The University of Liverpool is a Russell Group research university in north-west England, ranked 139th in the QS World University Rankings 2027. Applicants with the Russian school certificate (Attestat) cannot enter year one directly: they first take a one-year Foundation Certificate at the University of Liverpool International College, priced from $30,080 (£22,640) for 2026/27. International undergraduate fees for 2026/27 were $35,870 (£27,000) for economics and law and $42,520 (£32,000) for engineering, computer science and psychology. Master's applicants from Russia need a four-year Bakalavr degree with an average of at least 3.5 out of 5.
Liverpool John Moores University is a separate institution in the same city, and Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University (XJTLU) is an independent university in Suzhou, China, founded by Liverpool and Xi'an Jiaotong University in 2006. Both are compared below.
| At a glance | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Liverpool, England |
| Founded | 1881 (as a university college) |
| Students | about 30,000, nearly 8,000 from outside the UK (university figures) |
| Rankings | QS 2027: 139; THE 2027: =154; ARWU 2026: 151–200 |
| Route after an 11-year school certificate | Foundation Certificate at the International College, run with Kaplan International Pathways |
| Foundation, 2026/27 | $30,080–32,220 (£22,640–24,250) |
| Undergraduate, 2026/27 | $35,870–42,520 (£27,000–32,000) a year; veterinary science $59,590 (£44,850); medicine $66,430 (£50,000) |
| Master's, 2026/27 (examples) | $42,520–45,170 (£32,000–34,000) |
| University discounts | $9,960 (£7,500) off the first undergraduate year; $9,300 (£7,000) for master's |
| 2027 application | UCAS by 13 January 2027; medicine and veterinary science by 15 October 2026 |
Who Liverpool suits
| Strengths | Limitations |
|---|---|
| Russell Group membership and a top-150 QS position | No direct entry with the Russian Attestat |
| On-campus foundation college with a defined progression route | The foundation is delivered by a private partner and charged separately |
| Several foundation intakes across the year | International fees for 2027/28 may differ from the 2026/27 figures |
| Strong veterinary science, medicine and architecture; wide engineering choice | Medicine and veterinary science need the October UCAS date, UCAT and IELTS 7.0 in every band |
| The university calls Liverpool one of the UK's most cost-effective student cities and estimates £900–1,350 a month | The £7,500 undergraduate discount covers the first year only |
Liverpool makes sense for students who want a Russell Group degree with a clear post-school route and accept a foundation year plus three years of study. To compare budgets, look at Leeds and Sheffield; for a higher-ranked option, see Manchester. What Russell Group membership does and does not mean is covered in our Russell Group guide.
After high school: the Foundation Certificate
The university's page for Russian applicants is explicit: students with the national Attestat must complete the Foundation Certificate at the University of Liverpool International College or an equivalent foundation programme. The college is on campus and operated with Kaplan International Pathways, so foundation students use the university's libraries, sports facilities and catering.
| Detail | Business, Law and Social Sciences | Science and Engineering |
|---|---|---|
| Leads to | business, economics, law, social sciences | engineering, computer science, sciences |
| Fee, 2025/26 | from $29,200 (£21,980) | from $31,280 (£23,540) |
| Fee, 2026/27 | from $30,080 (£22,640) | from $32,220 (£24,250) |
| Length | one academic year | one academic year |
Expect around 20 classroom hours a week in small groups, academic English and a learning support tutor. Kaplan groups start dates into autumn (September to November), spring (January to April) and summer (May to August) intakes. The college sets no fixed application deadline, yet applying a few months ahead leaves time for the CAS, the visa and housing.
English for the foundation. Kaplan lists IELTS for UKVI from 4.0 to 5.5 for UK preparation courses, depending on length and subject. This is a Secure English Language Test (SELT) taken at a UKVI-approved centre; the standard IELTS Academic is not accepted for a visa to a pre-degree course.
Progressing to year one. Completing the foundation at the required level and with good attendance gives you a place on your chosen degree, with the progression mark stated in your offer. Pick the stream carefully: the science stream does not lead to law, and the business stream does not lead to engineering. Kaplan students averaging 75% or more receive a $9,960 (£7,500) reduction on the first year of a non-clinical degree (medicine and dentistry are excluded). For how foundation compares with A levels and the IB, see our foundation year guide.
Applicants from Kazakhstan have extra options: the university considers credit transfer into year one or two after study at a Kazakh university (not into clinical programmes), and A levels or the IB allow direct entry.
Year-one entry requirements: examples
| Programme, start 27 September 2027 | A levels | IELTS | International fee per year (2026/27) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Economics BSc | AAB with A in Mathematics | 6.5, no band below 5.5 | $35,870 (£27,000) |
| Law LLB | see course page | 6.5, no band below 5.5 | $35,870 (£27,000) |
| Computer Science BSc | AAB with Maths or Computer Science | 6.0, no band below 5.5 | $42,520 (£32,000) |
| Mechanical Engineering BEng | see course page | 6.0, no band below 5.5 | $42,520 (£32,000) |
| Psychology BSc | see course page | 7.0, no band below 6.5 | $42,520 (£32,000) |
| Veterinary Science BVSc | see course page | 7.0 in every band | $59,590 (£44,850) |
| Medicine and Surgery MBChB | AAA incl. Chemistry plus Biology, Physics or Maths; UCAT | 7.0 in every band | $66,430 (£50,000) |
The IB Diploma is considered from 28 points and SAT results also allow direct entry, with exact thresholds on each course page. International fees shown apply to 2026/27; the university notes they may change for 2027/28 and can rise each year. A year in industry costs $2,600 (£1,955).
2027 timeline
| Stage | Date |
|---|---|
| Medicine, veterinary science: UCAS | 15 October 2026, 18:00 UK time |
| Other courses: UCAS equal-consideration date | 13 January 2027, 18:00 |
| Last UCAS date before Clearing | 30 June 2027 |
| Teaching starts | 27 September 2027 |
Undergraduate applications go through UCAS; foundation applications go directly to the college. Our guide to applying to UK universities walks through the UCAS form and personal statement.
Master's degrees
From Russia, Liverpool asks for a four-year Bakalavr from a recognised institution at 3.5 out of 5, with higher thresholds on some courses. For Kazakhstan the benchmark is 3.75/5.0 (or 2.9/4.0). Applications go directly through the Apply Yourself portal, not UCAS.
| Programme, 2026/27 | International fee | IELTS |
|---|---|---|
| Finance MSc | $42,520 (£32,000) | 6.5, no band below 6.0 |
| International Business MSc | $42,520 (£32,000) | 6.5, no band below 6.0 |
| Data Science and Artificial Intelligence MSc | $45,170 (£34,000) | 6.5, no band below 5.5 |
If your grades fall short. Pre-Master's courses at the International College cost from $32,130 to $34,250 (£24,180–25,780) in 2026/27, depending on the stream, and lead to a master's place at the required result.
Deposit. International master's applicants usually pay $2,660 (£2,000) when accepting an offer; it is deducted from fees, and the CAS is issued only after payment. For September 2026 entry, the deposit deadline was 4 September 2026. Refunds are limited to specific cases such as a visa refusal (other than on genuineness grounds), ATAS refusal or a cancelled course.
Scholarships and discounts
- Liverpool Excellence Scholarship for Undergraduates: $9,960 (£7,500) off first-year fees for AAA at A level or equivalent, self-funded international students only, medicine and dentistry excluded. The published terms cover 2026 entry; the university is reviewing awards for 2027.
- Kaplan Excellence Scholarship: $9,960 (£7,500) off the first undergraduate year for a 75% foundation average; $9,300 (£7,000) off a master's year after the Pre-Master's.
- Liverpool Excellence Scholarship for Postgraduates: $9,300 (£7,000) for a First Class-equivalent degree, self-funded; not for students who took the college's Pre-Master's.
- Chevening: the UK government's master's scholarship. For 2027/28, Russian citizens are eligible only if they live outside Russia; the deadline is 6 October 2026, 11:00 UTC, and later cycles are announced on the Chevening website.
The university decides on every award, and most cannot be combined. External options are summarised in our UK scholarships guide.
Living costs in Liverpool
Based on feedback from its international students, the university estimates £900–1,350 ($1,200–1,790) a month:
| Item | Per month |
|---|---|
| University halls incl. bills and Wi-Fi | £688–1,120 ($910–1,490) |
| Private rent | £450–800, plus bills of £50–200 |
| Food and household items | £150–400 |
| Local transport | £20–90 |
| Phone | £15–50 |
| Social life | £50–250 |
The visa rule is a separate calculation: £1,171 a month for up to nine months, or $14,000 (£10,539), rising to $14,390 (£10,827) for applications from 30 November 2026. For a 12-month stay the university suggests budgeting at least £14,052. Housing options across the country are compared in our student housing guide.
Fees can be paid in full at the start of each year or in two instalments of 60% and 40%. If you are paying from Russia, use only lawful routes; see how to pay for studies abroad from Russia.
Visa and post-study work
- CAS: issued by the university or college; you can apply for the Student visa up to six months before the course starts.
- Fees: visa application $740 (£558); Immigration Health Surcharge $1,030 (£776) per year.
- Funds: the unpaid first-year fee plus living costs, held for 28 consecutive days, with the statement no older than 31 days.
- Tuberculosis test: required for residents of Russia and Kazakhstan at a clinic on the GOV.UK list (in Russia, for example, IOM Moscow and clinics in St Petersburg and Novosibirsk).
- Graduate visa: two years for applications on or before 31 December 2026 and 18 months from 1 January 2027, so 2027 starters should plan for 18 months.
UK Visas and Immigration decides on the visa. For details, read our UK student visa guide and work and the Graduate Route.
Liverpool, LJMU and XJTLU
| University of Liverpool | Liverpool John Moores University | XJTLU (Suzhou, China) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| What it is | Russell Group research university | separate university in the same city | Sino-British university |
| Where you study | Liverpool | Liverpool | China |
| Link to Liverpool | — | none | 2+2 route lets some XJTLU students finish the last two years in Liverpool; Liverpool students can spend a year in Suzhou |
| How to apply | UCAS; foundation via the college | UCAS | directly to XJTLU under its own rules |
Searches for "Liverpool University in China" almost always mean XJTLU. A UK Student visa, the Graduate Route and life in England apply only to the Liverpool campus.
Common mistakes
- Applying to year one with the Attestat alone. Without a foundation, A levels or the IB, the application will not meet requirements.
- Booking a standard IELTS Academic before the foundation. A visa for a pre-degree course needs a SELT.
- Treating 2026/27 fees as final for 2027. The university states international fees may change and rise annually.
- Expecting £7,500 off every year. The undergraduate discount applies to the first year only.
- Missing the medicine or veterinary deadline. UCAS closes on 15 October and UCAT must be taken beforehand.
- Delaying the master's deposit. No CAS is issued until the £2,000 is paid.
A 2027 plan
- October–November 2026. Choose the foundation stream and target degree; take IELTS for UKVI at an approved centre.
- December 2026 – February 2027. Apply to the International College, receive an offer and pay the college deposit.
- Spring 2027. Book housing, hold visa funds for 28 days and take the tuberculosis test.
- Summer 2027. Receive the CAS and apply for the visa; start in the autumn intake.
- During the foundation. Reach the progression mark for your degree; a 75% average adds the £7,500 first-year discount.
FAQ
Can I enter the University of Liverpool straight after Russian high school?
No. With the Attestat you first complete the Foundation Certificate at the University of Liverpool International College or an equivalent programme. A levels, the IB Diploma from 28 points or SAT results allow direct entry to year one.
How much does the University of Liverpool cost for international students?
For 2026/27, undergraduate fees were $35,870 (£27,000) for economics and law, $42,520 (£32,000) for engineering, computer science and psychology, and $66,430 (£50,000) for medicine. The foundation starts at $30,080 (£22,640). 2027/28 rates may change.
What grades do I need for a Liverpool master's?
Russian applicants need a four-year Bakalavr with an average of at least 3.5 out of 5; Kazakh applicants need 3.75 out of 5. Some courses ask for more. If your grades are lower, the International College offers Pre-Master's courses.
What is the "University of Liverpool in China"?
It is Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University (XJTLU) in Suzhou, founded by Liverpool and Xi'an Jiaotong University in 2006. Study takes place in China under XJTLU's own rules, so the UK Student visa and Graduate Route do not apply, except on the 2+2 route with the final two years in Liverpool.
Are there scholarships at Liverpool for Russian students?
The university's discounts carry no nationality restriction: £7,500 off the first undergraduate year for AAA, £7,000 for master's students with a First, and £7,500 for foundation graduates with 75%. For 2027/28, Chevening accepts Russian citizens only if they live outside Russia.
How does StudyU help with Liverpool applications?
Choosing a foundation stream and degree, checking requirements, preparing the application, documents and visa file are provided under an agreement with StudyU. The college and university decide on admission, the university decides on discounts, and UK Visas and Immigration decides on the visa.
Sources
- University of Liverpool: applicants from Russia and from Kazakhstan
- University of Liverpool: Foundation Certificates
- Kaplan International Pathways: International College fees and dates
- Kaplan International Pathways: UK entry requirements
- 2027 course pages: Economics BSc, Law LLB, Computer Science BSc, Mechanical Engineering BEng, Psychology BSc, Veterinary Science BVSc, Medicine and Surgery MBChB
- Master's: Finance MSc, International Business MSc, Data Science and AI MSc
- University of Liverpool: deposit, tuition fees
- Scholarships: undergraduate, Kaplan progression, postgraduate
- University of Liverpool: living costs, XJTLU partnership
- UCAS: 2027 deadlines
- GOV.UK: Student visa, money, IHS, Graduate visa, HC 584 maintenance uplift, SELT, TB clinics in Russia
- Chevening: Russia
- QS 2027, THE World University Rankings, ARWU 2026, Russell Group members
Dollar figures use ECB reference rates of 30 September 2026 (cross rate £1 = $1.3286), rounded to $10. Facts checked on 1 October 2026. Other UK options are on our study in the UK page.
To compare Liverpool with other Russell Group universities, send a request.
During the free initial consultation, we clarify your goal, profile, timing, and budget and identify the next realistic step.
Next steps
- University of Aberdeen: Admission and Fees for International Students
- University of Bath: Admission, 2027/28 Fees and Scholarships
- Studying in the UK for international applicants
- University of Leeds: Admission for International Students
- The University of Sheffield: Admission for International Students
- The University of Manchester: Admission for International Students
