Edge Hill has forged a path as one of the UK’s leading modern universities since gaining university status in 2005, and was crowned our Modern University of the Year in 2021. Purpose-built facilities include a £13 million Tech Hub with biotechnology laboratories for research into disease prevention, DNA sequencing, cloning and genetic treatments. Today the medical school houses England’s only bioethics unit, as well as facilities for clinical skills and a simulation centre. Based on a 160-acre campus near Ormskirk in the northwest of England, the university is investing £35 million in a new students’ union with spaces for everything from societies to socialising, all with the latest tech built in. 

What is Edge Hill University’s reputation?

Results of the latest Research Excellence Framework (REF 2021) showed that 62 per cent of the work submitted was assessed as world-leading or internationally excellent. Hospitality; leisure; recreation and tourism; and information systems and management produced the best results, while submissions within law; sports science; and natural sciences also did well. But against stronger performances elsewhere Edge Hill fell 20 places in our research quality index, compared with its position based on the previous REF exercise in 2014. 

In the government’s Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF 2023) the university was rated silver overall. The new rating was underpinned by gold for Edge Hill’s student experience and silver for student outcomes. The panel noted several features they classed as “outstanding”, such as the use of “research in relevant disciplines, innovation, professional practice and employer engagement” to “contribute to an outstanding academic experience”. Course content and delivery was found to “inspire students to actively engage in and commit to their learning”.

Since then, however, rates of student satisfaction expressed have plummeted: in our latest National Student Survey analysis Edge Hill has fallen to 119th for undergraduates’ feedback on teaching quality (down 35 places) and it has lost 40 places to rank 104= the wider experience.

What degree courses have been discontinued and what new courses are available?

New degrees in biochemistry; engineering; biomedical engineering; and politics and international relations launched in 2024, and from 2025 provision in Stem (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) subjects will include degrees in mathematics; chemistry; and physics. Graphic design is being introduced to their curriculum, following Edge Hill’s popular animation course. 

What are Edge Hill University’s entry requirements — and my chances of getting in?Undergraduate degrees demand from 104-112 Ucas tariff points, up to AAA for medicine. Less than 10 per cent of students come through clearing. Edge Hill does not have a formal contextual admission policy, but most courses publish a Ucas tariff point range and the university’s commitment to widening access underpins a flexible approach to offers that takes applicants’ personal circumstances into account. Those who complete pre-entry programmes may qualify for an eight-point reduction in their offer. 

Edge Hill’s medicine programme includes a foundation year route that targets students from widening participation backgrounds.

What are the graduate prospects?

In the 2023-24 academic year the careers department promoted nearly 10,000 part-time jobs, placements and internships, volunteering opportunities and graduate-level roles to students and recent graduates.

Our analysis of the Graduate Outcomes survey, based on the proportion in highly skilled work or postgraduate courses within 15 months, shows a eight-place rise to 54=, just above the middle ground for UK institutions.

What is Edge Hill University’s campus like?

Investment of £350 million has transformed Edge Hill’s spacious site. The £27 million Catalyst building has student support services, the university library and study spaces. Creative Edge, a £17 million complex for the departments of media and computing, features studios for television, animation, sound, photography and radio.

The university’s £17.4 million Life Sciences building has opened for use by biosciences and medical students and has facilities to aid biomedical research.

The Arts Centre’s performance facilities include two theatres, studio spaces, rehearsal rooms, workshops, sound and design studios and a music technology room. Student productions are supported by professional teams of front-of-house and technical staff.

Everything you need to know about Edge Hill University’s student life and wellbeing support

Students have more than 70 clubs and societies to choose from, while the arts centre on campus hosts live shows and film screenings. Characterful Ormskirk is a ten-minute walk — or free shuttle bus — away. Those in search of brighter lights can get to Liverpool by train in 30 minutes. 

Edge Hill’s £30 million sports centre offers access to an eight-court sports hall, 25m swimming pool, 80-station fitness suite, aerobics studio and health suite with sauna and steam rooms. Outdoors there is a trim trail with exercise stations, a competition-standard running track, rugby, hockey and football pitches, an athletics field and netball and tennis courts.

Edge Hill’s Campus Connectors team, easily identifiable in red polo shirts, are students employed to offer informal peer support. The university offers counselling and disability support, and a reporting system — Let Us Know — is in place if a student has concerns about themselves or others. 

What do the students say?

“I have been so connected with every aspect of my student journey here; there is no such thing as a bad idea at Edge Hill. From the very top of campus at the Sports Centre, hiding in the corners at biosciences, and all the way down to the Health and Education buildings — every inch of campus is beaming with life. I found myself at Edge Hill.”
Annie Mapesa, Faculty of Arts and Sciences president and biotechnology student  

What about student accommodation at Edge Hill University?

The 1930s-designed Main Building has been refurbished providing en suite accommodation on campus and bringing the number of rooms available to 2,592 rooms. Prices start at £80 a week rising to £150 a week. First-years who apply by the housing deadline are guaranteed one. 

How diverse and inclusive is Edge Hill University? 

Edge Hill has a longstanding commitment to widening access to higher education and is currently ranked 43rd overall. Schemes to broaden participation include the pre-entry Fastrack access programme, which has operated for more than 20 years and offers a seven-week preparation for some degrees for those returning to university or wanting to boost skills. Successful completion could mean being considered for a place on the degree even without the otherwise necessary Ucas tariff points. The university runs a medicine outreach initiative for Year 12 state school students who meet eligibility criteria, providing a campus visit and residential week.

Everything you need to know about scholarships and bursaries at Edge Hill University

Excellence scholarships of up to £2,000 are paid over the duration of a degree and reward success outside a student’s course. Edge Hill also awards £2,000 university scholarships to students who contribute to equality and diversity. The student opportunity fund — worth up to £2,000 — accepts applications for career-enhancing opportunities. 

Non-means-tested academic achievement awards of £1,000 are given to the highest-performing student in each subject area based on end-of-year results and sports scholarships are of the same value. There are £1,000-a-year bursaries for care leavers and eligible disabled students.