Learning resources

Liverpool was the first Russell Group university to provide week-day 24-hour opening throughout the academic year.

The University Libraries

Our libraries have over two million books, a large portfolio of 65,000 electronic journals and online access to most major databases. The libraries offer access to over 680,000 contemporary electronic books including academic e-books, reports and conference proceedings. There are extensive special collections, such as the largest Science Fiction collection in Europe, plus rare books and manuscripts. Electronic resources can be accessed from any computer with an internet connection.

You can have 24/7 access on or off-campus to the library catalogue, our electronic resources, the programme notes your department has put online and a fantastic array of learning materials. Both the Sydney Jones and Harold Cohen libraries are open 24 hours on week days throughout the academic year.

The libraries provide computer and study space, a laptop loan service, staffed helpdesks. Both libraries are zoned to provide silent, quiet and group study space. The University libraries consistently achieve excellent scores in student satisfaction surveys, including The National Student Survey for all groups of students.


IT Services

There are over 2,000 computers available across campus plus high speed WiFi service for laptops, tablets and mobiles. Most of the computers are in our two main libraries and are available 24/7 but there are also PC centres in most buildings across campus.

We provide a wide range of software to support your studies, some of which is also available for you to install on your own computer for free, including Microsoft Office.

Most of our services are available off campus and apps like Mobile Campus and Mobile Learn give you access to your resources wherever you are from your smartphone or tablet.

As soon as your place is confirmed you can activate your University computing account, use your University email and access many of the resources and services you will need when you arrive to start your studies.


Getting help 24/7

The Computing Services Service Desk provides support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, you can follow us on Twitter and our webpages keep you up-to-date with what is going on, what is new and what is available to you.

We have online resources to support and develop your IT skills, including task-based materials which you can download and work through at your own pace. We are here to help you develop the IT skills you need to make the most of your studies.


Online learning environment

Canvas will be the University’s virtual learning environment (VLE) for all taught undergraduate modules from August 2021 onwards.  

Canvas supports learning and teaching activities across the Internet. This enables quick and easy provision of your programme materials; personalisation of your Canvas dashboard and access to the student app. Enhanced search capability of Canvas makes it as quick and easy as possible to find the content you need and as it is fully integrated with Stream, all your lecture video will be recorded to view online to support your study and revision. 

All students can contact the Canvas Support Team for expert advice and support 24/7, 365-days-a-year via live chat, email and phone. The University is committed to making our digital course content accessible to all students, which is why Canvas is integrated with Ally, which can generate a range of alternative accessible formats for you, such as Audio, mobile-friendly HTML, ePub (a responsive e-book format), electronic braille and translated versions.

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