International Students, welcome to your digital hub!
This page is for all students who self-define as having an international background, whether that means you have come to the UK to study or have lived in multiple cultural environments. This includes students from both within the European Union (EU) and outside of it, and those who pay both home and international fees.
This is your one-stop place to access resources, come together, connect with other international students and receive any support you may need to enhance your University experience.
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Have a question for our team? Contact us at liberation@liverpool.ac.uk
Discover useful resources, support and how to get involved below.
Being an international student is an experience that presents so many positive opportunities for careers and personal development, but it is not without its own set of unique issues:
- Surveys conducted throughout the pandemic show 77% of students applied because of the UK’s strong academic reputation, while over half (53%) said the UK’s diversity, multicultural experience, and welcome they would receive were key reasons they applied. (UCAS, 2022). Top factors motivating students to study in the UK include the prestige of UK universities (47%), the desire to live in the UK (45%), and teaching quality (43% overall – with 36% of undergraduates and 49% of postgraduates indicating this as priority). (UCAS, 2022)
- International students may experience ‘adaptation’ - challenges as they transition into a new academic and sociocultural environment, including language, communication, difficulties in forming social ties, feeling lonely, academic difficulties and new ways of learning (Experiences of International Students studying in the UK during the COVID-19 Pandemic, 2022)
- Half of students surveyed by UCAS didn’t feel ready to start their course – revealing a gap in knowledge and support during the crucial transition to studying in the UK (UCAS, 2022)
- The Government and Visa protection: the government has been limiting the scope of international student visas, to the detriment of those who are coming to the UK to study. One such change has been the limitation of dependents allowed to enter the UK alongside a student studying a short-term postgraduate degree, ending students’ ability to switch from study to work visas if they find a job (The Guardian, 2023)
- Many Landlords only accept a student with a UK based guarantor – some universities do provide guarantor services, these are not always accepted by landlords, often without giving a reason. (RGSU, 2025 )
Many international students take full advantage of university life by joining academic and cultural societies, playing sports, or engaging in student representation. Students’ unions and universities offer a vast range of opportunities, including volunteering, leadership development, employability programmes, and social events, all of which help students build networks, gain new skills, and feel a sense of belonging. Academic research has shown that participation in non-academic activities improves students’ performance across a range of skills and competences ‘associated with employability, including teamwork, problem solving and communication (RGSU, 2025)
When asked what motivated them to participate in the wider student experience, international students said they wanted to meet new people who share similar interests (67%), to try something new (56%), to have fun (47%), or to feel part of a community (41%). Emphasising the personal growth and sense of belonging that comes from studying abroad and participating in wider university life (RGSU, 2025)
Explore all the societies we have to offer at the Liverpool Guild by visiting: https://www.liverpoolguild.org/groups.
You can even filter the page by category to easily find the societies that match your interests.
If you have any questions, please contact our societies team - saadmin@liverpool.ac.uk
- International Advice and Guidance (IAG) - Support for all international students from your initial visa application, throughout your studies, to your graduation and beyond. This team provide specialist visa and immigration advice and support as well as support with any personal and welfare issues.
- Guild Advice - Free, independent, non-judgemental advice on a range of topics including academic issues, wellbeing, accommodation, and university life.
- Guide to University of Liverpool Services - This is a comprehensive overview of the services and support the university offers students, including International Advice and Guidance, Money, Advice and Guidance and Disability, Advice and Guidance. It also contains information on how to access Counselling and Mental Health Advisory services.
- University of Liverpool Money Advice and Guidance - Part of the University’s Student Services offering money managing advice, on things like loans, financial support for carers.