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Graduate careers in Liverpool

Photograph of Liverpool

Liverpool is one of Britain's more substantial and unique cities and defines itself as diverse, energetic and exciting. Situated on the river Mersey, its waterfront is the hub of the action with a buzzing scene of clubs, bars, shops, restaurants and historic monuments.

Liverpool is Europe's Capital of Culture for 2008, which has led to a huge boom in development and investment in the city. The 'Liverpool 1' development around Paradise Street is a massive project comprising leisure, retail and residential elements that is set to change the face of the city centre when it opens later in the year.

The legacy of the Beatles lurks throughout the city and provides a fantastic contrast to the sporting scene of the Grand National and Liverpool Football Club. Liverpool is packed with entertainment for any graduate looking to move to the area and join the resident Scousers.

In and around Liverpool | Drink at... | Dance at... | Eat at... | Shop at... | The cost of living in Liverpool | Getting work in the Liverpool area

In and around Liverpool

Liverpool has ample entertainment for all ages, so whether you fancy a relaxing day out or a wild night on the town there is always something to meet your fancy. This could include taking time to try the local delicacy 'Scouse', which may eventually become your 2.00 am alternative to a kebab and chips after a night out on Victoria, Matthew or Hardman Streets.

Clayton Square shopping centre, St John's shopping centre, Lord Street, Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet, Albert Dock, Bold Street, Church Street, Cavern Walks designer shopping centre and Met Quarter mean that, in Liverpool, you will never get bored of shopping. There is retail therapy for all styles and budgets with many shops that are exclusive to the centre.

For other entertainment ventures try the Knowsley Safari Park just outside the city or maybe head along to the free African music festival. There are also hundreds of sports initiatives all over the city so a quick web search is bound to bring up your favourite pastime.

Drink at...

  • The Hope and Anchor: Food and a pool table are available in this great pub. It is perfectly designed for students and is situated away from the city centre - so no tourists!
  • The Caledonian: Free coffee refills and web access, this is a traditional pub with an arty feel thanks to its student customers.
  • The Grapes: A small but friendly pub that will see you queuing for a while at the bar but its well worth the wait.

Dance at...

  • Camel Club: This is a very popular venue, which plays classic R&B tunes all night long.
  • Revolution: Contemporary Russian-themed bar with sixty premium vodkas on offer and a crazy DJ scene in the evenings.
  • The Cooler: This Union club is great for making friends at, the drinks are very reasonable and the entertainment varied and exciting - but you will need a student friend to get in.

Eat at...

  • New York: This is a funky venue, tables made of Coke bottles, a long bar for quick service and some great grub.
  • Tokyou: The vast menu of Japanese and Cantonese food will be puzzling to pick from but it really is delicious. The service is impeccable and everything is cheap!
  • Bistro Pier: Situated by the Cavern this is a cute French food venue that is very popular with students.

Shop at...

  • Met Quarter: Many designer brands are based here and some of the individual stores are unique to the Met Quarter.
  • Albert Dock: A trendy destination for culture vultures with art shops, gallery outlets, the Tate Gallery gift shop and The Beatles Story gift shop.
  • Liverpool Church Street: The place to go for High Street fashion such as Top Shop, H&M, TK Max, Zara and many other well-known names.

The cost of living in Liverpool

The cost of living in Liverpool is generally much lower than in southern cities. This has created the booming leisure industry for which the city is so famous and makes it the perfect destination for continuing the student mentality if you are not quite ready to let it go.

As one of the most cost-effective cities for students in the UK, Liverpool offers an excellent transition to professional life. Unlike in the south, you will be more able to rent privately without sharing if you want to. However, you may want to continue living in shared accommodation to work off your some of your loan before you splash out too much! Either way, these tips will point you in the right direction:

  • Smithdown and Allerton are two areas with many cheap houses to rent, which mean that many poor students live here - look out for these two names in your house hunt if you want to continue, or avoid, the student party lifestyle.
  • www.artfullodger-liverpool.co.uk has a great search engine so you can select your budget, location and other preferences from 'to let' and 'for sale' accommodation. www.gradpads.com is another free service that allows graduates to find flats and flatmates in the area they are looking to move to.
  • Liverpool Echo is a local newspaper that contains hundreds of vacancy listings.

Getting work in the Liverpool area

When searching for work in the Liverpool and Merseyside area you should make your first destination the Merseyside Workplace and Northwest Workplace web pages (www.merseysideworkplace.com and www.northwestworkplace.com). If only the south had something just as good... These sites are fantastic for searching companies that specifically take on students and you can narrow your search by selecting the industry and type of placement that you are interested in. Liverpool John Moores University also has a brilliant careers service for people living in the North West region after graduation, including advice and job vacancies.

Below is a selection of some graduate recruiters that are accessible from Liverpool. (Please note that these companies may not be currently recruiting. Their names have been provided as a guideline to the type of work available and areas to look in).

  • Bermans: (legal services, Liverpool)
  • Birkenhead Press: (creative arts and crafts, Birkenhead, 15 minute drive)
  • Brainboxes: (computing, software engineering, IT, Liverpool)
  • Cheryl Lewis & Company: (legal services, Birkenhead, 15 minute drive)
  • CBISS Design Services Ltd: (building, civil engineering, design consultancy, Birkenhead, 15 minute drive)
  • Tweeds Construction Consultancy: (building,civil engineering, design consultancy, Liverpool)
  • Reidmark: (advertising and marketing, Liverpool)
  • Wirral News Group: (publishing, Wirral, 15 minute drive)
  • Dufton Kellner: (finance, Wirral, 15 minute drive)
  • Lancelyn Theatre Supplies: (media, performing arts, Wirral, 15 minute drive)

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