University of Liverpool

Established in 1881 as the original ‘red brick’, the University of Liverpool is a founding member of the prestigious Russell Group and one of the UK’s leading research-intensive higher education institutions.

We are firmly embedded in the fabric of our incredible city and share its vibrant culture and unique character.

Our civic roots and pioneering spirit combine to create impact that really matters. 91% of our research was rated world leading or internationally excellent, 9 of our units are in the top 10 for outstanding research impact and we are 19th in the UK for research power (REF2021). We are ranked among the world’s top 200 in the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings League, and one of the top 20 institutions globally for our work to support the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal for peace, justice and strong institutions (SDG 16).

Our Research frontiers are globally-significant and innovative research fields where we take a unique approach to tackle global challenges, further amplifying our expertise and capabilities to make significant societal impact.  Combined with our new Interdisciplinary Centre for Sustainability Research (ICSR), which will bring together researchers across the institution to develop research that accelerates progress towards achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development goals, they are vital to meeting our institutional ambitions. Research areas with real world impact include Materials Discovery, Therapeutics Innovation, Human Rights Law, Antimicrobial Resistance, Archaeology and Particle Physics.

Our five year research fellowships develop future research leaders across a broad and diverse range of subjects in an inclusive and collaborative environment.

Associated with nine Nobel Laureates, Liverpool graduates have become pioneers across a variety of fields. Our expansive alumni community includes the first female Director General of MI5; the first female judge to sit at the Old Bailey; five Nobel Prize winners, the first Chief Executive of Hong Kong and the founder of the Stirling prize for Architecture.

Other remarkable firsts include:

• An X-ray of a bullet in a boy’s hand was taken by the University’s Professor of Physics, Oliver Lodge, in 1896. This was the first time X-ray photography was used for surgical purposes in the UK.
• Established in 1988, the University’s Institute of Popular Music was the world’s first dedicated centre for research on popular music.
• In 1944 Chinese students at the University of Liverpool produced the first Chinese newspaper in the UK – the Hua Chow.