vibes) where you can find just about anything you need related to your course. If you’re like me and are pursuing a degree in healthcare there is an on-site Human Anatomy Resource Centre with cadavers to assist in learning (which might sound rather grim but is extremely helpful and all done in a very respectful way), as well as a ‘Florence Nightingale Suite’ (a replica of a ward for simulation sessions), and brand new X-ray and MRI technology for those in Radiography.

However, my favorite part of the university has to be the student guild, a huge building equipped with a coffee shop, a pub (the most essential, of course), a convenience store, a massive canteen with burrito and pizza stands, and a theatre for events such as formals and freshers week. There are tons of activities to take part in at the university, including more than 200 societies, and lots of them are free. Personally, I am part of the Dance Society and attend two classes each week as well as socials ranging from bar crawls to pottery painting. I guarantee you will find something you are passionate about and enjoy, and it’s the best way to make new friends—especially if, like me, you have travelled fairly far and know no one here.

Everyone’s timetable varies depending on the course, but Wednesday afternoons are free for sports activities if that’s something you’re interested in; there’s an on-site gym, swimming pool, squash court, and bouldering wall. There’s also plenty of support available for a range of things like career advice and mental health, and every student is assigned an academic advisor who you can contact about anything, as well as student representatives who can voice your concerns if you don’t feel comfortable sharing them yourself.

As for the city itself, it has just about anything you could ever dream of. As someone who grew up in a small village, living in such a big city was overwhelmingly exciting as I no longer had to travel to experience things that are just on your doorstep here. Liverpool has been ranked as one of the best nightlife destinations in the UK, with over 250 city centre bars and clubs. But if that isn’t your thing, there are so many activities you can do such as visiting museums and galleries, enjoying brunch on the gorgeous docks, or taking a shopping trip to Liverpool One. You’ll never run out of things to do, and it’s basically impossible to get bored.

Overall, I would recommend studying in Liverpool to anyone who asks me; it’s got rich culture, friendly people, and affordable living costs. It was ranked no.1 best student city in 2023 for a reason.