7 reasons to study in Liverpool

Known for the friendly, humorous, authentic people who embrace the culture and vibrancy of the city, Liverpool is a magnet for students as a safe and affordable home from home. Here are just some of the reasons why Liverpool is a great student destination.

Liverpool is the ‘world capital of pop’

This is according to the Guinness Book of Records and who’s going to argue with them. Liverpool is also a UNESCO City of Music (only one of two UK cities to claim the title). With its well-known musical heritage, it’s not a huge surprise that music continues to be heavily weaved into the fabric of the city.

Every night of the week, every week of the year, there’s music happening somewhere in Liverpool. You can discover the city’s up-and-coming bands in live venues like Leaf for a couple of pounds or find your favourite acts at Liverpool’s O2 Academy, Liverpool Guild of Students or the Invisible Wind Factory. From basement clubs and dive bars to the world-class M&S Bank Arena, there's live music to suit every taste.

Liverpool is also known for putting on great festivals. Our annual festivals include Sound City, Liverpool Psych Fest, Africa Oyé, Homotopia, Brazilica and Liverpool International Music Festival, to name just a few.

Wine and cheese (or beer and chips), Liverpool has it all

From shops selling specialist foods to restaurants in the oldest Chinatown in Europe, not to mention Italian, Japanese, Peruvian and everything in between – there is never a lack of choice for breakfast, lunch or dinner in Liverpool.

There are cool cafés, well-stocked supermarkets, reasonably-priced restaurants and excellent eateries to suit every taste and budget. The city also has a huge choice of pubs, nightclubs, alcohol-free bars and coffee shops, and since Liverpool is such a friendly place, you’ll no doubt end up meeting new people every time you go out.

Check out our list of the best cafés for studying in Liverpool.

In Liverpool, shopping is taken seriously...

We’re all shopping on a budget, but no matter if yours is large or small, you’ll find what you’re looking for in Liverpool. From high street stores in Liverpool ONE and Church Street, high-end fashion in Cavern Walks and MetQuarter, to independent boutiques on Bold Street, you’re well catered for. Don’t forget, most high street stores offer student discount too and if you sign up for an Independent Liverpool card you can also get money off home-grown cafés, bars and retail.

...but so is culture

With more museums and galleries than any other city outside of London, there’s plenty of inspirational art and culture to experience in Liverpool.

The city celebrates its creative past, present and future with world-renowned collections at the Walker Art Gallery and Tate Liverpool plus works on display at the Open Eye, FACT, Bluecoat and Liverpool Biennial of Contemporary Art.

Check out our list of the top art galleries in Liverpool.

If film and theatre is your thing, you can take your pick from West End touring shows at Liverpool Empire Theatre, independent performances at the Unity, Playhouse and Everyman theatres as well as blockbuster films across multiplex or art-house cinemas.

There are several museums across Liverpool, charting the history of the city and its impact on the world, from the darker side of its maritime past to the Swinging Sixties. Spend a day strolling around the Museum of Liverpool, Maritime Museum, International Slavery Museum, The Beatles Story, World Museum or the British Music Experience.

Nature is all around

Picnic, revision session or bike ride, whatever the reason to reconnect with nature there are plenty of options to entice you out of the city and into one of our green spaces or local beaches.

Explore the likes of Sefton Park (and the nearby Lark Lane for Bohemian café culture) or take a study break in John Foster Gardens.

A short train ride will see you on the beach at Crosby, where you can admire Anthony Gormley’s ‘Another Place’ iron men (15 minutes from Liverpool Central), or visit Formby Beach and the National Trust's red squirrel reserve (just a 30-minute train journey).

And don’t forget to visit Wirral – take the train, or better yet, why not take the famous ferry across the Mersey? Walk, cycle or roller skate your way along the promenade at New Brighton or West Kirby.

We're proud to be multicultural and multi-faithful

We are a multiracial, multicultural city supporting a diverse range of religions and communities. The two cathedrals – Anglican and Roman Catholic – may dominate the skyline but Greek Orthodox, Unitarian and many other churches can be found across Liverpool.

The mosque at 8 Brougham Terrace was the first to be established in England and the Al-Rahma Mosque near the city centre holds up to 1,000 people.

Liverpool also has a thriving Jewish community and the Princes Road Synagogue is one of the finest buildings in the city.

Nigerian, Somalian and Sikh communities are well established, alongside a Hindu temple on Edge Lane and active Buddhist centre in Aigburth.

Sport is kind of a big deal

From Premiership football (we have two world-class teams and the city is pretty obsessed with the beautiful game) to the spectacle of the Grand National at Aintree, watersports (we’re a port city after all) and a promenade that is perfect for runners, strollers and Instagrammers alike, there's no doubt that Liverpool is passionate about sport.

Take a look at our Liverpool section to find out more about this great city. Ready to choose Liverpool as your student destination? Find out what you could study at LJMU.