Overview of Liverpool John Moores University's Rankings

Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU) has established itself as a respected institution in the UK higher education landscape, known for its strong focus on employability, practical learning, and research in key areas like health, engineering, and creative industries. Founded in 1823 and gaining university status in 1992, LJMU consistently performs well in various ranking systems, reflecting its commitment to student satisfaction and real-world impact. These rankings provide insights into the university's global standing, national position, subject-specific excellence, and overall performance metrics. Below, we explore the key rankings in detail, drawing from reputable sources such as QS, Times Higher Education (THE), and UK-focused guides.

Global University Rankings

In international assessments, LJMU is recognized for its rising profile, particularly in employability and innovation. Global rankings evaluate universities based on factors like academic reputation, employer reputation, faculty-to-student ratio, citations per faculty, and international faculty and student ratios.

QS World University Rankings

The QS World University Rankings, one of the most influential global lists, places LJMU in the 601-650 band for 2024. This position highlights the university's strengths in teaching quality and international outlook. Notably, LJMU scores highly in employer reputation, ranking in the top 300 globally for graduate employability—a testament to its career-focused programs. In the 2023 edition, LJMU improved from 651-700, showing steady progress.

• Key Strengths: Employer reputation (top 300), international student ratio (top 400).
• Areas for Growth: Research citations, where LJMU is building momentum through increased funding and collaborations.

Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings

THE rankings emphasize research quality, teaching, and industry income. For 2024, LJMU is positioned in the 401-500 range worldwide, a solid mid-tier placement among over 1,800 institutions. This ranking underscores LJMU's effective use of resources and its impact on society. In the UK Young University Rankings (for institutions under 50 years old), LJMU often features in the top 100 globally, celebrating its modern approach to education.

Year	Global Rank	UK Rank	Notable Score
2024	401-500	45-60	Industry Income: 35.4/100
2023	401-500	45-60	International Outlook: 58.2/100
2022	501-600	50-70	Teaching: 32.1/100

This table illustrates LJMU's consistent performance, with improvements in international collaboration scores over recent years.

Other Global Metrics

In the Academic Ranking of World Universities (Shanghai Rankings), LJMU appears in the 501-600 bracket for 2023, praised for its contributions to subjects like public health and sports sciences. The CWUR (Center for World University Rankings) places LJMU around 500-600 globally, focusing on alumni employment and research output.

UK National University Rankings

Within the UK, LJMU excels in student-centered metrics, often outperforming older institutions in satisfaction and value for money. National rankings prioritize entry standards, student satisfaction, research quality, and graduate prospects.

The Guardian University Guide

The Guardian Guide, which weights student satisfaction and employability heavily, ranks LJMU 82nd in the UK for 2024. This is an improvement from 94th in 2023, driven by high scores in teaching quality (4.1/5 from the National Student Survey) and career services. LJMU shines in value-added measures, showing how it supports students from diverse backgrounds to achieve strong outcomes.

• Standout Features: Top 20 for student satisfaction in sports and exercise sciences.
• Overall Score: 68/100, with graduate prospects at 78% in professional roles six months post-graduation.

Complete University Guide

According to the Complete University Guide 2024, LJMU holds the 81st position in the UK. This ranking assesses 130 universities on nine measures, including research intensity and student-staff ratio. LJMU scores 72.5% overall, with particular praise for its 85% graduate employment rate and affordable campus life in Liverpool.

Category	Score (%)	UK Rank
Entry Standards	65	90
Student Satisfaction	80	50
Research Quality	70	75
Graduate Prospects	85	60

These metrics demonstrate LJMU's balanced profile, with student satisfaction as a key driver.

National Student Survey (NSS) and Other UK Insights

The NSS, conducted annually, rates LJMU highly for overall student experience, scoring 81% agreement in 2023 that staff are good at explaining things. In the Whatuni Student Choice Awards, LJMU has won for 'Best University City' due to Liverpool's vibrant culture. Additionally, the Sunday Times Good University Guide (now part of The Times) places LJMU in the top 100 for 2024, emphasizing its modern facilities and industry links.

Subject-Specific Rankings

LJMU's rankings vary by discipline, with exceptional performance in applied fields. These subject rankings are crucial for prospective students seeking specialized excellence.

Top-Performing Subjects

• Sports Science: Ranked 1st in the UK by the Complete University Guide 2024 and top 10 globally in QS Subject Rankings 2023. LJMU's world-class facilities, including the UK's largest sports lab, contribute to this leadership.
• Engineering (Civil and Mechanical): 40th in the UK (Guardian 2024), with strong employability scores due to partnerships with firms like Siemens.
• Health Professions: Top 30 UK-wide (THE 2023), bolstered by the Faculty of Health's research in nursing and physiotherapy.
• Business and Management: 70th in the UK (Complete Guide 2024), noted for its apprenticeship programs and Liverpool Business School's accreditation.
• Computer Science: Rising to 60th (Guardian 2024), with emphasis on cybersecurity and AI through the new Tom Reilly Building.

QS Subject Rankings Highlights

In QS 2023, LJMU enters the top 200 for Sports-Related Subjects and top 301-350 for Engineering and Technology. For Arts and Humanities, particularly Architecture, it's in the 201-240 range globally, reflecting Liverpool's UNESCO City of Music status influencing creative programs.

Subject rankings often exceed overall university positions, indicating LJMU's niche strengths. For instance, in the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021, 94% of LJMU's research was rated world-leading or internationally excellent, with allied health and social care subjects scoring 100% for impact.

Employability and Additional Rankings

LJMU prioritizes career readiness, ranking in the top 10 UK universities for starting salaries (around £26,000 average, per High Fliers Research 2023). In the Global University Employability Ranking 2022 by Times Higher Education, LJMU is in the 301-500 band worldwide, praised by employers like the NHS and Adidas for producing adaptable graduates.

Other notable rankings include:

1. Sustainability: Top 50 in the UK (People & Planet Green League 2023) for eco-friendly campuses and carbon reduction initiatives.
2. Innovation: 25th in the UK for Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (Higher Education Business and Community Interaction Survey 2022).
3. Diversity and Inclusion: Gold in the Athena SWAN awards for gender equality in STEM, and top 20 for widening participation (accessing underrepresented students).

These rankings highlight LJMU's holistic approach, extending beyond academics to societal impact.

Key Takeaways and Future Outlook

Liverpool John Moores University's rankings reflect a dynamic institution that punches above its weight in practical, student-focused education. While global positions are mid-tier, national and subject-specific accolades demonstrate excellence in employability (top 20 UK) and specialized fields like sports science (world No. 1). With investments in research infrastructure and international partnerships, LJMU is poised for further ascent. Prospective students should consider these rankings alongside personal fit, as LJMU's urban Liverpool location offers unparalleled opportunities in culture, business, and community engagement.

For the most current data, rankings can fluctuate annually based on methodologies, but LJMU's upward trajectory—evidenced by a 10-position climb in several guides since 2020—signals a promising future.