Useful information for parents, guardians and supporters

At LJMU, we are committed to providing an outstanding student experience. From high-quality teaching and dedicated support services to opportunities for personal development and employability, we aim to support every student to thrive during their time at university. LJMU was placed second in the Uni Compare Top 100 University Rankings for 2025 reflecting the positive experiences shared by our students.

Read more about LJMU’s Vision and Values.

Liverpool is safe, friendly and affordable. Not only are we consistently voted in the top student cities in the UK, but we are also proud of Liverpool’s Purple Flag status, recognising the city’s safe and well-managed nightlife. Find out more about the city your student will call home. Our Living in Liverpool page provides information on student life, accommodation, transport, attractions and everything Liverpool has to offer.

Parents, guardians and supporters can play an important role in helping students navigate the university application process. You can look at the courses we offer and read more about the application process.

If the student you are supporting has any questions about applying, tell them to email our admissions team or call us on 0151 231 5090.

Student finance is a key concern for parents, guardians and supporters. Our fees and funding webpages provide information on tuition fees, maintenance loans, loan repayments, funding opportunities and financial support available to students. We also have a dedicated team available to support applicants and students with finance-related queries.

Moving away from home can be a significant step for both students and their supporters. All new LJMU students are guaranteed accommodation in LJMU-approved accommodation, with options available throughout their course of study. Our Accommodation webpages provide information on accommodation options, costs, key dates and the support available to help students make informed decisions about where they live during their studies.

Our Student Life and Wellbeing team provides guidance and support to help students overcome challenges, build resilience and succeed throughout their university journey. Support is available for a range of student needs, including wellbeing, finances, disability and accommodation. Remember, if they need help, just ask. 

Find out more about Student Advice and Wellbeing. 

The Disability Advice Team can help your young person access the support they need throughout their studies. The best time to contact the team is before they start their course. By getting in touch early and disclosing a disability, they can begin accessing support from the start of university. Find out more about what our Disability Advice Team can support your student with.

We want to make sure that the student starts their university life at LJMU with everything in place, so please check with them that they have organised the following actions.

• Have they applied for their Student Finance?
• Have they arranged accommodation?
• Have they got additional support in place, if required?

For more information on what you need to know, visit out Before you arrive pages.

Moving into student accommodation is an exciting time and marks the start of your student's university experience. Read our webpage on what we recommend students bring with them to help them get settled in.

If the student has booked accommodation via LJMU, they will receive an email from their selected hall with the details about when they can move in.

Discover more about our accommodation.

Getting to know LJMU and Liverpool

Starting university is an exciting milestone. Before teaching begins, students may find it helpful to explore the campus, visit key locations such as the Student Life Building and libraries, and familiarise themselves with Liverpool. Taking time to get to know their surroundings can help students feel more confident and settled during their first few weeks at LJMU.

Shopping in Liverpool

Food and groceries: Aldi, Asda, Lidl, Tesco Megastore, Mattas, Seoul Plaza, Blue Whale and Melos.

Household essentials: Asda, Home Bargains and B&M are great for affordable bedding, pillows, towels, laundry detergent, kitchen equipment and cleaning products.

Study supplies: Asda, Home Bargains, B&M and Tesco Megastore all stock basic stationery and study essentials.

All our halls will be ready to welcome the students with welcome events. After this, Freshers week kicks off in style, and our Student Union have many activities for new and returning students.

Find out more on the JMSU website.

Our students have a right to confidentiality. Whilst you want to ensure that they are OK, we cannot disclose information about the student to you due to GDPR. This includes information about how they are performing on their course of study.

We will listen to your concerns and give advice where we can, but we will not disclose any information to you about a student, unless it is an emergency.

If you think the student is in immediate danger or requires emergency assistance, please call 999.

University is a significant transition, and there may be times when your student finds aspects of university life challenging. This could include:

• Adjusting to university life, including homesickness, independent living, or commuting to campus.
• Maintaining their wellbeing and balancing academic, work, and personal commitments.
• Accommodation-related concerns, including living in halls or finding private accommodation.
• Managing finances, including budgeting, student finance, bursaries, and hardship funding.
• Concerns about making friends, finding their community, or getting involved in university life are common. Meeting people with similar interests can be a great way to build connections and confidence.
• Developing academic skills, such as academic writing, referencing, revision techniques, time management, and building digital skills.

If your student requires support, please refer them to the Student Advice and Wellbeing overview for parents, guardians and supporters for details of the support services available at LJMU.

Showing interest and keeping communication open can help your young person feel supported throughout their studies. Remember, if your student needs help, encourage them to ask.

Your student might also benefit from additional guidance with their studies; you can encourage them to connect with the Academic Success Team. This team can support students in developing academic skills, refining study strategies, improving academic writing and referencing, and building confidence in their learning.

Alongside dedicated support services, students are encouraged to get involved in university life through societies, sports clubs, events and activities. LJMU induction week is a great time to discover opportunities, meet like-minded people and find societies that match their interests.

In addition, throughout the academic year, JMSU and LJMU host a range of events, activities and campaigns, helping students build friendships, develop new interests and feel part of the wider university community.

Every student's university journey is different, and there may be times when your student needs additional support with their studies. Whether they are adjusting to university-level learning, managing their workload, or balancing other commitments, there is a range of support available to help them develop confidence and succeed in their studies.

If they need further support, they should contact their Personal Tutor. Every student is assigned a Personal Tutor during induction, who can provide advice, guidance and signposting to relevant support services. Book an appointment with their personal tutor.

Many students choose to work alongside their studies to gain valuable experience, develop new skills and earn additional income. There are many employment opportunities available across Liverpool city centre, and one of the ways students can access flexible work is through Unitemps, a recruitment agency that supports LJMU students and recent graduates (up to two years after graduation). Students can find out more about Unitemps at LJMU, register for a profile, and explore the range of flexible job opportunities available through their platform.

Unitemps offers a range of roles both within LJMU and with external organisations, enabling students to gain valuable work experience, develop transferable skills and earn additional income alongside their studies. Opportunities can include hospitality, administration, student ambassador roles, marketing, events support, technical and research-based positions. Students are encouraged to balance employment with their academic commitments, with a recommended maximum of 20 hours per week during term time.