-1.jpg)
Last month, we caught up with Dr John Tomlinson (Medicine, 1980), whose connection to Liverpool began with a life-changing opportunity. After graduating, John went on to build an exciting career in Public Health, including establishing and running a hospital in Somalia—an experience he recounts with both humour and honesty in his book, Noises After Dark. He shared how the University helped shape his journey and why he’s passionate about giving back to support today’s students.
Tell us about yourself and your connection to the University.
I graduated from the University of Liverpool in 1980 with a degree in Medicine. It’s no exaggeration to say that being accepted into Liverpool changed the course of my life. I was always impressed with the family GP and how doctors make such a difference to people’s lives, and I developed a real interest in all things medical in the news and on TV. My biology teacher was supportive and encouraged me to dream.
I was not successful with my first round of applications and despite having good grades I returned to school to improve them further. A new inspirational head teacher encouraged me to write a letter to as many medical schools as possible to enquire if they would consider me the following year. Liverpool promptly invited me for an interview, at which I was offered one of three remaining vacancies.
I will always remember the admission officer’s words: ‘What we want is someone who is committed and willing to work hard. It’s a tough job with all the long hours. So, if you are willing to go back to school with your grades and spend another year trying to get here, then that says something about you, young man. I say let’s have you now and save you a year.’
So, it was not so much ‘me choosing Liverpool’, as ‘Liverpool choosing me’. It was meant to be, and that moment was to change my life.
What inspired you to give back to support students at the University of Liverpool?
My time at Liverpool changed my life leaving me a foundation not just for my career, but for my life. I had incredible opportunities – both academically and personally – that simply wouldn’t have been possible without financial support and free tuition at the time.
Tuition fees and the current cost of living places a huge burden on students. If I were a student today, from the same disadvantaged background, I’m not sure I’d have the confidence or financial means to go. That’s why I feel strongly about giving back. I want to help ensure that someone in the same position I was in back then isn’t deterred from applying. A students’ potential should not be stifled and influenced by finances at such a young age and stage in their life. I am in a position to help to a point and so it is important for me to do so.
How did your university experience shape your decision to donate?
Liverpool gave me far more than a medical degree. It gave me community, confidence, and lifelong values. I arrived a shy, quiet student and left with the ability to talk to anyone, anywhere – a skill that helped me, not only in the UK, but in clinics in Jamaica and Australia, and later as I ran a hospital in Somalia during civil unrest.
The city of Liverpool and the university taught me resilience, resourcefulness, and the importance of humour – especially when things got tough. The support and encouragement I received as a student have stayed with me throughout my life. Supporting today’s students feels like a natural way of giving back.
Do you have any advice or words of encouragement that you’d like to share with current students at Liverpool?
Make the most of your time, not just your course, but the wider experiences, friendships, and opportunities that come your way. Making the right career choice is not easy, and it’s normal not to be sure of what you want to do once you are qualified. You spend much of your adult life working, so it’s important to find something you enjoy and can be proud of. Don’t feel rushed into making the decision if you are unsure. Although it may not seem like it, time is on your side.
If you’re facing challenges, know that others have too. I failed my first exam. I had setbacks. But persistence, reflection, and learning from those experiences matter more than perfection. And whatever you do, enjoy it.
What would you say to fellow alumni considering donating to support students?
Think back to what university gave you – not just academically, but personally. For many of us, it was a transformational time. Supporting current students, especially those facing financial barriers, is a powerful way to give others the same chance we had.
Even a small donation can make a real difference. It’s not just about covering costs; it’s about sending a message that someone believes in them. That kind of encouragement can be life-changing – I know, because it was for me.
What is your favourite thing about the University community?
The warmth, humour, and sense of belonging. Liverpool as a city has such a strong identity and pride, and the University community reflects that. It brings people together from all walks of life and creates space for everyone to grow and thrive.
To this day, Liverpool still feels like a second home to me. And even now, the family I lived with during my first year – when the halls were full – still send me a Christmas card every year. That says it all, really.
On behalf of the University community, we’d like to thank John for sharing his Liverpool memories and for his ongoing support of Liverpool students. If you would like to share your story, please contact us: giving@liverpool.ac.uk.