The University of Liverpool is a competitive Russell Group university that is achievable for well-qualified applicants. It makes offers to a majority of applicants across most courses, with typical A-level offers from ABB to AAA. Medicine, Dentistry and Veterinary Science are much more competitive, and meeting the grades matters more than at the very top universities.
The University of Liverpool is a historic, research-intensive Russell Group university — competitive, but achievable for well-qualified applicants. It is a founding member of the Russell Group and one of the original "redbrick" universities, particularly strong in medicine, dentistry, veterinary science, architecture and the health sciences. Getting in means understanding what the numbers mean for your specific course.
The real acceptance rate at Liverpool
The headline "acceptance rate" hides a lot, and the gap matters.
Applications received: high across a broad range of courses, with the strongest competition on medicine, dentistry and veterinary science.
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Review my statement → From £7.49 · Results in under 10 minOffers made: Liverpool makes offers to a majority of applicants across most courses — an offer rate well above the most selective universities.
By subject, the picture varies. The medical, dental and veterinary schools are highly competitive, with far more strong applicants than places; many other courses make offers to most well-qualified applicants.
The key point: for most Liverpool courses, meeting the grade requirement puts you in a strong position. The exceptions are the healthcare-professional courses, where grades are the entry ticket and admissions tests, experience and interviews decide.
Source: University of Liverpool admissions data and UCAS sector figures.
Entry requirements by course
| Course | Typical A-level Offer | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Medicine (A100) | AAA | Chemistry + Biology; UCAT required; interview |
| Dentistry (A200) | AAA | Chemistry + Biology; UCAT; interview |
| Veterinary Science | AAA | Chemistry + Biology; work experience; interview |
| Architecture | AAB | Portfolio may be required |
| Law | AAB | Essay-based subjects help |
| Engineering | AAB–AAA | Maths + Physics |
| Psychology | AAB | A science often preferred |
| Humanities (History, English) | ABB–AAB | Essay subjects |
IB requirements: Liverpool's standard IB offer typically sits between 33 and 36 points, with higher requirements for medicine, dentistry and veterinary science.
Medicine, Dentistry and Veterinary Science: the hardest doors
Liverpool's healthcare-professional schools are among its most competitive. Medicine and Dentistry require AAA including Chemistry and Biology, plus the UCAT and an interview; Veterinary Science requires relevant animal work experience alongside top grades. As everywhere, admissions tests, reflective experience and interview performance matter as much as grades — check Liverpool's published weighting for the current cycle.
Rankings and Russell Group standing
- QS World University Rankings 2026: within the global top 200
- Complete University Guide / Guardian 2026: within the UK top 30
- Research strength: strong in medicine, infection and health sciences, and veterinary science
Liverpool received its royal charter in 1903 as one of the original redbrick civic universities and was a founding member of the Russell Group in 1994. It sits in the upper tier of UK universities.
Contextual offers at Liverpool
Liverpool operates contextual admissions. Eligible applicants — from under-represented backgrounds or low-participation areas — may receive reduced offers and are considered with additional context. Check Liverpool's published criteria, as they vary by course.
Who gets into Liverpool?
For most courses, offers go to applicants who:
- Are predicted ABB to AAA with the relevant subjects
- Meet any course-specific requirements (UCAT for Medicine/Dentistry; work experience for Veterinary Science)
- Have a personal statement showing genuine subject engagement
For most Liverpool courses, meeting the grades puts you in a strong position — the personal statement becomes decisive mainly on the competitive healthcare-professional programmes.
Liverpool vs. comparable universities
Liverpool sits alongside universities like Manchester, Sheffield, Leeds and Newcastle — strong Russell Group civic universities that are competitive but achievable. Its distinguishing strengths are its medical, dental and veterinary schools and its historic architecture provision.
The personal statement: what Liverpool is looking for
For most Liverpool courses, meeting the grades is the main hurdle, and the personal statement — now the three UCAS questions for 2027 entry — confirms genuine interest and fit. On Medicine, Dentistry and Veterinary Science it does far more work, distinguishing between high-grade applicants.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the acceptance rate at Liverpool?
Liverpool makes offers to a majority of applicants across most courses, so its overall offer rate is well above the most selective universities. Medicine, Dentistry and Veterinary Science have far lower success rates, so the figure varies sharply by subject.
What grades do you need to get into Liverpool?
Most Liverpool courses require ABB to AAA at A-level. Medicine and Dentistry require AAA including Chemistry and Biology plus the UCAT and an interview. Check the exact requirements for your course.
Is Liverpool a good university?
Yes — Liverpool is a founding member of the Russell Group and one of the original redbrick universities, especially strong in medicine, dentistry, veterinary science, architecture and the health sciences. It ranks within the UK top 30 and the global top 200.
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