Liverpool John Moores University

Infobox University
name = Liverpool John Moores University


image_size = 102px
motto = "Audentes Fortuna Juvat" (Latin)
mottoeng = Fortune Assists the Bold
established = 1823 (as Liverpool Mechanics' School of Arts)
type = Public
endowment = £198,000 [ [http://www.ljmu.ac.uk/fin/fin_docs/LJMU_STATUTORY_ACCOUNTS_31_JULY_2007_FINAL.pdf Liverpool John Moores University ] ]
coor = coord|53.403|-2.970|display=title,inline|type:edu_region:GB_scale:5000
staff = 1,095 [http://www.push.co.uk/Uni_Profile.aspx?id=643c327a-5327-4f56-ab52-4be658a4ee43&type=profile Liverpool John Moores University | Push university guide | University rankings ] ]
chancellor = Dr. Brian May CBE
vice_chancellor = Professor Michael Brown CBE
students = 24,370cite web|url= http://www.hesa.ac.uk/dox/dataTables/studentsAndQualifiers/download/institution0607.xls|title= Table 0a - All students by institution, mode of study, level of study, gender and domicile 2006/07|accessdate= 2008-04-10|format= Microsoft Excel spreadsheet|publisher= Higher Education Statistics Agency]
undergrad = 20,270
postgrad = 4,100
city = Liverpool
state = England
country = United Kingdom
campus = Urban
colours = color box|#000066 Navy Blue color box|#BBDD33 Lime Green
affiliations = University Alliance EUA NWUA
website = [http://www.ljmu.ac.uk/ www.ljmu.ac.uk]

Liverpool John Moores University is a modern university in Liverpool, England. It is named after John Moores and was previously called Liverpool Mechanics' School of Arts and later Liverpool Polytechnic before gaining university status in 1992. It is not to be confused with the University of Liverpool or Liverpool Hope University, which are separate institutions also based in Liverpool.

The university is a member of the University Alliance, a mission group of British universities established in 2007. [ [http://www.university-alliance.ac.uk/ University Alliance ] ] It is also a member of the European University Association and the North West Universities Association. At present, LJMU serves more than 24,000 students comprising 20,270 undergraduate students and 4,100 postgraduate students, making it the largest institution in Liverpool by student population.

History

Origins

Originally 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 before eventually becoming Liverpool Polytechnic. [http://www.ljmu.ac.uk/AboutUs_City/history.htm/ A brief history of LJMU ] ] 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. The university has played a vital role in the cultural renaissance of Liverpool and has taken an active part in the regeneration of the city. New advances in digital technology and science have placed the university at the forefront of exciting developments in areas such as multimedia, sports science and space exploration. The advances in these subject areas led LJMU to be awarded the Queen's Anniversary Prize in 2005 which aims to recognise and reward the outstanding contribution that universities and colleges in the United Kingdom make to the intellectual, economic, cultural and social life of the nation. [ [http://www.ljmu.ac.uk/qap/ Queen's Anniversary Prize ] ]

Currently, Liverpool John Moores University is enjoying a boom in student numbers with the university receiving more applications than previously seen. The university was recently placed at number 20 in the country for applications received in 2007, the total number of applications submitted to LJMU was 28,214. [http://www.timesonline.co.uk/multimedia/archive/00211/Chat_211635a.gif]

On 14 April 2007, Dr Brian May CBE was inducted into the university as the fourth Chancellor of Liverpool John Moores University. He replaced outgoing Chancellor Cherie Booth QC, wife of former British Prime Minister Tony Blair. Honorary fellows in attendance at the ceremony included Sir Patrick Moore and Pete Postlethwaite. [ [http://www.ljmu.ac.uk/NewsUpdate/index_94219.htm News Update ] ]

LJMU is a founding member of the Northern Consortium

Campus

LJMU 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 lesiure faculty

Faculties

The university is organised into six faculties, 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 six faculties are:

color box|#BB6677 Faculty of Business and Law
color box|#55BBCC Faculty of Education, Community and Leisure
color box|#FFCC55 Faculty of Health and Applied Social Sciences
color box|#CCAACC Faculty of Media, Arts and Social Science
color box|#66AA99 Faculty of Science
color box|#66CCFF Faculty of Technology and Environment

Future Projects

The university is currently expanding and improving numerous buildings on the three campus sites: the latest project will be the new £20 million Byrom Street development. [ [http://www.ljmu.ac.uk/NewsCentre/92501.htm Planning application submitted for £20 million science building ] ] Once completed in 2009, it will enable the university to consolidate science teaching to one location. Around 50 per cent of the new building's 6,400 square metre floorspace will be given over to specialist teaching and research laboratories, with the remainder being used for teaching, IT suites and staff accommodation. LJMU's School of Sport and Exercise Sciences is ranked as the United Kingdom's number one for both teaching and research in this field. The specialist facilities housed within the new building reflect the School's elite status and will include an indoor 70-metre running track and labs for testing cardio-vascular ability, motor skills and bio-mechanics functions. The building will also have additional biochemistry and psychology teaching labs. [ [http://www.ljmu.ac.uk/NewsUpdate/index_93866.htm News Update ] ]

Another major addition to the university is the Art and Design Academy, which will replace the previous disparate locations of the department. The £21.4 million development is scheduled to open in 2008 to coinside with the European Capital of Culture bid which was won by Liverpool and will be based at the Mount Pleasant campus. [ [http://www.ljmu.ac.uk/ada/index.htm Art and Design Academy ] ]

Guest Speakers

LJMU hosts guest lectures on occasion, with past speakers including the Dalai Lama, 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, [ [http://www.ljmu.ac.uk/NewsUpdate/index_94347.htm News Update ] ] Michael Heseltine CH, PC, [ [http://www.ljmu.ac.uk/NewsUpdate/index_94418.htm News Update ] ] and Next clothing retailer George Davies. [ [http://www.ljmu.ac.uk/NewsUpdate/index_94149.htm News Update ] ]

Libraries

There are currently three Learning Resource Centres (LRCs) based at the three campus sites operated by LJMU. [ [http://www.ljmu.ac.uk/lea/77293.htm Learning Resource Centres ] ] The two largest and more modern LRC facilities are the Avril Robarts LRC 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. [ [http://www.ljmu.ac.uk/lea/77327.htm Avril Robarts LRC ] ] 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. [ [http://www.ljmu.ac.uk/lea/77326.htm Aldham Robarts LRC ] ] 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. [ [http://www.ljmu.ac.uk/lea/77328.htm IM Marsh LRC ] ]

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. [ [http://www.ljmu.ac.uk/lea/ Library Services and Facilities ] ]

Industry links

The university has links with industry, with degree programmes having been developed in association with leading companies around the globe including Ford, IBM, Lucas Industries plc and Jaguar. The links with companies are set to improve, 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.

Teaching

Through recent teaching quality assessments, LJMU is top of the league for teaching in physics and astronomy, applied social work, health studies, hospitality, leisure, recreation, sport and tourism, and has consistently received good ratings for other subject areas. LJMU is also the UK's top university for teaching and research in Sports and Exercise Sciences. [ [http://www.educationuk.org/pls/cgi-bin/hc_profile.page_pls_profile_details?x=923011953908&y=&a=220704&z=5205&sec_id=1&area=zone Education UK - Innovative. Individual. Inspirational ] ] [http://www.ljmu.ac.uk/sport/ Sport at LJMU ] ]

In recognition of excellence within sporting disciplines at LJMU, 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 outstanding 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 Princes Trust.

Research

The University's research profile and reputation have developed rapidly over recent years as evidenced by the sustained rise in external research income (more than trebling since 2000). [ [http://www.ljmu.ac.uk/Research/ Research ] ] The underlying demography of research-active staff is encouraging and LJMU has a relatively large cohort of young research active staff who will continue to contribute to research profile over future years. These are all key elements in securing the sustainability of research within the University.

Major research projects are currently undergoing in the following areas:

* Accounting and Finance
* Art and Design
* Astrophysics
* Biological Anthropology
* Built Environment
* Computer Science and Informatics
* Education
* Engineering
* English
* Ecology, Evolution and the Environment Research
* General Engineering
* Health
* History
* Sports and Exercise Sciences
* Town and Country Planning

Rankings

Liverpool John Moores University is often ranked highly in local lists, with the 2007 performance being 5th out of the 12 North West universities. The top in the region is Lancaster University, which is a plate glass university. The next two universities above LJMU are Red Brick universities; the University of Liverpool and the University of Manchester. The forth university above LJMU is the modern University of Central Lancashire. Universities ranked lower than LJMU (5th) included University of Salford, Manchester Metropolitan University, University of Chester, Edge Hill University, University of Cumbria, Liverpool Hope University and University of Bolton. [http://www.timesonline.co.uk/multimedia/archive/00211/Chat_211675a.gif]

Students' Union

Students at the University are represented by the Liverpool Students' Union. As there are three campus sites for the University, there are also three separate Student Union facilities, each open to all Liverpool John Moores University students. The main Student Union is housed in the Haigh Building at the Mount Pleasant campus. Separate Student Union buildings are based on the IM Marsh and Byrom Street campuses.

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.

In 2007, the university and Students' Union launched a mentoring scheme designed to help new students setting into university life.

City Campus

The Haigh Building is the main City Centre venue, the venue recently won Best Bar None awards for the second year running [ [http://www.l-s-u.com/ LSU | Liverpool John Moores University Students' Union | LSU Home ] ] and has three main social areas.

The Cooler features a bar and nightclub venue where students can enjoy a range of exciting entertainment. The Cooler has a diverse music scene including Indie, House and Cheesy Chart Pop. The Cooler also has a range of drinks promotions available to students and during the day plays venue to numerous societies.

The Sanctuary is in the middle of the Haigh Building and is known to be a quieter area of the Student Union. The Sanctuary has a bar which throughout the day serves drinks, sandwiches and a range of hot meals. The Sanctuary also houses the Liverpool John Moores University darts team who regularly play and practice in the venue.

The Scholars Bar is the most popular area of the Student Union, serving a large variety of beers, wines and spirits from around the globe all at student prices. There are 2 big screens that allow the broadcasting of simultaneous football matches and various sporting events. It also has 4 pool tables, games machines, quizzes and regular karaoke. Similarly to The Sanctuary, The Scholars Bar also serves food throughout the day.

IM Marsh Campus

Greenshields Bar is located at the IM Marsh campus. Liverpool Students' Union run the bar on campus and there is also a student shop. The bar is a popular spot at Aigburth site with our students living on and off-campus. The bar has a big screen for live football games and there is also the Friday night ‘disco’! at the venue.

Byrom Street Campus

The Byrom Street Students' Union provides students with a shop. The Byrom Street Union is the smallest of the three sites.

LSU Media

The Students' Union used to publish a magazine called "Havoc" until it closed down in January 2007 due to a cut in funding - and mismanagement by the Union Exec Committee.

The student union also operates a radio station called "Shout FM".

Halls of Residence

Liverpool John Moores University over recent years has sold off a number of previously University owned halls of residences. North Western Hall, formerly the North Western Hotel, built by Alfred Waterhouse in 1871, was sold off to Cosmopolitan Student Homes in 2004. The hall is situated conveniently between both the City and Mount Pleasant campuses.

Two of the most popular halls for students studying at the City campus are the Atlantic Point Student Village and Marybone Complex. Both of these can be found within a few hundred metres of major University buildings. IM Marsh students usually reside in the accommodation provided on campus in Aigburth. The more popular halls for students at the Mount Pleasant campus are Grand Central [ [http://www.ljmu.ac.uk/Accommodation/58738.htm Grand Central ] ] (for its walking distance location close to the university and city centre) and Cambridge Court. [ [http://www.ljmu.ac.uk/Accommodation/58752.htm Cambridge Court ] ]

A comprehensive list of student accommodation available to LJMU students can be located at http://www.ljmu.ac.uk/accommodation/

Sport

Liverpool John Moores University has BUCS-registered teams in badminton, basketball, cricket, football, hockey, netball, rugby league, rugby union and volleyball. 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. [http://www.ljmu.ac.uk/sport/81704.htm LJMU Sports Teams ] ] In addition, the Students' Union also runs intramural sports leagues.

In the 2006/2007 BUCS season, LJMU was successful in winning the leagues in Men's Badminton, Women's Basketball, Women's football 1st, Netball 1st, Netball 2nd, Netball 3rd, Women's Rugby and Men's Gaelic Football. Runners up included Men's football 2nd, Women’s hockey 2nd, Men's Rugby 2nd, Men's Rugby League and Men's football 5th. [ [http://www.busa.org.uk British Universities and Colleges Sport ] ]

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.

In 1999, Liverpool John Moores University Men's Rugby League Team were crowned Student Rugby League European Champions following a 20-14 victory over University of Bordeaux at IM Marsh Campus, Liverpool. This completed a treble victory after they lifted the SRL National League and SRL Premiership.

The IM Marsh Campus houses the University's main sporting facilities which include:

* 25 metre swimming pool
* Large sports hall
* Full sized hockey astropitchs
* Fully equipped fitness suite/gymnasium
* Full sized football pitches
* Full sized rugby pitches
* Dance studios

The Liverpool Students' Union run a number of non-BUCS sports clubs including:

* American Football
* Cheerleading
* Climbing and Mountaineering
* Cycling
* Darts
* Freestyle Dance
* Gymnastics
* Hurling
* Jitsu
* Karate
* Nippon Kempo
* Ski/Snowboarding
* Taekwondo
* Tennis

Art

John Moore’s Painting Prize is a contemporary art prize and involves a bi-annual competitive art exhibition held at the Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool. It is 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 city-wide celebration of the arts that encompasses the Tate Liverpool, Bluecoats Gallery and other venues in Liverpool. In 2008 the exhibition will be a major part of Liverpool's celebrations as European Capital of Culture. [ [http://www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/walker/johnmoores/ Liverpool museums - John Moores 25 painting competition - information page ] ]

Other

Liverpool John Moores University is currently outperforming other North West of England Universities in applications per place. March 2008 application figures released by UCAS show that LJMU is continuing to outperform the sector by around 4%, with 26,663 applications received to date. In addition, Liverpool John Moores has also seen a 20% increase in firm acceptances for applicants, an achievement made more impressive as regional averages are down 18%. [ [http://www.ljmu.ac.uk/NewsUpdate/index_94336.htm News Update ] ]

Recently the John Moores Alumni Association created an Alumnus Board and an Alumnus Business Network Group.

Notable alumni

* Stephen Byers (MP)
* Caroline Aherne (actress, best known for The Royle Family)
* Julian Cope (musician, author)
* Andreja Gomboc (astrophysicist)
* Mark Hendrick (MP)
* George Howarth (MP)
* Neena Gill (MEP)
* Margaret Murphy (crime writer)
* Martin Offiah (sportsman)
* Roxanne Pallett (actress, known from Emmerdale)
* Andrew Stunell (MP)
* Gemma Tumelty (NUS President)
* Beth Tweddle (gymnast)
* Andi Watson (cartoonist)
* Laura Watton (Original English-language manga Artist)
* Matt Lloyd (Paralympic Athlete)
* Ieuan Wyn Jones (Welsh politician)
* Lord Elis-Thomas (Welsh politician)
* Steve Parry (Olympic Games bronze medalist swimmer)
* Brian May (musician)
* James Roby (St Helens RFC rugby player)
* Chris Kavanagh (Weight lifter)
* Michael Rimmer (800 metre athlete)
* Phil Selway (musician), (Radiohead)
* Juan Carlos Osorio (football manager )
* Peter Sissons (Broadcaster)
* Steven Gerrard (Liverpool Football Club captain, honorary degree) [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/merseyside/7525297.stm BBC NEWS | England | Merseyside | Footballer gets university honour ] ]

References

ee also

* Third oldest university in England debate

External links

* [http://www.ljmu.ac.uk/ Liverpool John Moores University]
* [http://www.l-s-u.com/ Liverpool Students Union]