We are a catalyst for change

This section highlights the impact we have on sustainability and advancing students' development.

This section highlights the impact the University has on sustainability, advancing students development, the University’s contribution to the culture and visitor economy, and its global reach and influence.  

Sustainable development 

The University is deeply committed to sustainability, recognising its global academic influence and local impact as a major institution. It aims to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2035, requiring significant changes in its operations, research, and student engagement.

The University also plays a crucial role in the economic and social development of the Liverpool City Region, fostering a diverse and inclusive environment that supports sustainability initiatives and community engagement. Through outreach programmes, collaborative research, and support for regional projects, the University addresses social issues, promotes local development and strengthens community ties. 

Aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the University conducts pioneering research in areas such as climate change, renewable energy, and public health. It has implemented sustainability practices on campus, including energy efficiency measures and waste reduction programmes, while offering educational courses that equip students with the skills needed for a more sustainable world.

As a key partner of the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority (LCRCA), the University is instrumental in driving regional economic growth, particularly in health, materials, and culture. It also contributes to local resilience through initiatives, including the rapid testing pilot during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Advancing personal growth 

The National Student Survey 2024 shows that the University of Liverpool performs strongly on all measures, but particularly around student perception of assessment and feedback, academic support, organisational management, and learning resources. 

Our own student survey commissioned for this report supports this and provides valuable insights into student perceptions, with the results showing strong net promoter scores (NPS). 

• Academic and professional development: out of approximately 1,200 respondents, the University received a positive NPS of 6.56, indicating that students feel positively about their academic and professional growth 
• Social and personal development: the University scored a positive NPS of 11.22 for students’ social and personal development, reflecting a favourable view of how the University supports students’ personal growth and social engagement 
• Recommendation: the highest score was achieved in the area of recommendation, with an NPS of 33.70. This suggests that a significant number of students would strongly recommend the University to friends and family as a preferred place to study.  

These scores highlight strong overall satisfaction among students, particularly in their willingness to recommend the University. 

Students’ work impact

Students at the University have an impact on the economy by working part-time while studying. This can provide businesses with the additional labour they require to deliver their services.

Students are more likely to work to pay for studies, living costs and other costs. According to 2024 survey data of students, up to 59% of students are working to supplement their income (on average around 11 hours per week). This includes working part-time or in the gig-economy.

Employers in LCR value motivated and intelligent staff. The city’s diverse economy and supportive community offer numerous opportunities for career development and integration into the workforce. 

Student volunteering

University of Liverpool students engage in various volunteering activities that benefit local charities and community organisations. Through initiatives coordinated by the Liverpool Guild of Students, students contribute their time to support causes such as mental health charities, helpline services, and homelessness assistance. 

According to data provided from the Liverpool Guild of Students, between the start of September 2022 and the end of August 2023, students register on average one volunteering opportunity during their time at university.  

Further data from the Liverpool Guild of Students, shows that a total of 1,911 applications were sent for University volunteering opportunities between September 2023 and July 2024, with an average of 14 applications per volunteering opportunity in that time. 

Without a doubt, the University of Liverpool students have made a huge impact. They have produced high quality work in a stressful environment, working to tight deadlines and far exceeding my expectations.

- Volunteer provider / Organisation 

Survey data collected for this research found that around 13% of University students volunteer each week. The students who volunteer spend on average five hours volunteering each week. According to student survey data, the University students spend approximately 43 weeks in their accommodation per year and, therefore, on average, a student who volunteers spends 233 hours volunteering per academic year. 

Once applied to the overall cohort of students, it is calculated that approximately 3,978 students volunteered around 925,549 hours in the 2022/23 academic year. 

Student activities 

The University of Liverpool’s Guild of Students is over 100 years old and actively supports all students, including those from overseas so that they benefit from the full range of activities available. These include: 

Volunteering

As highlighted above, volunteering is a popular activity among students. The Guild supports the facilitation of volunteering opportunities through partnerships with local schools, community groups and charities. Opportunities include tutoring school pupils, befriending services with Age Concern, working with mental health charity ‘Be Free Campaign’ and sustainability champions with ‘Students Organising for Sustainability’ (SOS-UK). 

Sustainability

The Guild has partnered with the British Heart Foundation and Liverpool John Moores Student Union for the Leave Liverpool Tidy (LLT) campaign. LLT involves volunteers from the Guild staff and students collecting food, clothing, and household waste to be re-distributed away from waste in landfill or on the streets when students move out of private accommodation. As of 2024, to date the programme has saved 175,556 tonnes of waste away from land fill, the equivalent weight of 251 African male elephants, saving over 1,000 tonnes of CO₂ emissions and a donation value of £307,000 to the British Heart Foundation.

Societies

Over 220 student-led societies covering sport, religion, campaigning and activism, arts and culture, media, ethnicity or race, and subject disciplines. Since 2020-21, the Guild has not charged membership fees (previously £3 or higher), reducing barriers to involvement. In 2022/23, there were nearly 27,000 society memberships and 10,400 unique members, amounting to 35% of students.

Life experience

The Guild runs a popular “Give it a go” programme throughout the year that offers students opportunities to meet new people, get to know the city and learn new skills. Experiences are low or no cost with a 100% recommend to a friend rate among those who take part in the programme’s events.

Employment opportunities

Over 200 students are employed by the Guild of Students, being paid at least the Real Living Wage. Student employees have praised the Guild for understanding the flexibility and support needs of students working and studying at the same time.

Training

Over 1,400 student leaders undertake Bystander Intervention training per year, facilitated by the Guild. The training teaches students’ techniques in tackling harassment witnessed in public.

Events

The Liverpool Guild of Students is the second largest indoor music venue in Liverpool after the M&S Bank Arena. It is a frequent host for live music events open to students and the public. Notable artists in recent years include Fatboy Slim, The Libertines, KSI, The Streets, Happy Mondays, and The Wombats.