FAQs for international students and parents

Applications can be made online - click here for further information

Once we have received your application it is forwared to the relevant school who then make a decision on it and return it to the International Office for all the relevant documentation to be sent to you.  There are four types of offer you may be made:

An unconditional offer.
This means that you have already met the standards we require for entry to our programmes. You can use this letter to apply for a student visa.

A conditional offer.
This means that you are required to pass certain exams such as A levels or an English language test. Once you provide us with evidence that you have met the conditions of your offer, we will automatically issue you with an unconditional offer.

A request for further information.
Occasionally, we require additional information to allow us to make a decision on your application. This can slow your application down considerably and it explains why it is so important to include as much supporting evidence as possible with your original application.

Rejection of the application.
In certain cases, we cannot make an offer of a place on our programmes. This is usually because students do not meet our entry standards or because our courses are already full.

Applicants whose first language is not English will need to achieve a good level of competence in both written and spoken English. At an undergraduate level we expect you to have an IELTS score of at least 6.0 or equivalent, and at a postgraduate level we expect you to have an IELTS score of at least 6.5 or equivalent.

See the required language skills for our ISC Foundation year

To help you prepare to join us in Liverpool - perhaps you want to book cheap flights in advance or make visa entry preparations?

Postgraduate Programmes

'See the tuition fees for our ISC Foundation year'

When do I pay the fees?

International students pay their tuition fees in two instalments: a minimum of 50% of fees at enrolment and the rest within 4 months of enrolment. You can pay your fees by bank draft or any card with Visa/MasterCard/Switch/Solo on it.

Liverpool is a student city with plenty of spaces in student halls of residence; or perhaps you'd like to share a flat or house with other students? Liverpool is still one of the cheapest places in the country for student accommodation. For more information, including details of how to apply for accommodation once you've received an offer of a place at LJMU, visit the Accommodation Office's website.

How much do I need for other living costs?

It is recommended that in addition to tuition fees you will need a further £5,500- £6,500 a year for living costs such as food and accommodation. This of course, depends on a student's lifestyle. For more information on cost of living, please click here.

The National Health Service (NHS) provides free and subsidised treatment to an International student if he/she is enrolled on a course lasting for six months or more. To receive any kind of treatment through the NHS, you must be registered with a doctor. You should register with a local doctor as soon as possible after you arrive at your destination and have a permanent address - don't wait until you're ill. After you've registered, you will receive a medical card stating your NHS number. Take this card whenever you go to see your doctor or any other NHS health provider.

As an international student in fulltime education in the UK for longer than 6 months, you are allowed to work 20 hours a week during term-time and full-time (40 hours) during breaks. For information on assistance with finding employment whilst studying, please click here. Students within the European Union have no restrictions.  Be advised that you will need to have the funds to support your studies and your cost of living before you arrive.  For more information visit the Department for Education website.

Please see the advice from the International Office for arriving students.

· Your letter of acceptance.
· A valid passport and visa if necessary.
· Travel insurance and health insurance (if necessary).
· Access to enough money for tuition fees, accommodation and living expenses for the duration of your course.
· Original certification of your qualifications (this must be officially translated if not in English).
· British currency and/or travellers cheques.
· All the information you have been sent by LJMU.
· Documentary evidence of your finances and references from your bank.

Please refer to our section on Police Registration.

How do I open a bank account?

You are advised to open a bank account right away so you have access to your money and can set up direct debit accounts with the University. Most major banks have branches close to the university. You will need the following in order to open an account:

· Passport.
· Letter of offer from the University showing your full name, your home address, and our course of study.
· Copies of recent bank statements from your home bank account (overseas) if you have one.
· A letter of introduction from your home bank account would also be very helpful.
· Evidence of your UK address (e.g. an accommodation contract).

Teaching methods for most undergraduate and postgraduate taught programmes are delivered via lectures, seminars laboratories, workshops and tutorials.

Lecturers are always willing to assist students if they are struggling in their course. Everyone at LJMU wants you to succeed and will go to the necessary lengths to see that you do.

We recommend that students coming to LJMU for the first time stay in University accommodation due to its close proximity to classrooms and the ease with which you can make friends. For information on Accommodation we offer, please click here.

If you are a mature student with a family then you may find it more comfortable to move into a house in the community. The University recommends if you want to do this to go through Liverpool Student Homes which is an organisation that ensures rental properties on the market are appropriate for our students.

Most of the Universities city centre based buildings are less than 10 minutes walk from the heart of the City Centre where there are grocery stores, chemists, and clothing stores. Liverpool also has several international food stores around the city that are popular with our international students.

All major religions have places of worship in Liverpool, a city with an open heart and mind to diversity. The University itself offers facilities and staff associated with various religions.

Finding yourself in a strange country it is hard to know how things are done and where to go if you need help. Never fear! LJMU has an International Student Welfare Advisor on campus to help you deal with everything from homesickness to finances to finding the right career for you.

At the Liverpool Student's Union, they have something for everyone. Whether you're interested in playing rugby, getting in shape with yoga, or joining a religious, debating, political or ethnic society, the LSU is there for you.

You can meet people who share your interests and get more from your time at University.

The LSU also provides entertainment and Welfare services. It is located on the Mount Pleasant Campus but is available to all LJMU students.

Further information:

These webpages provide a lot of useful information for students who are thinking of studying at LJMU, but if you cannot find the information you are looking for, contact us and we'll be in touch to answer your queries.