We investigate the methanol absorption spectrum in the range 5.5-10.8 eV to provide accurate and absolute cross-sections values. The main goal of this study is to provide a comprehensive analysis of methanol electronic-state spectroscopy by employing high-resolution vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) photo-absorption measurements together with state-of-the-art quantum chemical calculation methods. The VUV spectrum reveals several new features that are not previously reported in literature, for n > 3 in the transitions (ns sigma(a') <- (2a '')) ((1)A' <- (X) over tilde (1)A') and (ns sigma, np sigma, np sigma', nd sigma <- (7a')) ((1)A' <- (X) over tilde (1)A'), and with particular relevance to vibrational progressions of the CH3 rocking mode, v(11)'(a ''), mode in the (3p pi(a '') <- (2a '')) (2(1)A' <- (X) over tilde (1)A') absorption band at 8.318 eV. The measured absolute photoabsorption cross-sections have subsequently been used to calculate the photolysis lifetime of methanol in the Earth's atmosphere from the ground level up to the limit of the stratosphere (50 km altitude). This shows that solar photolysis plays a negligible role in the removal of methanol from the lower atmosphere compared with competing sink mechanisms. Torsional potential energy scans, as a function of the internal rotation angle for the ground and first Rydberg states, have also been calculated as part of this investigation.