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Posted May 19, 2014

Student City Guide: Liverpool

Student city guide to Liverpool
Well known as being home of the Beatles and one of the world's most famous football clubs, the UK city of Liverpool has a great deal to offer postgraduate students.
 

Following a period of decline after the closure of its docks, the city reinvented itself as a centre of culture and the arts. This reinvention was further boosted in 2008 by Liverpool's tenure as European City of Culture, a yearlong round of cultural festivities that put Liverpool firmly back on the map.

Tourism is a large and growing industry in Liverpool, with many visitors drawn by the UNESCO World Heritage listed waterfront and queuing up to take the famous 'Ferry across the Mersey'.

Where to study

Liverpool has three major universities, as well as the world-leading performing arts provider The Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts.

The University of Liverpool, located in the city centre, is generally rated one of the best in the UK. As a founding member of the Russell Group, it is heavily involved in research.
 
Liverpool John Moores, has the largest student body, while the much smaller Liverpool Hope University has only had official university status since 2005. All four institutions offer excellent opportunities for postgraduate study.

Transport links in Liverpool

A little over two hours from London, Liverpool has excellent rail connections with other major cities in the north and midlands. The extensive bus network is supplemented by Merseyrail, a metro-style system covering the city centre and suburbs. Cycling is also growing in popularity, and is a healthy, efficient and cheap way to get around the city.
 
The city's John Lennon airport is a busy hub, with low-cost airlines offering flights to dozens of European destinations. Fast ferries run regularly to Ireland, including Dublin and Belfast.

Entertainment & leisure

You'll find a wealth of entertainment and nightlife on offer on Liverpool, with live music being particularly popular – unsurprisingly, given the city's distinguished musical pedigree.

A major setting for live music is the M&S Bank Arena in the heart of the development at Kings Waterfront, a 10,000+ capacity venue that regularly plays host to some of the biggest names in music. On a smaller scale, venues such as Jacarand, Outpost and the famous Cavern Club offer regular live music.

There's also plenty of comedy, with a smattering of clubs to be found across the city centre.

Liverpool has a wide selection of parks and gardens, with Sefton Park just outside the centre being the largest and most popular. For a real taste of the countryside, the huge Croxteth Country Park is easily big enough to get lost in.

There's plenty to do on rainy days too, with a wealth of museums and galleries to explore (more than any UK city outside London). World Museum Liverpool has a global outlook, with exhibits ranging from Egyptian mummies to Martian meteorites. The Museum of Liverpool focuses on the rich history of this fascinating city.

Residents with a taste for spending are well served by Liverpool, with a wealth of independent shops around the city centre. The heart of independent retail sector is Bold Street, with its quirky shops and alfresco cafes making it a popular destination.

For the more mainstream stores, the massive Liverpool One shopping mall will keep you busy, with over 100 retail outlets, plus entertainment including cinema, crazy golf and am escape room. Designer labels can be found at the Cavern Walks shopping centre, located in the Cavern Quarter.

Student accommodation

Fresh accommodationMany students choose to live in the city centre, paying higher rents in order to be close to the campus, particularly University of Liverpool students.

Other popular areas are Kensington and Wavertree, both just outside the city centre and offering affordable house shares and student-geared nightlife.

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