Liverpool John Moores University (brevis: LJMU) is a public research university in the city of Liverpool, England. It has 22,445 students, of which 18,325 are undergraduate students and 4,115 are postgraduate, making it the 35th largest university in the UK by total student population.
The university can trace its origins to the Liverpool Mechanics' School of Arts, established in 1823. this later merged to become Liverpool Polytechnic. In 1992, following an Act of Parliament the Liverpool Polytechnic became what is now Liverpool John Moores University. It is named after Sir John Moores, a local businessman and philanthropist, who donated to the university's precursor institutions.
It is a member of the University Alliance, a mission group of British universities which was established in 2007. and the European University Association.
Video Liverpool John Moores University
History
Origins
Founded as a small mechanics institution (Liverpool Mechanics' School of Arts) in 1823, the institution grew over the centuries by converging and amalgamating with different colleges, including the F.L.Calder School of Domestic Science, the City of Liverpool C.F. Mott Training College, before eventually becoming Liverpool Polytechnic in 1970. The University also has a long history of providing training, education and research to the maritime industry, dating back to the formation of the Liverpool Nautical College in 1892.
The institution then became a university under the terms of the Further and Higher Education Act 1992 under the new title of "Liverpool John Moores University". This new title was approved by the Privy Council on 15 September 1992. The university took its name from Sir John Moores, the founder of the Littlewoods empire. Moores was a great believer in the creation of opportunity for all, which embodies the ethos of LJMU in providing educational routes for people of all ages and from all backgrounds. This belief led Sir John Moores to invest in the institution and facilities, such as the John Foster Building (housing the Liverpool Business School), designed by and named after leading architect John Foster. With the institution's backgrounds dating back as far as 1823, many of the university buildings date back also, with aesthetically pleasing Georgian and Victorian buildings found on a few of the campuses.
Present day
LJMU now has more than 24,000 students. LJMU was awarded the Queen's Anniversary Prize in 2005.
Currently, Liverpool John Moores University is receiving more applications than previously seen; according to data in 2009, the total number of applications submitted to LJMU was 27,784.
On 14 April 2008, Brian May was inducted into the university as the fourth Chancellor of Liverpool John Moores University. May is also the lead guitarist for the rock band Queen. He replaced outgoing Chancellor Cherie Booth QC, wife of former Prime Minister Tony Blair. Honorary fellows in attendance at the ceremony included Sir Patrick Moore and Pete Postlethwaite. May was succeeded as Chancellor in 2013 by Sir Brian Leveson.
LJMU is a founding member of the Northern Consortium, an educational charity, owned by eleven universities in the north of England. Alongside LJMU, this group was co founded by The University of Bradford, The University of Huddersfield, Leeds Metropolitan University, The University of Leeds, The University of Liverpool, Manchester Metropolitan University, The University of Manchester, The University of Salford, Sheffield Hallam University and The University of Sheffield.
Maps Liverpool John Moores University
Campuses
The university is based primarily on three campuses:
- City Campus, housing buildings from many faculties in and around Liverpool city centre
- Mount Pleasant Campus, close to the city centre, home to the faculty of Business and Law
- I M Marsh Campus, in Aigburth housing the Education, Community and Leisure faculty
Organisation and structure
Faculties
The university is organised into four faculties (which are each split into schools or centres), most of the faculties are based at a particular campus site however, with many joint honours degrees and some conventional degrees, the faculties overlap meaning students' degrees are from both faculties. The four faculties are:
Faculty of Arts, Professional and Social Studies
- Liverpool Business School
- Liverpool School of Art and Design
- Liverpool Screen School
- School of Humanities and Social Science
- School of Law
Faculty of Education, Health and Community
- Centre for Public Health
- School of Education, Leisure and Sport Studies
- School of Nursing and Allied Health
- School of Teacher Education and Professional Learning
Faculty of Science
- School of Natural Sciences and Psychology
- School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences
- School of Sport and Exercise Sciences
Faculty of Technology and Environment
- Astrophysics Research Institute
- School of the Built Environment
- School of Computing and Mathematical Sciences
- School of Engineering, Technology and Maritime Operations
Governance
Academic profile
Teaching
In Engineering the Times Good University guide rates Liverpool John Moores University at 23rd in the UK for Mechanical Engineering and 17th for General Engineering.
LJMU is also one of the UK's top universities for teaching and research in Sports and Exercise Sciences. The Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) awarded LJMU £4.5 million over five years for the establishment of a Centre for Excellence in Teaching and Learning (CETL). The CETL award recognises LJMU's record for Physical Education, Dance, Sport and Exercises Sciences. LJMU is the only United Kingdom university to be awarded an Ofsted Grade A in Physical Education and it is also the premier institution for both teaching and research in Sport and Exercise Sciences.
LJMU was also chosen (ahead of the University of Liverpool and Liverpool Hope University) to deliver the academic side of a national scheme called the New Entrepreneurs Scholarship, which is supported by Liverpool Chamber of Commerce and The Prince's Trust.
Research
According to the UK Research Assessment Exercise 2014 (RAE 2014), LJMU every unit of assessment submitted was rated as at least 45% internationally excellent or better.
Built Environment and Sustainable Technologies Research Institute
The Built Environment and Sustainable Technologies Research Institute (BEST) is a built environment and sustainable technology research institute consisting of five research groups working on different areas:
- Liverpool Centre for Environmental Technologies (LCET)
- Construction Management and Economics (CME)
- Liverpool Centre for Material Technology (LCMT)
- Facilities Management and Property Planning (FMPP)
- Radio Frequency and Microwave Technologies (RFM)
The institute currently publishes three academic journals: Journal of International Real Estate and Construction Studies (JIRECS), International Journal of Pavement Engineering & Asphalt Technology (PEAT) and Urban Design International.
Libraries
There are currently three libraries based at the three campus sites operated by LJMU. The two largest and more modern LRC facilities are the Avril Robarts library which is based on the City campus and used mainly (but not exclusively) by students studying on the city campus, in particular the Byrom Street and Marybone students. The Aldham Robarts LRC (which is based on the Mount Pleasant campus) is used mainly by students at the Mount Pleasant campus, this campus includes the faculty of Business and Law but student based closely to the LRC on a range of courses also use this facility. The third LRC is sited on the IM Marsh campus in Aigburth and is used exclusively (due to location outside the City centre) by student at this campus.
There are more than 68,500 books in the LRCs' collections, with 1,630 work spaces available for students 24 hours a day. In addition to this there are over 16,000 e-books and 5,000 e-journals available. It is a member of the Libraries Together: Liverpool Learning Partnership (evolved from Liverpool Libraries Group) which formed in 1990. Under which, a registered reader at any of the member libraries can have access rights to the other libraries within the partnership.
The Aldham Robarts library is situated on Maryland Street at the heart of the Mount Pleasant Campus and right opposite the Student's Union, Aldham Robarts caters mainly for the Faculty of Business and Law and the Faculty of Media, Arts and Social Science.
Avril Robarts Library is located on Tithebarn Street on City Campus, and covers three faculties: Faculty of Health and Applied Social Sciences, the Faculty of Science and the Faculty of Technology and Environment,
IM Marsh Campus library services the IM Marsh campus at Aigburth and covers the Faculty of Education, Community and Leisure which is situated at this site.
Industry links
The University claims to have an excellent record of providing education which meet the needs of industry with degree programmes such as the part-time BEng (Hons) Manufacturing Systems Engineering having been developed in association with leading companies including Ford, IBM, Lucas Industries plc and Jaguar. The links with companies are set to improve even more, with many courses offering an additional placement year as part of the Universities "WoW" (World of Work) skills programmes. First Destination Survey results show that 89% of LJMU graduates are in employment or undertaking postgraduate study within six months of graduating.
Foundation courses
The International Study Centre (ISC) offers foundation courses (pre-degree and pre-masters) for students whose academic qualifications do not qualify them for direct access to degree or postgraduate programmes. The majority of students come from emerging markets, such as China and Russia as well as the nations bordering the Persian Gulf.
The ISC courses teach a mix of English and academic skills. There are currently two undergraduate routes: Business, Law and Social Studies; and Engineering, Computing and Life Sciences, leading to over thirty full-time degrees at the university. For postgraduates, there is a 14-week pre-masters/MBA course.
The courses are validated by LJMU, but are delivered by Study Group, a global education provider. Students who enroll on the courses are given conditional offers at LJMU, but must meet academic standards in order to progress to the degree of their choice.
Guest speakers
LJMU hosts guest lectures on occasion, with past speakers including the Dalai Lama, Ryan Murphy (Hooton Tennis Club), Steven Spielberg, Willy Russell, Phil Redmond, Alastair Campbell, and Baroness Shirley Williams of Crosby. The latest guest speakers were United States Senator George J. Mitchell, Michael Heseltine CH, PC, and Next clothing retailer George Davies. The next guest speaker at the University will be Terry Leahy, the former CEO of market leading supermarket Tesco.
Painting Prize
John Moores Painting Prize is a contemporary art prize and involves a bi-annual competitive art exhibition held at the Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool. It is named after Sir John Moores, the founder of the competition. First held in 1957, it is Britain's most well-known competition aimed solely at painters and is now part of the Liverpool Biennial, a citywide celebration of the arts that encompasses the Tate Liverpool, Bluecoats Gallery and other venues in Liverpool. In 2008 the exhibition was part of Liverpool's celebrations as European Capital of Culture.
Rankings
Liverpool John Moores University was included in the new 2013 Times Higher Education 100 under 50, ranking 72 out of 100. The list aims to show the rising stars in the global academy under the age of 50 years.
Student life
Students' Union
Students at the University are represented, if not supported by, the Liverpool Students' Union.
Representation for all students is central and is conducted by executive officers elected annually. In most cases, these students will be on a sabbatical from their studies. The election process is normally contested in mid April, successful candidates assuming office the following academic year.
Sports
Liverpool John Moores University has BUCS-registered teams in badminton, basketball, cricket, football, cycling, hockey, netball, rugby league, rugby union, tennis, volleyball, swimming and American football. Many of the sports teams compete in BUCS competitions. Liverpool Students' Union has 15 BUCS sports, from which 36 teams run, catering for over 800 athletes. In recent years, LJMU students have competed for BUCS representative squads, in national finals and at World University Championships. In addition, the Students' Union also runs intramural sports leagues.
The University also enjoys success at National and World level. Gymnast Beth Tweddle studied at LJMU and has achieved national, Commonwealth, European and World medals whilst also competing at the Olympic Games.
Every year the university sports compete for 'The Varsity Cup' in the inter-university derby, Liverpool John Moores University Vs. University of Liverpool. The competing sports include: badminton, basketball, hockey, football, netball, volleyball, swimming, tennis and the snowriders racing team.
The IM Marsh Campus houses the University's main sporting facilities. The campus is home to the Faculty of Education, Community and Leisure (ECL) and has around 2,000 students each year. In addition to sports science labs and a learning resource centre, the campus includes the following sporting facilities:
- Large sports hall
- 2 Full sized hockey astropitchs
- 2 Fully equipped fitness suite/gymnasium
- Full sized football pitches
- Five a side football pitches
- 8 Badminton courts
- 2 Basketball courts
- 8 Tennis courts
- 3 Netball courts
- Climbing wall
- Full sized rugby pitches
- Dance studios
Both LJMU and the LiverpoolSU have been criticised recently over the handling of resources at IM Marsh Campus, which allegedly offers less value for money to students studying at LJMU. Criticism includes the closure of the IM Marsh library during Christmas holidays, the only LJMU library to do so, leaving Faculty of Education, Community and Leisure (ECL) students at a disadvantage, and the cost of travel.
Notable alumni
- Caroline Aherne (actress, best known for The Royle Family)
- Martyn Bernard (2010 European Athletics Championships bronze medalist high jumper)
- Rebecca Bisland (Republic of Ireland international footballer)
- Rachel Brown (England women's national football team Goalkeeper)
- Stephen Crowe (composer)
- Stephen Byers (MP)
- Julian Cope (musician, author)
- Lord Elis-Thomas (Welsh politician)
- Claire Foy (actress, featured in many well-known television series, including Netflix's 'The Crown')
- Neena Gill (MEP)
- Andreja Gomboc (astrophysicist)
- Mark Hendrick (MP)
- George Howarth (MP)
- Jayne Joso (novelist)
- John Lennon (the Beatles)
- Matt Lloyd (Paralympian) (Ice Sledge Hockey)
- Andy Merrifield, Marxist urban theorist
- Steve Morgan, founder of Redrow plc
- Margaret Murphy (crime writer)
- Mohamed Nasheed (4th President of the Maldives)
- Martin Offiah rugby league player
- Juan Carlos Osorio (football manager)
- Tom Palin (Painter)
- Jason Barnard (Musician, Search Marketing author and speaker)
- Roxanne Pallett (actress, known from Emmerdale)
- Les Parry: English football manager
- Steve Parry (Olympic Games bronze medalist swimmer)
- Vicky Pattison (Geordie Shore Reality Star)
- Louise Pentland [Known online as 'Sprinkle Of Glitter'] (Youtuber)
- Michael Rimmer (2010 European Athletics Championships silver medalist 800m runner)
- Gareth Roberts (writer, Doctor Who and The Sarah Jane Adventures)
- James Roby (St Helens R.F.C. rugby player)
- Phil Selway (musician), (Radiohead)
- Andrew Stunell (MP)
- Tegan Summer (actor)
- Gemma Tumelty (52nd President of NUS)
- Beth Tweddle MBE (gymnast)
- Andi Watson (cartoonist)
- Laura Watton (Original English-language manga artist)
- Hannah Whelan (gymnast)
- Ieuan Wyn Jones (Welsh politician)
See also
- Liverpool Knowledge Quarter
References
External links
- Liverpool John Moores University
- Liverpool Students Union
Source of the article : Wikipedia