Goal 4: Quality education

Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.

Working in partnership both locally and globally, we are tackling each of the UN Sustainable Development Goals through our research and knowledge exchange, education and student experience, and through our operations. Discover how our unique commitments align with and support Sustainable Development Goal 4: Quality Education.

Research and impact

The University supports SDG 4 through research, partnerships, and public engagement that advance inclusive and equitable education. A major study demonstrated that early cognitive and social-emotional difficulties account for 17% of GCSE failures in England, with affected children up to 4.5 times more likely to underperform. This evidence highlights the need for integrated health education approaches (4.2, 4.a). The Good Writing, Gender and the ‘Gap’ project has challenged assumptions about gender disparities in primary writing, with findings now embedded in teacher training and CPD across the Liverpool City Region, promoting equity in assessment (4.5, 4.6). Partnerships are central to our approach. Another major analysis showed that early cognitive and socio-emotional difficulties account for 17% of GCSE failures in England. Children affected are up to 4.5 times more likely to underperform, highlighting the need for integrated education and healthcare policy initiatives (4.2, 4.a). Through engagement initiatives like the Research Fellows Showcase and Pint of Science, the University continues to foster public learning and promote lifelong education (4.7).

Education and student experience

The University empowers learners through inclusive education, lifelong learning, and community engagement, advancing SDG 4 (4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 4.5, 4.7). In 2025, we launched the Liverpool Learning Framework, setting a benchmark for all programmes to embed sustainability and drive ambitious transformation across formal and extra-curricular learning. Alongside this, we introduced new programmes including the MSc in Sustainable Business, MSc Green Finance & Sustainability Accounting and MSc Sustainable Civil & Structural Engineering, equipping graduates to tackle global challenges. Students also engage in experiential learning through our Living Lab programme, which connects education and research to campus sustainability challenges. All students can access the Student Sustainability Hub and our online Sustainability in Action course, embedding Education for Sustainable Development across curricula. Extracurricular achievement is formally recognised through HEAR, capturing both academic and co-curricular contributions (4.4). The University Maths School and Centre for Higher Education Studies further strengthen STEM provision and pedagogical research (4.3, 4.c). Locally, we work with 40 schools, delivering more than 169 engagements annually and supporting around 1,600 young people in long-term outreach projects (4.2, 4.5). Initiatives such as Destination Summer Schools expand access to competitive health professions (4.3, 4.5). Globally, our Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University partnership offers 2+2 pathways, widening international learning and employability (4.7).

Sustainable campus and operations

The University advances SDG 4 through inclusive education practices, innovative programmes, and global partnerships. Locally, our IntoUniversity North Liverpool and Kirkby centre support aspiration and attainment in education-deprived areas, while staff engagement through mentoring, School Governor roles, and recruitment outreach enhances pathways into higher education (4.2, 4.5). The Centre for Innovation in Education supports curriculum design to improve student success, while the Library Service’s Open Access policies ensure equitable knowledge sharing (4.3, 4.7). Institutional priorities include eliminating degree awarding gaps, promoting inclusive attainment across ethnicity, socio-economic status, and protected characteristics (4.5). The Inclusive Curriculum Tool enables staff to audit and enhance inclusivity in course design and delivery, supporting more equitable and accessible learning environments (4.5, 4.a). Lifelong learning is promoted through Continuing Education, free workshops at the Victoria Gallery & Museum, and sector leadership via the Learning & Teaching Conference and the UALL-SCUTREA Lifelong Learning Conference (4.4, 4.c). In recognition of this work, Liverpool was named 2025 Educate North University of the Year.

Case Studies

Expanding global access to high-quality education

In 2025, the University of Liverpool announced the launch of its new campus in Bengaluru, India, marking a major milestone in transnational education and UK–India collaboration. This initiative supports SDG 4 by advancing equal access to affordable, high-quality tertiary education (4.3), embedding global citizenship and sustainable development (4.7), and expanding opportunities for international learning (4.b).

The launch was formalised in New Delhi, where India’s Union Minister of Education presented the Letter of Intent from the University Grants Commission to Vice-Chancellor Professor Tim Jones, in the presence of UK and Indian government officials, the British High Commission, and higher education and industry leaders.

Opening in 2026, the campus will initially offer programmes in Business Management, Accounting and Finance, Computer Science, Biomedical Sciences, and Game Design, with further expansion planned. It will also provide structured study abroad opportunities for Liverpool students, fostering reciprocal access to international education.

The initiative builds long-term capacity by aligning with regional priorities in Karnataka and forging partnerships with government, industry, and academia. MoUs signed at launch included collaborations with the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, AstraZeneca, Wipro Limited, Axis Bank, Dream11, TiE Bangalore, and the YouWeCan Foundation.

By combining inclusive programme design, mutual exchange, and strategic partnerships, the Bengaluru campus demonstrates Liverpool’s commitment to delivering sustainable, scalable higher education models that widen access, strengthen collaboration, and embed lifelong learning in diverse international contexts.