What's new at LJMU this academic year?
Returning to your studies? Find out what’s new for the academic year ahead.
We know the majority of our students will be returning to campus this September after a summer away from the university.
Whether you’ve been working, interning, researching, travelling, or relaxing, here’s what’s new for the academic year ahead.
Campus improvements
Refurbished gym (plus your Move Membership for 26/27)
The Sport Building's functional fitness and cardio zone, weights room and studio have all been refurbished over the summer and our newly enhanced facilities are ready for the start of the academic year.
An LJMU Move membership is £45 for students for the 2026/27 academic year and includes access to all LJMU Sport Building facilities including our fitness suite, weight room, studios, classes, swimming access to University of Liverpool's pool (off-peak hours), new WaveX pool-based balance classes, watersports, out and about sessions, indoor activities, intramural leagues and specialist programmes.
Sustainable period products now available
Students have access to a range of free period products and sanitary items located in our toilets across campus, this year we've added free in-cubicle 'pads on a roll' ensuring menstrual products are available in cubicles and communal bathroom spaces across LJMU buildings.
Improving your Libraries
Over the next academic year, LJMU libraries are getting a major upgrade.
We’re opening a temporary Library in the Pavillion at the beginning of November while the Mount Pleasant City Campus Library undergoes refurbishment. The Pavilion is just next door to the Mount Pleasant Campus Library, and you’ll still have access to study spaces, library services, and support.
Teaching and learning enhancements
Year-on-year we listen to your feedback and review our teaching and learning to ensure that we continue to offer you a supportive, stimulating and inclusive education experience. For the new academic year, we're introducing a number of improvements, including:
My LJMU
You may have noticed your MyLJMU app has had a refresh over the summer. A new and improved MyLJMU is on its way, making it quicker and easier to access the services, information and support you use every day. The upgrade will introduce a fresh new look, personalised shortcuts to your most-used tools, improved mobile access and enhanced accessibility features, including dark mode. Students will also be able to use LJ, our AI-powered assistant, to find answers, services and support more quickly. Whether you're checking your timetable, accessing results, completing registration or looking for support, the upgraded MyLJMU is designed to help you find what you need faster and with less effort.
Lecture recordings
Lecturers have been asked to record their lectures so that you can access the recordings via Canvas as a learning and revision aid. Most lectures will be available unless unsuitable due to sensitive, legal, ethical or privacy restrictions. In some instances, staff may choose not to record but will provide other revision materials on Canvas.
Enhancing teaching and your student voice
We're continuing to strengthen the student voice and learning experience at LJMU this year. Lecturers may be observed in some classes as part of a process that helps colleagues share good practice and enhance teaching quality across the university. We're also reviewing how student feedback is gathered, with plans to pilot a new approach on selected courses that makes it easier to share views and see how feedback leads to real change. In addition, students will continue to be involved in the recruitment of new academic staff wherever possible, helping to shape the future of teaching and learning at LJMU.
IT support changes
Find IT support in the Student Life Building
Face-to-face student support from our IT Services team is now based on the upper ground floor of the Student Life Building (SLB). Library staff will continue to provide first-line IT support and IT referral services at both the City Campus Library and Mount Pleasant Campus Library.
At the SLB you will be able to get enhanced support with your devices or accessing LJMU software and can still access other IT facilities like 3D printing, high spec computers, Virtual Reality headsets and podcasting facilities.
Contact IT Services by phone
You can now call the IT team if you’d prefer to get help over the phone during the day, call 0151 231 5555.
You can still get IT help from wherever you are by using our online IT guides, logging a request for help through LJMU Assist, or chatting to our AI assistant LJ for 24/7 support.
Accessing software on PCs and changing between printers
Over the summer IT Services has been rebuilding student PCs across campus to implement the latest update to Windows 11. A significant change to the student PCs is how you run software which was previously launched from the LJMU App Player. Software can now be found in the ‘Search’ box on the taskbar.
There is also a new app for changing printers. Search for ‘Print’ and select ‘PrintMap (On Campus)’, you can then connect with the required printer from here.
Career advice enhancements
Check out the all-new Careers Zone 24/7 online platform, which launches in mid-September on the Student Futures website. The new platform features an improved job board, a skills self-assessment tool, AI tools to help with career inspiration, CVs and interviews, plus hundreds of useful articles, videos and GradSims.
Also look out this semester for the launch of our Discovery Internship programme for second (level 5) and final year (level 6) students with around 50 paid, 100-hour opportunities available with companies in the Liverpool City Region. And three recruitment fairs taking place in September and October. All these events will take place at the Student Life Building and more details can be found on the Student Futures events page.
Meningitis B (MenB) vaccine now available for young people
The MenB vaccine is now being offered by the NHS, until March 2027, to young people who were born:
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between 1 September 2007 and 31 August 2008
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on or after 21 July 2001 and are starting university
You'll be able to book an appointment online or find a pharmacy that offers MenB vaccinations for young people here in Liverpool to keep yourself and others safe from the potentially fatal illness.
Early symptoms of meningitis can be similar to common illnesses such as flu or even a hangover, so it can be easy to mistake meningitis for something else but it’s important that you get immediate help. Get familiar with the symptoms in case you or a friend becomes ill. The Meningitis Now website offers clear information on symptoms and how to get help.
