ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
FOREWORD
BY PROFESSOR MARK POWER, VICE-CHANCELLOR OF LIVERPOOL JOHN MOORES UNIVERSITY
“THE WORK WE DO AT LIVERPOOL JOHN MOORES UNIVERSITY CHANGES PEOPLE’S LIVES.
Whether we are enabling someone to become the first person in their family to attend university, helping a business to innovate or carrying out research that will transform healthcare, we make a positive difference to the world around us.
It is gratifying to see the findings of this report, independently researched and written by AMION, provide evidence that we are succeeding in our mission.
The report clearly demonstrates that LJMU and our people make a positive impact in so many different ways, from furthering social mobility and giving back to our communities, to developing the highly-skilled workforce of the future and adding significant value to the local and national economy.
These are real, tangible impacts and they are made possible by the expertise and commitment of our staff and students, past and present, and the strength of our partnerships at home and abroad.
I’M EXTREMELY PROUD OF THE ROLE OUR UNIVERSITY PLAYS IN THE LIFE OF OUR CITY AND OUR COMMUNITIES, AND WE WILL LOOK FORWARD TO BUILDING UPON THE FINDINGS OF THIS REPORT IN THE YEARS AHEAD.
“ FOREWORD
BY STEVE ROTHERAM, MAYOR OF THE LIVERPOOL CITY REGION
LIVERPOOL JOHN MOORES UNIVERSITY HAS PLAYED A SIGNIFICANT ROLE IN THE LIVERPOOL CITY REGION FOR MORE THAN 200 YEARS.
Over that time, it has enabled so many people from across our area and far beyond to realise their ambitions and fulfil their potential.
As someone who studied at LJMU and is now incredibly proud to be an alumni ambassador fellow of this great university, I know just what a difference it can and does make to people from all backgrounds.
In particular, LJMU is crucial in helping to break down barriers, raising aspirations and providing opportunities to people who may not otherwise move on to higher education. It is heartening and inspiring to read comments in this report from LJMU graduates who come from disadvantaged backgrounds and have gone on to achieve great things in their careers.
As this report demonstrates, the university is integral to the success of our city region. The significant economic impact of its activities helps to support and drive inclusive growth, creating jobs, providing a skilled workforce and enabling our businesses to innovate and develop.
In our region, we’re more committed than ever to delivering a more prosperous future for our communities so that it is the best place to grow up, grow a family, and grow a business – where no one is left behind. LJMU is playing a huge role in that mission as a key partner organisation and through the expertise and dedication of its staff, students and alumni.
I HAVE NO DOUBT THAT LIVERPOOL JOHN MOORES UNIVERSITY WILL CONTINUE TO HELP OUR REGION THRIVE IN THE YEARS AHEAD.
INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND
LIVERPOOL JOHN MOORES UNIVERSITY (LJMU) IS A MODERN CIVIC UNIVERSITY WITH HISTORIC ORIGINS STRETCHING BACK OVER 200 YEARS. FOUNDED THROUGH THE LIVERPOOL MECHANICS’ AND APPRENTICES’ LIBRARY IN 1823, LJMU REMAINS COMMITTED TO THE PRINCIPLES OF WIDENING ACCESS, CIVIC RESPONSIBILITY, AND ADVANCING OPPORTUNITIES FOR ALL.
Its Strategy 2030 places students and community at its core, emphasising inclusive growth, applied research excellence, and strong partnerships across the Liverpool City Region (LCR) and beyond. LJMU’s Strategy 2030 lays out a vision:
“ OUR VISION IS TO BE AN INCLUSIVE CIVIC UNIVERSITY, TRANSFORMING LIVES AND FUTURES BY PLACING STUDENTS AT THE HEART OF EVERYTHING WE DO.
Today, LJMU is one of the largest institutions in the region, educating more than 27,000 students, employing around 2,780 staff, and generating annual income of £270.9 million. The university plays a critical role in supporting economic growth, driving innovation, uplifting communities, and preparing highly skilled graduates who contribute significantly to the local and national workforce.
AMION Consulting was commissioned to assess LJMU’s economic, social, cultural, and civic impacts. This study incorporates detailed economic modelling, significant staff and student data, extensive external consultations, and two large-scale surveys with students and alumni (1,200+ responses). The result is a robust picture of LJMU’s contribution across:
• Economic impact at an LCR and national level (Jobs and GVA)
• Monetised social benefits using Green Book methodologies
• Wider impacts across key themes such as:
• Contribution to economic growth and development
• World leading teaching and research standards
• Expanding access and improving outcomes for disadvantaged students
• Contribution to community, public health and culture
ECONOMIC IMPACT –GVA AND EMPLOYMENT
ECONOMIC IMPACT –GVA AND EMPLOYMENT
ACROSS ALL ACTIVITIES – INCLUDING TEACHING, RESEARCH, SUPPLY CHAIN ACTIVITY, STUDENT ACTIVITY, STAFF EXPENDITURE, TOURISM EFFECTS AND INNOVATION – LJMU DELIVERS A SUBSTANTIAL ANNUAL ECONOMIC CONTRIBUTION.
LCR IMPACTS:
UP TO £474 MILLION GVA AND 6,218 JOBS IN THE LCR ECONOMY
UK IMPACTS
UP TO £880 MILLION GVA AND 10,645 JOBS IN THE UK ECONOMY
These impacts position LJMU as one of the region’s largest anchor institutions and a centrepiece of the knowledge economy. Around 1% of LCR’s jobs and GVA are supported by the university.
This scale of impact places LJMU at the upper end of economic contribution when compared to similar post-1992 universities nationally. In addition, LJMU is assessed to have significantly expanded its economic footprint since its previous assessment in 2017.
LCR level impacts are shown below.
DIRECT UNIVERSITY OPERATIONS
£181M
CAPITAL INVESTMENT
2,572
In 2023/24, nearly £12m invested in estate improvements generated:
£7M
SUPPLY CHAIN IMPACT
LJMU’s procurement spending of £93.4m supports:
£25M
371 GVA GVA GVA FTE JOBS JOBS IN LCR JOBS IN LCR
87
STAFF SPENDING
LJMU staff living within the LCR generate:
£41M
GVA
554
STUDENT SPENDING
Student expenditure across accommodation, retail, transport and hospitality delivers:
£167M
GVA
1,886
JOBS IN LCR
(£291M GVA AND 3,161 JOBS UK-WIDE)
VISITOR / TOURISM IMPACTS
Student expenditure across accommodation, retail, transport and hospitality delivers:
£14M
GVA
220
JOBS IN LCR
RESEARCH & KNOWLEDGE EXCHANGE
Research, innovation and productivity spillovers generate:
£39M
528
JOBS IN LCR
GVA JOBS IN LCR
LJMU supports a strong innovation ecosystem across health, digital, engineering, maritime, sport science and the creative economy.
MONETISED SOCIAL BENEFITS
MONETISED SOCIAL BENEFITS
LJMU GENERATES AN ESTIMATED £174.6 MILLION IN IDENTIFIABLE SOCIAL VALUE ANNUALLY. THIS REFLECTS THE TRANSFORMATIONAL IMPACT HIGHER EDUCATION HAS ON INDIVIDUAL LIFE CHANCES, SOCIAL MOBILITY, WELLBEING, AND COMMUNITY OUTCOMES ACROSS GENERATIONS.
GRADUATE WAGE PREMIUM (£102.3M)
Enhanced lifetime earnings reflect the significant value of undergraduate and postgraduate qualifications, career progression, improved wellbeing, and increased productivity.
DISTRIBUTIONAL BENEFITS (£59.8M)
As 45% of students come from the most deprived 40% of neighbourhoods, Treasury welfare weights demonstrate additional uplift in social value linked to improved equality of opportunity.
STUDENT VOLUNTEERING (£11.5M)
With more than 1.08 million volunteering hours annually, LJMU contributes major wellbeing and community capacity benefits across charities, schools, health, sports, and youth services.
CULTURAL PARTICIPATION (£1M)
More than 202,000 attendees at LJMU cultural events generate wellbeing value linked to community cohesion, creativity, inclusion and public engagement.
WIDER IMPACTS
WIDER IMPACTS
LOCAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
LJMU is a major regional anchor, with senior staff contributing to the LCR Innovation Board, Freeport, Business & Enterprise Boards
LJMU supplies 28% of all graduate hires in the LCR, more than any other university; 44% of graduates work in the region 15 months on.
Largest supplier of health professionals in the LCR: 900–1,400 nursing & advanced practice graduates annually, meeting NHS workforce needs
Key contributor to LCR policing workforce development – 150 trainees and 400+ graduates supporting community safety and leadership
Drives creative and digital innovation, co-leading the £6.75m MusicFutures Creative Cluster, strengthening Liverpool’s position as a UK screen and digital hub
Major force in sustainability – Low Carbon Eco-Innovatory (LCEI) has delivered millions in value and thousands of tonnes of CO₂e reductions for LCR businesses.
“ THE WORK OF THE UNIVERSITY IS INVALUABLE FOR SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC GOOD… CRUCIAL TO GIVE OUR CITY REGION BUSINESSES A COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE
Paul Cherpeau, CEO, Liverpool Chamber
WORLD-LEADING TEACHING AND RESEARCH STANDARDS
73% of LJMU research is rated world-leading or internationally excellent, with major strengths in sport science, astrophysics, forensics, public health, sustainability and maritime engineering.
Recognised in the Teaching Excellence Framework for strong outcomes and high-quality learning environments, embedding applied learning and employer-engaged curriculum design across programmes.
Home to leading centres such the Global Centre for Maritime Innovation, Liverpool Logistics, Offshore and Marine Research Institute (LOOM) and the Liverpool Research Institute for Climate and Sustainability (LiRICS)., delivering research that supports decarbonisation, materials innovation, and green economic growth.
Maritime innovation leadership with a £2.5m Last Mile Net Zero project, advancing alternative fuels, retrofit technologies and digital optimisation.
International education leadership:
Chairs the UK-Malaysia University Consortium (29 universities), delivering 78 joint activities since 2022.
Delivers degrees to 24,000+ TNE students across 15+ countries, ranking in the UK’s top six for global online provision
“ THIS UNIVERSITY CHANGED MY LIFE, THE WELLBEING SERVICES AND ACADEMIC SUPPORT IS UNMATCHED – I COULDN’T HAVE ASKED FOR A BETTER UNI TO STUDY AT
LJMU alumni, 2025
WIDER IMPACTS EXPANDING ACCESS AND IMPROVING OUTCOMES FOR DISADVANTAGED STUDENTS
LJMU is one of the UK’s most inclusive universities: 45% of students come from the 40% most deprived neighbourhoods
Widening participation & outreach reaches 43,000 pupils annually, delivering aspiration, attainment-raising and long-term progression pathways through schools and community organisations
Provides significant financial and wellbeing support via bursaries, hardship funds, food discounts, gym support and targeted student success initiatives
Delivers alternative pathways such as foundation years and degree apprenticeships, ensuring accessible entry routes for learners facing barriers
54% of alumni agreed or strongly agreed that graduating from LJMU has improved their Social Mobility compared to their background
Strong employability outcomes:
96% positive graduate outcomes, above the national average
61% of graduates use what they learned in their current work
“ EDUCATION HAS TRANSPORTED ME FROM A BACKGROUND OF RELATIVE POVERTY TO LIVING COMFORTABLY WITH A WELL-PAID JOB
LJMU
alumni, 2022
CONTRIBUTION TO COMMUNITY, PUBLIC HEALTH AND
CULTURE
The Engage Watermark Award (2025) recognises LJMU for its leadership and culture of public engagement embedded throughout the organisation
Over 1 million volunteering hours annually, supporting grassroots organisations, schools, charities and community groups across the LCR
Major contributor to Liverpool’s cultural ecosystem through John Moores Painting Prize, LJMU Film Festival, Face Lab cultural research, Pride partnerships & exhibitions. LJMU events collectively attract over 200,000
Public Health Institute (PHI) provides nationally influential research in Violence reduction, Substance misuse, Suicide prevention, Health inequalities and nightlife safety. Findings shape local authority, NHS, and national practice.
“ EDUCATION HELPS SO MUCH WITH SOCIAL MOBILITY… THE ROLE LJMU PLAYS CANNOT BE UNDERSTATED
Chris Lewis, Merseyside Expanding Horizons
CASE STUDIES
BIG ONION SEFTON
LJMU is a tenant within the community hub, provide advice to aspiring entrepreneurs and local residents considering higher education, supporting community development and economic participation in one of the region’s most deprived areas.
MERSEY FOREST LIVERPOOL
LJMU has collaborated with Mersey Forest for over 30 years, shaping one of the UK’s most successful community environmental partnerships, including developing The Natural Curriculum at the School of Education.
LIVERPOOL
OPTIMAL HEALTH WIRRAL
Optimal Health has been supported by the Horizons project, which is a flagshio innovation support programme in the LCR dedicated to SMEs. LJMU is a key partner in the project, with experts providing hands-on assistance and access to knowledge, equipment, facilities, funding and our students.
KIRKBY KITCHEN COOKBOOK
LOCAL AUTHORITY
LJMU worked with health professionals and community groups to tackle obesity in Knowsley. Nutritionists and nutrition students from LJMU teamed up with doctors, patients, residents, to develop a brand-new community cookbook – the Kirkby Kitchen Cookbook featuring 26 healthy Mediterranean-inspired recipes.
CARMEL COLLEGE
LOCAL AUTHORITY
Carmel College in St Helens works closely with LJMU to raise aspirations and widen access to higher education. LJMU provides tailored outreach and engagement activities with teachers, careers advisers, students and parents to help learners understand university life, course options and career progression.
VINCI BUILDING
LOCAL AUTHORITY
Vinci Building is a leading construction management company in Widnes. The company has partnered with LJMU since 2016 to deliver degree apprenticeships in chartered surveying and engineering, with the university currently supporting over 1,200 students across disciplines including civil engineering, business management and healthcare.
CONCLUSION
CONCLUSION
LIVERPOOL JOHN MOORES UNIVERSITY IS A TRANSFORMATIVE ANCHOR INSTITUTION DELIVERING WIDE-RANGING ECONOMIC, SOCIAL, CULTURAL AND PUBLIC VALUE.
ITS ANNUAL IMPACT INCLUDES £880 MILLION GVA NATIONALLY, MORE THAN 10,600 JOBS, AND £174.6 MILLION IN SOCIAL VALUE THROUGH IMPROVED OPPORTUNITY, WELLBEING AND MOBILITY.
THE UNIVERSITY’S RESEARCH EXCELLENCE, CIVIC COMMITMENT AND INCLUSIVE ETHOS SUPPORT GROWTH, HEALTH, CULTURE AND COMMUNITY RESILIENCE ACROSS THE LIVERPOOL CITY REGION. LJMU REMAINS A FOUNDATIONAL FORCE IN SHAPING THE REGION’S FUTURE PROSPERITY, IDENTITY AND OPPORTUNITY.
