Liverpool is a vibrant city in England known for its love of music, sports, and friendly people. It’s famous as the hometown of The Beatles, one of the world’s most famous bands. Moreover, Liverpool is also home to two big soccer teams, Liverpool FC and Everton FC. Furthermore, the city has a bustling waterfront with a beautiful building called the Royal Liver Building and lots of museums to explore. Apart from all this, Liverpool has also gained widespread popularity among international students for higher education. Not only the United Kingdom, but students from many other countries come to Liverpool to complete their education.
There are three universities in Liverpool, which are the University of Liverpool, Liverpool Hope University, and Liverpool John Moores University. Among them, the University of Liverpool is the top university, and it ranks #165 globally in the QS World University Rankings 2025 out of 1503 universities.
When international students move to Liverpool, they need to know about some significant things. In this article, you will read 5 things to know before moving to Liverpool for the university.
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Getting Around Liverpool
If your residence is at some distance from your university, you will need to use transportation options. Besides, you would also like to visit different landmarks in the city from time to time. There are numerous transportation options available in Liverpool, such as buses, trains, and bikes. Besides, you can also use walking as a transportation option if your university is within walking distance or to visit nearby places.
There are both advantages and disadvantages of both the options, which you will read below.
Buses
Advantages:
- Affordable
- Extensive network
- Frequency
- Weather protection
Disadvantages:
- Traffic delays due to traffic congestion
- Crowded during rush hours
- Environment impact
Trains
Advantages:
- Speed and reliability
- Convenient for longer distances
- Discounted student tickets
- Environmentally friendly
Disadvantages:
- Less extensive coverage
- Limited service hours
- Crowding in peak times and occasional delays
Biking
Advantages:
- Cost-effective
- Health benefits
- Environmentally friendly
Disadvantages:
- Weather dependency
- Safety concerns
- Bike storage and security
Walking
Advantages:
- Free-of-cost
- Health benefits
- Convenient for short distances
- Environmentally friendly
Disadvantages:
- Limited range
- Weather issues
- Time-consuming
Avoiding traffic congestion can be a challenge for students. Here are some tips for navigating the city and avoiding traffic congestion.
- Plan routes with apps
- Choose off-peak times
- Use designated bus lanes
- Make use of Liverpool’s bike-friendly paths when you are on a bike
- Consider using a train or ferry
- Walk when possible
- Avoid driving in the city centre
- Stay updated on events and construction
You also have the option to buy a travel pass and tickets in Liverpool. Students can purchase travel passes that match their commuting habits. If you want the passes for unlimited travel, you can get Arriva Student Saver or Stagecoach Unirider. Train commuters can buy Merseyrail Railpass. For individuals under 19, the MyTicket offers unlimited bus travel for just £2.50 a day.
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Student Life and Culture
Liverpool has a vibrant student community and social scene, so you get a lively student life in Liverpool. Many student hangouts and clubs can be found here. Bold Street, Liverpool ONE, Baltic Triangle, and Sefton Park are some popular student hangouts here. The top nightclubs and bars in Liverpool are Concert Square, The Raz (Blue Angel Nightclub), Bongo’s Bingo, Popworld, and Brooklyn Mixer.
Moreover, different events and activities are organized here, such as Student Night at The Guild (University of Liverpool), Smithdown Road Festival, Liverpool International Music Festival (LIMF), Indie Wednesdays at The Krazyhouse (now Electrik Warehouse), CAMPUS Sports Leagues, and The Bombed Out Church (St Luke’s).
Furthermore, you can enjoy cultural attractions, the music scene, and nightlife in Liverpool. Some popular places for this purpose are:
Cultural Attractions
- The Beatles Story
- Liverpool Cathedral
- Tate Liverpool
- Walker Art Gallery
- Museum of Liverpool
- World Museum
- St George’s Hall
- Royal Albert Dock
- Merseyside Maritime Museum
- Bluecoat Arts Centre
Music Scene
- Cavern Club
- Liverpool Philharmonic Hall
- Jacaranda
- The Zanzibar Club
- O2 Academy Liverpool
- Invisible Wind Factory
- Phase One
- The Shipping Forecast
- EBGBS
- 24 Kitchen Street
Nightlife
- Concert Square
- Bongo’s Bingo
- Heebie Jeebies
- Electrik Warehouse
- Level Nightclub
- Popworld
- Camp and Furnace
- The Peacock
- Brooklyn Mixer
You can meet new people and get involved in campus activities in Liverpool. Here are some tips for this purpose.
- Attend social events
- Join student clubs
- Involve in sports if possible
- Befriend your classmates
- Try to make new friends outside your class
- Befriend other residents in your student housing property
3. Cost of Living
Compared to many other cities in the UK, Liverpool is an affordable city. The cost of living in Liverpool is 49% lower than the capital city of London. Let’s have a look at some major costs for international students in Liverpool.
Cost of Accommodation with Accommodation Options
There are different accommodation options available in Liverpool for students, among which you can choose. Student halls offered by universities are one of the prominent options in Liverpool. The prices of student halls in Liverpool range from around £120 per week to £200 per week.
Numerous off-campus accommodations for students can also be found here. The rents of off-campus accommodations are from around £85 per week to £282 per week for a single person. You can get a studio to share with one more resident at the highest price of £322 per week.
Private rental apartments are the options for those who want to stay outside all the complexes. You can rent a room in any such apartment. Private apartment rooms cost from £92 per week to £5,500 per month.
Another option here is homestay, in which you can stay with a family in Liverpool. The prices of homestays in Liverpool are from £20 per night to £60 per night. Two occupants can stay in some of the homes.
Cost of Transportation
Transportation is another major expense for students in Liverpool, so its cost is worth mentioning.
Train Travel (Merseyrail)
Railpass (Students):
- 1 Zone Weekly: £15
- 1 Zone Monthly: £54
- 1 Zone Annual: £583
- 16-25 Railcard: £30 per year (1/3 off standard train fares)
Multi-Mode Travel (Bus, Train, Ferry)
- Merseytravel Trio Ticket:
- 1 Zone Weekly: £24
- 1 Zone Monthly: £90
- 1 Zone Annual: £950
- Merseytravel Solo Ticket (Bus Only):
- 1 Zone Weekly: £17
- 1 Zone Monthly: £65
- 1 Zone Annual: £715
Cost of Food
Dining Out
- A meal in an inexpensive restaurant: £16
- Meal for two people in a midrange restaurant: £65
- McMeal in McDonalds: £7
Groceries
- Regular milk (1 liter): £1.09
- Loaf of fresh white bread (500 grams): £1.17
- White rice (1 kg): £1.81
- Local cheese (1 kg): £5.94
- Water (1.5 kg bottle): £1.11
- Apples (1 kg): £2.17
- Bananas (1 kg): £1.12
- Oranges (1 kg): £2.16
- Tomatoes (1 kg): £2.72
- Potatoes (1 kg): £1.22
- Oniona (1 kg): £1.13
- Lettuce (1 head): £0.80
Entertainment
- One seat in a cinema for an international release: £11.25
- Rent of tennis court for 1 hour on weekend: £13.33
Tips for Budgeting and Saving Money
- Search for accommodation in advance to get it in your budget.
- Cook food at home as far as possible.
- Get student discounts.
- Get free offers available for students.
4. University Experience
The University of Liverpool is the top-ranked university in Liverpool and is among the top 200 universities globally. Liverpool John Moores University and Liverpool Hope University have also gained widespread fame. These universities provide excellent quality of education and they have wonderful study and research opportunities. Brilliant laboratories and libraries can be found in all these universities.
The University of Liverpool is a member of the Russell Group and home to the Materials Innovation Factory and the Liverpool Cancer Research Centre. Liverpool John Moores University is known for the School of Sport and Exercise Sciences and Astrophysics Research Institute. It has also obtained National Student Survey (NSS) Awards and consistently ranks highly in student satisfaction, especially for teaching quality and student support.
Liverpool Hope University is a faith-based institution and is known for its strong emphasis on the humanities, social sciences, and education.
Now, have a look at some tips for adjusting to university life and managing academic workload.
- Prioritize time management
- Befriend classmates and co-residents
- Balance your schedule
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Local Culture and Tips
Liverpool has a vibrant local culture. Here, you fund friendly and down-to-earth Scousers. Scousers are known for their strong sense of pride. In the key traditions, we can mark passion for football. The rivalry of Liverpool FC vs. Everton FC is widely famous. The love for music can also be witnessed here, which is rooted in the Beatles’ legacy. Must-see attractions include the Beatles Story, Liverpool Cathedral, and the Royal Albert Dock.
When you visit the lively pubs, enjoy the city’s festivals, and embrace the Scouse sense of humour, you can experience the city like a local. You can also face some cultural differences in the city. The major differences include the fast-paced, direct communication style and the importance of queuing. But these barriers are easily navigated with friendliness and politeness.
Conclusion
Buses, trains, biking, and walking are the major modes of transport in Liverpool, both of which have their advantages and disadvantages. Besides, you can enjoy an excellent student life and culture in Liverpool. You can enjoy cultural attractions, a music scene, and nightlife. Furthermore, Liverpool offers an affordable cost of living compared to many other cities in the United Kingdom. You get great university experience in the universities, including the University of Liverpool, Liverpool Hope University, and Liverpool John Moores University with their specialities. Liverpool has a vibrant local culture, and here, you get down-to-earth locals.
So, it will be one of the best ideas if you are thinking of studying in Liverpool.
Also Read: Essential Tips for Living Off-Campus in Los Angeles
